Oscar-winning director David Lean was responsible for some of the most enduring images in British cinema; including the romantic clinches between Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter and Pips memorable dash across the marshes in Great expectations. Lean became renowned for his visual epics; painting the cinematic screen in such films as The Bridge on the River Kwai; Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago. Yet; despite the large canvas of these masterpieces; Lean never lost sight of the human story within them. In his study of Leans career; Howard Maxford takes behind-the-scenes look at each of the directors films; chronicling their making and their subsequent reception by both audiences and critics. Leans early work as a film editor; which led to his comission by Noel Coward to co-direct the landmark war drama In Which We Serve; is examined; along with Leans self-imposed 14-year exile after a savage reception from critics to his penultimate film. His exile ended thriumphantly with the release of a Passage to India. Lean; the man away from the camera; is also revealed; including his six marriages and his strict Quaker upbringing. An informative critical guide; this David Lean companion offers a detailed examination of the work of one of cinemas true greats.
#1132571 in eBooks 2014-08-01 2014-08-01File Name: B00OXWCTW8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well DoneBy Sherrie.I have always admired Dolly Parton as a songwriter. It was interesting to see the analysis of some or most famous works. This book allowed me to revisit songs long since put away.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. for a true fanBy tnredhatAlmost too much information. Really for only a TRUE fan. Nothing else to say to fulfill this internet requirement. atop6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. "Well Fans This Is It!"By Terrance RichardNot since Alanna Nash published her book on Dolly Parton (aptly called "Dolly" in 1978 at the heighth of her superstardom) has there been a book on the country music singer that has been more informative; interesting; and insightful. Fans of Dolly and followers of music will enjoy this well-written account of the most popular singer Nashville has ever shelled out. The book follows Dollys humble beginnings in east Tennessee; the daughter of a farmer who along with his wife had 11 other children to support. Financially destitute; but rich in love; the Partons were survivors which explains how Dolly has been able to exist in an industry for over 50 years where most country music acts are popular for 5 years; only to be washed-up and to be never heard from again after a few chart hits. We discover the tough times Dolly had when she first came to Nashville in 1964; her association with Porter Wagoner; her signing with RCA Records and their belief she couldnt sell records (with Porter putting his own name and royalties on the line for her); their eventual break-up in the mid seventies which was followed by a 3 million dollar lawsuit against Dolly by Porter for breach of contract; and Dollys eventual pop success with "Here You Come Again"; her roles in movies; and her theme park "Dollywood". For me the best part of the book are the pages where Les Leverett is interviewed. He was Dollys album photographer on her early RCA albums and its neat hearing him discuss the mechanics behind these LP pictures. For example I didnt know her cover for the 1973 "Bubbling Over" record was taken at the Hall of Fame in Nashville and that he won an award for that pic. Did you also know her elusive husband appears on her 1969 album "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy"? The book goes on to discuss Dollys breakdown in the early eighties and how she contemplated suicide when things in her life simply got out of hand; her association with her beloved friend Kenny Rogers; the moment when her record label; Columbia; dropped her in 1996 because they felt she was too old and couldnt sell records and her formation of the successful "Dolly Records" (take that Columbia!); and her decision to go on a world tour in 2010. "Iron Buttterfly" is a great title for a book on Dolly as she has often used the butterfly as a personal logo. The word "iron" comes from being tough and Dolly is anything but. She was first given this name back in 1974 when Elvis people wanted her to sign over half the publishing rights to "I Will Always Love You" for the King to sing and she refused. If she had signed half these rights over to him she would have lost millions in the nineties when Whitney Houston covered the song. The book is also filled with wonderful photos; and a discography and chart data listing (from Duane Gordon who runs "Dollymania" on line).
