We seemed to be suspended effortlessly in the air, but in reality, our wings were beating very, very fast." - Mae Murray "It is worse than folly for persons to imagine that this business is an easy road to money, to contentment, or to that strange quality called happiness." - Bebe Daniels "A girl should realize that a career on the screen demands everything, promising nothing." - Helen Ferguson In Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels, author Michael G. Ankerich examines the lives, careers, and disappointments of 15 silent film actresses, who, despite the odds against them and warnings to stay in their hometowns, came to Hollywood to make names for themselves in the movies. On the screen, these young hopefuls became Agnes Ayres, Olive Borden, Grace Darmond, Elinor Fair, Juanita Hansen, Wanda Hawley, Natalie Joyce, Barbara La Marr, Martha Mansfield, Mae Murray, Mary Nolan, Marie Prevost, Lucille Ricksen, Eve Southern, and Alberta Vaughn. Dangerous Curves follows the precarious routes these young ladies took in their quest for fame and uncovers how some of the top actresses of the silent screen were used, abused, and discarded. Many, unable to let go of the spotlight after it had singed their very souls, came to a stop on that dead-end street, referred to by actress Anna Q. Nilsson as, Hollywood's Heartbreak Lane. Pieced together using contemporary interviews the actresses gave, conversations with friends, relatives, and co-workers, and exhaustive research through scrapbooks, archives, and public records, Dangerous Curves offers an honest, yet compassionate, look at some of the brightest luminaries of the silent screen. The book is illustrated with over 150 photographs.

    Allan Brown describes the filming and distribution of the cult masterpiece as a 'textbook example of How Things Should Never Be Done'. The omens were bad from the start, and proceeded to get much, much worse, with fake blossom on trees to simulate spring, actors chomping on ice-cubes to prevent their breath showing on film, and verbal and physical confrontations involving both cast and crew. The studio hated it and hardly bothered to distribute it, but today it finds favour with critics and fans alike, as a serious—if flawed—piece of cinema. Brown expertly guides readers through the film's convoluted history, attempting along the way to explain its enduring fascination, and providing interviews with the key figures—many of whom still have an axe to grind, and some of whom still harbour plans for a sequel.

    It has been celebrated for its beauty and mystery, its realistic depiction of space travel and dazzling display of visual effects, the breathtaking scope of its story, which reaches across millions of years, and the thought-provoking depth of its meditation on evolution, technology and humanity's encounters with the unknown. 2001 has been described as the most expensive avant-garde movie ever made and as a psychedelic trip, a unique expression of the spirit of the 1960s and as a timeless masterpiece. Peter Krämer's insightful study explores the complex origins of the film, the unique shape it took and the extraordinary impact it made on contemporary audiences. Drawing on new research in the Stanley Kubrick Archive at the University of the Arts London, Krämer challenges many of the widely-held assumptions about the film. He argues that 2001 was Kubrick's attempt to counter the deep pessimism of his previous film, Dr Strangelove (1964), which culminates in the explosion of a nuclear 'doomsday' device, with a more hopeful vision of humanity's future, facilitated by the intervention of mysterious extra-terrestrial artifacts. This study traces the project's development from the first letter Kubrick wrote to his future collaborator Arthur C. Clarke in March 1964 all the way to the dramatic changes Kubrick made to the film shortly before its release by MGM in April 1968. Krämer shows that, despite – or, perhaps, because of – Kubrick's daring last-minute decision to turn the film itself into a mysterious artifact, 2001 was an instant success with both critics and general audiences, and has exerted enormous influence over Hollywood's output of science fiction movies ever since. The book argues that 2001 invites us to enjoy and contemplate its sounds and images over and over again, and, if we are so inclined, to take away from it an important message of hope.

    . . Some Like It Hot occupies a unique place in American culture. This beloved classic showcases five comic geniuses: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, I. A. L. Diamond, Billy Wilder, and Marilyn Monroe. It has been honored by the American Film Institute as the "Funniest Film of All Time". It has contributed quotes, styles, and stories to film lore. Yet the full story of its making has never been told—until now.

    Told in Penny's unique voice, The Mermaid, Fair Exchange, Knowing Best and The Brooch are four unmissable stories in which a young woman battles to be accepted by her boyfriend's son, a divorced couple rediscover their passion for one another, a young couple's marriage comes perilously close to disaster, and a feud over a missing brooch separates two sisters for over a decade. With this collection, Penny Vincenzi explores the passions, jealousies, truths and lies that bring lovers and families together, and that can tear them apart.

