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Babel and Babylon: Spectatorship in American Silent Film
by Miriam HansenAlthough cinema was invented in the mid-1890s, it was a decade more before the concept of a “film spectator” emerged. As the cinema began to separate itself from the commercial entertainments in whose context films initially had been shown—vaudeville, dime museums, fairgrounds—a particular concept of its spectator was developed on the level of film style, as a means of predicting the reception of films on a mass scale. In Babel and Babylon, Miriam Hansen offers an original perspective on American film by tying the emergence of spectatorship to the historical transformation of the public sphere. Hansen builds a critical framework for understanding the cultural formation of spectatorship, drawing on the Frankfurt School’s debates on mass culture and the public sphere. Focusing on exemplary moments in the American silent era, she explains how the concept of the spectator evolved as a crucial part of the classical Hollywood paradigm—as one of the new industry’s strategies to integrate ethnically, socially, and sexually differentiated audiences into a modern culture of consumption. In this process, Hansen argues, the cinema might also have provided the conditions of an alternative public sphere for particular social groups, such as recent immigrants and women, by furnishing an intersubjective context in which they could recognize fragments of their own experience. After tracing the emergence of spectatorship as an institution, Hansen pursues the question of reception through detailed readings of a single film, D. W. Griffith’s Intolerance (1916), and of the cult surrounding a single star, Rudolph Valentino. In each case the classical construction of spectatorship is complicated by factors of gender and sexuality, crystallizing around the fear and desire of the female consumer. Babel and Babylon recasts the debate on early American cinema—and by implication on American film as a whole. It is a model study in the field of cinema studies, mediating the concerns of recent film theory with those of recent film history.
Babes in Tomorrowland: Walt Disney and the Making of the American Child, 1930-1960
by Nicholas SammondLinking Margaret Mead to the Mickey Mouse Club and behaviorism to Bambi, Nicholas Sammond traces a path back to the early-twentieth-century sources of "the normal American child. " He locates the origins of this hypothetical child in the interplay between developmental science and popular media. In the process, he shows that the relationship between the media and the child has long been much more symbiotic than arguments that the child is irrevocably shaped by the media it consumes would lead one to believe. Focusing on the products of the Walt Disney company, Sammond demonstrates that without a vision of a normal American child and the belief that movies and television either helped or hindered its development, Disney might never have found its market niche as the paragon of family entertainment. At the same time, without media producers such as Disney, representations of the ideal child would not have circulated as freely in American popular culture. In vivid detail, Sammond describes how the latest thinking about human development was translated into the practice of child-rearing and how magazines and parenting manuals characterized the child as the crucible of an ideal American culture. He chronicles how Walt Disney Productions' greatest creation--the image of Walt Disney himself--was made to embody evolving ideas of what was best for the child and for society. Bringing popular child-rearing manuals, periodicals, advertisements, and mainstream sociological texts together with the films, tv programs, ancillary products, and public relations materials of Walt Disney Productions, Babes in Tomorrowland reveals a child that was as much the necessary precursor of popular media as the victim of its excesses.
Baby Bowie: A Book about Adjectives (Baby Rocker)
by Running PressIntroduce your littlest rocker to the magic and creativity of David Bowie in this delightful book in the new Baby Rocker board book series. Shiny lightning bolt. High boots. Spiky hair. Celebrate all that iconic musician David Bowie is about with your toddler in this fun, fantastical, and playful new book. Perfect for any Bowie fan, young or old, this book is sure to provide read-aloud fun with the pairing of iconic Bowie items and looks with simplified text. At the end of the book, put on your shoes and best costume because it's time to dance with Baby Bowie and friends!
Baby Elvis: A Book about Opposites (Baby Rocker)
by Running PressGet out your blue suede shoes. It's time to rock n' roll!Smooth hair. Rough sideburns. Long jumpsuit. Short lei. Celebrate the King of Rock n' Roll with little ones in this vibrant, playful, and fun board book.
