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Dr. Burns' Prescription for Happiness
by George BurnsGeorge Burns muses on what happiness is, and gives every remedy he's acquired for tickling your funny bone.
English Theatre in Transition 1881-1914 (Routledge Library Editions: Victorian Theatre #6)
by James WoodfieldOriginally published in 1984. The turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was a time of considerable change in the English theatre. Victorian attitudes were shocked or shattered by the new drama of Ibsen; the major figure of George Bernard Shaw dominated the period; theatre censorship was the subject of a long and furious contest; and staging conventions changed from the spectacular stylings of Irving and Beerbohm Tree to the masking and statuesque styles of Isadora Duncan and the inner realism of Stanislavsky. This book traces the activities of the leading figures in the English theatre, notably William Archer who introduced Ibsen to this country and who became one of the main promoters of the idea of a National Theatre. Other personalities discussed include Harley Granville Barker, particularly his association with Shaw at the Court Theatre and his part in campaigns against censorship and for changes in the staging of Shakespeare, and Edward Gordon Craig, whose rebellion against the Victorian theatre took and anti-realist direction. This is a stimulating account of the background to the modern English theatre which can only increase appreciation of its standard and variety.
The Epic Film: Myth and History (Routledge Library Editions: Cinema)
by Derek ElleyAs Charlton Heston put it: ‘There’s a temptingly simple definition of the epic film: it’s the easiest kind of picture to make badly.’ This book goes beyond that definition to show how the film epic has taken up one of the most ancient art-forms and propelled it into the modern world, covered in twentieth-century ambitions, anxieties, hopes and fantasies. This survey of historical epic films dealing with periods up to the end of the Dark Ages looks at epic form and discusses the films by historical period, showing how the cinema reworks history for the changing needs of its audience, much as the ancient mythographers did. The form’s main aim has always been to entertain, and Derek Elley reminds us of the glee with which many epic films have worn their label, and of the sheer fun of the genre. He shows the many levels on which these films can work, from the most popular to the specialist, each providing a considerable source of enjoyment. For instance, spectacle, the genre’s most characteristic trademark, is merely the cinema’s own transformation of the literary epic’s taste for the grandiose. Dramatically it can serve many purposes: as a resolution of personal tensions (the chariot race in Ben-Hur), of monotheism vs idolatry (Solomon and Sheba), or of the triumph of a religious code (The Ten Commandments). Although to many people Epic equals Hollywood, throughout the book Elley stresses debt to the Italian epics, which often explored areas of history with which Hollywood could never have found sympathy. Originally published 1984.
Everybody's Grandpa: Fifty Years Behind the Mike
by Louis M. Jones Charles Wolfe Grandpa JonesBiography of country musician Grandpa Jones including a discography and bibliography
Fool for Love and Other Plays
by Sam Shepard Ross WetzsteonHere are eight of Pulitzer-prize winning Sam Shepard's most stunning plays. This brilliant American dramatist creates whatThe New Yorker dubbed "Shepard Country"--a landscape of the imagination, a unique theatrical experience that captures our culture and consciouness, our fears and fantasies. The collection includes: FOOL FOR LOVE * ANGEL CITY * GEOGRAPHY OF A HORSE DREAMER * ACTION * COWBOY MOUTH * MELODRAMA PLAY * SEDUCED * SUICIDE IN BB. With an Introduction by Ross Wetzsteon.
Get Started in Stand-Up Comedy
by Logan MurrayA new edition of Be A Great Stand-Up, now fully revised and updated with new material on setting up and running a comedy night and mining almost any subject for jokes. Logan Murray has successfully taught the techniques of stand-up comedy to thousands, and in this book he distils his years of experience into the essential skills for a great and enjoyable performance. He will help you find your creative streak and your funny side, build the confidence to deliver, and explain the finer details of stagecraft, from dealing with hecklers to coping with props. There is a full guide to the practicalities, from finding gigs to securing an agent, with plenty of valuable hints, tips and advice. Drawing on Logan's years of teaching and his own successful stand-up career, with top tips from some of the most well-known people in the business, it is guaranteed to bring a smile to both your face and that of your future audience. As well as full updates throughout the book, this new edition contains fresh material on how to set up and run a comedy night, mine any subject for jokes and advice on festivals.
