Books published by BearManor Media

The untold stories of the British talent behind the biggest movie of all time…In the sweltering heat wave of 1976, the filming of Star Wars was underway at Elstree Studios in North London. No one who was working on the movie could have imagined just how successful the film and franchise would be…'The Galaxy Britain Built' has tracked down the most modest of British talent who brought the galaxy to life. In this book they reveal the secrets behind the creation of some of the most famous costumes, props and sets in movie history. Think you know everything there is to know about Star Wars? Think again…"We called it the laser sword because we were British! I knew the lightsaber was the Excalibur of this film! I made it from a flash tube from a 1940s camera.""We were going flat out to fill a cantina with aliens. We made foam latex, which filled the room with ammonia and we were painting with toluene paint. We were probably all high at the time!""I broke down my script; I had a list of weapons, robots, sets, vehicles. I just stared at it in horror thinking, 'I can't do this!' "We got wheelbarrow wheels, some plywood and some polystyrene and we built a Landspeeder.""Harrison, Carrie and Mark, being American, said they hadn't tried Yorkshire puddings before! So on that Sunday, we invited them round for lunch…"

After a little known suburb of Los Angeles named Hollywood became the center of the American film industry beginning in the 1910's, huge numbers of people poured into the southern California area. They came in all shapes and sizes, from every corner of the United States and the world, from every religious and ethnic background, and all economic groups. No one's reason for coming was identical, but the vast majority of the new Hollywood immigrants harbored a desire to find employment in the ever expanding industry of making movies. Many were chasing a dream of cinematic stardom which for most, would soon end in disillusionment.The twelve individuals profiled in this book: Nancy Carroll, Gloria Dickson, Claire Dodd, Richard Greene, John Hodiak, Marian Marsh, Karen Morley, Edward Norris, Jean Parker, Paula Raymond, Zachary Scott, and Gloria Stuart were among the tiny, elite group of new immigrants who achieved their initial goal of becoming successful actors on the silver screen. In fact, all twelve won major studio contracts, achieved fame, fortune, and acclaim. Yet, despite their achievements, all twelve failed to ascend to the very top of the professional ladder, never attaining their ultimate goal: superstardom. Given their abilities, ambition, and other significant assets, how could this be? With the invaluable assistance of major studio and library archives, recollections of the actors themselves and/or those who knew them, this book traces the lives and careers of the twelve in an attempt to determine what went right and what went wrong. The essays herein, (originally published in two acclaimed magazines, Classic Images and Films of The Golden Age), are also opportunities to offer a "tip of the hat" to twelve extremely gifted, hardworking, and unsung actors who coulda been contenders!A Michigan native, author, biographer Dan Van Neste has been chronicling vintage entertainment history for over thirty years. His work has appeared in innumerable newspapers, magazines, and film journals including Classic Images and Films of the Golden Age. He is the author of two acclaimed books: The Whistler: Stepping Into the Shadows (2011), and The Magnificent Heel: The Life and Films of Ricardo Cortez (2017). The latter was named one of the "Best Film Books of 2017" by The Huffington Post, and was a nominee for the 2018 Richard Wall Memorial Award given by the Theater Library Association to honor "English language books of exceptional scholarship in the field of recorded or broadcast performance."

For eleven seasons, M*A*S*H put audiences through everything from laughter to tears and all points in between. The groundbreaking series blazed a trail and provided a distinctive mark on television history through the eyes of the staff of a small Mobile Army Surgical Hospital located close to the front of the Korean War.The series provided a perspective on war in all its horrors and triumphs while exhibiting the utter resiliency of the human mind, body, and spirit. It was commentary and contrast of a particular kind of human experience.The MASH Trivia Quiz Book features questions spanning all eleven seasons, including the classic series finale, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen."

