Customer Reviews (1)

Bitter yesterdays of E.G. Robinson
This is one of the best autographies by actors. Robinson's life was not an easy one. He was of a Jew of Roumanian origin and his family came to U.S. in order to find a better life. E.G. became both rich and famous, but he was not a happy man. His marriage was very difficult and he also suffered during the times of MacCarthyism. He was a great patriot, but was a target for accusations of communist sympathies. He had a reason to be bitter. All this he describes with great self-knowledge. He probably made the greatest mistakes with his son, who had all that money can buy, but did not have father who is present when needed. However, he was a very demanding father who thought that this leads to good results. It is sad to know that these mistakes will continue during the present hectic times. E.G. loved art, especially impressionistic modern art, and his collection was world-famous. E.G. is not rude to actors he was working with, but was a difficult and challenging to producers, directors and writers. One also wonders, why an intelligent man must go with the required model for the famous actors and must live expensively and show off his money. Very good reading. ... Read more

Product Description
"In this fascinating biography, Alan L. Gansberg reveals the man behind the public face, his many memorable roles among more than 100 films, and his struggle to find steady work in Hollywood again." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

5 STARS FOR LITTLE CAESAR
THE LITTLE CAESAR BIO WAS TOTALY ENJOYABLE, FROM COVER TO COVER. THE AUTHOR DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF FOLLOWING HIS CAREER FROM BEGINNING TO END. HE REALLY KEPT YOUR INTEREST THROUGHOUT THE BOOK. CURRENTLY, I'M READING THE BIO ON GEORGE C. SCOTT CALLED''RAGE AND GLORY''. I WAS A BIG FAN OF MR. SCOTT,BUT THE AUTHOR, DAVID SHEWARD, LEFT OUT ONE VERY IMPORTANT FACT. GEORGE C. SCOTT'S HERITAGE.!!! NOW I'VE READ MANY MANY BIOS AND ALL THE AUTHORS OF THESE BIOS ALWAYS, IN THE OPENING PAGES ALWAYS STATE THE SUBJECTS HERITAGE. NOT THIS GUY!! SO I EMAILED THE PUBLISHER TWICE. SO FAR NO RESPONCE. THE PUBLISHER IS APPLAUSE BOOKS. MAYBE YOU CAN FIND OUT HIS HERITAGE AND LET ME KNOW. I WOULD BE MOST CURIOUS TO FIND OUT. I THINK SO FAR I'VE PURCHASED ABOUT 6 OR 7 BOOKS FROM YOU IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING THESE WONDERFUL BIOS AVAILIBLE. SINCERELY, FRANK COLLETT TAGLIERI

Fine Biography
Edward G. Robinson seemed tough, but he had a sensitive side too that was most obviously expressed in his love of modern art; his collection of Renoirs alone was for many years the most impressive West of the Mississippi.He was said to have bought a masterpuece every time he made another film for Warner Brothers, to reward himself with some beauty for dipping himself in dreck.And yet Robinson's films still startle with their magnificent energy and passion.They too are works of art every bit as much as his Soutines and his Picassos.

He was not a ladies man in the traditional sense of the term, but as Gansberg's fine biography shows, he was interested in all forms of beauty.And part of the reason he could so well play obsessed characters (such as his films with Joan Bennett in the noir cycle) is that he too was prone to obsession.

The blacklist (or more strictly speaking, the graylist) affected his career badly.For some time offers of employment dried up, even though he was never a Communist or anywhere near it.The mere idea is laughable.Cecil B. De Mille of all people, the director and producer often thought of as a rightwing nut case, was the one who gave Robinson a solid job playing in his own remake of the TEN COMMANDMENTS.No other mogul in Hollywood would have had the balls to cast Robinson so promimently, not at that time when men walked scared of HUAC and its minions.It took a compassionate conservative to restore Robinson to the high echelon of film stardom to which he rightfully belonged.

Robinson's own book, ALL MY YESTERDAYS, was famous for revealing so little about its subject.Author Gansburg gets right down to ground zero with Robinson's psyche, exploring his ups as well as his well chronicled downs.I wish I had been a fly on the wall when Gansburg interviewed some of his many Among his many films, TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN, THE VIOLENT MEN, SCARLET STREET, SOYLENT GREEN and NIGHTMARE have all undergone recent critical revision, while DOUBLE INDEMNITY< KEY LARGO, and THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW remain American masterpieces of the highest order.

