I had one aim in writing this book. I wanted to bring together in one place, ALL my favorite films. This, of course, was not possible. I have so many. But I did manage to include "Alias Nick Beal" (which John Farrow regarded as the best film he ever made), plus that wonderful Technicolor spoof, "Arabian Nights", plus "The Band Wagon" (What a cast! Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray, Oscar Levant, Cyd Charisse), "Beauty and the Boss" (most aptly starring Marian Marsh and Warren William), "Doomed to Die" (one of the best films Monogram ever made), "Easy Living" (one of the best noir films), "Elephant Walk" (a masterpiece of stunning entertainment), "The Eve of St Mark" (Maxwell Anderson at his most potent), "Fabiola" (the spectacle that inspired MGM's "Quo Vadis"), "Family Honeymoon" (a delightful comedy with a fine cast in absolutely top form), "The Far Country" (which many regard as James Stewart's best Western), etc., etc... As in other books in this series, the films are arranged alphabetically for easy reference. In addition to complete cast and credit details, release information and background notes, each film carries extensive comments and reviews. Films covered in this book include such masterpieces as John Farrow's "Alias Nick Beal" (recently described as "the finest film noir NOT available commercially on DVD" -- hopefully it soon will be!), Walt Disney's "Alice in Wonderland", Maria Montez in "Arabian Nights", Judy Garland in "Babes on Broadway", Fred Astaire in "The Band Wagon" and "The Barkleys of Broadway", Marian Marsh in "Beauty and the Boss", Buck Jones in "Black Aces", Bela Lugosi in "Black Dragons", George Zucco in "The Black Raven", Buster Keaton in "The Boat", Robert Taylor in "The Bribe", Tim McCoy in "Bulldog Courage" -- and that's just the "A" and "B" entries. And every one of those movies is on sale in DVD and/or VHS. Why waste your money buying a movie you won't enjoy? Find out something about the film before you buy! "Films Famous, Fanciful, Frolicsome & Fantastic" is great book to dip into. A lucky dip of revelation and information, of slapstick and romance, of music and enchantment, of wonderment and surprise. Until quite recently, a question I was always asked at movie events was: "What's the name of the movie that featured Humpy, the Educated Camel?" The answer: "Slave Girl". And as a bonus, I've reprinted my highly acclaimed monograph on director Fred Zinnemann of "High Noon", "The Sundowners" and "From Here to Eternity" fame.