The Happy Writing Book: Discover the Positive Power of Creative Writing
by Elise Valmorbida'There are many guides to good writing but none as valuable as this.' Oliver Kamm, author and columnist for The TimesCreative writing can enhance wellbeing, which can enhance creative writing, which can enhance wellbeing ... Become a better writer with over 100 inspiring prompts, insights and exercises specially devised by an award-winning author and creative writing teacher. Discover how the practice of creative writing - being expressive, exploring ideas, crafting words, shaping stories - can also deepen your appreciation of life.
The Happy Writing Book: Discover the Positive Power of Creative Writing
by Elise Valmorbida'There are many guides to good writing but none as valuable as this.' Oliver Kamm, author and columnist for The TimesCreative writing can enhance wellbeing, which can enhance creative writing, which can enhance wellbeing ... Become a better writer with over 100 inspiring prompts, insights and exercises specially devised by an award-winning author and creative writing teacher. Discover how the practice of creative writing - being expressive, exploring ideas, crafting words, shaping stories - can also deepen your appreciation of life.
Hey, Kid! Does She Love Me?
by Harry MazerJeff's life would be so much better if he were the one directing it Close-up: Mary running toward him with tears in her eyes. "Oh, my darling, I couldn't wait to get back." Cut to long shot: Jeff puts his arms around her. They kiss. Fade out. Jeff already sees everything as a scene in a movie, planning the camera angles and imagining people reading the lines he'll write for them. As soon as he saves up enough money to move to California, he's going to quit his dishwashing job, and then . . . look out for Director Orloff! Unfortunately, Mary Silver doesn't seem to have read the script. When they were in high school drama club together, she never noticed Jeff, and now that she's back in town, a new player has entered the scene: Mary's infant daughter, Hannah. Being a mom is a full-time job, but Jeff knows that Mary was born to be an actress--he's seen her come alive on stage, transforming into her character from the inside out. Her kind of talent is in a class by itself. If only Mary could see herself as Jeff sees her--beautiful and talented . . . and utterly in love with him. Will their romance always be just in his head? Or can he win Mary's heart another way--by figuring out what it means to be a friend to her, and to Hannah?
Hitchcock
by Francois TruffautIconic, groundbreaking interviews of Alfred Hitchcock by film critic François Truffaut—providing insight into the cinematic method, the history of film, and one of the greatest directors of all time.In Hitchcock, film critic François Truffaut presents fifty hours of interviews with Alfred Hitchcock about the whole of his vast directorial career, from his silent movies in Great Britain to his color films in Hollywood. The result is a portrait of one of the greatest directors the world has ever known, an all-round specialist who masterminded everything, from the screenplay and the photography to the editing and the soundtrack. Hitchcock discusses the inspiration behind his films and the art of creating fear and suspense, as well as giving strikingly honest assessments of his achievements and failures, his doubts and hopes. This peek into the brain of one of cinema’s greats is a must-read for all film aficionados.
Inside Music: How to Understand, Listen to, and Enjoy Good Music
by Karl HaasKarl Haas, creator and host of the internationally syndicated radio program "Adventures in Good Music," has an inimitable flair for bringing classical music to life. This is a definitive and fascinating reference work for anyone who loves classical music and wants to learn more about its many aspects and dimensions.
Knock Wood
by Candice BergenCandice Bergen’s bestselling 1984 memoir: an “engaging, intelligent, and wittily self-deprecating autobiography” (The New York Times).
