Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies

Average customer rating:

Wonderful book!

The best book yet written.

The Boys work,from a different and delightful angle.

Randy Skrevedt finally shows us the creation of L&H'sfilms!

GREAT BOOK ABOUT GREAT COMEDIANS

Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies
Randy Skretvedt , and Jordan R. Young
Manufacturer: Past Times Publishing Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 094041029X

Book Description

The beloved comedy team comes to life in this behind-the-scenes look at their unique working methods. The most detailed and accurate account of the team's career, based on exclusive interviews with their friends and associates, original shooting scripts, studio publicity material and production logs, family scrapbooks and legal depositions. Includes a who's who of supporting players and technical crew members, details on newly rediscovered films, lost footage and a resource guide.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful book!.......2007-09-17

'Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies' is a great resource on the career of 'the boys'. The making of each film is covered in detail and there is quite a bit of biographical information sprinkled throughout. This was one of those books that I found hard to put down once I got started. Kudos to the author for providing a very informative and entertaining book!

The best book yet written........2007-01-26

Almost to good to be true. If you want to know anything or everything about Laurel & Hardy and all their movies and films, you can find it here in this wonderfully written book.

The Boys work,from a different and delightful angle........2005-02-17

Randy Skretvedt produced a highly entertaining and thought provoking work with the release of this work on two of the cinema's greatest comedy legends,Laurel and Hardy.
Most volumes up until this point had approached their careers in similar styles by focusing first on their backgrounds,early entries into showbusiness,their early careers,then into their most popular times and from there into their declining years.All filled with andecdotes either from friends,colleagues or the comedians themselves.
This book though giving a brief overview of the Boys careers examines each of their films starting with their silent shorts right through to their last film.What makes it different is that Randy examines each film from more of a production angle than any other book before has done.He explains in many cases how and why a particular film came into being and compares the original idea or storyline/script with the end product.It's a fascinating departure from the usual and gives a more detailed and informative look into the men behind the comedy,up front and behind the scenes.
I highly recommend this book to all students of film but especially to all fans of Laurel and Hardy.This is one book along with all of John McCabes' books,William K.Eversons' "Laurel and Hardy",Glenn Mitchells' "The Laurel and Hardy Encyclopedia" and Wes Gehrings' "Laurel and Hardy-A Bio-Bibliography" that should form the basis of your collection on the Boys.

Randy Skrevedt finally shows us the creation of L&H'sfilms!.......2003-03-31

For years.Many film history books have tried to give some insight into the creation,development and the successful appeal of Laurel & Hardy's film work.With the exception of Leonard Maltin's"Movie Comedy Teams"and"The Great Movie Comedians!".No book seemed to show the readers how these classic comedies came about.Until now.Film historian,radio interviewer and musical entertainer:Randy Skrevedt's book"Laurel & Hardy:The Magic Behind The Movies!"finally gives us all a chance to see how these two great performers created and presented their cinematic clowning on screen and onstage.With the use of extensive research,interviews with the boys colleages,family members,friends and with staffers from The Hal Roach,MGM,Fox Studios and With Mr.Hal Roach Himself.The book shows us the creation of the team's films from their first effort:"Lucky Dog"to their earliest films at Roach to their glory days at:"The Lot Of Fun!".The book also tells us the true story of what finally lead to the duo's departure from Roach and the unsuccessful efforts to give the boys creative freedom at MGM & Fox.Where they made alot of forgetable films.And additionial info.L&H were slated to make ten features at Fox.Not six as many film history books have stated over the years.There is also some insight into the boys stage performances overseas in Music halls and cabrets during the late 1940's and into the early to mid 1950's.And a large collections of Photos from private collections.Plus in the updated second paperback edition.Info about the recently discovered spanish verison of"Chickens Come Home".Which features some never before seen footage(The newly found footage has little or bearing on the film's storyline.But it's interesting to read about it).These features plus some insight into the boys lives(Which does not get ugly)makes this a fun and informative manuscript and one that's long overdue.Bravo Randy! Kevin S.Butler.

GREAT BOOK ABOUT GREAT COMEDIANS.......2002-03-20

To me, the Laurel and Hardy (L&H) team was easily the best comedy team of the first half of the 20th century. I realize others may have other favorites (Three Stooges, Our Gang, W.C. Fields (another of my personal favorites), Abbott and Costello (not one of my favorites), Marx Brothers, etc.) But the L&H team was beyond these other comedy teams. Randy Skretvet did these men proud with this book that traces them from the very beginning to their eventual demise. If one appreciates L&H and the comedy of the early 1900s they should appreciate this book.

