Popular culture Books

Book SynopsisLawrence of Arabia, The Miracle Worker, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Manchurian Candidate, Gypsy, Sweet Bird of Youth, The Longest Day, The Music Man, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, and more.Most conventional film histories dismiss the early 1960s as a pallid era, a downtime between the heights of the classic studio system and the rise of New Hollywood directors like Scorsese and Altman in the 1970s. It seemed to be a moment when the movie industry was floundering as the popularity of television caused a downturn in cinema attendance. Cinema ’62 challenges these assumptions by making the bold claim that 1962 was a peak year for film, with a high standard of quality that has not been equaled since. Stephen Farber and Michael McClellan show how 1962 saw great late-period work by classic Hollywood directors like John Ford, Howard Hawks, and John Huston, as well as stars like Bette Davis, James Stewart, Katharine Hepburn, and Barbara Stanwyck. Yet it was also a seminal year for talented young directors like Sidney Lumet, Sam Peckinpah, and Stanley Kubrick, not to mention rising stars like Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, Peter O’Toole, and Omar Sharif. Above all, 1962—the year of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Manchurian Candidate—gave cinema attendees the kinds of adult, artistic, and uncompromising visions they would never see on television, including classics from Fellini, Bergman, and Kurosawa. Culminating in an analysis of the year’s Best Picture winner and top-grossing film, Lawrence of Arabia, and the factors that made that magnificent epic possible, Cinema ’62 makes a strong case that the movies peaked in the Kennedy era.Trade Review"I wouldn’t have pointed to 1962 as a landmark year for movies, but Stephen Farber and Michael McClellan have proven me wrong. Their knowledgeable and persuasive book spotlights diverse films from the U.S. and abroad that put today’s mainstream releases to shame. Can you imagine a menu of superior movies like Lolita, The Manchurian Candidate, Ride the High Country, Days of Wine and Roses and The Music Man all coming out in one twelve-month period? The authors provide valuable context for this lineup, a treasure trove well worth celebrating." -- Leonard Maltin * film critic and historian *"1962 was the greatest AND most important year in movie history! 1939, its closest competitor, was the apex of Hollywood’s Golden Age when dream factories entranced and riveted audiences into their seats. But in 1962 new waves washed into theaters, and the spell was broken: the Golden Age gave way to the Emboldened Age. Filmmakers began to feel they could create their own dreams. Art houses and film schools proliferated. Audiences jumped out of their seats and argued about what they loved… and hated. Friendships were tested. Film mattered! It was the New Frontier. You shoulda been there! Wait! You can be there! Farber and McClellan have provided you with the best way to re-live those thrilling days. They’ve unearthed gems, told great tales, and provided plenty of juicy gossip. Cinema ’62 will arouse you to once again have arguments, go for the jugular, test your friendships…and care about film!” -- Philip Kaufman * award-winning director of The Right Stuff and Invasion of the Body Snatchers *"1962 was a magical year for all of us who love the movies. Filmmaking and art merged in ways that were under-appreciated until now. This fine work by Farber and McClellan makes me realize how fortunate we are to have these momentous and enduring movies. It also made me remember why I wanted to become a director." -- Penelope Spheeris * Director of The Decline of Western Civilization and Wayne’s World *"Stephen Farber and Michael McClellan, with first-rate scholarship and an accessible, entertaining style, make a superb case that 1962 was perhaps the most fascinating, influential, and yes, greatest year in world cinema. They examine a year when the major studios were still committed to making films for adults, the stifling production code was at last loosening up, foreign films were gaining in popularity, and a woman in the central role wasn't a brave and rare event. Cinema '62: The Greatest Year at the Movies is as great as its subject." -- Charles Busch * playwright, actor and screenwriter *"What an amazing year 1962 was in the history of cinema, and what an amazing book Stephen Farber and Michael McClellan have written about it. Cinema '62 is at once deft scholarship and sublime storytelling, a tough balance to maintain, but Farber and McClellan pull it off seamlessly. And the authors make an absolutely convincing case for 1962 as the greatest year in the history of world cinema." -- W.K. Stratton * author of The Wild Bunch *"The case for 1962 can certainly be made with socially provocative films such as Lawrence of Arabia, To Kill a Mockingbird, Lolita, and The Manchurian Candidate, yet the authors bolster their argument with dozens of other entries, including David and Lisa and a Taste of Honey, largely overlooked