Hello, lovely readers!
Are you up for a little change of pace? I certainly am. So today I’m bringing you something different, and truth be told, I’m rather excited about it!
Like many of my fellow classic movie fans, I collect books on the subject. In fact, I just get giddy thinking about my collection. That’s how much I love it.
So today, I thought I’d share my latest finds with you in hopes that you will find something of interest, too! Some of these were given to me as gifts and some are secondhand. All were lovingly acquired over the past few months.
Ava: A Life in Movies by Kendra Bean and Anthony Uzarowski
This time you can, and should, judge a book by its cover.
Ava: A Life in Movies is not only absolutely gorgeous, it is well researched, making this coffee table-biography hybrid a must for Ava Gardner fans. I’ve only dipped into the pages once or twice, but I can’t wait to fully dive in with undivided attention and absorb its many wonders.
Vertigo: The Making of a Hitchcock Classic by Dan Auiler
Do I really need to explain? *wink*
If you’ve been reading the Muse for any length of time you’ll know of my love for this movie. When I learned there was a book about the making, it was as good as sold. This companion piece provides many interesting facts and details for the Vertigo connoisseur, and like the movie, is easy to get lost in.
Early Classics of the Foreign Film by Parker Tyler
Although American cinema is my primary interest, I’d like to expand my knowledge of Foreign Film, as there are many gems to be had from filmmakers around the world.
This book looks like a great place to start. It already inspired me to see The Bicycle Thief (1948) which I enjoyed very much and reminded me to revisit Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast (1946).
Note: This book is from Citadel Press, which put out an extensive series covering genres and actors. If you’d like to see my Citadel Press collection, just let me know in the comments!
The Hollywood Studios: House Style in the Golden Age of the Movies by Ethan Mordden
Back to Hollywood we go! The differentiating house styles of Hollywood’s Golden Age film studios has always intrigued me.
Just what exactly is it that sets them apart from each other and why? Find out as author Ethan Mordden takes you back to the beginning and through each studio’s history while examining the directors, stars, and the movies they produced to form his analysis.
I realize this one will likely be a subjective read, but I’m all ears for the food for thought it’s sure to dish up!
Note: This image is from the audio book edition of The Hollywood Studios.
Glamour and Style: The Beauty of Hedy Lamarr by Stephen Michael Shearer
Wow, is this a stunner?! Glamour and Style: The Beauty of Hedy Lamarr was released last month (March 2022) and is a welcome addition to any classic movie fan’s library.
This is a hefty, 329 page hardcover packed with glossy photographs that tells Hedy’s fascinating story alongside the author’s insightful biography. Surprisingly, there are very few books about Hedy, let alone coffee table books. And let’s be honest, could there be a more worthy subject for one?
Note: I already used this book for research on my post Style Secrets from the Ultimate Temptress detailing the storytelling of Edith Head’s Oscar winning costumes for Hedy in Samson and Delilah (1949).
Her wardrobe includes the famous peacock dress sewn with feathers from DeMille’s own peacocks. Really, it has to be seen to be believed…
That’s all for today, but now I would love to hear from you!
Would you like to see more from my collection? Which of these titles would you like most to read?
And what classic movie related books are YOU currently reading?