Film historians James Robert Parish and Michael Pitts's "Hollywood Songsters" have outdone themselves with this handsomely designed three-volume set that is worth every penny. Filled with rare photos, "Hollywood Songsters" has comprehensive, accurate and fascinating entries on over 100 "singers who act and actors who sing." The lives and careers of everyone from A to Z or June Allyson to Mae West are covered in intriguing and fact-filled detail. Who would have thought that such an indespensible reference book could also be a page-turner. Once you start reading this treasure trove of information it is hard to put down because of the insider tidbits and behind-the-scenes facts that fill the well-written pages. As theater and film critic and lover of musicals, I find this a most wonderful addition to my library as well as a great read. The filmography and lp and CD bibliography on each singer is unparalled. Bravo to Mr. Parish and Mr. Pitts!!!

This is an informative and delightful set that has information on Hollywood songsters that can be found no where else. Each entry has a wonderful picture accompanying. I have spent many, many happy hours pouring over the entries and learning facts about my favorite stars. This is a must have for all libraries and any scholar of musical theatre or musical film or just popular music of the 20th century. Well worth the money! It is clear that Parrish and Pitts have done their homework, but even clearer that they have a love for the subject matter and it shows on every page. As a songwriter with a love for the field, I use this book constantly.

This project has to be a mad labor of love on the part of the authors -- how else / who else would produce a 3-volume directory of singing in the movies? We must applaud and support the authors for this massive work -- I can't imagine it not being definitive -- by urging local libraries to carry it. A database like this should be available to everyone!

The authors bring to light the beginning of a style of singing made possible by the introduction of radio and the electric microphone. Separate from the shouting style of singing required by the acoustic horn phonograph and theatres with no amplification, the microphone allowed a more intimate soft style of singing. The book highlights the better known performers Bing Crosby, Rudy Vallee as well as informs on the forgotten performers Art Gillham, Jack Smith, Little Jack Little and others instrumental in developing the intimate crooning style.

Crooning was a distinctive music performance style that came into prominence during the Big Band era of the 1930s and 40s. Successful crooners like Rudy Vallee and Frank Sinatra became icons of the "bobbysox" generation of teenagers. Established crooners like Bing Crosby and Tony Bennett had decades long careers that including radio, movies, and television. In The Rise Of The Crooner, music historian Michael R. Pitts and Drank W. Hoffmann (Professor of Library Science, Sam Houston State University) are ably assisted by Dick Carty and Jim Bedoian to present an articulate, scholarly, informative, and engaging historical treatise surveying the trends, fads, events, and personalities that created this popular form of American music and its lasting impact on popular American culture. The "reader friendly", 312 paged text is enhanced with up-to-date biographies, bibliographies, and discographies making The Rise Of The Crooners an enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library American music history collection.

this is the definitive book for biblical movies. not only does it cover all the films based on the new testament (as later copycat books did) it is still the ONLY book to detail all films based on the old testament. the old testament films are covered first; read all about the classics like "Samoson And Delilah" and "David And Bethsheba". then the new testament films are covered -- everything from silents to "Jesus Christ Superstar", and everything inbetween, like "Quo Vadis" and "Gospel Road". there's even a section on tv shows that relate to the bible; and tv movies are listed, of course. many b/w photos. over 200 pages. hardcover. hard book to find, but well worth it. this book needs updated. hopefully, scarecrow will do so soon. contact them and ask them to update this gem. you'll enjoy this informative volume.

This is a must for the western movie fan. Information is very consise, but a good first step before getting out your other resources.

As an avid Bronson fan I've been looking forward to a book like this one for the longest time. This particular book has been under way for quite a while, having been postponed several times. Now it's finally here, and the result is so-so. Since Bronson apparently has stopped acting now, it's nice to have a complete overlook of all his work. However, what disappoints me a bit is how little Pitts talks about each movie. -There's lots more to be said about these films, many of them classics, but what you get here is all one is allowed to expect from a reference book, I guess. (-Although McFarland have produced similar books on actors with more thorough discussions, like the brilliant one about Peter Cushing's movies.) Also, and it may just be my copy of the book, but the photos seem to be reproduced not dark enough. Despite these shortcomings it's still a sure-buy for fans, but the ultimate fact-filled book on the films of Mr. Bronson is yet to be written.