This large book is a visual treat and features mostly rare vintage movie posters from both classic animated Disney shorts and classic animated Disney features. The book complements the similar Disney Poster Book published under the Hyperion label in the early '90's. This publication is quality-bound (with pages sewn, not glued, into the binding) and the graphics reproduction is generally excellent. It's truly amazing how much artistry went into many of these posters. A delight even for casual enthusiasts and a definite "must" for hardcore Disney aficionados!

This book is a superb supplement to the earlier Disney Poster Book from Hyperion (1993). These early posters certainly reflect the emphasis on quality by the original Walt Disney Studios. It's sad that movie posters are not what they used to be. It's even sadder that this tome shows (in miniature) a theater poster from the "Martins & Coys" segment of "Make Mine Music", yet today's Disney Company has decided to censor (i.e., "cut-out") this wonderful, creative segment in its recent DVD release, thus cheating its many fans . Anyhow, all aspects considered, I strongly recommend this tome as an essential addition to any Disney library.

Once again.Leonard Maltin has given us another look at "The Great Movie Comedians"and he shows us why they are still popular with movie fans.In this third look at filmdon's funniest clowns and comics.He explains why Laurel & Hardy,Abbott & Costello ,"The Three Stooges",The Marx Brothers,Charlie Chaplin and W.C.Fields are still popular with their fans even years after these talented performers stopped making movies.He also explains why some performers like Jerry Lewis is still unable to work successfully as a solo clown or why "The Marx Brothers"were never able to sustain their popularity with moviegoers into the war years.(Mainly because of creative sabotage from stupid studio execs like Louis B.Mayer At MGM and the equally stupid heads of RKO and UA).He also looks at the brief but interesting film careers of Thelma Todd,Raymound Griffith,Charlie Chase, Fatty Arbuckle,Mabel Normand,Harry Langdon and Harold Lloyd.The book also includes a filmography of these performers best work and photos of these clowns and comics in their best scenes and off camera as well.While one can hardly agree with the insight into the films of Woody Allen ,Jerry Lewis,The Marx Brothers,etc in this book(I still don't find Mr.Allen,Mr.Lewis,The Marxes,Mr.Chaplin,Mr.Keaton,Mr.Langdon,Mr.Lloyd,Mr.Buster Keaton and Mr.Fields Funny).Mr.Maltin's estimation of their work is informative,interesting and fun.Which can make even a non "Three Stooges"or Non Fields,Marx,Keaton Fan take another look at the careers of these famous funnypeople.Bravo Lenny.Kevin S.Butler.

No one understands and appreciates movie comedy better than Leonard Maltin, and here he has written a book on the subject that is simply perfect. His enthusiasm and love for these comedians and their comedies is infectious, and he gives us a giddy yearning to watch the movies he cites. If one is an aspiring comedian, too, this is an inspirational book, filling one with the wonderful possibilities of making an audience laugh. It is difficult to fully describe the unpretentious, simple manner in which Mr. Maltin nails down the very essence of comedy in these pages. Mr. Maltin understands better than anyone the subtle art of analyzing comedy without killing it, making his book an absolute joy. TO AMAZON: PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A SLIGHTLY CORRECTED VERSION OF A REVIEW I WROTE FOR A LATER EDITION OF THIS BOOK. THE REVIEW APPLIES EQUALLY WELL TO ALL THREE AVAILABLE EDITIONS.

This book holds up today. I've owned it for 20 years now, and still refer to it. Anyone interested in film comedy's history must own this book.

No one understands and appreciates movie comedy better than Leonard Maltin, and here he has written a book on the subject that is simply perfect. His enthusiasm and love of these comedians and their comedies is infectious, and he gives us a giddy yearning to watch the movies he cites. If one is an aspiring comedian, too, this is an inspirational book, filling one with the wonderful possibilities of making an audience laugh. It is difficult to fully describe the unpretentious, simple manner in which Mr. Maltin nails down the very essence of comedy in these pages. How often those who write about comedy smother their subject with detailed theories on its socialogical and psychological implications. Mr. Maltin understands better than anyone the subtle art of analyzing comedy without killing it, making his book an absolute joy.

Jeanine Basinger has put together the definitive collection of primary source information available about "It's a Wonderful Life."

Anybody who considers him or herself a "Lifer" (a fan of the movie, usually an extreme fan such as myself) needs to purchase this book.

Almost everything you want to know is in here, from the original story the film was based on to interviews with Stewart, an introduction by Capra, pictures galore, the final script, script revisions, notes about suggested censorship, and much, much more.

There is even information in here you wouldn't even think about asking. An example is the name of the "stars in charge." One is named Joseph. What is the name of the other galxy (Hint: The answer isn't God).