by the general public." * Library Journal *"There’s plenty of interesting history in Cinema ’62. Farber and McClellan bop from film to film with details about each one’s development, making, release, and influence." * Psychobabble *"Authors Farber and McClellan serve film fans a briskly written, meticulously researched history that gives an often-overlooked and underrated era in cinema its due." * Associated Press *"1962 Was The Year" http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2020/03/1962-was-the-year/ * Hollywood Elsewhere *"BETTE DAVIS VS. JOAN CRAWFORD: HOLLYWOOD'S GREATEST FEUD: On the set of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, 1962" https://crimereads.com/bette-davis-vs-joan-crawford-hollywoods-greatest-feud/ * CrimeReads *"With fresh interviews from participants in many of the key projects and with the authors’ vast, personal knowledge of the films and the context in which they were made, Cinema ’62 is as sharp and lively as that modernist-slanted title implies. Best of all, its approach never feels as if it’s looking back. One feels that the authors just watched all the movies last week and they’re just dying to tell you about some life-changing piece of art that you’ve just got to see." * Variety *"The authors argue their case convincingly by systematically trotting out one exciting foreign film after another, reminding you that, especially thanks to France and Italy, the early 1960s represented a true golden age for arthouse cinema, as it was widely called at the time." * The Hollywood Reporter *Classic Movie Musts podcast interview with Michael McClellan https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/classic-movie-musts/id1375263468#episodeGuid=classicmoviemusts.podbean.com/786a74f0-976d-5578-95f4-2dcfa7cf39d5 * Classic Movie Musts podcast *"From ‘Lawrence Of Arabia’ And ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ To The Debut Of James Bond, Was 1962 The Greatest Movie Year EVER? A New Book Says Yes" by Pete Hammond * Deadline *"A potent reminder that the early 1960s were indeed a turning point in global cinema." * Classic Film & TV Cafe *A New and Notable Film Book for March 2020: "I never would have chosen 1962 as a watershed year for filmmaking but authors McClellan and Farber have proven me wrong. Their essays provide historical context and a well-informed look at the ingredients that meshed to make this an exceptional period for filmmakers and filmgoers alike." * LeonardMaltin.com *"DigiGods Episode 198: Hey Macorona!" interview with Stephen Farber http://digigods.ign.libsynpro.com/digigods-episode-198-hey-macorona * DigiGods podcast *Battleship Pretension podcast: Episode 681: Cinema '62 with Stephen Farber http://battleshippretension.com/episode-681-cinema-62-with-stephen-farber/ * Battleship Pretension *"The Greatest Year at the Movies: Experts Share Behind-the-Scenes Stories about the Unforgettable Classics We Know and Love" by Katie Bruno * Closer Weekly *"This is a solid work of film study and appreciation that makes its case for a new ‘Golden Year’ quite well." * CineSavant Column *"Was 1962 the best year for film? Grab your popcorn, we have time to discuss it," by Ben Hoyt * The Times of London *"Cinema '62 is a compelling and entertaining assessment of the films released in 1962 and will help budding film buffs assemble a list of must-see movies. Forget 1939, Cinema '62 looks at the acclaimed and neglected films of 1962, and persuasively and entertainingly argues it was the peak year for motion pictures." * Shelf Awareness for Readers *"Interview: Author Michael McClellan Talks New Book" https://journeysinclassicfilm.com/2020/04/23/interview-author-michael-mcclellan-talks-new-book/ * Journeys in Classic Film *"The Gold Standard: Is 1962 secretly the greatest year ever for movies?" by Ben Hoyle * Air Mail *"What’s the best movie year ever? People have claimed for years it was 1939; recently, there have been dissenters. Farber, a veteran Los Angeles film critic, and McClellan, a longtime film buyer, make their case for 1962, the year that produced such classics as 'Lawrence of Arabia,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and 'The Manchurian Candidate.'" * Milwaukee Journal Sentinel *"[Farber and McClellan] succeed in crafting a credible, critical narrative of an art form in transition, with chapters covering the foreign-film revolution, the loosening of sexual morals onscreen, the increasing influence of psychoanalysis and, naturally, the move from black and white to glorious Technicolor." * Flick Attack *"A terrific recapitulation of the year in film...It’s superb at probing the political, social, critical, and economic impact of the major and not-so major movies of the year with insight and meticulous research." * Mount Laurel Library, "Irv on Film" *"The authors knowledgeably examine some two-dozen films from 1962, offering cogent insights on what makes them great. Highly recommended." * Choice *CineSavant column mention of Cinema '62 https://cinesavant.com/cinesavant-column-254/ * CineSavant *"Wisely organized thematically....The result is a good