Mama Don't Allow
by Thacher HurdTOO LOUD! WHAT A RACKET! UNBEARABLE! Why don't you practice outside, dear? Not only Miles' parents, but the whole neighborhood has had enough of Miles' new saxophone! However, when Miles teams up with three other musicians to form the Swamp Band, their music suddenly gets a startlingly different reception. "We love that Swamp Band music!" yell the sharp-toothed, long-tailed, yellow-eyed alligators. "We like it LOUD! Come and play for the Alligator Ball." The Swamp Band is delighted . . . but little do they know what is in store for them after their first all-night jamboree. Every noise-loving child (and noise-hating parent) will revel in Thacher Hurd's funny, jazzy tale inspired by the traditional American song "Mama Don't Allow." Presch-3
Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers
by Dennis Schaefer Larry SalvatoThrough conversations held with fifteen of the most accomplished contemporary cinematographers, the authors explore the working world of the person who controls the visual look and style of a film.
Music, Music for Everyone
by Vera B WilliamsA beautiful celebration of the power of music and of community—a companion book to the beloved Caldecott Honor picture book A Chair for My Mother."Rosa organizes her friends into the Oak Street Band in order to earn money her family needs because of her grandma's illness. Community, family and personal triumphs converge, making unforgettable music for everyone." —School Library Journal"Visual references connect readers to earlier books about Rosa's three-generation family, while the theme here underscores the interrelationship of Rosa to her foremothers, her girl friends, and their neighborhood. Images rich in vitality are placed within superbly composed, bordered watercolor paintings to convey the spirit of the story as well as details of their daily living." —BCCBVera B. Williams's beloved picture book favorites include:"More More More," Said the BabyAmber Was Brave, Essie Was SmartA Chair for AlwaysA Chair for My MotherCherries and Cherry PitsMusic, Music for EveryoneSomething Special for MeStringbean's Trip to the Shining SeaThree Days on a River in a Red Canoe
My Friend Michael: An Ordinary Friendship with an Extraordinary Man
by Frank CascioEveryone knows Michael Jackson—the myth. This is the revealing true story of Michael Jackson—the man.To Frank Cascio, Michael Jackson was many things—second father, big brother, boss, mentor, and teacher, but most of all he was a friend. Though Cascio was just a few years old when he first met Jackson in 1984, at the peak of the pop star’s career, Jackson was at the center of his life for the next twenty-five years, allowing Cascio to observe firsthand the greatest entertainer the world had ever seen. In that time, he became the ultimate Michael Jackson insider, yet remained publicly silent about his experiences. Until now. In My Friend Michael, Cascio refutes the rumors, lies, and accusations that have accumulated over the years, providing a candid look at the Michael Jackson he knew for more than two decades. Offering an uplifting and definitive account of the legend, Cascio details how he grew up alongside Jackson, traveling the world with him on concert tours and eventually working for him. Through this lens, Cascio captures Jackson’s most private and tumultuous moments, while also setting the record straight on the entertainer’s notorious and misunderstood lifestyle—from his Peter Pan reality and his sexuality to the false allegations against him. As Cascio shows, there was a great deal more to Michael Jackson than the headlines about him have suggested. Cascio reveals his friend in all his complexity, bringing to light his passions and joys as well as his flaws and eccentricities. Including stories about Jackson that have never before been made public, Cascio creates a balanced, human look at the pop star, one that shows Jackson as the very real person he was—a lively friend with an endearingly juvenile sense of humor. What emerges is a clear-eyed yet deeply respectful portrait of Jackson—a man who was at times unremarkably average but also terribly scarred by his life in the spotlight. Packed with never-before-seen photos, anecdotes, and insights, My Friend Michael is a trove of Michael Jackson lore that both celebrates his life and redefines our understanding of the man behind the myth.
The Oxford Guide to Word Games
by Tony Augarde A. J. AugardeRiddles such as this are just one of the forms of linguistic gymnastics explored in this invaluable source-book. Unique in its thematic and historical approach to the subject, it will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about word games and wordplay, and is entertaining as well as informative. The Oxford Guide to Word Games quickly established itself as the authoritative work on the subject when it was first published in 1984. It not only described all the major word games but also traced their origins and placed them in their social context. Now thoroughly revised, enlarged, and updated to make it even more valuable and comprehensive, this edition includes several new chapters, covering topics such as homonyms and slips of the tongue. New material has also been added on many topics including crossword clues, blends, and kangaroo words. Book jacket.
