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 Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
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Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
mixed feelings, 13 Jun 2008
Overlong, definitely, verbose, definitely, showing off, definitely, but within all that, a readable book (at least I found it so and I am very quick to give up on books!) and an honest appraisal of a wonderful man, who came to us to make us laugh, even through his ill health and problems with drink. His many problems with his agent were perhaps over detailed but the relationship was essential to Tommy's career. A few more anecdotes from other comics would have helped but overall I was glad I read it and I don't say that lightly, as anyone reading my reviews will know ... !
...Needs perseverance, 12 Jun 2008
I'm embarassed to tell you how long it took me to finish this book. Suffice to say that I had to frequently overcome a compelling urge to give up on the whole thing because I found that I was not interested in the self-indulgent conjecture of the author.
Towards the end the occasional fact was allowed to creep in, which was nice considering this was why I bought the book. Unfortunately you have to witness the author disappearing up his own hypotheticals before you arrive there.
Just like this?, 10 Apr 2008
Two of the above critiques are so close to my own thoughts it's a bit spooky. the Author is a total 'guess who I know in showbiz' type author, but his fact finding is thorough to say the least. If I was a Cooper I would be a bit creeped out by the person who describes watching your mother through the shop window...
That, is truly spooky. Stalked her just like that. Window mother mother window...hurr hurr hurr.
The book is verbose (can a book be verbose?) but well worth reading. Just don't read it in the bath...You'll fall a sleep and drown. Just like that. I'll stop now.
Words! Words! Words!, 11 Mar 2008
I have enjoyed John Fisher's books in the past but he has mainly dealt with his subjects in an incisive, almost surgical, manner getting to the heart of the subject very quickly and concisely. Boy, was this a long read! I felt as if I had spent every day of Tommy Cooper's life with him such was the immense detail. How much better this book could have been if it had been shortened by about 40% omitting a great amount of the interaction between TC and his agent. Most of that detail got in the way of the story and I found myself skimming through to get back to the meat. Enjoyable on the whole? Yes, to a point so long as you have the stamina.
Quite interesting, 29 Feb 2008
I recently read this book hoping to get an insight into what Tommy was really like and found that for the most part he was exactly the same off stage as on, there were a few things I never knew like his relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie, he is mostly depicted as a control freak who kept Tommy tied to a contract but if you read between the lines he was actually responsible for keeping Tommy in work for all those years and often had to smooth things over when Tommy let clients down at various venues because of his alcoholism and bad health, there are quite a few descriptive sections that relay his act which are quite good to read but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I knew Tommy any better than I did before I started, it was more like a trip down memory lane.
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Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
mixed feelings, 13 Jun 2008
Overlong, definitely, verbose, definitely, showing off, definitely, but within all that, a readable book (at least I found it so and I am very quick to give up on books!) and an honest appraisal of a wonderful man, who came to us to make us laugh, even through his ill health and problems with drink. His many problems with his agent were perhaps over detailed but the relationship was essential to Tommy's career. A few more anecdotes from other comics would have helped but overall I was glad I read it and I don't say that lightly, as anyone reading my reviews will know ... !
...Needs perseverance, 12 Jun 2008
I'm embarassed to tell you how long it took me to finish this book. Suffice to say that I had to frequently overcome a compelling urge to give up on the whole thing because I found that I was not interested in the self-indulgent conjecture of the author.
Towards the end the occasional fact was allowed to creep in, which was nice considering this was why I bought the book. Unfortunately you have to witness the author disappearing up his own hypotheticals before you arrive there.
Just like this?, 10 Apr 2008
Two of the above critiques are so close to my own thoughts it's a bit spooky. the Author is a total 'guess who I know in showbiz' type author, but his fact finding is thorough to say the least. If I was a Cooper I would be a bit creeped out by the person who describes watching your mother through the shop window...
That, is truly spooky. Stalked her just like that. Window mother mother window...hurr hurr hurr.
The book is verbose (can a book be verbose?) but well worth reading. Just don't read it in the bath...You'll fall a sleep and drown. Just like that. I'll stop now.
Words! Words! Words!, 11 Mar 2008
I have enjoyed John Fisher's books in the past but he has mainly dealt with his subjects in an incisive, almost surgical, manner getting to the heart of the subject very quickly and concisely. Boy, was this a long read! I felt as if I had spent every day of Tommy Cooper's life with him such was the immense detail. How much better this book could have been if it had been shortened by about 40% omitting a great amount of the interaction between TC and his agent. Most of that detail got in the way of the story and I found myself skimming through to get back to the meat. Enjoyable on the whole? Yes, to a point so long as you have the stamina.
Quite interesting, 29 Feb 2008
I recently read this book hoping to get an insight into what Tommy was really like and found that for the most part he was exactly the same off stage as on, there were a few things I never knew like his relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie, he is mostly depicted as a control freak who kept Tommy tied to a contract but if you read between the lines he was actually responsible for keeping Tommy in work for all those years and often had to smooth things over when Tommy let clients down at various venues because of his alcoholism and bad health, there are quite a few descriptive sections that relay his act which are quite good to read but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I knew Tommy any better than I did before I started, it was more like a trip down memory lane.
another good book from Matthew Field, 16 Oct 2008
This book was written with the help of Matthew Field who was also responsible for writing The making of the Italian Job.It was while researching for that book that the seeds for this book were planted.This book is a very well written biography from Michael Deeley and Matthew Field.It details the many problems that a producer can face trying to get projects he believes in up onto the screen.
the man behind the curtain, 07 Oct 2008
I thought i was a Blade Runner fan. After reading this book I have realized how little I knew about this great movie. How hard it was to make and yet how incredible it is.
It's interesting to see how money influence creative and possibly undermine it.
It makes me wonder how many good movies were never made because the people with the money didn't want to pay for it?
And yet, people like Michael Deeley are those that make film happen against all odds, are those that put together the ideas, the people, the money and make things work day by day. This is another great discovery of this book, I never realized how much a producer means for a film. Had Michael Deeley not been so dedicated to the project of The deer hunter, we would have never seen this movie (to me, a minor loss really, however it was a great movie too).
I have enjoyed this book a let, and i have read it cover to cover in a couple of day because it has a good pace, it's interesting. Totally recommended especially for film buffs.
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Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
mixed feelings, 13 Jun 2008
Overlong, definitely, verbose, definitely, showing off, definitely, but within all that, a readable book (at least I found it so and I am very quick to give up on books!) and an honest appraisal of a wonderful man, who came to us to make us laugh, even through his ill health and problems with drink. His many problems with his agent were perhaps over detailed but the relationship was essential to Tommy's career. A few more anecdotes from other comics would have helped but overall I was glad I read it and I don't say that lightly, as anyone reading my reviews will know ... !
