J. L. Paxson

Nine hours and 35 minutes well spent

Revisado: 01-03-24

I found out about this book from a story on the CBS Morning Show in November and immediately put it on my Audible wish list. My husband and I never missed watching Siskel & Ebert on Saturday Mornings. Not only did we love hearing about new movies and taking note of what we wanted to see, but my husband managed an independent single-screen movie theater in Dayton Ohio at the time and a thumbs-up review for a film was good for the box office. Singer's book not only informs about the history of Siskel & Ebert's shows but puts it in historical perspective in a time before the IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and the home video phenomenon existed. He gives biographical information on both gentlemen, examples of their reviews, both good and bad, and comments they had about each other. Known for their rivalry and general dislike of each other in the early years, I was glad to read that mutual respect and a friendship came later. I laughed several times, cried at least once, and watched clips of S&E on YouTube to supplement the book. Singer is an excellent narrator, full of enthusiasm, and he tells a story well. This was a most enjoyable read.

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A great story well told

Revisado: 12-31-21

One of the most fun and interesting reads I've had in a long time. I grew up listening to original cast albums of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals and saw the movie versions when they aired on television. It was fascinating to read how these two came to work together and how the shows were created. I wish Ken Burns would make a documentary series based on the book so we could see clips and hear recordings.

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Essential for anyone interested in film history

Revisado: 04-21-19

This book has been on my favorites list since I first read it when it came out in 1997, so I was delighted that it has finally been released on audio. As the subtitle says - "Francis Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood," the book is both an engrossing biography of Oscar winning screenwriter Francis Marion who started in the movie business in its early days (1916), while including stories about many of her peers including fellow writers (Anita Loos and Adela Rogers St. Johns) and her friend, movie star and producer Mary Pickford. Carrie Beauchamp does a great job of making this period of film history come alive, when women working behind the scenes were not an anomaly, but were accepted and respected. The reader, Holly Palance, does a fine job, has a clear voice and a nice flowing rhythm.

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