For eleven seasons, M*A*S*H put audiences through everything from laughter to tears and all points in between. The groundbreaking series blazed a trail and provided a distinctive mark on television history through the eyes of the staff of a small Mobile Army Surgical Hospital located close to the front of the Korean War.The series provided a perspective on war in all its horrors and triumphs while exhibiting the utter resiliency of the human mind, body, and spirit. It was commentary and contrast of a particular kind of human experience.The MASH Trivia Quiz Book features questions spanning all eleven seasons, including the classic series finale, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen."

"Prince of Drones is the remarkable story of Reginald Denny, a forgotten luminary in Hollywood and aviation history. Kim Pucci's frank and compelling text, along with a trove of behind-the-scenes photographs, shines a light on Denny and brings him to life as an actor, family man, World War I fighter pilot, RC airplane hobbyist, and innovative visionary for military unmanned aircraft. It is the last category that will surprise most people. The tale of his trials and perseverance during the development of his early target drone aircraft, along with the formation of the Radioplane Company and his eventual ouster, is as dramatic as any Hollywood movie. Hollywood and aviation helped build Southern California into the dynamic region it is today. In Prince of Drones they are intimately entwined in the saga of Reginald Denny."- Tony Chong, Bestselling Author andSector Historian, Northrop GrummanCorporation, Aerospace Systems"A story of stardom and early airplanes that spins like a propeller and reads like a captivating motion picture!"- Pen Densham, Bestselling Author, Oscar Nominated Filmmaker,Motion Picture and Television Producer, Director, and Writer"Kim Pucci has richly captured the essence of Old Hollywood through the life of iconic film legend, Reginald Denny. Not only did Denny star in over 200 films (silent and talkies), he was also a hit on Broadway and television. How he found the time and energy to also invent the drone is beyond comprehension, but his legacy lives on today because of it. A great read-I can't recommend it highly enough! Bravo, Kim!"- Robin Hutton, New York Times Bestselling Author and Filmmaker"Reginald Denny represents the early history of our American film industry and its connection to aviation. In Prince of Drones, Kim gallantly brings her grandfather's legendary legacy to life in this historically factual and magnificent account of the "Hollywood Drone-maker."- Marc Wanamaker, Bestselling Historical Author,Award Winning Noted Hollywood and Film Historian

"Prince of Drones is the remarkable story of Reginald Denny, a forgotten luminary in Hollywood and aviation history. Kim Pucci's frank and compelling text, along with a trove of behind-the-scenes photographs, shines a light on Denny and brings him to life as an actor, family man, World War I fighter pilot, RC airplane hobbyist, and innovative visionary for military unmanned aircraft. It is the last category that will surprise most people. The tale of his trials and perseverance during the development of his early target drone aircraft, along with the formation of the Radioplane Company and his eventual ouster, is as dramatic as any Hollywood movie. Hollywood and aviation helped build Southern California into the dynamic region it is today. In Prince of Drones they are intimately entwined in the saga of Reginald Denny."- Tony Chong, Bestselling Author andSector Historian, Northrop GrummanCorporation, Aerospace Systems"A story of stardom and early airplanes that spins like a propeller and reads like a captivating motion picture!"- Pen Densham, Bestselling Author, Oscar Nominated Filmmaker,Motion Picture and Television Producer, Director, and Writer"Kim Pucci has richly captured the essence of Old Hollywood through the life of iconic film legend, Reginald Denny. Not only did Denny star in over 200 films (silent and talkies), he was also a hit on Broadway and television. How he found the time and energy to also invent the drone is beyond comprehension, but his legacy lives on today because of it. A great read-I can't recommend it highly enough! Bravo, Kim!"- Robin Hutton, New York Times Bestselling Author and Filmmaker"Reginald Denny represents the early history of our American film industry and its connection to aviation. In Prince of Drones, Kim gallantly brings her grandfather's legendary legacy to life in this historically factual and magnificent account of the "Hollywood Drone-maker."- Marc Wanamaker, Bestselling Historical Author,Award Winning Noted Hollywood and Film Historian