I often get e-mails asking me questions about the film. If I don't have the answer, this is the first book I pick up. Of the many times I've been asked questions, I have always found the answer in this book.

This is the ultimate IAWL reference.

Could it be possible that a book written about the most inspirational American film of all time do justice to it? The answer is a resounding "YES!". Jeanine Basinger's "The It's a Wonderful Life Book" is the ultimate tribute to the film that Jimmy Stewart, Frank Capra and millions of people all over the world call their favorite of all time.

Diving into the archives of Frank Capra to tell the evolution of the movie from cradle to grave (though it will never die!), Ms. Basinger manages to tell the story with such sincerety, fascination and charm that you get the feeling that everything surrounding the movie was just as wonderful as the final product! Best of all, the details of the making of the movie are so vivid that you almost start to feel that YOU WERE THERE!

The first thing you realize as you read the story of IAWL is that is was a really big movie from the gitgo. That is, Mr. Capra had high aspirations for it and did EVERYTHING in his power to make it his greatest and lasting achievement (little argument here) and that Hollywood was watching.

Fans may know that the story started as a Christmas card called "The Greatest Gift" which finally found its way into Mr. Capra's hands where, after many writes and re-writes into a script, got the Capra touch transforming it into his baby. Then casting began with each actor painstakingly chosen to be the perfect person for each particular character.

Anecdotes abound, starting with Capra's embarrassingly jumbled explanation of the storyline while recruiting Stewart. (Fortunately, all Jimmy needed to hear was that Frank wanted him.) Then we hear the one about Stewart's shattered confidence in acting which is restored when Lionel Barrymore pulls him aside for a peptalk. Finally, We're told that the famous phone scene where George kisses Mary was done in a single take AND THAT TWO PAGES OF DIALOGUE WERE SKIPPED! (Capra saw the magic and said "Print it!").

We also learn some fascinating facts about the production such as the 300-yard long set which made Bedford Falls' Main Street and how a record-breaking heat wave took place during the shooting of the snow scenes (in which a new technology was developed for making more realistic-looking snow which won the crew an honorable mention at the Oscars!). Other incredible details are too vast to mention - you've gotta read it for yourself!

The book is worth it if just to learn all of these amazing facts. Most amazing, though, is the LOVE that the two driving forces put into this film culminating in a "Capraesque" out-of-this-world PICNIC for the cast and crew.

The picnic's panoramic photo, which manages to miraculously include these guys on either end of the crowd (they ran behind as the cameraman slowly panned from left to right) typifies not only the ubiquitousness which Capra had to have to make IAWL a reality, but also how we can never seem to get enough of our lifetime friend, George Bailey.

I wrote the above review over 3 years ago, and I think I've re-read this book as many times since then. I *still* can't get enough of it.

This is an absolutely fantastic chronology of film music through the ages... from the silent era to the "John Williams" era to today. This book makes for entertaining and informative reading with quotes from so many in-the-industry sources that your head will spin! It's the most up-to-date reference I've found so far on film-scoring techniques and the problems historically associated with this genre. I'd even recommend it to film-goers with a just a passing interest in music as well

As a teacher I am always in hot pursuit of books that can help add to a unit or to my personal library. This book tackles both! Full of wonderful photographs from the early days of radio, Lackman's book is a historical account of the glory days of Old Time Radio. The book also contains two narrated cds with excerpts from many comedy shows, drama, mystery and news broadcasts. Those are very helpful in introducing old time radio to my students. If there was ever a book with visual and audio recollections, this is the one to buy!

This has to be one of the best books on old radio I've ever seen. The collection of rare photographs was amazing and the audio selection was fantastic.

Finally...a book on the GREAT cartoon music composers! AND it includes the way under-rated MAURY LAWS of RANKIN/BASS fame! Greg Ehrbar did a wonderful job on this chapter and his DISCOGRAPHY in the back of the book! They are all here....from CARL STALLING to HOYT CURTIN and even the modern cartoon music writers! This book was a LONG time coming! THANKS!

This book is just great.Very helpful in devloping artistic skills as well as introducing some of our old standard cartoon characters to our younger people.My wife is an artist and my 10 yr old daughter has her own aspirations to be an artist and this book greatly helped her.This is a book that anyone,not just kids,will get hours of quality time out of.Great as a gift.

As a life-long fan of The Little Rascals and owner of the complete set of "Cabin Fever" videos from the early 90's, this guide is an indispensable source of information and nostalgia.

I was fascinated by the background information, particularly the biographies of EVERY ONE of the Little Rascals and how they lived the rest of their lives. Be prepared for some tragic, tear-jerking stuff! The information makes viewing the classic episodes even more poignant in hindsight.