Laurel And Hardy. The Magic Behind The Movies

Average customer rating:

Laurel And Hardy. The Magic Behind The Movies
RANDY SKRETVEDT
Manufacturer: Moonstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KFYLX2

Book Description

Written in Spanish and English, this book contains 12 of Juan Serrano's finest flamenco guitar solos. Selections include: Bella Mar (Verdiales); Ensueno (Petenera); Fantasy (Zambra); Juani (Farruca); Lidia; Majestuosas (Serguiriyas); Munequita (Zapateado); Nancy (Rumba); Nostalgia (Guajiras); Posadas (Soleares); Tentacion (Bulerias); and Verde Selva (Danzon). All solos are scored in notation and tablature.

Customer Reviews:

An amazing wealth of flamenco material by a legend.......1998-10-06

Flamenco Concert Selections

Juan Serrano is a living legend of the Flamenco guitar, with a career spanning 50 years. In this book, he transcribed 12 of his own compositions, based on traditional flamenco forms. There is a great variety of styles and forms included; from the widely popular Bulerias, Farucca, Soleares and Rumba to rare gems like the Petenera and Verdiales. The book is exactly 200 pages long. Each piece is preceded by a short introduction by the author, mainly annotating the history of the specific form. The pieces are notated both in standard notation and in tablature, with large clear fonts. There is a CD available in which Juan Serrano plays all the pieces in performance speed. The level of technique required to play this material is intermediate/advanced. This is NOT a book for beginners or even for people with very little experience in flamenco. But for the intermediate/advanced player that wants to add new pieces in his/her repertoire, both the quality of the material and the value for money can't be beat!

Pros: Great quality of music, Lots of pieces for a small price, ample variety of flamenco styles, includes Tablature and Notation

Cons: High technical requirements, CD has to be bought separately.

VERDICT: This book by Juan Serrano is an indispensable addition to the library of any guitarist interested in Flamenco.

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Excellent book for correspondence chess players and players trying to improve computer skills
Profound journey into world of chess analysis and human mind
Computers as a useful aid to analysis
Do Not Cheat at Chess - The Idea!
Question of Ethics?

Modern Chess Analysis
Robin Smith
Manufacturer: Gambit Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1904600085

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book for correspondence chess players and players trying to improve computer skills.......2006-06-02

I have a chess library of more than 1200 books. This is an excellent book, probably more useful than 90% of the books in my library. It is enjoyable to read and it has new material not covered in chess literature.

1)I think it is especially a very useful and an excellent book for correspondence chess players. But for OTB players trying to improve their computer/analysis skills, I would also highly recommend it .

2)There is another book written on the same subject: " How to improve your chess using computers" by Konig. But, "Modern Chess Analysis" was much more useful for me.

3)Author shows how a single position can be evaluated differently with various chess computer programs. He also shows the weaknesses of computers (ie: fortress), and human (ie: calculation). He shows how to combine the strengths of man and computer to play stronger chess. I believe that combination of human+ computer is the future of chess, and this book is a very important step in that direction.

4)Some of the negative evaulations/reviews written about this book are written against computer use, and I do not believe that they have anything to do with the quality/review of this particular book.

I would recommend this book to anybody (but especially for a) correspondence chess players and b) competitive OTB players to improve their pregame analysis).

Dr. Tansel Turgut, Corr. Chess IM

Profound journey into world of chess analysis and human mind.......2006-03-22

This book - on the surface - explains how to get the most out of chess playing programs. The deep techniques and reasoning explained by Smith are fascinating.
This is an author who knows his subject inside out, having won the USA correspondence championship - twice - and qualifying as a correspondence grandmaster.
If you use a computer for any kind of chess study, or assessing of positions, this book will clearly be of practical importance. But what makes it unique is the remarkable insight it gives into the differences between the computer and the human mind.

Computers as a useful aid to analysis.......2006-02-25

The title gives no real indication as to what is to be found within the covers of the book, namely how to get the most out of your computer in terms of analysis. The author is an American correspondence chess grandmaster who has clearly benefited from his deep understanding of how computer chess programmes work in his own correspondence chess career. (It should be emphasised that there is nothing in the International Correspondence Chess Federation rules to prevent this).

Computer chess programmes have increased in strength over the past few years and if used properly they can be a very useful aid to analysis. However, there is more to it than just setting up the position and asking the computer to analyse it, for there are some types of position in which the computer excels, and others in which it simply flounders. Basically, the computer works best in tandem with the human player, not independently of him/her.

Chapter One examines the strengths and weaknesses of the computer, and then Chapter Two looks at computer-aided analysis methods. There are then three chapters on the opening, middlegame and ending respectively, followed by a final chapter called `Putting It All Together'. Finally there is a glossary which explains some commonly used computer terms.

There is no doubt that the author really understands the strengths and weaknesses of the silicon monster, and the book contains lots of useful tips and advice. Whether we like it or not, computers are very much part of chess as they are of all other aspects of our lives, and he who is in the position to make best use of them will inevitably prosper.