    But instead of just one man, there are two waiting for her both intent on marrying her. After the initial shock wears off, Amelia realises she has little choice but to do as the men ask and become a wife to both of them. When the two finally get her alone, she begins to understand what it will mean to be a Timber Creek Bride. Colt and Bear have been saving for a mail-order bride for longer than they can remember. With the paltry sum they pay, the last thing they expect is the beautiful and innocent young woman that shows up. They set about introducing her to what it means being married to not one, but two cowboys. But trouble looms in the form of the spiteful Angus Sneed who doesn't think much of the men's strange lifestyle. Will they be able to find happiness or will Sneed's scheming win out? Steamy standalone novella with no cliffhanger and HEA.

    On stage, a good vaudeville routine could last years as it was performed on tour across the country. On radio, a year's vaudeville material might be fodder for one week's broadcast. Bob Hope used new material not only for his weekly radio series, but also for the several live charity appearances he made each week.Organized by the stages of his life, accompanied by black-and-white photographs, this book gives readers a chance to enjoy the very best of Hope's jokes, from his early years in vaudeville, his top-rated radio show in the '30s and '40s, his legendary television appearances, and much more.

    Starting in the 1930s, Costello attained enormous fame touring the burlesque circuits with straight man Bud Abbott (1895-1974). Their live skits (including "Who's on First?"), radio programs, and films such as One Night in the Tropics, Buck Privates, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and In the Navy made comic history.Behind the scenes, however, Costello faced numerous crises: a bout with rheumatic fever that left him bedridden for months, the drowning death of his young son, and constant haggles with Universal Studios over its reluctance to adequately finance productions of Abbott and Costello films. Lou's on First goes beyond Costello's clownish persona to explore his Pagliacci nature: the private demons behind the happy public face, the heartbreaking moments in an otherwise storybook marriage, the business ventures soured by unscrupulous managers, and the true nature of the breakup of his twenty-one-year partnership with Bud Abbott.

    . . a seminal work of cinema description and analysis and therefore an essential purchase for most libraries." —From the Starred Review in Library JournalRaymond Borde (1920 - 2004), founder of the Cinémathèque de Toulouse, wrote extensively on film history.; among his short films is a study of the artist Pierre Molinier.Etienne Chaumeton was the film critic of the Toulouse newspaper La Dépêche until his death.

    The last time I'd weighed that much was 1997, when I was pregnant with triplets! The previous year had been a tough one. My beloved Mother died on January 15, 2015. Still reeling from my recent divorce and raising 3 teenagers, I sank into a deep depression. Already over 200 pounds, I gained even more weight that year. On the one year anniversary of Mom's death, as we gathered around her grave, something clicked. I knew it was time. I had to lose the weight for good. After a lifetime of yo-yo dieting, I knew better than to follow any diet or deprive myself. I had to find a way of eating that I could sustain ... for life. This is my story, how I was able to lose 90 pounds and achieve a normal weight … at age 61. I did it by following a few simple rules, while enjoying all my favorite foods and walking daily at my treadmill desk. I wrote this memoir for several reasons. To provide inspiration, motivation and hope for people in their 50s, 60s and beyond who struggle with obesity. To encourage others to create their own customized eating and exercise plan – a sustainable lifestyle. And finally, to hold myself accountable for keeping the weight off. You CAN lose weight and keep it off, at any age. If I can do it, anyone can. - Sharon Odom

    As a single mother, she owns and runs a houseboat rental company in Sicamous, British Columbia.Quentin Callahan, a friend of Julie's brother, lives in Vancouver and has become a successful business consultant. Many years ago, on her graduation night, he rescued Julie when her date had too much to drink and now he's back. The attraction between Julie and Quentin is immediate, but his visit to his hometown is prompted by more than a longing to get away from the stress of business. His largest client has unsuccessfully tried to buy Julie's property. The ruthless company indicates to Quentin that if he does not talk her into selling, they ll drive her out of business. The ultimatum is an overwhelming burden on Quentin.Can the growing affection between Julie and Quentin survive the pressures of a harsh outside world?