Baby KISS: A Book about Colors (Baby Rocker)
by Running PressIntroduce your littlest rocker to the glamour and theatricality of KISS in this delightful book in the Baby Rocker board book series. Black-and-white face paint. White lights. Pink tongue. Orange fireworks. Celebrate all that encompasses the rock group KISS with your young toddler in this fun, fantastical, and playful new board book. Perfect for the KISS fan, young or old, this book is sure to provide read-aloud fun with the pairing of iconic KISS items with simplified text. At the book's end, get ready to rock n' roll all nite with Baby KISS and their baby friends!
Baby Loves Colors (Sassy)
by Grosset & DunlapBaby Loves Colors is a simple book designed for babies six months or older about all the colors they can see: red, yellow, orange, green and blue!
Baby Steps: Having the Child I Always Wanted (Just Not as I Expected)
by Elisabeth RöhmWhen Elisabeth Rohm started blogging about her family for People. com, she had no idea how many women would respond to her stories about struggling with infertility. Now the actress best known for her role on Law and Order shares what she hasn't yet: the full story of how in-vitro fertilization allowed her to have a child, how talking about infertility helped her cope with it, and how her desire for a baby and the difficult path that led to one taught her about herself and made her into the woman she was meant to be. Rohm's stories--told in a clear, funny, warmhearted voice--cover her untraditional childhood, and her long journey to motherhood. With the frankness of Down Came the Rain and the hope of A Place of Yes, Röhm encourages all women to share their stories because "when women stop talking, women stop being heard. "
Baby's ABC (Sassy)
by Grosset & DunlapMom, dad, and baby will love our new line of books from Sassy, the award-winning and innovative toy company. This $9.99 colorful and chunky book with a padded cover teaches babies their ABCs with the use of adorable illustrations.
Baby, Don't Hurt Me: Stories and Scars from Saturday Night Live
by Travis Thrasher Chris KattanYou may know him as Mango, Mr. Peepers, the gibberish-spouting Suel Forrester, or one half of the head-bopping brothers in A Night at the Roxbury. Maybe you remember him as the forlorn gothic kid Azrael Abyss, Gay Hitler, or the guitarist in the "More Cowbell" sketch. Whichever it is, Chris Kattan has earned a spot in the hearts of a generation of comedy fans. Chris Kattan has defied comparison, expectations, and sometimes gravity with his inimitable style of physical comedy. By creating some of the most memorable Saturday Night Live characters, as well as his many roles in film and television, Kattan has remained one of the most fearless and versatile comedians in the world. Not long after Chris was labeled one of the improv group Groundlings' "must-see" performers in the company, he was cast on SNL—and within the first six weeks, Chris's film career also took off. Now, for the first time, Kattan opens up about eight seasons on SNL, performing alongside friends and future legends including Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey, and guest hosts from Charlize Theron to Tom Hanks to David Bowie. He also shares stories of his unusual childhood (involving a secluded mountain with zen monks) with Leonard Cohen and Alan Watts. Baby, Don't Hurt Me offers an unprecedented look into Chris's life, from his fascinating relationship with Lorne Michaels, a private Valentine's Day dinner with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, an unforgettable flight with Beyoncé, and even breaking his neck on live television. Baby, Don't Hurt Me is a candid, revealing memoir from a timeless comedian and a window into the world of millennium-era SNL, from the rehearsals to the after-after parties, as narrated by your hilarious and inspiring friend—who just so happened to be there for all of it.
Babylon Confidential: A Memoir of Love, Sex, and Addiction
by Claudia Christian Morgan Grant BuchananWhen actress Claudia Christian flees a troubled childhood and moves to Hollywood at age 17, she steps through the looking glass into another world. From the set of Dallas to her starring role on the sci-fi series Babylon 5, Claudia's affairs with billionaires, supermodels, rock stars, and celebrities are mixed with shootings, stalking, heartbreak, and betrayal. Onset and off, drama follows Claudia—an alcohol-fueled coke run and makeout session with a bridesmaid on her wedding day; her tempestuous, love-hate relationship with actor Angus Macfadyen; the conspiracy theories surrounding her ex-husband's death; and a 20-year on-and-off relationship with billionaire Dodi Fayed before he dated Princess Diana. Hollywood life takes its toll on Claudia as she descends into alcohol addiction and a desperate battle to reclaim her life. Rehab, alternative treatments, and even hypnotism can't break the cycle of alcohol abuse that threatens to destroy Claudia. Close to despair she discovers The Sinclair Method, a treatment that saves her life. Sometimes shocking, often humorous, always captivating — Babylon Confidential is a story of hope that will inspire and enlighten you.