"This was a man."
This book, except for the Epilogue, was written in 1983, ten years after Edward G. Robinson's death. The author, Alan Gansberg, therefore had the opportunity to interview a number of key friends and relatives to gain insight into the man, and we are richer for it. Emanuel Goldenberg, aka Edward G. Robinson, was defined by his strong Jewish upbringing and the words of his father, who taught his children to improve themselves and to "Always live beyond your means. It will make you work harder." Robinson took both pieces of advice to heart. He was a life-long learner, a tremendous workhorse, and made the best of every talent he had. In his early efforts to get into acting, he sold himself with the line that he was "not good on face value, but good on stage value." And he delivered, got noticed, and found himself, in 1915, in the play "Under Fire," a war melodrama where Robinson played three different parts. The play opened first in Boston, and Robinson received a glowing review in the "Boston Globe." Shortly thereafter, the play went to New York, and Robinson again got good notices in "Vanity Fair" and "The Theatre Magazine." This was the turning point for Robinson. At 22, he dropped out of CCNY, bought a new wardrobe, and turned his full attention to his new career. And this book takes you through every aspect of that brilliant career, including the awful times of the early 1950s, where Robinson was forced to appear (twice) before HUAC to clear his name against anonymous charges that he was a communist sympathizer and even a Russian spy. Heading up the right wing and enforcing graylisting and blacklisting was the head of the Screen Actors Guild at that time, none other than Ronald Reagan, who knew which way the wind was blowing and made certain his career was never in danger. This book puts Reagan in a bad light as a manipulative, self-serving, self-righteous fellow with little compassion. The consequences of Reagan's indifference to the suffering of his fellow actors are apparent in Robinson's and others' suffering, including that of John Garfield. Robinson, like millions of others, was nothing more than an FDR liberal all his life, and wasn't shy about it. For this he was punished, and, in the Epilogue, Gansberg draws parallels to today's repressive national climate.
I have always enjoyed Edward G. Robinson and am grateful to Turner Classic Movies for broadcasting Robinson movies from his Warner Brother years. Robert Osborne, the host of TCM, mentioned this book at the recent screening of "Larceny, Inc.," a 1942 "flop" that actually is pretty entertaining today, if a bit tiresome.
The book has an excellent Appendix listing all the stage, screen, television, and radio appearances of Robinson. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about the life and times of a great actor and a warm, engaged person. Robinson's biggest fault, which he himself admitted, was that he wasn't a great fathter to his troubled son, Manny. That comes across in the book too. "This was a man" is a line from the Antony soliloquy in "Julius Caesar," which Robinson used in his first audition, in 1912, for the Sargent School, later the Academy of Dramatic Arts. The soliloquy describes Robinson himself. ... Read more

Product Description
Edward G. Robinson, a 1930s cinema icon, had an acting career that spanned more than 60 years. After a brush with silent films, he rose to true celebrity status in sound feature films and went on to take part in radio and television performances, then back to Broadway and on the road in live theatre. This work documents Robinson's every known public performance or appearance, listing co-workers, source material, background and critical commentary.

The entries include feature films, documentaries, short subjects, cartoons, television and radio productions, live theatre presentations, narrations, pageants, and recordings. Also included are entries relating to his life and career, ranging from his wives to his art collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Book
I read the book in my local library.Being an ex-student of Robert Beck, I wanted to see the final product of something he had been working hard on since before I knew him.I was completely impressed with amount of research put into the book, and the work putting into cross-referencing.Whether you want to look up a subject of a film, such as heart attack, or a film he was in, it is in this book.It is a good book for fans, and a great reference book for those who need the information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

All My Yesterdays, Edward G. Robinson
I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
I read All My Yesterdays as a teenager and learned a great deal from it. Edward G. Robinson was a very cultured man and participated in many things in his life. Very well written. I remember he told about things going on in the world, around WWII, and the movie/theater business. Wasn't narsistic or teachy or opinionated, but a thoughtful sharing of his experiences.
It was a pleasure to read. ... Read more

Product Description
Starring some of the great stars of movies and radio from the 1940s, this volume features “Night Cry” (10/7/49), with Ray Milland; “Dead Ernest” (3/24/49), with Pat O’Brien; “The Lonely Road” (3/21/46), with Gregory Peck; “Give Me Liberty” (10/21/48), with William Powell; “Consequence” (5/19/49), with James Stewart; “The Defense Rests” (3/9/44), with Alan Ladd; and “For Love or Murder” (12/8/49), with Mickey Rooney. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Radio Heaven
The catch-phrase, "Roma wine presents" or "Autolite presents" voiced over that famous and ominous theme music are recognizable to anyone who loves old radio. Radio ruled the airwaves for decades and "Suspense" was one of the finest and most popular shows ever produced.

"Suspense" was truly the cream of the crop. There were well written stories given a glossy and realistic production that week after week kept listeners glued to their chairs, bent slightly forward so as not to miss even one moment of the twist ending or haunting finale. Great stars from the era were always happy to appear, as this particular collection shows.

These eight gems will have you using your imagination as no television show or feature film can. Radio was a theatre of the imagination, and these eight gems will stretch the mind into shadowed corners and crimes with a twist. Each of these shows ranging in time from 1944-1949 have terrific guest stars and tense and involving stories of suspense.