I am not familiar with ANY of the "silent era" episodes, but I appreciate the information nonetheless. It was interesting to see how so MANY ideas for later episodes were either inspired by or directly picked up from the silent era.

I also appreciated Maltin's candor as he reviewed the declining later years of the Our Gang franchise. What was obvious to any fan, Maltin confirms with honest (yet never mean-spirited) criticism.

Highlights: The information-packed episode guides, the aforementioned actor biographies and the wonderful collection of Our Gang photos (I only wish there were MORE)!

Warning: If you are only a casual fan of the Rascals or if you're someone who's only watched the 90's "Little Rascals" motion picture, you should probably skip this book. Devoted "Our Gang" fans need only apply!

This is the most exhaustive treatment available of the Our Gang comedy shorts. The synopses of each episode, the biographies, and the photos are excellent. If you want an entertaining and informative read about this excellent series, this is the book.

The bigger accomplishment is the picture Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann paint of the early days of Hollywood. Hal Roach oversaw some of the comedy greats...Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd, and of course Our Gang. We can almost feel what it must have been like to work on the Hal Roach lot in the new and burgeoning film industry. Maltin and Bann are able to evoke the atmosphere, the family of Hal Roach studios. So, more than being just an excellent history of the long running Our Gang series, it is a Hollywood history. Our Gang successfully bridged the silent and talking eras of film, and had as its creator one of Hollywood's seminal geniuses. For this reason, Our Gang is particulary suited to serve as a segue into great film history. This book accomplishes much more than its title implies.

This is the first real book to take a look into the creation,development and success of a popular movie comedy series:"The Little Rascals!".Noted film historians:Leonard Maltin And Richard Bann give the readers insight into the creation of the earliest films,the choosing of the kids that appeared in the series.Plot synopsis,Air dates,behind the scene facts about the incidents that occured during the filming of the shorts and biographies of the cast members.the book also looks at the creation of the other film series that were shot at the studio and about the Man who started it all:Mr.Hal Roach.Maltin and Bann also include a look at "The Our Gang"series successful revival on local and network kids tv shows and two new chapters that were not in the original l977 manuscript:A look at the merchandising of "The Little Rascals"that occured long before the series tv revival and a bio about the series other guiding genius:Robert McGowan. Along with an entire new collection of rare photos and an updated of the book's text."The Little Rascals:The Life & Times Of The Our Gang!" is a must for fans of movie comedies,kids tv and for the history of truly talented and funny kid actors.

I am an animation student and am reading this title because it is a required text. Mr. Maltin does a wonderful and comprehensive job of outlining the history of animation from the Silent Era, to the Golden Age, to a few subsequent years thereafter. Not only does the book chronical the different animation studios, he also gives a brief work history of the most influential animators of the time and gives us an inside view of the animation industry through personal interviews with them. The version I have has been updated, but it seems only through footnotes but I could be wrong as I haven't read the original. An excellent text for either historian, student, or anyone who just loves cartoons, get it!

I first read this book some ten years ago, and was astounded. Not only did the book include little-known information on the studios and cartoons we know and love, but those which have passed into history. (Anyone remember the Van Buren Studio? Or Columbia-Screen Gems? Or that the latter produced a "L'il Abner" animated series in the mid-forties?) Maltin's love of animation is obvious, and it makes one wonder why did not choose to devote an entire book to one studio in particular (the sometimes unfairly maligned Terrytoons deserves one, certainly). My sole complaint echoes that of others here--Maltin should update this book more thoroughly, and more often. Even the "updated" version is out of date, and leads one to believe the industry is dying (which was the common belief until "Roger Rabbit" came along). Other than that, I have but one suggestion for Maltin--he should give made-for-TV cartoon studios the same treatment in a follow-up volume. Here's hoping he reads these reviews...

In his second book about the history of animated movie cartoons.Leonard Maltin gives us all insight into the films from Walter Lantz,Paul Terry,The Fleischer Bros.,UPA,Rainbow Studios,Charlie Mintz ,The Looney Tunes and Walt Disney.Using extensive research ,interviews from the surviving creators of these cartoons,voice over performers and film/tv historians.Maltin looks into the creation,evolution and the success and flaws with these cartoon series and explains why these cartoons still have an appeal with movie and tv audiences.The book also contains an extensive filmography of the series and some wonderful cell reproductions from the films and some original character designs.No one before or since has given real respect to "Popeye","Betty Boop","Bugs Bunny","Heckle & Jeckle","Woody Woodpecker" or even"Mickey Mouse"before in a film history book.Leonard Maltin is the first film historian,author and lecturer to show another side to these forgotten aspects of film history.Bravo Lenny! Kevin S.Butler.