deckard

Not to mention the IMdb, What your favourite " coffee table" film guide. I like Halliwell's, but I tend to think the reviewers are a little over-critical a times, your opinions would be most welcome.Regards, Decks.

P.S. can they really have watched all those films? wink

"and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock"

DB7

David Quinlan's British Sound Films tend to be my film bible of choice and Brian McFarlane's Encyclopedia of British Film for actor info.

Rob Compton

Agreed, DB, Quinlan's book is superb

rgds
Rob

deckard

Quinlan has also authored The Illustrated Directory of Film Stars, Film Comedy Actors, Film Directors and British Sound Films (1928-1959), all valuable reference works. I for one would dearly love to see Quinlan put together a directory of the talent that worked behind the cameras including editors, art directors, lighting and make-up personnel, although I clearly recognise that this would be a mammoth undertaking.

The Illustrated Directory of Character Actors is just one of Quinlan's essential works, and a book that I will refer to time and time again.
(snippet from "The Missing Link" reviews).


Sounds like an excellent idea to me too!! Regards, Decks.

"and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock"

Hugo

I find the TIME OUT Film Guide very useful although it only covers films released or re-released since 1968 when the magazine was first published, but it has some excellent indexes where you can look up films by subject matter, actors, directors, country of origin, genre etc.

Lord Brett

The Time Out Film Guide is surprisingly good on obscure British films, particularly from the early to mid-seventies, when the film industrty in this country was collapsing. Certain films might only have a press showing and a couple of days booking in the London area, so were missed by the bigger national newpapers & magazines.

Halliwell's has improved over the years, in my opinion. When the late Leslie Haliwell was writing the entire book, almost nothing made after 1960 received a positive review. So many of them complained about the sound quality that I'm convinced the old boy was going deaf!

David Challinor

Haliwell's definately gone off the boil of late - a couple of years ago it failed totally to list my favourite film of that 12 months, the RAF WWII drama Dark Blue World. The founder must of been turning in his grave. For film guide newcomers it's authoritive feel is still great though, and I particularly like its detail on poster tag-lines, lines from the script, interesting facts, etc. As long as you know that pre-1985 Haliwell's views on films were that it was downhill all the way from his rose-tinted cinema visits in the 1930s and 40s, you can understand what he likes and dislikes. (At the time of his death he was trying to branch out, and I have a rare copy of Halliwell's TV Guide from the early 80s)...I can only say that anyone who's interested should have several film review books to enjoy - my bookcase is aching from Haliwell's tomes, Lenoard Maltin (America) views etc. And of course Quinlan's Film Stars. The old Cult Movies books are great for looking up your favourite film, ie their great review of Roeg's Walkabout.

Lord Brett

I forgot all about the Cult Movies books! I really like Danny Peary's work, his Guide for the Film Fanatic being particularly worth seeking out, bearing in mind my copy only covers up to the late 1980s. Wonder if he ever did an updated edition.

deckard

His "Cult Movies List" series has now reached part No4, but I don't think he has updated his "Film Fanantic" guide as yet. Regards, Decks.

"and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock"

anthony chubb

is the quinlan book british films 28 to 59 the one i had and lost
List all films british cron wise is it still available

anton

Marky B

I still prefer Halliwell's books as - for me,anyway - they are a valuable source of information for compiling quizzes.
However,I do agree that his remarks towards some films were a bit unfair. Although,I have noted his successor,John Walker,has changed some of Halliwell's views. For example,Halliwell thought The Ladykillers was "overrated" shocked2 ,but Walker has been more kinder clap ,though alas only giving it three stars scold and not a more worthy four bow .
Ta Ta
Marky B thumbs_u

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

glyn horton

I agree with the criticism of Halliwell's stance (particularly The Ladykillers!) but whatever your view his enthusiasm for the 1930-1950s period was irrepressable and during his time as film buyer for Channel 4 he got many rare films shown which otherwise would have stayed in the vaults. In my view, 4 went downhill as a old Britfilm channel shortly after his death.