survey of critical and box office receptions and makes for easy reading." * CineMontage *"[Farber and McClellan] do an excellent job of moving the needle for American/UK cinema in favor of their claim. They remind us, and provide short, but pithy discussions, of some truly great films of the year." * Quarterly Review of Film and Video *"Film historians/authors Stephen Farber and Michael McClellan make the argument for cinema in 1962, culminating with David Lean's extraordinary 'Lawrence of Arabia."' * Los Angeles Times Gift Guide *"29 Best New Cinema Books To Read In 2021" * Book Authority *"Cinema ’62: The Greatest Year at the Movies by Stephen Farber and Michael McClellan deserve[s] film lovers’ attention." * Boston Globe *"The authors not only rave about excellent films and the correspondingly high number of viewers, they also work out a trend that is already emerging—the end of the Hollywood studio system and the growing influence of so-called filmmakers. The authors deal with an equally important aspect by discussing the move away from black and white to color film." * Country Mag *Table of ContentsForeword by Bill Condon Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Overseas Explosion 2 New American Auteurs 3 Survivors: Con Men and Hollywood Honchos 4 Grande Dames and a Box-Office Queen 5 Calling Dr. Freud 6 Adapted for the Screen: Prestige and Provocation 7 Black and White to Technicolor 8 The New Frontier 9 Sexual and Social Outlaws 10 Crowning Achievement Epilogue Appendix A: Other Films of 1962 Appendix B: Accolades and Box Office for 1962 Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA celebration of and behind-the-scenes look at Jerry Seinfeld’s groundbreaking streaming series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.In his streaming show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld has engaged with some of the funniest people in history in classic cars, coffee shops, and diners. He has reminisced with Larry David; bantered with legends Steve Martin, Tina Fey, and Eddie Murphy; reunited with the cast of Seinfeld; and even paid a visit to President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. These and dozens of other guests talked about the intricacies of stand-up, the evolution of their careers and personal lives, and whatever else popped into their brilliant minds. Seinfeld’s carefully crafted episodes have reimagined the talk show format, each one a unique, hilarious, and yet intimate conversation—a rare opportunity for viewers to witness their favorite performers unscripted and unvarnished. But in producing eighty-four episodes over eleven seasons, he has also created arguably the most important historical archive about the art of comedy ever amassed, with episodes featuring Garry Shandling, Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles, Carl Reiner, and Norm McDonald already serving as permanent shrines for legendary comedians. Timed to the 10th anniversary of the show’s debut and with an introduction from Jerry Seinfeld, this book isn’t just a record of the show but instead an inventive tribute full of behind-the-scenes photos and anecdotes. The book dives into the inspiration and creation of segments, the most unforgettable lines from guests, an index of the cars, and some of the most memorable moments from crew members. Originally conceived as an “anti-talk show,” Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee earned multiple Emmy nominations and helped lead the streaming revolution. Perfect for gift giving season, The Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book is a beautifully designed book with iconic, never-before-seen production photos which will appeal to comedy lovers, car aficionados, coffee connoisseurs, and Jerry Seinfeld fans.

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Book SynopsisUSA TODAY BESTSELLER The Vanderpump Rules breakout star and provocateur brings her signature sharp wit to the page with this collection of humorous and brutally honest essays exploring her rocky road to fame, sobriety, and beyond. What does “Give them Lala” mean? It means giving the truest, most honest version of yourself to the world. It means being authentic, bold, adventurous, and having an unapologetic approach to life. Hollywood is where Lauren Burningham, aspiring actress from Utah, fully embraced her alter-ego Lala Kent, entrepreneur, entertainer, and film and television star. Some say she’s rude; Lala says she claps back. Some say she’s spontaneous; Lala says “eat up the drama.” Some say she’s too bold; Lala knows she’s reality TV gold. Truth is, without giving them Lala, Lauren could never have become the woman she is today. In her debut collection of essays, Lala shares how you, too, can embrace the best version of yourself and never feel guilty for deserving more. As she leads us on her bumpy journey from suburban boredom to Hollywood glamour, she’ll explain how women can—and should—feel just as free as men when it comes to sex, how sobriety saved her life and relationship, and how we should treasure every day we have with those we love.

