Overview

Film critics and historians are virtually unanimous in considering 1939 the greatest year in the history of motion pictures. This one year produced many of the greatest films of all time, including ""Gone with the Wind,"" ""The Wizard of Oz,"" and ""Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,"" and marketed the height of the careers of such legendary stars as Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, and Judy Garland. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of this amazing year in Hollywood history, ""1939: The Making of Six Great Films from Hollywood's Greatest Year"" profiles of six of the greatest films of the year: ""Gone with the Wind,"" ""Stagecoach,"" ""Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,"" ""The Hound of the Baskervilles,"" ""The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,"" and ""The Wizard of Oz."" Each of these films was based on a great story, and ""1939"" reveals in detail how those stories came into being, how long they waited to find fame in film, and how the movies inspired by them eventually made motion picture history. ""1939"" also describes the behind-the-scenes story of how the film was made: how the story was adapted to a film script; the writers, producers, directors, actors, and technicians who made the film; how the film was received by critics and the public; and the later careers of the people who made the film. ""1939"" plunges deep into the reality behind the Hollywood dream factory. Besides giving a full account of the artistic creation of each film, ""1939"" also describes the business deals that made each film possible and the Hays Office censorship that mandated careful handling of social and sexual themes - plus the colourful personalities in front and behind the camera and their sometimes disordered personal lives. Hollywood in the 1930s was crass, commercial, restrictive, and frequently dysfunctional - but it produced immensely enjoyable films that are still watched with pleasure today. The perfect combination of film history, artistic appreciation, historical insight, and gossip, ""1939: The Making of Six Great Films from Hollywood's Greatest Year"" is a book that no movie fan should miss. AUTHOR: Charles F. Adams is chairman of the Wajim Corporation and president of Adams Enterprises. He spent his work career in international marketing and was president and chief operating officer of D'Arcy, MacManus and Masius, Inc., one of the world's largest advertising agencies. he is also a former owner and general partner of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Adams is the author of a number of books, including ""Murder by the Bay"" and ""The Complete Geezer Guidebook,"" both available from Quill Driver Books.

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9781610351973

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Reviews

1939 is a book worthy of the year. --Mick LaSalle, film critic, San Francisco Chronicle

1939 is a book worthy of the year. --Mick LaSalle, film critic, San Francisco Chronicle Adamss thoroughness and energy make this book appealing to both movie lovers and those fascinated by the inner workings of film-making. It has sensational little-known stories, almost like a Hollywood gossip magazine, but the book has the tone and integrity of an engaging, well-researched book, including careful attention to factual accuracy and impartial narration. Adams is both historian and fanatic, giving the book both thoroughness and energy. This book will whet the appetite of movie connoisseurs. Melissa Wuske, ForeWord Reviews For film buffs, consider this one essential. David Pitt, Booklist

"""1939"" is a book worthy of the year. --Mick LaSalle, film critic, San Francisco Chronicle Adamss thoroughness and energy make this book appealing to both movie lovers and those fascinated by the inner workings of film-making. It has sensational little-known stories, almost like a Hollywood gossip magazine, but the book has the tone and integrity of an engaging, well-researched book, including careful attention to factual accuracy and impartial narration. Adams is both historian and fanatic, giving the book both thoroughness and energy. This book will whet the appetite of movie connoisseurs. Melissa Wuske, ForeWord Reviews For film buffs, consider this one essential. David Pitt, Booklist"

Author Information

Charles F. Adams is chairman of the Wajim Corporation and president of Adams Enterprises. He spent his work career in international marketing and was president and chief operating officer of D'Arcy, MacManus and Masius, Inc., one of the world's largest advertising agencies. he is also a former owner and general partner of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Adams is the author of a number of books, including Murder by the Bay' and The Complete Geezer Guidebook' both available from Quill Driver Books.

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