Stars and shows in this fabulous edition, which is different from stated, are as follows: Blood Sacrifice, Joesph Cotten -- Money Talks, Alan Baxter -- The Night Reveals, Robert Young and Margo -- Statement of Mary Blake, Joan Bennett -- If the Dead Could Talk, Dana Andrews -- Pearls are a Nuisance, William Bendix -- Smiley, Donald O'Conner -- The Black Shawl, Maureen O'Sullivan and Dame May Whitty

For some reason, other volumes are linked with this particular set. Please note that this is the CORRECT track listing for VOLUME 8, which is pictured with the girl holding her fingers to her lips. This listing is one of the ones I bought for my wife some time back and have listened to. If you do not see the picture I described here, and it does not state that it is Volume 8, containing 4 CDs, then this track listing will be incorrect.

Star power and tense and involving stories combined to make "Suspense" one of the most enduring shows ever to rule the airwaves. A fantastic starter kit for those new to the medium or a nice addition to the radio buff's collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

SO MUCH MORE THAN A KINGPIN OF CRIME
One of the cinema's greatest non-Oscar winners, for a competitive award, is served well with this overview of his work. His "Little Caesar" was a favorite of mimics for decades, but "Five Star Final", "The Whole Town's Talking", "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" and "Double Indemnity" show that he wore a variety of hats and they all fit pretty well. His career ups and downs are covered, with each film entry richly illustrated. We're also given a list of dramatic radio and television appearances. His Honorary Oscar, for lifetime achievement, read " To Edward G. Robinson, who achieved greatness as a player, a patron of the arts and a dedicated citizen ... in sum, a Renaissance man." This fine volume proves that statement.

The Complete Films of Edward G. Robinson
The Complete Films of Edward G. Robinson by Alvin H. Marill.

The Complete Films of Edward G. Robinson was published by the Citadel Press in 1990.I have the 1993 paperback reprint.Both editions are fairly hard to find at a reasonable price probably because they just weren't in print for that long a period of timeand it is an excellent illustrated film book.

Each film of Mr. Robinson's career, from 1916 to 1973, is accompanied by at least one photograph, a full list of credits, a synopsis, at least one contemporary review and occasional observations on the importance of the film that is under discussion to Mr. Robinson's career or to film culture in general.

The only complaint that I have about this volume is that the films are crowded in sometimes parts of two to a page which creates a somewhat crammed appearance.But other than that, this is a fine example of what was sometimes done right with the "Films Of" series. If you are a fan of Edward G. Robinson and see one of these volumes at a reasonable price, I recommend that you grab it.

... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Encyclopedia of the Great Depression, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 430 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Provides a comprehensive overview of the Great Depression, this wide-ranging, multidisciplinary encyclopedia features entries on Depression-era politics, government, business, economics, literature, the arts, society, and culture. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 932 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Signed essays ranging from 500 to 2,500 words, written by subject experts and edited to form a consistent, readable, and straightforward reference. Entries include subject-specific bibliographies and textual cross-references to related essays. ... Read more

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"In ""The Birth of a Blessing: A Fertile Spirit”, the author compares the Spiritual Birth process with the natural birth process. He takes us on a journey step by step that demonstrates God’s work in us and through us as well as how to strengthen our faith in Him. No believer, man or woman is excluded from spiritual pregnancy. For every believer has the right to spiritual blessings. Believers must nurture the special ""seed"" that is planted within them until it is mature enough to be delivered.God has prepared a special blessing for those who love and trust Him.

As with natural pregnancy, the first trimester is the most critical. During the earlier stage, the enemy lurks in every corner waiting to snatch the seed of the word of God out of the believer like the seed that fell on stony ground. That seed was initially received with joy just like the natural news of pregnancy. However, if the seed is not planted deeply, the seed cannot take root, as it should. Moreover, when trouble comes, the initial enthusiasm is lost and the pregnancy is aborted.

This book examines the development of the believers’ faith and spiritual strength. The full- term birthing of the blessing is the most anticipated part. By the time it comes to fruition, believers are certain of their spiritual convictions and faith in God and have gained confidence. This, however, does not guarantee them freedom from trials and temptation. Satan is always around to put doubt in the hearts of believers, no matter how strong or weak their faith is.

This book is filled with the Word of God and the works of God.It provides clear and concise help in bringing understanding to the preparation that precedes the blessings that God has promised for our lives. Not only is this book a valuable resource for every believer truly seeking to know the will of God and walk in it, but it is also a powerful teaching tool that will benefit ministry groups of any size.

I pray that this book will aid in bringing about a supernatural revelation that will change your life forever. What God has for you, is for you.
"
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Customer Reviews (1)

Like a Good mystery?
These "Tales of Mystery and Suspense" are guarenteed to keep you in Suspense! My favorite one was "Lady Killer" about a woman who believes that her food poisioning was no accident.The only one thatwasn't good was "The Face is Familiar" with Jack Benny. ... Read more

Product Description
Nonfiction.Movie and Hollywood ... Read more