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Book Synopsis Going to the bank. Leaving voicemails. Using encyclopedias. Wallpapering bathrooms. There are dozens of ridiculously antiquated items, activities, and phrases that Baby Boomers love—and don’t realize were outdated more than a decade ago. And for some reason, no matter how hard Millennials and Gen Zers try to bring Boomers into the 21st century, they still don’t seem to get it. They just can’t let go of eating meatloaf, going on cruises, or buying fuzzy toilet seat covers. So rather than try to explain something to the Baby Boomers in your life, it might be time to just say, “OK, Boomer.” Containing more than fifty of the most common, cliched, and cringe-worthy Boomer-isms, OK, Boomer is perfect for any exasperated Millennial or any Boomer willing to poke fun at themselves.

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Book SynopsisIn this “necessary and beautifully told story of struggle, compassion and serendipity” (Forbes), the publisher of DC Comics comes to the rescue of a family trying to flee Nazi Berlin, their lives linking up with a dazzling cast of 20th-century icons, all eagerly pursuing the American Dream.Family lore had it that Bonnie Siegler’s grandfather crossed paths in Midtown Manhattan late one night in 1954 with Marilyn Monroe, her white dress flying up around her as she filmed a scene for The Seven Year Itch. An amateur filmmaker, Jules Schulback had his home movie camera with him, capturing what would become the only surviving footage of that legendary night. Bonnie wasn’t sure she quite believed her grandfather’s story…until, cleaning out his apartment, she found the film reel. The discovery would prompt her to investigate all of her grandfather’s seemingly tall tales—and lead her in pursuit of a remarkable piece of forgotten history that reads like fiction but is all true. A “fast-moving American epic with a cast of refugees and starlets, publishers and bootleggers, comic-book creators and sports legends” (The Washington Post), The American Way follows two very different men—Jules Schulback and his unlikely benefactor, DC Comics publisher (and sometimes pornographer) Harry Donenfeld—on an exuberant true-life adventure linking glamorous old Hollywood, the birth of the comic book, and one family’s experiences during the Holocaust. It’s an “amazing” story told “with grace, verve, and compassion” (The Jerusalem Post) of two strivers living through an extraordinary moment in American history, their lives intersecting with a glittering array of stars in a “colorful” and “punchy” (The New York Times Book Review) tale of hope and reinvention, of daring escapes and fake identities, of big dreams and the magic of movies, and what it means to be a real-life Superman.Trade Review“The American Way reads like a Michael Chabon novel inspired by a Billy Wilder or Ernst Lubitsch movie, only all the more remarkable because every bit—the plot twists and coincidences, the thrills and chills—is true. It's a fresh, intimate tale of immigrants reimagining their lives, the invention of superheroes, resistance to fascism, and sketchy mid-century bebop glamour. Such a pleasure!” —Kurt Andersen, New York Times bestselling author of Fantasyland“In this vivid, surprising, and entertaining book, Helene Stapinski and Bonnie Siegler take us straight into the heart of what Henry Luce called ‘the American Century’ in an improbable but true tale of the rise of comics, of Hollywood, and of New York, a tale of immigrants and Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. Illuminating and engaging, The American Way is a story you couldn’t make up—but thankfully, you don’t have to, because here it is.” —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Soul of America“A necessary and beautifully told story of struggle, compassion and serendipity that reaches out to us across the generations.” —Forbes“A fast-moving American epic with a cast of refugees and starlets, publishers and bootleggers, comic-book creators and sports legends.” —The Washington Post“Warmhearted and lyrical, Stapinski and Siegler trace a refugee family from Nazi Berlin whose narrow escapes, clever deceptions, hard work, dumb luck, and bottomless dreams are as iconic as the great American myths they touched.” —Sarah Rose, national bestselling author of D-Day Girls“Colorful. Punchy. Stapinski and Siegler stitched together a cast of… figures and events from several recurring threads: Jewishness, New Yorkiness and, as their title indicates, a singular, striving, midcentury Americanness.” —The New York Times Book Review“A sweeping, factual saga that reads like an adventure novel.” —ABC World News Now“Inventively structured, ceaselessly surprising and ultimately spirits-boosting…. [Stapinski and Siegler] write with a zippiness and awe befitting tales of superheroism by the caped and capeless alike.” —Shelf Awareness“Amazing... stories are told here with verve, grace and compassion.” — The Jerusalem Post“An extremely fun read.” —PRINT Magazine