...Needs perseverance, 12 Jun 2008
I'm embarassed to tell you how long it took me to finish this book. Suffice to say that I had to frequently overcome a compelling urge to give up on the whole thing because I found that I was not interested in the self-indulgent conjecture of the author.
Towards the end the occasional fact was allowed to creep in, which was nice considering this was why I bought the book. Unfortunately you have to witness the author disappearing up his own hypotheticals before you arrive there.
Just like this?, 10 Apr 2008
Two of the above critiques are so close to my own thoughts it's a bit spooky. the Author is a total 'guess who I know in showbiz' type author, but his fact finding is thorough to say the least. If I was a Cooper I would be a bit creeped out by the person who describes watching your mother through the shop window...
That, is truly spooky. Stalked her just like that. Window mother mother window...hurr hurr hurr.
The book is verbose (can a book be verbose?) but well worth reading. Just don't read it in the bath...You'll fall a sleep and drown. Just like that. I'll stop now.
Words! Words! Words!, 11 Mar 2008
I have enjoyed John Fisher's books in the past but he has mainly dealt with his subjects in an incisive, almost surgical, manner getting to the heart of the subject very quickly and concisely. Boy, was this a long read! I felt as if I had spent every day of Tommy Cooper's life with him such was the immense detail. How much better this book could have been if it had been shortened by about 40% omitting a great amount of the interaction between TC and his agent. Most of that detail got in the way of the story and I found myself skimming through to get back to the meat. Enjoyable on the whole? Yes, to a point so long as you have the stamina.
Quite interesting, 29 Feb 2008
I recently read this book hoping to get an insight into what Tommy was really like and found that for the most part he was exactly the same off stage as on, there were a few things I never knew like his relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie, he is mostly depicted as a control freak who kept Tommy tied to a contract but if you read between the lines he was actually responsible for keeping Tommy in work for all those years and often had to smooth things over when Tommy let clients down at various venues because of his alcoholism and bad health, there are quite a few descriptive sections that relay his act which are quite good to read but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I knew Tommy any better than I did before I started, it was more like a trip down memory lane.
another good book from Matthew Field, 16 Oct 2008
This book was written with the help of Matthew Field who was also responsible for writing The making of the Italian Job.It was while researching for that book that the seeds for this book were planted.This book is a very well written biography from Michael Deeley and Matthew Field.It details the many problems that a producer can face trying to get projects he believes in up onto the screen.
the man behind the curtain, 07 Oct 2008
I thought i was a Blade Runner fan. After reading this book I have realized how little I knew about this great movie. How hard it was to make and yet how incredible it is.
It's interesting to see how money influence creative and possibly undermine it.
It makes me wonder how many good movies were never made because the people with the money didn't want to pay for it?
And yet, people like Michael Deeley are those that make film happen against all odds, are those that put together the ideas, the people, the money and make things work day by day. This is another great discovery of this book, I never realized how much a producer means for a film. Had Michael Deeley not been so dedicated to the project of The deer hunter, we would have never seen this movie (to me, a minor loss really, however it was a great movie too).
I have enjoyed this book a let, and i have read it cover to cover in a couple of day because it has a good pace, it's interesting. Totally recommended especially for film buffs.
This book's a treasure, 12 Nov 2008
I was not disappointed at all. This book was even far more than i had expected. A step by step account by this fabulous artist, concerning all the great shows (known and unknown), that she has starred in. A lot of preparation and thought has also gone into the dialogue by the artist herself.
The photographs are stunning too. Old and new fans will love this book, and congratulations on forty years in show business, to such a wonderful artist.
Her voice is just so brilliant, and she is such a warm and sincere person.
W Edwards
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Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
mixed feelings, 13 Jun 2008
Overlong, definitely, verbose, definitely, showing off, definitely, but within all that, a readable book (at least I found it so and I am very quick to give up on books!) and an honest appraisal of a wonderful man, who came to us to make us laugh, even through his ill health and problems with drink. His many problems with his agent were perhaps over detailed but the relationship was essential to Tommy's career. A few more anecdotes from other comics would have helped but overall I was glad I read it and I don't say that lightly, as anyone reading my reviews will know ... !
...Needs perseverance, 12 Jun 2008
I'm embarassed to tell you how long it took me to finish this book. Suffice to say that I had to frequently overcome a compelling urge to give up on the whole thing because I found that I was not interested in the self-indulgent conjecture of the author.
Towards the end the occasional fact was allowed to creep in, which was nice considering this was why I bought the book. Unfortunately you have to witness the author disappearing up his own hypotheticals before you arrive there.
Just like this?, 10 Apr 2008
Two of the above critiques are so close to my own thoughts it's a bit spooky. the Author is a total 'guess who I know in showbiz' type author, but his fact finding is thorough to say the least. If I was a Cooper I would be a bit creeped out by the person who describes watching your mother through the shop window...
That, is truly spooky. Stalked her just like that. Window mother mother window...hurr hurr hurr.
The book is verbose (can a book be verbose?) but well worth reading. Just don't read it in the bath...You'll fall a sleep and drown. Just like that. I'll stop now.
Words! Words! Words!, 11 Mar 2008
I have enjoyed John Fisher's books in the past but he has mainly dealt with his subjects in an incisive, almost surgical, manner getting to the heart of the subject very quickly and concisely. Boy, was this a long read! I felt as if I had spent every day of Tommy Cooper's life with him such was the immense detail. How much better this book could have been if it had been shortened by about 40% omitting a great amount of the interaction between TC and his agent. Most of that detail got in the way of the story and I found myself skimming through to get back to the meat. Enjoyable on the whole? Yes, to a point so long as you have the stamina.
Quite interesting, 29 Feb 2008
I recently read this book hoping to get an insight into what Tommy was really like and found that for the most part he was exactly the same off stage as on, there were a few things I never knew like his relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie, he is mostly depicted as a control freak who kept Tommy tied to a contract but if you read between the lines he was actually responsible for keeping Tommy in work for all those years and often had to smooth things over when Tommy let clients down at various venues because of his alcoholism and bad health, there are quite a few descriptive sections that relay his act which are quite good to read but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I knew Tommy any better than I did before I started, it was more like a trip down memory lane.
another good book from Matthew Field, 16 Oct 2008
This book was written with the help of Matthew Field who was also responsible for writing The making of the Italian Job.It was while researching for that book that the seeds for this book were planted.This book is a very well written biography from Michael Deeley and Matthew Field.It details the many problems that a producer can face trying to get projects he believes in up onto the screen.
the man behind the curtain, 07 Oct 2008
I thought i was a Blade Runner fan. After reading this book I have realized how little I knew about this great movie. How hard it was to make and yet how incredible it is.
It's interesting to see how money influence creative and possibly undermine it.
It makes me wonder how many good movies were never made because the people with the money didn't want to pay for it?
