i need to review this book

Since the 1980s, a renaissance in vintage horror films has supported a spate of books recounting the lives and careers of stars Karloff, Lugosi and the Chaneys, not to mention new information about stalwart co-stars John Carradine, Dwight Frye, Lionel Atwill, Colin Clive and Ernest Thesiger. Now comes Rick Atkins' admittedly star-struck volume. At age 17, he began researching and interviewing the people who made horror happen in the talkies -- Universal Studios' Carl Laemmle Jr., who produced Dracula and Frankenstein (both 1931), The Old Dark House and The Mummy (in 1932), The Black Cat (1934) -- plus actors Carradine, Ralph Bellamy and Alan Napier, actresses Gloria Stuart, Evelyn Ankers, Zita Johann, director William Castle and special effects man Ken Strickfaden, among others. While Atkins' writing is a bit sketchy in places, the roundup of personal reminiscences, photographs and a comprehensive filmography and bio-glossary of personalities make this little tome an odd and specialized delight.

I have the great fortune to know Rick Atkins as my older brother. Until recently, however, I did not truly understand just how personal and real his experiences and interactions with movie greats of the classic horror age were.

In October of this year, I was afforded the opportunity to accompany my brother to California -- where he introduced me to he last remaining cast member of of the original Dracula -- Carla Laemmle, the niece of Universal Studios founder, Carl Laemmle. (Look for her in the documentary on the special edition DVD release of Dracula!)

Not only was Ms. Laemmle a delight, and far younger than me in many ways -- but I could not help taking notice of the special brand of rapport that existed between her and my brother. All at once, I realized that it was this aspect of his very personable and intimate relationships with his idols which make his writing so special.

No, the writing itself may not read as smoothly as a Steven King novel -- but considering that the author began working on this book at the age of fourteen, it's actually quite a literary achievement in its own right! If you can cope with the occasional comma-splice, you will most certainly find yourself rewarded -- and hopefully engulfed in what I can only describe as The Real Thing.

This book is essentailly about relationships and possibilities -- not only the type which form between ourselves and those we admire from afar, but also the ones which stand to form if we follow our dreams.

Trust me when I say that this book was written without an ounce of pretention -- and solely in the interest of giving readers a valuable resource to which they can hopefully relate. I know this to be true.

It is indeed sad to know that many faces of the horror genre will be forgotten by many -- but it is comforting to know that this book will keep many of the greats with us for years to come! Kudos to my brother for following his dreams!

Mr. Atkins should be extremely proud of this book. With interviews with such film legends as Gloria Stuart, it serves as a great textbook for lovers and students of film history.