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Book SynopsisThe author of the acclaimed Advice for Future Corpses (and Those Who Love Them) brings “her singular sensibility, her genius for language, her love of our deeply imperfect world” (Karen Karbo, author of In Praise of Difficult Women) to this insightful exploration of reality TV and the shifting definitions of truth in America.What is the truth? In a world of fake news and rampant conspiracy theories, the nature of truth has increasingly blurry borders. In this clever and timely cultural commentary, award-winning author Sallie Tisdale tackles this issue by framing it in a familiar way—reality TV, particularly the long-running CBS show Survivor. With humor and in-depth superfan analysis, Tisdale explores the distinction between suspended disbelief and true authenticity both in how we watch shows like Survivor, and in how we perceive the world around us. With her “bold and wise, galvanizing and grounding” (Chloe Caldwell, author of I’ll Tell You in Person) writing, Tisdale has created an unputdownable, thoroughly entertaining, and groundbreaking book that we will be talking about for years to come.Trade Review“An extensive study of Survivor that argues that reality television as a whole is both a performed reality—by the stars of the show—and a perceived reality by its avid audience… As a breezy roundup of Survivor’s melodrama, the book succeeds… Light and diverting.”--Library Journal“A fascinating exploration of the enduring attraction and success of ‘the greatest social experiment on television’… What her sharp observations reveal is that parsing truth from perception is a fool’s errand… This fascinating study will be like candy for fans of the show and pop culture enthusiasts alike.”--Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThis “one-of-a-kind” (Jeff Pearlman, New York Times bestselling author) cultural history of the beloved nineties sitcom that launched Will Smith to superstardom—The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—is perfect for fans of Seinfeldia and Best Wishes, Warmest Regards.More than thirty years have passed since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered on NBC but unlike other family sitcoms of its era, it has remained culturally relevant and beloved by new generations of fans. With fresh eyes on the show in the wake of 2022’s launch of Bel-Air, a Fresh Prince reboot on NBC’s Peacock, The Fresh Prince Project brings us never-before-told stories based on exclusive interviews with the show’s cast, creators, writers, and crew. Eye-opening and passionate, The Fresh Prince Project “brings home the essence of why The Fresh Prince still matters to Black America—and, really, why it should matter to all of us” (Mike Wise, New York Times bestselling author).

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Book SynopsisFrom the brilliantly demented minds behind The Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip, an insane illustrated compendium about the art of pranking. Eric André is a master of the art of pranking—“an Andy Kaufman for the Four Loko generation,” as Spin magazine once hailed him. For over a decade, he and longtime collaborator Dan Curry have dreamed up and performed a cornucopia of outrageous, often illegal, and always death-defying hijinks for the Adult Swim series The Eric Andre Show, as well as in the hit movie Bad Trip. Now, in their very first book, Eric and Dan reveal the secret fuel behind their surrealistic prank machine. Get ready to gorge your thirsty peepers on epic stories of shame, redemption, and glory behind pranks so dumb they’re brilliant…and beyond the realm of criticism. But wait, there’s more! This pranktastic potpourri includes: -Tips for prankers of any skill level, from the importance of a “safe word” to why you should always keep the camera rolling, even after the prank is over. -All new pranks to try at home such as “Jell-O Surprise,” “Benadryl Steaks,” “Amateur Graverobber” and “The Jim Morrison.” -Wild behind-the-scenes stories about the most classic pranks from The Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip. -Learn about the dark existential dread behind everyone’s favorite mac-and-cheese-spurting DJ, Kraft Punk. -Discover how Eric avoided getting stabbed when a penis-in-a-finger-trap prank went horribly wrong. -Exclusive never-before-filmed pranks deemed too hot for TV. -Inspirational quotes from philosophers so obscure that they might not even exist. Artfully designed, loaded with funny photos, and a gracious foreblurb by Jack Black, Dumb Ideas is an essential manual for getting a laugh out of friends, family, and complete strangers—and staying out of jail while doing it.

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