And yet, people like Michael Deeley are those that make film happen against all odds, are those that put together the ideas, the people, the money and make things work day by day. This is another great discovery of this book, I never realized how much a producer means for a film. Had Michael Deeley not been so dedicated to the project of The deer hunter, we would have never seen this movie (to me, a minor loss really, however it was a great movie too).
I have enjoyed this book a let, and i have read it cover to cover in a couple of day because it has a good pace, it's interesting. Totally recommended especially for film buffs.
This book's a treasure, 12 Nov 2008
I was not disappointed at all. This book was even far more than i had expected. A step by step account by this fabulous artist, concerning all the great shows (known and unknown), that she has starred in. A lot of preparation and thought has also gone into the dialogue by the artist herself.
The photographs are stunning too. Old and new fans will love this book, and congratulations on forty years in show business, to such a wonderful artist.
Her voice is just so brilliant, and she is such a warm and sincere person.
W Edwards
Lovely job, 10 Aug 2008
Simpson should be lauded, not just for eloquently filling a significant gap in British film biography, but for spending ten years researching his subject and eventually turning out a measured, intelligent and - above all - extremely readable account of the life and work of Alastair Sim.
Straining vainly to rake up scandal in its review of the book (young wife, young actors as proteges...) the Daily Mail has only made itself look as befuddled and ridiculous as one of Sim's own masterly comic creations. Even a cursory glance at the text shows that the author has dealt clearly and calmly with such nonsense. Instead he focuses on, and carefully dissects, the personality and talent of what must have been a ferociously difficult subject.
Simpson deals equally well with both Sim's more familiar outings, such as Scrooge and St. Trinian's, and the far less well-known theatre work; in particular the rich and brilliant partnership with the playwright Bridie.
Overall then, this is a highly-readable account of one of Britain's best-loved performers. Simpson shares with Michael Parkinson, the rare talent of being able to allow the star subject to dominate the centre stage; whilst, at the same time, maintaining a thoughtful, sensitive probing to reveal the creative person behind the public perception. Quite superb. This is how film biography SHOULD be written.
A flawed account of a wonderful actor, 12 Jul 2008
Alastair Sim is one of my very favourite actors, one of those rare talents who only needs to turn up in a film for me to start smiling. Capable of great drama but more often hilarious comedy, Sim remains an inspiration to me.
Simpson's book is certainly better than any biography of Sim we're likely to get and it must be difficult to research and interact with the life of a man who refused all media attention, not giving interviews or autographs. However, this book reads like one of those hour-long retrospective documentaries you catch on Channel 4 or BBC2: a nice, fairly warm account of a comedian's life with lots of talking heads and a basic chronology of everything that happened in his life, but that ultimately lacks something. You never really feel as if you're getting to grips with Alastair Sim as a human being - you don't get inside the actor's head and feel his dreams and desires - and Simpson's basic prose style doesn't convince you that he's especially enthusiastic to write about the man (despite the 10 years of research) making for an informative but not especially entertaining read.
The book feels rushed: An Inspector Calls is barely discussed, despite being one of Sim's most celebrated roles, and Sim's declining health and eventual death are glossed over with no thought given as to what Sim must have made of his life and successes. I'm definitely glad this book was written as next to nothing is known of this great performer but Simpson's handling of the material is sorely lacking compared to such works as Graham McCann's biography of Frankie Howerd.
I'd rate it as a 7/10, though I give it an extra half star purely out of gratitude that Simpson attempted this book in the first place.
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Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
mixed feelings, 13 Jun 2008
Overlong, definitely, verbose, definitely, showing off, definitely, but within all that, a readable book (at least I found it so and I am very quick to give up on books!) and an honest appraisal of a wonderful man, who came to us to make us laugh, even through his ill health and problems with drink. His many problems with his agent were perhaps over detailed but the relationship was essential to Tommy's career. A few more anecdotes from other comics would have helped but overall I was glad I read it and I don't say that lightly, as anyone reading my reviews will know ... !
...Needs perseverance, 12 Jun 2008
I'm embarassed to tell you how long it took me to finish this book. Suffice to say that I had to frequently overcome a compelling urge to give up on the whole thing because I found that I was not interested in the self-indulgent conjecture of the author.
Towards the end the occasional fact was allowed to creep in, which was nice considering this was why I bought the book. Unfortunately you have to witness the author disappearing up his own hypotheticals before you arrive there.
Just like this?, 10 Apr 2008
Two of the above critiques are so close to my own thoughts it's a bit spooky. the Author is a total 'guess who I know in showbiz' type author, but his fact finding is thorough to say the least. If I was a Cooper I would be a bit creeped out by the person who describes watching your mother through the shop window...
That, is truly spooky. Stalked her just like that. Window mother mother window...hurr hurr hurr.
The book is verbose (can a book be verbose?) but well worth reading. Just don't read it in the bath...You'll fall a sleep and drown. Just like that. I'll stop now.
Words! Words! Words!, 11 Mar 2008
I have enjoyed John Fisher's books in the past but he has mainly dealt with his subjects in an incisive, almost surgical, manner getting to the heart of the subject very quickly and concisely. Boy, was this a long read! I felt as if I had spent every day of Tommy Cooper's life with him such was the immense detail. How much better this book could have been if it had been shortened by about 40% omitting a great amount of the interaction between TC and his agent. Most of that detail got in the way of the story and I found myself skimming through to get back to the meat. Enjoyable on the whole? Yes, to a point so long as you have the stamina.
Quite interesting, 29 Feb 2008
I recently read this book hoping to get an insight into what Tommy was really like and found that for the most part he was exactly the same off stage as on, there were a few things I never knew like his relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie, he is mostly depicted as a control freak who kept Tommy tied to a contract but if you read between the lines he was actually responsible for keeping Tommy in work for all those years and often had to smooth things over when Tommy let clients down at various venues because of his alcoholism and bad health, there are quite a few descriptive sections that relay his act which are quite good to read but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I knew Tommy any better than I did before I started, it was more like a trip down memory lane.
another good book from Matthew Field, 16 Oct 2008
This book was written with the help of Matthew Field who was also responsible for writing The making of the Italian Job.It was while researching for that book that the seeds for this book were planted.This book is a very well written biography from Michael Deeley and Matthew Field.It details the many problems that a producer can face trying to get projects he believes in up onto the screen.
the man behind the curtain, 07 Oct 2008
I thought i was a Blade Runner fan. After reading this book I have realized how little I knew about this great movie. How hard it was to make and yet how incredible it is.
It's interesting to see how money influence creative and possibly undermine it.
It makes me wonder how many good movies were never made because the people with the money didn't want to pay for it?
And yet, people like Michael Deeley are those that make film happen against all odds, are those that put together the ideas, the people, the money and make things work day by day. This is another great discovery of this book, I never realized how much a producer means for a film. Had Michael Deeley not been so dedicated to the project of The deer hunter, we would have never seen this movie (to me, a minor loss really, however it was a great movie too).
