British film books

[theuofc]

... Brian Macfarlane's Autobiography of British Cinema covers just about everything. ...

Yes, just an excellent reference. What I especially like is that MacFarlane's entries are-- if memory serves-- interviews (or at least the one with Dirk Bogarde is) so that we have the actor's own thoughts and words as the basis for an entry vs. being 100% filtered via the writer.



Barbara

[will.15]

A Mirror for England: British Movies From Austerity to Affluence Praeger, New York, 1971, 336 pages, ISBN 8180 0701 X by Raymond Durgnant

[theuofc]

A Mirror for England: British Movies From Austerity to Affluence Praeger, New York, 1971, 336 pages, ISBN 8180 0701 X by Raymond Durgnant

Hi, Will,



Durgnant can be excellent. I may even have this book, but I'm not home to check. One day I will create a catalogue of my film books, but the very thought of the time and effort exhausts me. Worse yet is making a list of the films I have which I also should do to avoid acquiring unintended duplicates of books and films.



Barbara

[smudge]

Yes, just an excellent reference. What I especially like is that MacFarlane's entries are-- if memory serves-- interviews (or at least the one with Dirk Bogarde is) so that we have the actor's own thoughts and words as the basis for an entry vs. being 100% filtered via the writer.



Barbara

Memory serves you well Barbara; they are indeed interviews...







Smudge

[theuofc]

Memory serves you well Barbara; they are indeed interviews...







Smudge

Hi, Smudge



It's a relief that my memory isn't shot ...yet!



I hope you are keeping well,



Barbara

[Nick Dando]

Books by Jeffrey Richards are well worth reading.



Nick

[Steve Crook]

A Mirror for England: British Movies From Austerity to Affluence Praeger, New York, 1971, 336 pages, ISBN 8180 0701 X by Raymond Durgnant

An excellent book although it is a very personal view of British cinema and he does tend to see everything in terms of the class struggle.



But I can forgive him that when he comes out with phrases like "Colour by Pyrotechnicolor" when he's describing the British use of Technicolor in films like The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus



Steve

[Steve Crook]

I am curious what the members of the forum consider the essential books on the history of British film which every fan should have on his or her bookshelf. Want to do a bit of reading and looking for recommendations.

"A Life in Movies" by Michael Powell

Very well written (rare amongst film books) and not just a "Look at me, aren't I wonderful" autobiography. He details his failings as well as his successes.



It also gives a lot of information about what it was like to make films in Britain through the 1930s & 40s



Steve

[Bernardo]

Has anything been published that encompasses most of the British actors that specialised in creating niche character parts especially early/middle 20th century? I have a desire to make them a study project for the coming Winter.

[CaptainWaggett]

I think you'll have to write one yourself You can browse this book at GoogleBooks but it's mostly 50s and 60s films covered IIRC

British Film Character Actors: Amazon.co.uk: Terence Pettigrew: Books

There's also David Quinlan's books but they're really a throwback to pre-IMDB days

[smudge]

LOL I still have my (treasured) Quinlans and my Halliwells, which Mrs. Smudge thought were so indicative of the earnestness with which I pursued my hobby, in the days before she first asked me out...

(Although she was a keen filmgoer herself, I was the first person she knew who actually had a hardback Halliwell on the shelf. She thought it almost decadent, back then, I suspect...)

Smudge

[Bernardo]

Thanks Captain and smudge, I have a couple of really good used book shops nearby, I will try and find British Film Character Actors (I googled almost that name but got not very much today??) plus have a look at Quinlan's. I like to have winter projects and I have this vague idea of building a website with the information as a longer term project or at least it is a good daydream and plan to occupy boring moments.

[Steve Crook]

Thanks Captain and smudge, I have a couple of really good used book shops nearby, I will try and find British Film Character Actors (I googled almost that name but got not very much today??) plus have a look at Quinlan's. I like to have winter projects and I have this vague idea of building a website with the information as a longer term project or at least it is a good daydream and plan to occupy boring moments.

Try the Advanced Book Exchange (ABE). They've got a few copies on offer

Steve

[MonicaMC]

Has anything been published that encompasses most of the British actors that specialised in creating niche character parts especially early/middle 20th century? I have a desire to make them a study project for the coming Winter.

Need any help? I'm working on one actor in particular, particularly for 10 days after my coursework is completed on 13 August... (check the profile, not the avatar).

And I did find a decent book on character actors at the university drama library, which I JUST checked in:

Edition	New ed
Description	384 p. : ports. ; 26 cm
Note	Previous ed.: 1985
Bibliography	Includes bibliographical references (p. 383-384)
LC SUBJECTS	Motion picture actors and actresses -- Biography -- Dictionaries
Other Title	Illustrated directory of film character actors
Spine Title	Quinlan's film character actors
LCCN	gb 95067232
ISBN	0713470402 : £19.99
	071348280X (pbk.)
OCLC #	33103073

Ah, but I see you have been giving that resource already. :)

[MonicaMC]

Thanks Captain and smudge, I have a couple of really good used book shops nearby, I will try and find British Film Character Actors (I googled almost that name but got not very much today??) plus have a look at Quinlan's. I like to have winter projects and I have this vague idea of building a website with the information as a longer term project or at least it is a good daydream and plan to occupy boring moments.

Incidentally, you can preview the Pettigrew book on google books: British Film Character Actors

[torinfan]

Has anything been published that encompasses most of the British actors that specialised in creating niche character parts especially early/middle 20th century? I have a desire to make them a study project for the coming Winter.

When you say "niche character parts", do you mean like villains, heroes?

Torin portrayed quite a few villains so if you need any info for your project drop me a PM

[cassidy]

I still can't believe that about seven years ago my wife came home from our grandson's school fete with both Quinlans "Character Actors" and "British Sound Films 1928-1950" which she had bought for me for 50p each. Had to be the bargain of the year. Much treasured and also much read.