Bach's Dialogue with Modernity: Perspectives on the Passions
by John ButtProviding a detailed analysis of Bach's Passions, this book represents an important contribution to the debate about the culture of 'classical music', its origins, priorities and survival. The angles from which each chapter proceeds differ from those of a traditional music guide, by examining the Passions in the light of the mindsets of modernity, and their interplay with earlier models of thought and belief. While the historical details of Bach's composition, performance and theological context remain crucial, the foremost concern of this study is to relate these works to a historical context that may, in some threads at least, still be relevant today. The central claim of the book is that the interplay of traditional imperatives and those of early modernity renders Bach's Passions particularly fascinating as artefacts that both reflect and constitute some of the priorities and conditions of the western world.
Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America's Favorite Guilty Pleasure
by Amy Kaufman<P>The first definitive, unauthorized, behind-the-scenes cultural history of the Bachelor franchise, America's favorite guilty pleasure.For fifteen years and thirty-five seasons, the Bachelor franchise has been a mainstay in American TV viewers' lives. Since it premiered in 2002, the show's popularity and relevance has only grown--more than eight million viewers tuned in to see the conclusion of the most recent season of The Bachelor. <P>The iconic reality television show's reach and influence into the cultural zeitgeist is undeniable. Bestselling writers and famous actors live tweet about it. Die-hard fans--dubbed "Bachelor Nation"--come together every week during each season to participate in fantasy leagues and viewing parties. Bachelor Nation is the first behind-the-scenes, unauthorized look into the reality television phenomenon. Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman is a proud member of Bachelor Nation and has a long history with the franchise--ABC even banned her from attending show events after her coverage of the program got a little too real for its liking. <P>She has interviewed dozens of producers, contestants, and celebrity fans to give readers never-before-told details of the show's inner workings: what it's like to be trapped in the mansion "bubble"; dark, juicy tales of producer manipulation; and revelations about the alcohol-fueled debauchery that occurs long before the fantasy suite. Kaufman also explores what our fascination means, culturally: what the show says about the way we view so-called ideal suitors, our subconscious yearning for fairy-tale romance, and how this enduring television show has shaped society's feelings about love, marriage, and feminism by appealing to a marriage plot that's as old as Jane Austen. <P><b> A New York Times Bestseller</b>
Back From the Future: A Celebration of the Greatest Time Travel Story Ever Told
by Brad GilmoreThe ultimate guide to the classic time travel trilogy by the host of Back to the Future: The Podcast—“Great Scott, this is a must-read” (Ken Napzak, author of Why We Love Star Wars).The Back to the Future series of films is, in a word, timeless. From the original films to spin-off cartoons, toys and more, generations of fans never seem to get enough of Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and their adventures through the space-time continuum. In this celebration of all things Back to the Future, author Brad Gilmore discusses the films, the fascinating history behind them, and why they mean so much to so many.Pairing his knowledge with his passion for the films, Gilmore explores aspects and movie trivia you won’t hear about anywhere else. He dives into fan theories and provides answers to many questions readers have—because, as a superfan himself, they are the very questions he has asked himself.This volume features:Completed timelines of all the main characters from the franchiseIn-depth studies of various Back to the Future fan theories that will surprise and intrigue youA detailed comparison of the films’ predictions of the future to our world today
Back from the Future: A Celebration of the Greatest Time Travel Story Ever Told