I have enjoyed this book a let, and i have read it cover to cover in a couple of day because it has a good pace, it's interesting. Totally recommended especially for film buffs.
This book's a treasure, 12 Nov 2008
I was not disappointed at all. This book was even far more than i had expected. A step by step account by this fabulous artist, concerning all the great shows (known and unknown), that she has starred in. A lot of preparation and thought has also gone into the dialogue by the artist herself.
The photographs are stunning too. Old and new fans will love this book, and congratulations on forty years in show business, to such a wonderful artist.
Her voice is just so brilliant, and she is such a warm and sincere person.
W Edwards
Lovely job, 10 Aug 2008
Simpson should be lauded, not just for eloquently filling a significant gap in British film biography, but for spending ten years researching his subject and eventually turning out a measured, intelligent and - above all - extremely readable account of the life and work of Alastair Sim.
Straining vainly to rake up scandal in its review of the book (young wife, young actors as proteges...) the Daily Mail has only made itself look as befuddled and ridiculous as one of Sim's own masterly comic creations. Even a cursory glance at the text shows that the author has dealt clearly and calmly with such nonsense. Instead he focuses on, and carefully dissects, the personality and talent of what must have been a ferociously difficult subject.
Simpson deals equally well with both Sim's more familiar outings, such as Scrooge and St. Trinian's, and the far less well-known theatre work; in particular the rich and brilliant partnership with the playwright Bridie.
Overall then, this is a highly-readable account of one of Britain's best-loved performers. Simpson shares with Michael Parkinson, the rare talent of being able to allow the star subject to dominate the centre stage; whilst, at the same time, maintaining a thoughtful, sensitive probing to reveal the creative person behind the public perception. Quite superb. This is how film biography SHOULD be written.
A flawed account of a wonderful actor, 12 Jul 2008
Alastair Sim is one of my very favourite actors, one of those rare talents who only needs to turn up in a film for me to start smiling. Capable of great drama but more often hilarious comedy, Sim remains an inspiration to me.
Simpson's book is certainly better than any biography of Sim we're likely to get and it must be difficult to research and interact with the life of a man who refused all media attention, not giving interviews or autographs. However, this book reads like one of those hour-long retrospective documentaries you catch on Channel 4 or BBC2: a nice, fairly warm account of a comedian's life with lots of talking heads and a basic chronology of everything that happened in his life, but that ultimately lacks something. You never really feel as if you're getting to grips with Alastair Sim as a human being - you don't get inside the actor's head and feel his dreams and desires - and Simpson's basic prose style doesn't convince you that he's especially enthusiastic to write about the man (despite the 10 years of research) making for an informative but not especially entertaining read.
The book feels rushed: An Inspector Calls is barely discussed, despite being one of Sim's most celebrated roles, and Sim's declining health and eventual death are glossed over with no thought given as to what Sim must have made of his life and successes. I'm definitely glad this book was written as next to nothing is known of this great performer but Simpson's handling of the material is sorely lacking compared to such works as Graham McCann's biography of Frankie Howerd.
I'd rate it as a 7/10, though I give it an extra half star purely out of gratitude that Simpson attempted this book in the first place.
A Very Honest Read, 24 Jan 2008
This book was great, Jason is extremely honest. From his life down under growing up in Neighbours, meeting Kylie to the Drug Problems, through it all he has come out the other side with a lovely family. Couldn't put the book down, it was that good. Would recommend.
You won't be able to put this book down - it is fantastic!, 09 Jan 2008
I got this book as a Christmas present from my husband. I'm not really a book person but I thought I'd read the first few pages to see what it was like and I just couldn't put it down! It had me hooked from the very first pages, reading about Jason growing up, how he met Kylie and how he got into Neighbours. Then about his life in London, the musicals he acted in and his drug problems - it had me gripped. I read it in a few days. I even had a few tears in my eyes at the end when he talks about his partner and his children and how they have changed his life. My husband is now thinking about reading it too!
Interesting Book!, 28 Dec 2007
I read this entire book within two days! If you were a Jason/Kylie fan in the early days then you will find you can remember a lot of the things he has written about. It was interesting, very honest, funny and also sad in parts. What I liked about it was that Jason Donovan doesn't take himself too seriously and is able to laugh at himself and admit he has made mistakes (just like everyone else). It was good to read about his journey and the positive outcome with his wife and children. I would definitely recommend this book!
A really interesting honest account, 22 Dec 2007
Having grown up as one of the Neighbours generation i really wanted to read this book. I wasn't dissapointed it's good that there's also quite a few things i didn't know in there for instance i wasn't aware just how bad jason's drug addition was i'm glad he tackled it though and that he's happy i'd reccomend this to anyone
Jason delivers!, 23 Oct 2007
This is a real gem of a book.Written honestly with warmth, humour and real feeling.By the end I felt I knew Jason like a friend or neighbour.Creative and with plenty of content this well written book is highly recommended to all.
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Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
mixed feelings, 13 Jun 2008
Overlong, definitely, verbose, definitely, showing off, definitely, but within all that, a readable book (at least I found it so and I am very quick to give up on books!) and an honest appraisal of a wonderful man, who came to us to make us laugh, even through his ill health and problems with drink. His many problems with his agent were perhaps over detailed but the relationship was essential to Tommy's career. A few more anecdotes from other comics would have helped but overall I was glad I read it and I don't say that lightly, as anyone reading my reviews will know ... !
...Needs perseverance, 12 Jun 2008
I'm embarassed to tell you how long it took me to finish this book. Suffice to say that I had to frequently overcome a compelling urge to give up on the whole thing because I found that I was not interested in the self-indulgent conjecture of the author.
Towards the end the occasional fact was allowed to creep in, which was nice considering this was why I bought the book. Unfortunately you have to witness the author disappearing up his own hypotheticals before you arrive there.
Just like this?, 10 Apr 2008
Two of the above critiques are so close to my own thoughts it's a bit spooky. the Author is a total 'guess who I know in showbiz' type author, but his fact finding is thorough to say the least. If I was a Cooper I would be a bit creeped out by the person who describes watching your mother through the shop window...
That, is truly spooky. Stalked her just like that. Window mother mother window...hurr hurr hurr.
The book is verbose (can a book be verbose?) but well worth reading. Just don't read it in the bath...You'll fall a sleep and drown. Just like that. I'll stop now.
Words! Words! Words!, 11 Mar 2008
I have enjoyed John Fisher's books in the past but he has mainly dealt with his subjects in an incisive, almost surgical, manner getting to the heart of the subject very quickly and concisely. Boy, was this a long read! I felt as if I had spent every day of Tommy Cooper's life with him such was the immense detail. How much better this book could have been if it had been shortened by about 40% omitting a great amount of the interaction between TC and his agent. Most of that detail got in the way of the story and I found myself skimming through to get back to the meat. Enjoyable on the whole? Yes, to a point so long as you have the stamina.
