One of the most accomplished writers and directors of classic Hollywood, Billy Wilder (1906–2002) directed numerous acclaimed films, including Sunset Boulevard (1950), Sabrina (1954), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Witness for the Prosecution (1957), and Some Like It Hot (1959). Featuring Gene D. Phillips's unique, in-depth critical approach, Some Like It Wilder: The Life and Controversial Films of Billy Wilder provides a groundbreaking overview of a filmmaking icon. Wilder began his career as a screenwriter in Berlin but, because of his Jewish heritage, sought refuge in America when Germany came under Nazi control. Making fast connections in Hollywood, Wilder immediately made the jump from screenwriter to director. His classic films Five Graves to Cairo (1943), Double Indemnity (1945), and The Lost Weekend (1945) earned Academy Awards for best picture, director, and screenplay. During the 1960s, Wilder continued to direct and produce controversial comedies, including Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) and The Apartment (1960), which won Oscars for best picture and director. This definitive biography reveals that Wilder was, and remains, one of the most influential directors in filmmaking.

Billy Wilder, hailed as a great filmmaker, often considered himself primarily as a writer. This book offers academic but non hermetic readings of nine of his significant films, informed by literary criticism, Gender Studies, semiotics, Film Studies, and the "artistic sensibility" of its contributors.

This lavishly illustrated collection of essays recalls the movies that over the past century have created never-ending waves of hilarity. Their authors include such prominent critics as James Agee, J. Hoberman, Robin Wood, David Thomson and Jonathan Rosenbaum. Beginning as the book does with the Silent Era, it also features Louella Parsons writing about Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton writing about, more or less, himself.

This book is illustrated with photographs that punctuate a totally factual but witty and interesting look at this fascinating aspect of show business. In a time period that extends from about the 18th century to today, the author introduces all the greats, from Julian Eltinge to Charlie Pierce, in addition to others like Cary Grant and Bing Crosby who donned a dress only on ocassion when the script demanded it.

With The Hotel del Coronado Cookbook, visitors, passersby, and even would-be Rockefellers can now take home more than just memories. This catalog of classic cuisine lists complete meals as served in the ballrooms and dining rooms of the Del. Included among the menus are their presidential banquets, their world-famous Sunday brunch, wedding-reception menus, holiday specials, choice dishes of celebrities, and the centennial menu from the hotel's million-dollar birthday bash.

Surveys the film of ten well known directors, offering essay-reviews of 104 important English language films as they appear in the library edition, Magill's Survey of cinema (1980). Arrangement is by director, allowing comparison of a variety of films by one filmmaker or contrast the work of several.