by Brad GilnmoreA Fan’s Look at the Back to the Future Franchise“Brad Gilmore's book not only offers new perspectives and a deeper understanding of Back to the Future, it reminds us why we fell in love with it in the first place." ─Mark Ellis, Comedian & Movie Critic#1 Bestseller in Movies, Guides & ReviewsThere’s a host of information out there on the Back to the Future trilogy, but never before has there been a book like this.The history of the films, cartoons, toys, and more. The Back to the Future series is a timeless collection greatly revered by all audiences. The beauty of this book by Brad Gilmore is that it doesn’t present the history of the film as textbook information. He discusses these films from a place of passion and so effectively reveals how the history behind the movies is just as engaging as the films themselves.Unheard details and trivia. Gilmore, a radio and television host and host of Back to the Future: The Podcast, is an expert on all things Back to the Future. Pairing his knowledge with his passion for the films, Gilmore uses this book to discuss details and movie trivia that reveal just why the trilogy has stood the test of time. As a fan speaking to fellow fans, he dives into fan theories and provides answers to many questions readers have—because they are the very questions he himself has asked.Check out this must-have book and learn things you never knew:Completed timelines of all the main characters from the franchiseIn-depth studies of various Back to the Future fan theories that will surprise and intrigue youA detailed comparison of the films’ predictions of the future to our world todayFans of books like Back to the Future: The Classic Illustrated Storybook, Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History, Back to the Future: Untold Tales and Alternate Timelines, or We Don’t Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy, will love Back From the Future.
Back in Control: My Story
by Tina MaloneFans of Channel 4's ground-breaking drama Shameless know and love Tina Malone for her portrayal of the loud-mouthed, larger-than-life Mimi Maguire. But what they may not know is that Tina's own life has been more dramatic, more outrageous and frequently more out of control than anything the most talented scriptwriter could imagine. Tina's incredible story begins with an unusual childhood in Liverpool and takes the reader on a wild journey through teenage rebellion (and teenage pregnancy) to Tina's turbulent years as a young actress and single mother, before finding fame on Brookside and, later, Shameless. This is a story of addictions, mental illness, bankruptcy, extreme dieting, loves, losses and one woman's incredible resilience - and sense of humour - during a life that's seen more than its fair share of turmoil.And now, Tina is finally BACK IN CONTROL: in love, at peace and, after a course of IVF, a mother again at the age of 50 and looking forward to a wonderful new chapter in her life. Never one to shy away from controversy, Tina Malone's fearless and funny autobiography will inspire and entertain in equal measure.
Back in the Day Trivia for Seniors: Facts and Trivia from History and Pop Culture to Keep Your Mind Sharp and Boost Your Memory
by Andrew ThompsonA Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
Back in the Day: A Memoir
by Melvyn Bragg* AN OBSERVER AND DAILY MAIL "BOOKS OF 2022" PICK *Melvyn Bragg's first ever memoir - an elegiac, intimate account of growing up in post-war Cumbria, which lyrically evokes a vanished world.In this captivating memoir, Melvyn Bragg recalls growing up in the Cumbrian market town of Wigton, from his early childhood during the war to the moment he had to decide between staying on or spreading his wings. This is the tale of a boy who lived in a pub and expected to leave school at fifteen yet won a scholarship to Oxford. Derailed by a severe breakdown when he was thirteen, he developed a passion for reading and study - though that didn't stop him playing in a skiffle band or falling in love. It is equally the tale of the people and place that formed him. Bragg indelibly portrays his parents and local characters from pub regulars to vicars, teachers and hardmen, and vividly captures the community-spirited northern town - steeped in the old ways but on the cusp of post-war change. A poignant elegy to a vanished era as well as the glories of the Lake District, it illuminates what made him the writer, broadcaster and champion of the arts he is today.