Quite interesting, 29 Feb 2008
I recently read this book hoping to get an insight into what Tommy was really like and found that for the most part he was exactly the same off stage as on, there were a few things I never knew like his relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie, he is mostly depicted as a control freak who kept Tommy tied to a contract but if you read between the lines he was actually responsible for keeping Tommy in work for all those years and often had to smooth things over when Tommy let clients down at various venues because of his alcoholism and bad health, there are quite a few descriptive sections that relay his act which are quite good to read but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I knew Tommy any better than I did before I started, it was more like a trip down memory lane.
another good book from Matthew Field, 16 Oct 2008
This book was written with the help of Matthew Field who was also responsible for writing The making of the Italian Job.It was while researching for that book that the seeds for this book were planted.This book is a very well written biography from Michael Deeley and Matthew Field.It details the many problems that a producer can face trying to get projects he believes in up onto the screen.
the man behind the curtain, 07 Oct 2008
I thought i was a Blade Runner fan. After reading this book I have realized how little I knew about this great movie. How hard it was to make and yet how incredible it is.
It's interesting to see how money influence creative and possibly undermine it.
It makes me wonder how many good movies were never made because the people with the money didn't want to pay for it?
And yet, people like Michael Deeley are those that make film happen against all odds, are those that put together the ideas, the people, the money and make things work day by day. This is another great discovery of this book, I never realized how much a producer means for a film. Had Michael Deeley not been so dedicated to the project of The deer hunter, we would have never seen this movie (to me, a minor loss really, however it was a great movie too).
I have enjoyed this book a let, and i have read it cover to cover in a couple of day because it has a good pace, it's interesting. Totally recommended especially for film buffs.
This book's a treasure, 12 Nov 2008
I was not disappointed at all. This book was even far more than i had expected. A step by step account by this fabulous artist, concerning all the great shows (known and unknown), that she has starred in. A lot of preparation and thought has also gone into the dialogue by the artist herself.
The photographs are stunning too. Old and new fans will love this book, and congratulations on forty years in show business, to such a wonderful artist.
Her voice is just so brilliant, and she is such a warm and sincere person.
W Edwards
Lovely job, 10 Aug 2008
Simpson should be lauded, not just for eloquently filling a significant gap in British film biography, but for spending ten years researching his subject and eventually turning out a measured, intelligent and - above all - extremely readable account of the life and work of Alastair Sim.
Straining vainly to rake up scandal in its review of the book (young wife, young actors as proteges...) the Daily Mail has only made itself look as befuddled and ridiculous as one of Sim's own masterly comic creations. Even a cursory glance at the text shows that the author has dealt clearly and calmly with such nonsense. Instead he focuses on, and carefully dissects, the personality and talent of what must have been a ferociously difficult subject.
Simpson deals equally well with both Sim's more familiar outings, such as Scrooge and St. Trinian's, and the far less well-known theatre work; in particular the rich and brilliant partnership with the playwright Bridie.
Overall then, this is a highly-readable account of one of Britain's best-loved performers. Simpson shares with Michael Parkinson, the rare talent of being able to allow the star subject to dominate the centre stage; whilst, at the same time, maintaining a thoughtful, sensitive probing to reveal the creative person behind the public perception. Quite superb. This is how film biography SHOULD be written.
A flawed account of a wonderful actor, 12 Jul 2008
Alastair Sim is one of my very favourite actors, one of those rare talents who only needs to turn up in a film for me to start smiling. Capable of great drama but more often hilarious comedy, Sim remains an inspiration to me.
Simpson's book is certainly better than any biography of Sim we're likely to get and it must be difficult to research and interact with the life of a man who refused all media attention, not giving interviews or autographs. However, this book reads like one of those hour-long retrospective documentaries you catch on Channel 4 or BBC2: a nice, fairly warm account of a comedian's life with lots of talking heads and a basic chronology of everything that happened in his life, but that ultimately lacks something. You never really feel as if you're getting to grips with Alastair Sim as a human being - you don't get inside the actor's head and feel his dreams and desires - and Simpson's basic prose style doesn't convince you that he's especially enthusiastic to write about the man (despite the 10 years of research) making for an informative but not especially entertaining read.
The book feels rushed: An Inspector Calls is barely discussed, despite being one of Sim's most celebrated roles, and Sim's declining health and eventual death are glossed over with no thought given as to what Sim must have made of his life and successes. I'm definitely glad this book was written as next to nothing is known of this great performer but Simpson's handling of the material is sorely lacking compared to such works as Graham McCann's biography of Frankie Howerd.
I'd rate it as a 7/10, though I give it an extra half star purely out of gratitude that Simpson attempted this book in the first place.
A Very Honest Read, 24 Jan 2008
This book was great, Jason is extremely honest. From his life down under growing up in Neighbours, meeting Kylie to the Drug Problems, through it all he has come out the other side with a lovely family. Couldn't put the book down, it was that good. Would recommend.
You won't be able to put this book down - it is fantastic!, 09 Jan 2008
I got this book as a Christmas present from my husband. I'm not really a book person but I thought I'd read the first few pages to see what it was like and I just couldn't put it down! It had me hooked from the very first pages, reading about Jason growing up, how he met Kylie and how he got into Neighbours. Then about his life in London, the musicals he acted in and his drug problems - it had me gripped. I read it in a few days. I even had a few tears in my eyes at the end when he talks about his partner and his children and how they have changed his life. My husband is now thinking about reading it too!
Interesting Book!, 28 Dec 2007
I read this entire book within two days! If you were a Jason/Kylie fan in the early days then you will find you can remember a lot of the things he has written about. It was interesting, very honest, funny and also sad in parts. What I liked about it was that Jason Donovan doesn't take himself too seriously and is able to laugh at himself and admit he has made mistakes (just like everyone else). It was good to read about his journey and the positive outcome with his wife and children. I would definitely recommend this book!
A really interesting honest account, 22 Dec 2007
Having grown up as one of the Neighbours generation i really wanted to read this book. I wasn't dissapointed it's good that there's also quite a few things i didn't know in there for instance i wasn't aware just how bad jason's drug addition was i'm glad he tackled it though and that he's happy i'd reccomend this to anyone
Jason delivers!, 23 Oct 2007
This is a real gem of a book.Written honestly with warmth, humour and real feeling.By the end I felt I knew Jason like a friend or neighbour.Creative and with plenty of content this well written book is highly recommended to all.
Candid indeed!, 19 Aug 2008
First up, I'm a fan so take these comments with this in mind.
This is a great train book. You can dip in and out like any diary book and you will find something great every time. This said, it is Kevin's "boring ass life" and sometimes he just gets up, lets the dogs out, takes a poop and falls asleep to TIVO'd Simpsons. You'll understand this when you read it.