    I was on my toes towards the final chapters." - Mrutyunjaya J"Puts you on the edge of your seat with mind blowing action sequences" - Ruchika M"Just thought to read a chapter. Honestly I didn't leave a single word until it was finished. In fact every chapter has a new suspense waiting to be unfolded." - Dipesh B"Finished reading it at 4 a.m." - Deepak A"Wow.. what a book. Thrilling from the beginning till the end." - Amazon Customer ___________________________________When the Aadhaar database containing the biometric and financial details of 1.2 Billion Indians is hacked in a ransomware attack, everyone is stunned by the audacity of the crime.Who could have done this? Why? And how?The cyber-terrorists soon send a message. They demand One Billion dollars to unlock the encrypted database. If the demands are not met, the database will be wiped out in seventy-two hours.With the ransom deadline ticking down, the Prime Minister sends a Covert Ops team to China to trace the culprits. But when the team reaches China, they find something shocking.From the rugged mountains of Iran to the teeming crowds of Istanbul to an underwater cat-and-mouse chase below the Straits of Malacca, Operation Dragon Strike is a gripping, breakneck adventure that will leave action thriller fans gasping for breath.Please scroll up and grab your copy now or continue reading below.Armaan slammed on the brakes. The jeep screeched to a stop in front the truck. Nitin leapt out on the move. Armaan flung the jeep door open and flipped off the safety switch of his Glock 17 handgun. The cold steel felt good in his palm. His trigger finger stroked familiar metal. He had been itching for revenge since the moment the terrorists had shot him. Nitin raced to the now stationary truck cockpit. He took in one glance and turned to Armaan."The driver's dead."Armaan swore. These terrorists were goners. He ignored the throbbing in his wounded shoulder and crouched behind the chassis of the truck. The terrorists would be going after the rest of the trucks. He had to stop them. The sound of the terrorists' van increased as it came alongside the truck.Now!Armaan rose out of his hiding place as the van came into view. He kept his hand outstretched and pointed his Glock square at the terrorist driving the van and squeezed the trigger twice. He watched the van driver jerk back as he got hit in the chest, and then slumped down the seat, dead.The van rolled past the truck and came to a stop twenty metres ahead. He had stopped the terrorists from attacking the convoy. But now he faced a serious threat.Armaan watched the masked terrorists barge out of the van, their machine guns glinting under the hot sun. He had just made his day worse. With the van stopping ahead of his position, the truck no longer offered him protection. He was completely exposed. There were six of them, all getting their AK-47s ready to pump him full of lead.Armaan was a split-second away from death...Please scroll up and grab your copy now.

    His beloved sister had just died of leukemia. He lost his job. He had three young children. He was in his late 30s…. And he had no experience in filmmaking.As Boman navigates his way through USC's arduous three-year graduate production program, he finds that his films fall flat, he's threatened with being kicked out of the program and he becomes the old guy no one wants to work with. Defeated, he quits and moves back to the Midwest to be with his family. After he is urged by his wife to reapply, he miraculously gets in for a second time...only to have a stroke on the first day of classes. But instead of doing the easy thing—running away again—Boman throws caution to the wind and embraces the challenge. He slowly becomes a gray-haired Golden Boy at USC with films that sparkle. And then he does the impossible: While still in school, for a class project, he dreams up a television series that CBS catches wind of and develops into THREE RIVERS, a primetime Sunday night show.This story of challenge and triumph—and what it takes to make it in the world’s most famous film school—is a must-read for anyone aspiring to become a Hollywood great or anyone just looking for a good story.

    Yet—as her daughter Sachi Parker can attest—growing up with the movie star was far from picture perfect.The only child of MacLaine and her husband of thirty years, Steve Parker, Sachi’s surreal childhood began when she was sent to Japan at the age of two—though her mother would sometimes claim Sachi was six—to live with her mercurial father and his mistress. She divides her time being raised by a Japanese governess and going back and forth to L.A. to be with her mother, hamming it up on movie sets, in photo shoots, and Hollywood parties, even winning—and then abruptly losing—the role of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. As she gets older and attends boarding school in England and Switzerland, becomes a Qantas stewardess, and becomes involved in a series of abusive relationships she tries to unravel the mysteries of her childhood and her parents’ unconventional marriage.Including twenty never-before-seen personal photos, Lucky Me is a fascinating look at Hollywood and what it takes to succeed there, the incredible ambition of Shilrey MacLaine and the fallout it had on her only child, as well as a woman’s attempt to understand and connect with her extremely complicated parents.

    Scene 2: Hollywood creates Jean Harlow.Scene 3: Her legend lives forever.At last, the story of how Hollywood shaped a myth and determined a young woman's reality. A town, a remarkable town, became the backdrop for one of Hollywood's most incredible stories, a life rife with glamour, pleasure, power, and--in the end--utter sorrow. Her story lives in the pages and breathtaking pictures of Harlow in Hollywood. When Jean Harlow became the Blonde Bombshell, it was all Hollywood's doing. She was the first big-screen sex symbol, the Platinum Blonde, the mold for every famous fair-haired superstar who would emulate her.