Back in the Day: A Memoir
by Melvyn Bragg* AN OBSERVER AND DAILY MAIL "BOOKS OF 2022" PICK *Melvyn Bragg's first ever memoir - an elegiac, intimate account of growing up in post-war Cumbria, which lyrically evokes a vanished world.In this captivating memoir, Melvyn Bragg recalls growing up in the Cumbrian market town of Wigton, from his early childhood during the war to the moment he had to decide between staying on or spreading his wings. This is the tale of a boy who lived in a pub and expected to leave school at fifteen yet won a scholarship to Oxford. Derailed by a severe breakdown when he was thirteen, he developed a passion for reading and study - though that didn't stop him playing in a skiffle band or falling in love. It is equally the tale of the people and place that formed him. Bragg indelibly portrays his parents and local characters from pub regulars to vicars, teachers and hardmen, and vividly captures the community-spirited northern town - steeped in the old ways but on the cusp of post-war change. A poignant elegy to a vanished era as well as the glories of the Lake District, it illuminates what made him the writer, broadcaster and champion of the arts he is today.
Back in the Day: Melvyn Bragg's deeply affecting, first ever memoir
by Melvyn Bragg* AN OBSERVER AND DAILY MAIL "BOOKS OF 2022" PICK *Melvyn Bragg's first ever memoir - an elegiac, intimate account of growing up in post-war Cumbria, which lyrically evokes a vanished world.In this captivating memoir, Melvyn Bragg recalls growing up in the Cumbrian market town of Wigton, from his early childhood during the war to the moment he had to decide between staying on or spreading his wings. This is the tale of a boy who lived in a pub and expected to leave school at fifteen yet won a scholarship to Oxford. Derailed by a severe breakdown when he was thirteen, he developed a passion for reading and study - though that didn't stop him playing in a skiffle band or falling in love. It is equally the tale of the people and place that formed him. Bragg indelibly portrays his parents and local characters from pub regulars to vicars, teachers and hardmen, and vividly captures the community-spirited northern town - steeped in the old ways but on the cusp of post-war change. A poignant elegy to a vanished era as well as the glories of the Lake District, it illuminates what made him the writer, broadcaster and champion of the arts he is today.(P) 2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Back to Amy
by Charles Moriarty'...it's really quite beautiful' Matt Everitt, BBC Radio 6 MusicHappy, beautiful and full of fun - this is an intimate portrait of the real Amy Winehouse.With over 100 photographs - many seen here for the first time - along with personal stories and recollections from Amy's mother, Janis Winehouse, as well as Amy's band members and others close to her, this is a celebration of a young artist on the cusp of fame. Taken by a friend at a relaxed photoshoot just before she released her debut album, these beautiful images give an early glimpse of the girl who would captivate the world.With a foreword by Asif Kapadia, director of Academy Award-winning documentary Amy, and containing fond memories and insights from the people who knew her best, Back to Amy is a tribute to the enduring spirit of a truly special artist.
Back to Black: Jules Feiffer’s Noir Trilogy (Critical Graphics)
by Fabrice LeroyThe legendary American cartoonist and author Jules Feiffer has enjoyed a long and varied career, working on everything from illustrating The Phantom Tollbooth to writing the screenplay for the film Popeye. But some of his most innovative work came very late in his career, with a trio of graphic novels he composed in his eighties: Kill My Mother (2014), Cousin Joseph (2016), and The Ghost Script (2018). Back to Black provides the first full-length critical analysis of this trilogy, exploring how it pays homage to the iconography and themes of film noir through constant graphic experimentation and a striking reinvention of Feiffer’s distinctive style. Fabrice Leroy shows how Feiffer deftly alternates between dramatic and satirical tones as he plays with the conventions of noir to provide a caustic yet moving commentary on mid-twentieth-century American life. Through close readings of each novel in the trilogy, he examines Feiffer’s singular depiction of the central political issues in the United States from the Great Depression to the 1950s, which still resonate today: unionization struggles, cinematic propaganda, McCarthyism, the American Dream, immigration, antisemitism, civil rights, and gender discrimination. Placing the noir trilogy into the context of Feiffer’s long career, Back to Black demonstrates how he offers a loving pastiche of the genre without losing his unique voice or critical edge.