There are some cracking stories, which, if history is anything to go by, will, in some form or another find there way into one or more of his movies in the coming years. That is if he can stay off the processed sugar foods long enough so he doesn't die before the decade is out. This guy's diet is scary!
There is a very touching story about the death of his father, and the list of "What I learned from my father" will bring a lump to your throat and should form the basis for every eulogy written from here on in. Look for the excellent story of "me and my shadow" which should make it into a film , the Die Hard 4.0 (Live free or die hard) filming/writing story which is laugh out loud funny and the Catch and release story which is also pretty good.
There are plenty of good "inside the film industry" insights that made me shake my head in despair and wonder how any films get made, ever. Interspersed with all this gold is the hum-drum day to day stuff that we all have to do and suffer from.
Critcs schmitics!
This only thing that has ever bugged me about Kevin Smith is his need to publicly fight with those critics in the business that have no time for him or his movies. He recognises this "failing" in himself as overcompensation and there are some good examples of this in the book. On reading them I just thought "Sir, let it go".
These events are an excellent insight into the movie business, the complete uselessness of critics in all walks of life, and Kevin himself. The group of stories scattered through out the book provide the evidence for the simple truth that film critics know nothing about the movie business. As for the man himself his retorts, whilst unnecessary, are at least witty and done with some flair and style and any spite is quickly neutralised by his own self deprecating personality.
He's a pretty normal bloke.
The perfect Read!, 08 Jul 2008
I am a very big Kevin Smith fan and as such could not wait to read this book, I agree with other reviews which state that there are a lot of mundane activities and sometimes to start with this book could be boring to anybody who is not a big fan.
However, I am not a big reader in-fact apart from this book I have only ever finished one other book, this is not because I cannot read it is actually because no book ever keeps me interested long enough to finish them.
The perfect thing about this book for me is that because it is separated into days I know I can read a day at a time and not worry about getting lost or trying to find where I stopped last time. Because of this I have found this by far the easiest book I have ever read and towards the end hoped it would not finish.
The almost separate book inside this book entitled `me and my shadow'- the story of Jason Mewes addiction to Heroin, is brilliant its harrowing while at the same time bringing drug abuse to somebody who has never thankfully had to experience it before. I was so impressed by this section of the book I have passed it onto a friend who, also does not read allot however I have told him he has to read that chapter.
I would recommend this book to any Kevin Smith fan but also to anybody who has had dealings with drug addiction, because from outsiders' eyes it shows how much you have to love somebody to help them with their demons.
Brilliant!
Mesmerisingly dull, except for a brilliant bit in the middle, 17 Jan 2008
I like Kevin Smith a lot, so any comments I make here should be taken with that in mind. He's a good storyteller, he makes me laugh and he has a relationship with his audience that most writers can only look upon with sick envy. He also seems to be a reasonably straight-up and decent person, which is a miracle in a Hollywood director.
Having said that, I have no great appetite for reading about the lives of celebrities. 'My Boring-Ass Life' is nothing more than the print version of Smith's blog, which blog is basically a bare chronicle of his life. Since his life appears to consist mostly of letting out dogs, looking at the internet, having sex with his wife, watching TV, eating and driving around, it really is pretty boring-ass. There's not a lot here in the way of Bressonian reflections on the nature of cinema, or erudite, Paul-Schraderesque analysis of masterpieces of world cinema, or even anything as outright haunted and manic as Steven Soderbergh's very funny and absurdist 'Getting Away With It'. As books by directors go, this is easily the most boring I have ever read, or rather dipped into.
And yet. The middle of the book is taken up by 'Me and My Shadow', the story of how Smith's friend and (sort of) protégé Jason Mewes became a heroin addict, and how he ultimately kicked the habit, and it's riveting stuff. You wonder why it hasn't become a movie; but maybe Smith doesn't want to tell a story that cuts so close to the bone, despite the happy ending (Mewes has apparently been clean for a couple of years now.)
So, it's worth it for the Mewes bit. But otherwise, the only time I have found appropriate to read this book is at 6.50am when I'm feeding my infant daughter; half-asleep seems to be the right frame of my mind to absorb something so undemanding and forgettable as Kevin Smith's diary.
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Customer Reviews
WIKID, 23 Oct 2008
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
new format, 20 Aug 2008
This bigger issue with it's extra coverage on the dance world by Gavin Roebuck is excellent and makes it a valuable tool for all in arts and showbiz world.
very helpful for actors wanting to be famous!, 31 Dec 2002
This book is brilliant, i'm 15 years old and wanting to get into film acting, and this book is great. It lists thousands of different agencies for stage, television, film and radio, and all aspects of them such as acting, modelling, costume design, make up, everything, is really is a must for people wanting to get into the entertainment business even if you're not sure which part of entertainment yet, this will help you immediately when you have chosen, it even gives you routes to get to the places and contact addresses, numbers and websites. ITS ESSENTIAL!
A must for Actors, 06 Nov 2002
This is an absolutely essential book for anyone working in the industry. Published every October, this revised edition lists agents, casting directors, television and theatre production companies, and radio contacts. It is especially useful for actors, as it has details of all the drama schools, agents and even photographers and 'digs guide' for when working away in theatre. I cannot emphasise enough how crucial it is to own a copy of this book which will soon become your career bible.
i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbusiness..., 30 Apr 2002
for years, i have searched far and wide for a list of reputable agencies and schools, and one day casually I searched amazon, not looking for anything perticular. imagine my delight when this came up! its easy to use, and contains no end of agencies, schools, direstors and (you guessed it!) contacts! i highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to enter showbuisness, and also to anyone wishing to join an agency that is a member of spotlight.
mixed feelings, 13 Jun 2008
Overlong, definitely, verbose, definitely, showing off, definitely, but within all that, a readable book (at least I found it so and I am very quick to give up on books!) and an honest appraisal of a wonderful man, who came to us to make us laugh, even through his ill health and problems with drink. His many problems with his agent were perhaps over detailed but the relationship was essential to Tommy's career. A few more anecdotes from other comics would have helped but overall I was glad I read it and I don't say that lightly, as anyone reading my reviews will know ... !
...Needs perseverance, 12 Jun 2008
I'm embarassed to tell you how long it took me to finish this book. Suffice to say that I had to frequently overcome a compelling urge to give up on the whole thing because I found that I was not interested in the self-indulgent conjecture of the author.
Towards the end the occasional fact was allowed to creep in, which was nice considering this was why I bought the book. Unfortunately you have to witness the author disappearing up his own hypotheticals before you arrive there.
Just like this?, 10 Apr 2008
Two of the above critiques are so close to my own thoughts it's a bit spooky. the Author is a total 'guess who I know in showbiz' type author, but his fact finding is thorough to say the least. If I was a Cooper I would be a bit creeped out by the person who describes watching your mother through the shop window...
That, is truly spooky. Stalked her just like that. Window mother mother window...hurr hurr hurr.
