British film book recommendations

[CALF28]

Originally Posted by AdrianTurner In my view, the best book on British cinema of the 60s remains Alex Walker's Hollywood England (Michael Joseph, 1974 and still in print). Eloquent, witty, trenchant and exhaustively researched and sourced. What more can you need? Maybe his book on the 70s, National Heroes.

Having just bought this book on Ebay (£2.99) I find it's not really what I was looking for, very nice but not quite 'it'. What I would like is a complete listing of sixties films , more or less (exactly if it exists) the same format that Quinlan uses in his British Sound Films'. Is there such a thing? Any help would be much appreciated.

[CaptainWaggett]

As far as I can see (I buy a lot of film books for work), the coming of IMDB has more or less killed off books like that. I don't need a book that simply lists facts when I can get the information from a few clicks of my mouse. There's the Taschen series but they're more glossy photo books without much hard information but I can't think of anything newish that meets your description.

I'm interested in the idea that you don't want opinion. I know what you mean in one way - I'm going to watch any film with Dennis Price in it and a critic telling me that Master of Bankdam isn't very good (it isn't) won't deter me won't deter me because I'm going to see it and find something to enjoy anyway. But I'm still interested in hearing other's opinions and given that nobody can see every film, it's useful to have an idea of which films might be artistic worthwhile and which are just of historical interest. So I get frustrated by the purely factual books.

[CALF28]

Originally Posted by CaptainWaggett As far as I can see (I buy a lot of film books for work), the coming of IMDB has more or less killed off books like that. I don't need a book that simply lists facts when I can get the information from a few clicks of my mouse. There's the Taschen series but they're more glossy photo books without much hard information but I can't think of anything newish that meets your description. I'm interested in the idea that you don't want opinion. I know what you mean in one way - I'm going to watch any film with Dennis Price in it and a critic telling me that Master of Bankdam isn't very good (it isn't) won't deter me won't deter me because I'm going to see it and find something to enjoy anyway. But I'm still interested in hearing other's opinions and given that nobody can see every film, it's useful to have an idea of which films might be artistic worthwhile and which are just of historical interest. So I get frustrated by the purely factual books.

Hello Captain,
Thanks for your reply and I know what you;re saying about IMDB, it's a very useful site, I use it all the time but it's just not as handy as a book. There's the book on the shelves, pick it up for a browse , take it to bed or even the loo. You can't do that with IMDB. David Quinlan's 'British Sound Films' is almost the perfect reference work on films, it's a shame he didn't carry on into the sixties. It's a shame no one else has written one, perhaps I might write one. Mmmm....
I quite enjoyed 'Master of Bankdam' I'll just have a look in my Quinlan and see what he says about it. Made in 1947, I see he gives it a 4 rating, quite good for him. He goes on to say 'Family saga is a bit ponderous at times, but grippingly effective in the end'. I would say that's a pretty fair judgement. Stephen Murray is always good value.
Nice to chat, John.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by CALF28 Hello Captain, Thanks for your reply and I know what you;re saying about IMDB, it's a very useful site, I use it all the time but it's just not as handy as a book. There's the book on the shelves, pick it up for a browse , take it to bed or even the loo. You can't do that with IMDB. David Quinlan's 'British Sound Films' is almost the perfect reference work on films, it's a shame he didn't carry on into the sixties. It's a shame no one else has written one, perhaps I might write one. Mmmm.... I quite enjoyed 'Master of Bankdam' I'll just have a look in my Quinlan and see what he says about it. Made in 1947, I see he gives it a 4 rating, quite good for him. He goes on to say 'Family saga is a bit ponderous at times, but grippingly effective in the end'. I would say that's a pretty fair judgement. Stephen Murray is always good value. Nice to chat, John.

Get an internet connection on your mobile phone or PDA and you can read that in bed or in the loo

But you're right, there's still nothing like a good book.

It might be worth reading some biographies to get an idea of what you want. Many autobiographies tend to be "look at me, aren't I wonderful" whereas biographies are often more honest and give a wider view.

The best one for the time up to the sixties is of course Michael Powell's two volumes of autobiography. He describes much of the British film industry (and touches on some of the European and American industries as well) from inception, when they became a film industry, up to when he stopped working in it in the 1960s.

If only there were other autobiographies like those ones
He writes not only about his many successes but about his failures as well.

I am always wary of books of reviews like Halliwell's or Quinlan's because although they mean well they often skim too lightly over too many films or people

Steve

[orpheum]

Originally Posted by AdrianTurner Considering that Ken Russell's first major film was Women in Love in 1969* it is hardly surprising that Alex Walker left him out of his study of the 60s. If you consult the sequel, National Heroes, you will find Russell breaks out like a rash all over it! Personally, I like opinionated critics. And what is a critic without opinions? * I'm sure someone will claim French Dressing as the best Brit film of the 60s.

You have clearly not bothered to read my previous post.In respect of ALL of his books the one major british talent that Walker did not interview was Russell.So how can you take Walker seriously.Furthermore Walker was always pontificating about censorship.Often saying that certain films(often Russells)should be banned.what right has a mere film critic/journo to say what films we should or shouldnot see.I resented his attitudes very much.His photo on the film page of the Standard had a smug/arrogant look on his face.KI was so pleased when he was no longer the film critic and we could get a more objective look at each weeks films.
As to the last question regarding lists of films in release for each year,what about the annuals edited by F>Maurice Speed.I am sure that this series went on well into the sixties.There is also an American series,called something like Screen Parade or Screen Review.No idea when they went on to.

[Barry Vaughan]

I'd like to defend Hollywood England rather Alexander Walker, having re-read it quite recently. I think it was written before Walker became too reactionary/grumpy - though it has its moments - and it's an invaluable resource of industry information when, crucially, that information was still fresh in the participants' minds. Plus it is fascinating to read his early 70s perspective on such cherished 60s iconic movies as 'Darling' - he brackets it with the largely-forgotten 'Nothing But The Best' and accords them equal space.

(He doesn't like Ken Russell but so what? Authors need opinions and Russell has always been capable of speaking up for himself.)

What is Walker's book on 70s British cinema like?

[orpheum]

Originally Posted by Barry Vaughan I'd like to defend Hollywood England rather Alexander Walker, having re-read it quite recently. I think it was written before Walker became too reactionary/grumpy - though it has its moments - and it's an invaluable resource of industry information when, crucially, that information was still fresh in the participants' minds. Plus it is fascinating to read his early 70s perspective on such cherished 60s iconic movies as 'Darling' - he brackets it with the largely-forgotten 'Nothing But The Best' and accords them equal space. (He doesn't like Ken Russell but so what? Authors need opinions and Russell has always been capable of speaking up for himself.) What is Walker's book on 70s British cinema like?

Good for putting under an uneven table!I did nt like his views when he was alive and i still dont like them.