Back to the Dance Itself: Phenomenologies of the Body in Performance
by Sondra FraleighIn Back to the Dance Itself, Sondra Fraleigh edits essays that illuminate how scholars apply a range of phenomenologies to explore questions of dance and the world; performing life and language; body and place; and self-knowing in performance. Some authors delve into theoretical perspectives, while others relate personal experiences and reflections that reveal fascinating insights arising from practice. Collectively, authors give particular consideration to the interactive lifeworld of making and doing that motivates performance. Their texts and photographs study body and the environing world through points of convergence, as correlates in elemental and constant interchange modeled vividly in dance. Selected essays on eco-phenomenology and feminism extend this view to the importance of connections with, and caring for, all life. Contributors: Karen Barbour, Christine Bellerose, Robert Bingham, Kara Bond, Hillel Braude, Sondra Fraleigh, Kimerer LaMothe, Joanna McNamara, Vida Midgelow, Ami Shulman, and Amanda Williamson.
Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock
by Pete FornataleTHE BIGGEST EVENT IN ROCK 'N' ROLL HISTORY IS BROUGHT VIVIDLY TO LIFE THROUGH ORIGINAL INTERVIEWS WITH ROGER DALTREY, JOAN BAEZ, DAVID CROSBY, RICHIE HAVENS, JOE COCKER, AND DOZENS OF HEADLINERS, ORGANIZERS, AND FANS. For America's counterculture youth in 1969, Woodstock became a symbol of more than just sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll--it was about peace, love, and a new way of living. It was a seminal event that epitomized the ways that the culture, the country, and the core values of an entire generation were shifting. On one glorious weekend, this generation found its voice through music. Back to the Garden celebrates the spirit of Woodstock in the words of some of the era's biggest musical stars, as well as those who participated in the festival. From Richie Havens's legendary opening act to the Who's violent performance, from the Grateful Dead's jam to Jefferson Airplane's wake-up call, culminating in Jimi Hendrix's career-defining moment, renowned disc jockey Pete Fornatale brings new stories to light and sets the record straight on some common misperceptions. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, Back to the Garden is the authoritative and highly entertaining history of three days of peace and music
Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered
by Melissa GilbertThe New York Times bestselling author and star of Little House on the Prairie returns with a new hilarious and heartfelt memoir chronicling her journey from Hollywood to a ramshackle house in the Catskills during the COVID-19 pandemic. <p><p>Known for her childhood role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the classic NBC show Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert has spent nearly her entire life in Hollywood. From Dancing with the Stars to a turn in politics, she was always on the lookout for her next project. She just had no idea that her latest one would be completely life changing. <p><p>When her husband introduces her to the wilds of rural Michigan, Melissa begins to fall back in love with nature. And when work takes them to New York, they find a rustic cottage in the Catskill Mountains to call home. But “rustic” is a generous description for the state of the house, requiring a lot of blood, sweat, and tears for the newlyweds to make habitable. When the pandemic descends on the world, it further nudges Melissa out of the spotlight and into the woods. She trades Botox treatments for DIY projects, power lunching for gardening and raising chickens, and soon her life is rediscovered anew in her own little house in the Catskills. <p> <b>New York Times Bestseller</b>
Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong
by Karen FangYou might not know the name Tyrus Wong, but you probably know some of the images he created, including scenes from the beloved Disney classic Bambi. Yet when he came to this country as a child, Tyrus was an illegal immigrant locked up in an offshore detention center. How did he go on to a long and prosperous career drawing animation cels, storyboards, and greeting cards that shaped the American imagination? Background Artist shares the inspiring story of Tyrus Wong’s remarkable 106-year life and showcases his wide array of creative work, from the paintings and fine art prints he made working for Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration to the unique handmade kites he designed and flew on the Santa Monica beach. It tells how he came to the United States as a ten-year-old boy in 1920, at a time when the Chinese Exclusion Act barred him from legal citizenship. Yet it also shows how Wong found American communities that welcomed him and nurtured his artistic talent. Covering everything from his work as a studio sketch artist for Warner Bros. to the best-selling Christmas cards he designed for Hallmark and other greeting card companies, this book celebrates a multitalented Asian American artist and pioneer.