The book is verbose (can a book be verbose?) but well worth reading. Just don't read it in the bath...You'll fall a sleep and drown. Just like that. I'll stop now.
Words! Words! Words!, 11 Mar 2008
I have enjoyed John Fisher's books in the past but he has mainly dealt with his subjects in an incisive, almost surgical, manner getting to the heart of the subject very quickly and concisely. Boy, was this a long read! I felt as if I had spent every day of Tommy Cooper's life with him such was the immense detail. How much better this book could have been if it had been shortened by about 40% omitting a great amount of the interaction between TC and his agent. Most of that detail got in the way of the story and I found myself skimming through to get back to the meat. Enjoyable on the whole? Yes, to a point so long as you have the stamina.
Quite interesting, 29 Feb 2008
I recently read this book hoping to get an insight into what Tommy was really like and found that for the most part he was exactly the same off stage as on, there were a few things I never knew like his relationship with his agent Miff Ferrie, he is mostly depicted as a control freak who kept Tommy tied to a contract but if you read between the lines he was actually responsible for keeping Tommy in work for all those years and often had to smooth things over when Tommy let clients down at various venues because of his alcoholism and bad health, there are quite a few descriptive sections that relay his act which are quite good to read but when I finished the book I didn't feel like I knew Tommy any better than I did before I started, it was more like a trip down memory lane.
another good book from Matthew Field, 16 Oct 2008
This book was written with the help of Matthew Field who was also responsible for writing The making of the Italian Job.It was while researching for that book that the seeds for this book were planted.This book is a very well written biography from Michael Deeley and Matthew Field.It details the many problems that a producer can face trying to get projects he believes in up onto the screen.
the man behind the curtain, 07 Oct 2008
I thought i was a Blade Runner fan. After reading this book I have realized how little I knew about this great movie. How hard it was to make and yet how incredible it is.
It's interesting to see how money influence creative and possibly undermine it.
It makes me wonder how many good movies were never made because the people with the money didn't want to pay for it?
And yet, people like Michael Deeley are those that make film happen against all odds, are those that put together the ideas, the people, the money and make things work day by day. This is another great discovery of this book, I never realized how much a producer means for a film. Had Michael Deeley not been so dedicated to the project of The deer hunter, we would have never seen this movie (to me, a minor loss really, however it was a great movie too).
I have enjoyed this book a let, and i have read it cover to cover in a couple of day because it has a good pace, it's interesting. Totally recommended especially for film buffs.
This book's a treasure, 12 Nov 2008
I was not disappointed at all. This book was even far more than i had expected. A step by step account by this fabulous artist, concerning all the great shows (known and unknown), that she has starred in. A lot of preparation and thought has also gone into the dialogue by the artist herself.
The photographs are stunning too. Old and new fans will love this book, and congratulations on forty years in show business, to such a wonderful artist.
Her voice is just so brilliant, and she is such a warm and sincere person.
W Edwards
Lovely job, 10 Aug 2008
Simpson should be lauded, not just for eloquently filling a significant gap in British film biography, but for spending ten years researching his subject and eventually turning out a measured, intelligent and - above all - extremely readable account of the life and work of Alastair Sim.
Straining vainly to rake up scandal in its review of the book (young wife, young actors as proteges...) the Daily Mail has only made itself look as befuddled and ridiculous as one of Sim's own masterly comic creations. Even a cursory glance at the text shows that the author has dealt clearly and calmly with such nonsense. Instead he focuses on, and carefully dissects, the personality and talent of what must have been a ferociously difficult subject.
Simpson deals equally well with both Sim's more familiar outings, such as Scrooge and St. Trinian's, and the far less well-known theatre work; in particular the rich and brilliant partnership with the playwright Bridie.
Overall then, this is a highly-readable account of one of Britain's best-loved performers. Simpson shares with Michael Parkinson, the rare talent of being able to allow the star subject to dominate the centre stage; whilst, at the same time, maintaining a thoughtful, sensitive probing to reveal the creative person behind the public perception. Quite superb. This is how film biography SHOULD be written.
A flawed account of a wonderful actor, 12 Jul 2008
Alastair Sim is one of my very favourite actors, one of those rare talents who only needs to turn up in a film for me to start smiling. Capable of great drama but more often hilarious comedy, Sim remains an inspiration to me.
Simpson's book is certainly better than any biography of Sim we're likely to get and it must be difficult to research and interact with the life of a man who refused all media attention, not giving interviews or autographs. However, this book reads like one of those hour-long retrospective documentaries you catch on Channel 4 or BBC2: a nice, fairly warm account of a comedian's life with lots of talking heads and a basic chronology of everything that happened in his life, but that ultimately lacks something. You never really feel as if you're getting to grips with Alastair Sim as a human being - you don't get inside the actor's head and feel his dreams and desires - and Simpson's basic prose style doesn't convince you that he's especially enthusiastic to write about the man (despite the 10 years of research) making for an informative but not especially entertaining read.
The book feels rushed: An Inspector Calls is barely discussed, despite being one of Sim's most celebrated roles, and Sim's declining health and eventual death are glossed over with no thought given as to what Sim must have made of his life and successes. I'm definitely glad this book was written as next to nothing is known of this great performer but Simpson's handling of the material is sorely lacking compared to such works as Graham McCann's biography of Frankie Howerd.
I'd rate it as a 7/10, though I give it an extra half star purely out of gratitude that Simpson attempted this book in the first place.
A Very Honest Read, 24 Jan 2008
This book was great, Jason is extremely honest. From his life down under growing up in Neighbours, meeting Kylie to the Drug Problems, through it all he has come out the other side with a lovely family. Couldn't put the book down, it was that good. Would recommend.
You won't be able to put this book down - it is fantastic!, 09 Jan 2008
I got this book as a Christmas present from my husband. I'm not really a book person but I thought I'd read the first few pages to see what it was like and I just couldn't put it down! It had me hooked from the very first pages, reading about Jason growing up, how he met Kylie and how he got into Neighbours. Then about his life in London, the musicals he acted in and his drug problems - it had me gripped. I read it in a few days. I even had a few tears in my eyes at the end when he talks about his partner and his children and how they have changed his life. My husband is now thinking about reading it too!
Interesting Book!, 28 Dec 2007
I read this entire book within two days! If you were a Jason/Kylie fan in the early days then you will find you can remember a lot of the things he has written about. It was interesting, very honest, funny and also sad in parts. What I liked about it was that Jason Donovan doesn't take himself too seriously and is able to laugh at himself and admit he has made mistakes (just like everyone else). It was good to read about his journey and the positive outcome with his wife and children. I would definitely recommend this book!