This review first appeared in the correspondence chess magazine 'En Passant'.

Do Not Cheat at Chess - The Idea!.......2005-06-06

I would never use a computer to cheat at chess. Why?
Because I want to win on my own.
Modern Chess Analysis shows you how to "tweak" your computer to make you win when you opponent doesn't know you are doing that.
Become an GRANDMASTER in CORRESPONDENCE chess when it becomes who knows more about using computers when who knows about thinking about chess makings any title worthless in correspondence play (I understand this means sending your move by mail). That is the problem. How can it be controlled to prevent "cheaters" in chess is the theme of MODERN CHESS ANALYSIS.

Question of Ethics?.......2005-05-05

The argument of of playing chess using a computer to make your moves under your own name, and using your skill as a chess player is very simple. This book shows you how to use a computer to win. But beng 12 and using my own brain on the chess board and not trying to find the best way to use a computer when playin on the internet or otherwise is the most honest when you use your name. Simple and honest.

The American chess player's handbook,: Based on the work of Staunton and modern authorities; teaching the rudiments of the game, and giving an analysis ... by appropriate games actually played

Average customer rating:

The American chess player's handbook,: Based on the work of Staunton and modern authorities; teaching the rudiments of the game, and giving an analysis ... by appropriate games actually played
Howard Staunton
Manufacturer: The John C. Winston Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00085SI1K

Average customer rating:

The American chessplayer's handbook, based on the work of Staunton and modern authorities;: Teaching the rudiments of the game, and giving an analysis ... by appropriate games actually played
Howard Staunton
Manufacturer: The John C. Winston Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00087DQ4W

Average customer rating:

Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide

Plenty of Good Ideas

Sales 101,201,301,401

Great source of marketing ideas for any organization!

Entrepreneur's Ultimate Startup Directory by Stephenson

Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof
James Stephenson
Manufacturer: Entrepreneur Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Marketing | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Entrepreneurship | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Marketing | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1932156100

Book Description

This book is a virtual warehouse of marketing ideas, packed to the rafters with 1.500 great marketing tricks guaranteed to boost sales revenues, profits, and customer loyalty.

Customer Reviews:

Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide.......2007-07-17

Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide boasts over 1500 marketing tips and tricks. This helpful information is divided into sections related to everything from research and planning through dealing with employees and improving customer service to advertising and creative selling. Each tip is also labelled with symbols that indicate approximately how much money it would take to implement this plan, if you can do the work yourself, if professional services are available in this particular area, as well as additional online or print resources that may help in this regard.

This book is thick and quite complete with ideas that are explained in good detail. The information is extremely well organized and easy to understand, flowing naturally from planning through sales. There are also lots of good checklists and surveys to help keep the entrepreneur organized and focused. Most of the information provided focuses on brick and mortar businesses. Nonetheless, a good deal of these notions can easily be modified for virtually any business brick and mortar or online.

Plenty of Good Ideas.......2006-03-10

This book is not a cover-to-cover book about marketing theory, but rather a large series of examples that cover many marketing categories and topics. While I can't say I use a lot of these ideas everyday, many are good and for me, the best benefit is reading a wide variety of ideas in general. Marketing is more creativity than science in my opinion (once you identify a real market with some measure of certainty), so reading such a varied collection gets my mind thinking in new directions. That alone made the book worth it for my money. YMMV.

Sales 101,201,301,401.......2006-03-04

Very comprehensive from a topic standpoint! May not completely discuss a topic, but it covers them all. It also provides a tremendous amount of great ideas, which was what I purchased the book for.

Great source of marketing ideas for any organization!.......2006-02-24

I originally checked out a copy of this book from my local library. However after reading it cover to cover, I wanted to purchase my own copy. The author comes up with some really good and practical marketing ideas. I used some of the ideas in the book to come up with a couple of marketing pieces for the local non-profit organization that I am currently volunteering with. The book does a good job of telling the reader what to do, but it falls a little short in telling how to do it. Overall, it is a good book to have in my business library.

Entrepreneur's Ultimate Startup Directory by Stephenson.......2005-12-01

The directory teaches how to begin a start-up business. The basic steps are as follows:
- get started and avoid analysis paralysis
- decide on a title for the company
- start-up planning and implementation
- decide on whether or not it is home-based
- deal with legal dimensions
- do franchise research
- research the market

Sample businesses cited by the author are as follows:
- mobile computer training
- online wedding consultant
- 800 call center
- proposal writer
- used computer sales
- computer upgrades
- virtual tours
- leatherassociation.com
- second hand clothing store
- used wedding gowns
- education day care centers

The acquisition is well worth the price for the information content provided. The presentation is well-organized and easy
to read.

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