The Performing Artist's Handbook
by Janice PapolosThe right ways to handle all of the nonmusical essentials of your career, the practical know-how you need to progress in your professional music career.
Reflections from the Keyboard: The World of the Concert Pianist
by David DubalInterviews with 35 noted pianists, with selected discography
Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything
by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong"Her book, as if she were a marine biologist, is a deep dive...Perhaps the highest praise I can give Seinfeldia is that it made me want to buy a loaf of marbled rye and start watching again, from the beginning." --Dwight Garner, The New York Times Book Review The hilarious behind-the-scenes story of two guys who went out for coffee and dreamed up Seinfeld--the cultural sensation that changed television and bled into the real world, altering the lives of everyone it touched.Comedians Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld never thought anyone would watch their silly little sitcom about a New York comedian sitting around talking to his friends. NBC executives didn't think anyone would watch either, but they bought it anyway, hiding it away in the TV dead zone of summer. But against all odds, viewers began to watch, first a few and then many, until nine years later nearly forty million Americans were tuning in weekly. In Seinfeldia, acclaimed TV historian and entertainment writer Jennifer Keishin Armstrong celebrates the creators and fans of this American television phenomenon, bringing readers behind-the-scenes of the show while it was on the air and into the world of devotees for whom it never stopped being relevant, a world where the Soup Nazi still spends his days saying "No soup for you!", Joe Davola gets questioned every day about his sanity, Kenny Kramer makes his living giving tours of New York sights from the show, and fans dress up in Jerry's famous puffy shirt, dance like Elaine, and imagine plotlines for Seinfeld if it were still on TV.
Stage Fright: Its Role In Acting
by Ann M. MartinCan Sara overcome her shyness to perform in the school play? Sara is extremely timid—she only has two friends, and one of them is her cousin. Her mother is constantly pushing her to leave the safety of her room and be more social, but for Sara, being in public is a punishment worse than death.When Sara&’s teacher insists that everyone this year—shy or not—participate in the school play, Sara is filled with terror. To top it off, she finds out her best friend, the one person who understands her, might be moving away. More than ever, Sara wants to climb into her shell, but the play is looming and there&’s no place to hide.This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Ann M. Martin, including rare images from the author&’s collection.
Stage Fright
by Ann M. MartinCan Sara overcome her shyness to perform in the school play? Sara is extremely timid—she only has two friends, and one of them is her cousin. Her mother is constantly pushing her to leave the safety of her room and be more social, but for Sara, being in public is a punishment worse than death.When Sara&’s teacher insists that everyone this year—shy or not—participate in the school play, Sara is filled with terror. To top it off, she finds out her best friend, the one person who understands her, might be moving away. More than ever, Sara wants to climb into her shell, but the play is looming and there&’s no place to hide.This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Ann M. Martin, including rare images from the author&’s collection.
The Stanislavski System: The Professional Training of an Actor; Second Revised Edition
by Sonia MooreThis clearly written guide to the Stanislavski method has long been a favorite among students and teachers of acting. Now, in light of books and articles recently published in the Soviet Union, Sonia Moore has made revisions that include a new section on the subtext of a role. She provides detailed explanations of all the methods that actors in training have found indispensable for more than twenty years. Designed to create better actors, this guide will put individuals in touch with themselves and increase personal sensitivity as well. .
Themes Out Of School: Effects and Causes
by Stanley CavellIn the first essay of this book, Stanley Cavell characterizes philosophy as a "willingness to think not about something other than what ordinary human beings think about, but rather to learn to think undistractedly about things that ordinary human beings cannot help thinking about, or anyway cannot help having occur to them, sometimes in fantasy, sometimes as a flash across a landscape. " Fantasies of film and television and literature, flashes across the landscape of literary theory, philosophical discourse, and French historiography give Cavell his starting points in these twelve essays. Here is philosophy in and out of "school," understood as a discipline in itself or thought through the works of Shakespeare, Molière, Kierkegaard, Thoreau, Brecht, Makavejev, Bergman, Hitchcock, Astaire, and Keaton.