A really interesting honest account, 22 Dec 2007
Having grown up as one of the Neighbours generation i really wanted to read this book. I wasn't dissapointed it's good that there's also quite a few things i didn't know in there for instance i wasn't aware just how bad jason's drug addition was i'm glad he tackled it though and that he's happy i'd reccomend this to anyone
Jason delivers!, 23 Oct 2007
This is a real gem of a book.Written honestly with warmth, humour and real feeling.By the end I felt I knew Jason like a friend or neighbour.Creative and with plenty of content this well written book is highly recommended to all.
Candid indeed!, 19 Aug 2008
First up, I'm a fan so take these comments with this in mind.
This is a great train book. You can dip in and out like any diary book and you will find something great every time. This said, it is Kevin's "boring ass life" and sometimes he just gets up, lets the dogs out, takes a poop and falls asleep to TIVO'd Simpsons. You'll understand this when you read it.
There are some cracking stories, which, if history is anything to go by, will, in some form or another find there way into one or more of his movies in the coming years. That is if he can stay off the processed sugar foods long enough so he doesn't die before the decade is out. This guy's diet is scary!
There is a very touching story about the death of his father, and the list of "What I learned from my father" will bring a lump to your throat and should form the basis for every eulogy written from here on in. Look for the excellent story of "me and my shadow" which should make it into a film , the Die Hard 4.0 (Live free or die hard) filming/writing story which is laugh out loud funny and the Catch and release story which is also pretty good.
There are plenty of good "inside the film industry" insights that made me shake my head in despair and wonder how any films get made, ever. Interspersed with all this gold is the hum-drum day to day stuff that we all have to do and suffer from.
Critcs schmitics!
This only thing that has ever bugged me about Kevin Smith is his need to publicly fight with those critics in the business that have no time for him or his movies. He recognises this "failing" in himself as overcompensation and there are some good examples of this in the book. On reading them I just thought "Sir, let it go".
These events are an excellent insight into the movie business, the complete uselessness of critics in all walks of life, and Kevin himself. The group of stories scattered through out the book provide the evidence for the simple truth that film critics know nothing about the movie business. As for the man himself his retorts, whilst unnecessary, are at least witty and done with some flair and style and any spite is quickly neutralised by his own self deprecating personality.
He's a pretty normal bloke.
The perfect Read!, 08 Jul 2008
I am a very big Kevin Smith fan and as such could not wait to read this book, I agree with other reviews which state that there are a lot of mundane activities and sometimes to start with this book could be boring to anybody who is not a big fan.
However, I am not a big reader in-fact apart from this book I have only ever finished one other book, this is not because I cannot read it is actually because no book ever keeps me interested long enough to finish them.
The perfect thing about this book for me is that because it is separated into days I know I can read a day at a time and not worry about getting lost or trying to find where I stopped last time. Because of this I have found this by far the easiest book I have ever read and towards the end hoped it would not finish.
The almost separate book inside this book entitled `me and my shadow'- the story of Jason Mewes addiction to Heroin, is brilliant its harrowing while at the same time bringing drug abuse to somebody who has never thankfully had to experience it before. I was so impressed by this section of the book I have passed it onto a friend who, also does not read allot however I have told him he has to read that chapter.
I would recommend this book to any Kevin Smith fan but also to anybody who has had dealings with drug addiction, because from outsiders' eyes it shows how much you have to love somebody to help them with their demons.
Brilliant!
Mesmerisingly dull, except for a brilliant bit in the middle, 17 Jan 2008
I like Kevin Smith a lot, so any comments I make here should be taken with that in mind. He's a good storyteller, he makes me laugh and he has a relationship with his audience that most writers can only look upon with sick envy. He also seems to be a reasonably straight-up and decent person, which is a miracle in a Hollywood director.
Having said that, I have no great appetite for reading about the lives of celebrities. 'My Boring-Ass Life' is nothing more than the print version of Smith's blog, which blog is basically a bare chronicle of his life. Since his life appears to consist mostly of letting out dogs, looking at the internet, having sex with his wife, watching TV, eating and driving around, it really is pretty boring-ass. There's not a lot here in the way of Bressonian reflections on the nature of cinema, or erudite, Paul-Schraderesque analysis of masterpieces of world cinema, or even anything as outright haunted and manic as Steven Soderbergh's very funny and absurdist 'Getting Away With It'. As books by directors go, this is easily the most boring I have ever read, or rather dipped into.
And yet. The middle of the book is taken up by 'Me and My Shadow', the story of how Smith's friend and (sort of) protégé Jason Mewes became a heroin addict, and how he ultimately kicked the habit, and it's riveting stuff. You wonder why it hasn't become a movie; but maybe Smith doesn't want to tell a story that cuts so close to the bone, despite the happy ending (Mewes has apparently been clean for a couple of years now.)
So, it's worth it for the Mewes bit. But otherwise, the only time I have found appropriate to read this book is at 6.50am when I'm feeding my infant daughter; half-asleep seems to be the right frame of my mind to absorb something so undemanding and forgettable as Kevin Smith's diary.
A Welcome Biography, 10 Sep 2008
Some biographies really do answer questions that have long been waiting for a serious response. This is such a book. James Robertson Justice was one of those actors we all saw in film after film, but knew little of real substance about. It's a genuine treat, therefore, to finally discover more about this remarkably complex and intriguing individual, both as an actor and as a private person. There are areas that are treated a little sketchily for my taste, but the book as a whole succeeds in providing one with a satisfyingly vivid sense of this striking figure from British cinema.
An injustice to a master of spoken English, 18 Jul 2008
As a fan of James Robertson Justice for over fifty years I was delighted to read a review of this new biography in "The Oldie" magazine and promptly put it on my birthday wish list. But what a disappointment - not the man's life, but the way his story is told. The book is full of basic grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors - such an irritant when Justice himself used our language so well. Lynne Truss will have a field day with it. And why three authors - plus an editor? Maybe that's the problem - that the biography was written by a committee.
Unique, 17 Jul 2008
I was always fascinated by the big man as he was the first person "off the telly" I ever met way back in 1968 when he was a guest at an Hotel my parents were running he rounded a corner and I aged seven and fairly fresh from watching "Scott of the Antartic" nearly head butted his knee as I flew headlong down the corridor to the kitchens, "Slow down child!" roared this giant of a man, both terrifying and amazing me at the same time. I saw him once or twice more in the next few days and although I stayed out of his way he was as my Mother recalls a gentleman and very polite. I enjoyed this book it was written with affection and respect without being cloying and sentimental, I expect had more of his contempories still been with us it may have contained more in the way of anecdotes but this is a job well done and a fitting tribute to one of our most unique and much missed screen presences. Thank you.
James Robertson Justice: What's the Bleeding - Time?, 20 Jun 2008
A well researched and written book on one of Britains leading comedy actors. A well deserved pat on the back Hoggers.
Great Read, 10 May 2008
This book is one of those rare books that made it difficult for me to put it down, JRJ had many jobs and interests and he never classed himself as an actor, he said he never acted just played himself on screen and th | | |