In 1959, Buck Biggers, Chester "Chet" Stove, Joe Harris, and Treadwell D. Covington founded Total Television. Their goal was to create cartoon characters that encouraged kids to buy General Mills breakfast cereals and other products. Their animation series were produced from 1959-1969 using the "limited animation" technique, where minimal movements were synchronized with voice actor performances. Total Television produced:The King and Odie (1960-1963)The Hunter (1960-1963)Commander McBragg (1963-1966)Go Go Gophers (1966-1969)Klondike Kat (1963-1966)Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales (1963-1966)The Beagles (1966-1969)The Sing A Long Family (1964-1967)Tooter Turtle (1960-1963)Twinkles the Elephant (1960-1963) Underdog (1964-1967)Gene Hattree (1964-1966)Cauliflower Cabby (1964)The Colossal Show (1964) Discover how Total Television evolved through rare production artwork and storyboards, as well as reminiscences from Total Television's founders."Mark Arnold is the guy who the other authorities on comic books and animated cartoons turn to when they're stumped for an obscure tidbit of pop cultural information; he always delivers the goods."- Scott Shaw, cartoonist

Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel's Greasy Spoon (A Guide to the Feature Film, the TV Series, and More) takes you behind the scenes of one of television's most beloved sitcoms. It all started with Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Learn how the movie and series were developed, peruse the fact-filled episode log, and test your Alice trivia knowledge with a fan quiz featuring over 120 questions. The book also includes:Insights from David Silverman (writer for Alice); Christopher Tayback, son of Vic Tayback (Mel in Alice); Lucy Lee Flippin (Fran in Flo); and othersCast and crew biosA collection of favorite character sayings, such as "Kiss my grits," "Stow it," and "When donkeys fly" Memorable foods from Mel's Diner, like Carrie's wonderful lemon pudding and the secret recipe for Mel's famous chiliA guide to the spin-off series FloCome laugh at all the hilarious situations Alice and her friends get entangled in while learning about a true comedy classic.

Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel's Greasy Spoon (A Guide to the Feature Film, the TV Series, and More) takes you behind the scenes of one of television's most beloved sitcoms. It all started with Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Learn how the movie and series were developed, peruse the fact-filled episode log, and test your Alice trivia knowledge with a fan quiz featuring over 120 questions. The book also includes:Insights from David Silverman (writer for Alice); Christopher Tayback, son of Vic Tayback (Mel in Alice); Lucy Lee Flippin (Fran in Flo); and othersCast and crew biosA collection of favorite character sayings, such as "Kiss my grits," "Stow it," and "When donkeys fly" Memorable foods from Mel's Diner, like Carrie's wonderful lemon pudding and the secret recipe for Mel's famous chiliA guide to the spin-off series FloCome laugh at all the hilarious situations Alice and her friends get entangled in while learning about a true comedy classic.

"Gehring remains supreme in film comedy scholarship." - ChoiceIn a 1979 Frank Capra letter to the author, the director wrote, in part, " I thoroughly enjoyed your 'McCarey vs Capra' article [included in the anthology]. I must also tell you that we were intimate friends. "WES D. GEHRING is the Distinguished Professor of Film at Ball State University and associate media editor of USA Today Magazine, for which he also writes the column "Reel World." Author of 40 film books, their reception has resulted in speaking engagements from the Paris-Sorbonne University, to New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Since 2017 he has also been one of Turner Classic Movies' (TCM) on-screen scholars for their summer online classes.

"Gehring remains supreme in film comedy scholarship." - ChoiceIn a 1979 Frank Capra letter to the author, the director wrote, in part, " I thoroughly enjoyed your 'McCarey vs Capra' article [included in the anthology]. I must also tell you that we were intimate friends. "WES D. GEHRING is the Distinguished Professor of Film at Ball State University and associate media editor of USA Today Magazine, for which he also writes the column "Reel World." Author of 40 film books, their reception has resulted in speaking engagements from the Paris-Sorbonne University, to New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). Since 2017 he has also been one of Turner Classic Movies' (TCM) on-screen scholars for their summer online classes.

"O'Toole is Ireland's best interviewer."-Irish Mail on Sunday As Matt Damon's character said in Martin Scorsese's "The Departed", "What Freud said about the Irish is, 'We're the only people who are impervious to psychoanalysis!'" But they're also a remarkably candid race, as is evident in this major anthology of over 20 in-depth interviews with some Hollywood icons and character actors, including: Gabriel Byrne, Saoirse Ronan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Brenda Fricker, Patrick Bergin, David Kelly, and those with strong Irish roots such as Martin Sheen, and John Boorman. It also includes a rare exchange with Peter O'Toole's daughter, Kate, about her legendary father, and the last major print interview with Maureen O'Hara, which is published here for the first time as a Q&A in its entirety. None of these deeply personal interviews were conducted at press junkets, but instead were set-up with the actors directly without any interference from publicists or movie studios. With such unique access, O'Toole found himself hanging out for an entire weekend with Martin Sheen, exchanging emails with the likes of Gabriel Byrne, and enjoying lengthy phone conversations with the reclusive Brenda Fricker, who is the only Irish actress to win an Oscar. "O'Toole specializes in in-your-face interviews."-Sunday Independent

"O'Toole is Ireland's best interviewer."-Irish Mail on Sunday As Matt Damon's character said in Martin Scorsese's "The Departed", "What Freud said about the Irish is, 'We're the only people who are impervious to psychoanalysis!'" But they're also a remarkably candid race, as is evident in this major anthology of over 20 in-depth interviews with some Hollywood icons and character actors, including: Gabriel Byrne, Saoirse Ronan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Brenda Fricker, Patrick Bergin, David Kelly, and those with strong Irish roots such as Martin Sheen, and John Boorman. It also includes a rare exchange with Peter O'Toole's daughter, Kate, about her legendary father, and the last major print interview with Maureen O'Hara, which is published here for the first time as a Q&A in its entirety. None of these deeply personal interviews were conducted at press junkets, but instead were set-up with the actors directly without any interference from publicists or movie studios. With such unique access, O'Toole found himself hanging out for an entire weekend with Martin Sheen, exchanging emails with the likes of Gabriel Byrne, and enjoying lengthy phone conversations with the reclusive Brenda Fricker, who is the only Irish actress to win an Oscar. "O'Toole specializes in in-your-face interviews."-Sunday Independent

Appreciation for The Milligan Papers...I have been manifestly and magnificently misrepresented! For this much thanks!Winston Churchill One of my soldier boys died laughing! What a way to go!Florence Nightingale Liberating! After reading The Milligan Papers I freed another fifty serfs!Leo Tolstoy From snowy peaks to flowery dellThe laughter rises and larks tellIn songs rapture comic capersBe sure to read The Milligan Papers.Will Shakespeare

Appreciation for The Milligan Papers.I have been manifestly and magnificently misrepresented! For this much thanks! Winston ChurchillOne of my soldier boys died laughing! What a way to go! Florence NightingaleLiberating! After reading The Milligan Papers I freed another fifty serfs! Leo TolstoyFrom snowy peaks to flowery dell The laughter rises and larks tell In songs rapture comic capers Be sure to read The Milligan Papers. Will Shakespeare

In "One More Thing, Sir", Michael Sloan brings his extensive knowledge of the television business to this charming, personable memoir of his years of bringing such iconic TV shows to life as McCloud, Columbo, The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman, B.J. and the Bear, The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E., Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries, Call of the Wild and The Equalizer. The author tells his tale with humor and insightful anecdotes of his days working with such powerful titans and legendry performers as Glen Larson, Fred Silverman, David Carradine, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, William Shatner, John Frankenheimer, Edward Woodward, Raymond Burr, David Janssen, Patrick Macnee and the incomparable Denzel Washington as The Equalizer. Anyone who was brought up on these iconic television shows will relish these funny and charming reminiscences by an author who was there and saw it all happen.