book review

‘Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom’ by Leonard Maltin – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Film expert aficionado Leonard Maltin’s newest book, Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom, is filled with facts and interesting stories from the movies. Maltin has been studying and covering Hollywood since his days as a teen. This man has spent his life immersed in film and actors. He’s the “go to” man when you want to know anything about the history of Hollywood.

Learning about his beginning in the business is interesting. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to be part of the movie industry. Covering Hollywood was his destiny. He began interviewing celebs as a teenager. His heart was with the movies.

The book contains backstage info on many different “oldies.” Maltin has taken different aspects of the industry and dissected them. For instance, when you think of the music in Casablanca, what comes to mind? Well, of course the song, “As Time Goes By.” But what you might not remember are the background songs that weave their way through the classic film.

And when TV came on the scene it revitalized the careers of many of the old time actors. Television was the place where many people were introduced to the silent films and silent film stars. TV provided a format for the old films and a place where the old stars could get a second fan base.

What I found most interesting were his Q&A sections. Instead of writing editorial about his interviews, Maltin published the interview sessions with direct questions and answers. This format is not always an interesting read for many of us, however in this instance it is brilliant. Readers learn so much from reading exactly what the actors had to say about their careers and lives in Hollywood. It’s more enlightening in this format than had Maltin simply written about the interviews. And readers also get a flavor of the interviewees this way.

The final section is dedicated to RKO, the old studio that turned out plenty of magnificent films. The defunct studio was part of the “Golden Age” of Hollywood, yet today’s generation has no idea about the studio, the films, the actors associated with the studio and the impact it had on the movie industry.

There’s no doubt this book is a “must read” for anyone interested in the history of Hollywood, the movies, and the industry. Maltin is one of the preeminent experts and his latest book will not only educate but also entertain readers who are interested in the old days of the movie industry. There are plenty of intriguing little factoids from cover to cover.

Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom
Author: Leonard Maltin
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Paladin Communications (July 2, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0998376396
ISBN-13: 978-0998376394

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books and entertainment, products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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‘The Essential James Garner’ Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Authors Stephen H. Ryan and Paul J. Ryan have compiled the quintessential book about the career of actor James Garner. Garner was equally successful in television and films and his career spanned over five decades. The Essential James Garner is a book that encompasses his entire career.

Garner was just as impressive in a Western as he was in a romantic comedy. The book covers his entire career as one of America’s most beloved actors.

This is mainly a go-to book for stats and info about Garner’s roles and shows. The authors have put together a history book of Garner’s life in show business.

Each chapter is dedicated to a specific title and gives complete production information about that show. Beyond that, the authors have written summaries of each show as well as information about the productions. They also include reviews given to each title. And finally, they have included their own commentaries about the shows, Garner’s characters, his experiences, and how the shows relate to his other titles.

On a personal note, my interview with Mr. Garner was probably the most impressive interview I have ever conducted. He had been a favorite of mine through the years and he was open and honest during the interview. He was eager to answer every question. To say he was fascinating is an understatement. My short time with James Garner will always remain among the highlights of my career.

The Essential James Garner is not a book that you can sit down and read from cover to cover. It is more of an encyclopedia of his career, with plenty of information and some great photos.

Whether you think about him as Bret Maverick or as Doris Day’s husband in two iconic romantic comedies (Move Over, Darling and The Thrill of it All), or as the scrounger Hendley in The Great Escape, or the race car driver in Grand Prix, or as Jim Rockford, James Garner left a lasting legacy for his fans and for a new generation. He had some fabulous costars – Julie Andrews, Eva Marie Saint, Sally Field, Jack Lemmon, Clint Eastwood, and so many more. James Garner shines brightly in the annals of Hollywood history.

His recognizable voice provided plenty of animated characters with life and his easy-going attitude was infused in his on-screen characters.

This book is a must-have for fans of Mr. James Garner.

The Essential James Garner
Authors: Stephen H. Ryan and Paul J. Ryan
Hardcover: 302 pages
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (June 7, 2018)
ISBN-10: 144227820X
ISBN-13: 978-1442278202

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about entertainment, products, and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘American Values: Lessons I Learned from My Family’ by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has penned an interesting and insightful memoir about his life and times, and his family and how their legacies have shaped the country and the world. There are plenty of personal memories recounted throughout the pages, but the book is a memoir of how his relationships and how his family have played a role in the world and how they have shaped his own life. “American Values: Lessons I Learned from My Family” is filled with history and facts that are new to most readers.

Kennedy breaks the book down into sections, each focusing on a specific person or time in history. He begins with his grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy, the patriarch of the family, and then turns his focus to his grandmother, Rose Kennedy. He discusses his grandparents and their contributions to the family. Kennedy emphasizes his grandmother’s insistence on punctuality, cleanliness, and good manners – especially at the dinner table.

RFK Jr. is not only a Kennedy, but he is also part Skakel. His mother, Ethel Skakel Kennedy came from an influential and wealthy family. The Skakels were different from the Kennedys in that they did not have the regulations placed on them. They didn’t have a set dinnertime, and they were staunch republicans. So, when Ethel married into a democratic family, her family was surprised. She gradually took on the values of her husband. Theirs was a love that lasted through the decades, and even the five decades since his death.

Kennedy then tackles the subjects that we have come to expect from a Kennedy memoir: The White House years and the contributions of the president as well as his mistakes, growing up at his family’s farm known as Hickory Hill, his father’s tenure as Attorney General, and his father’s years as senator. The author had a front row seat to all of these and although he was young, he has a remarkable memory and adds his own reflections about these times.

Unlike most personal Kennedy memoirs, RFK Jr. tackles the subjects of both assassinations and describes what he and his family did during those horrific days. He explains how he found out his father had been shot and what he did – along with his siblings – on the subsequent days. It’s heartening to read his personal accounts of the tragedies that affected the country but even more so the family. While we think of the assassinations as American tragedies – which they were – we also have to remember the victims were also members of a large and loving family.

The author finishes with reflections about his mother and their turbulent relationship through the years. RFK Jr. was often in trouble with the law and confesses to being an alcoholic and drug user. He also confesses to the many times he and his mother clashed. But in the end, they have come to terms with their past and, according to the book, have a good relationship today.

There is no doubt the world would be a different place if either John or Robert had not been killed. As the author explains, President Kennedy had planned on removing all American forces from Vietnam as soon as possible after his reelection. He also wanted to normalize the relationship with Cuba, making the tiny island nation a friend and not a foe.

There are also several interesting facts brought out about the CIA and the assassinations. The author has had personal conversations with many influential people all around the world and weaves them into the pages as he paints a portrait of his life and times, in a very interesting and compelling way.

Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Harper
ISBN-10: 0060848340
ISBN-13: 978-0060848347

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘A Fan’s Guide to Hawaii Five-O” by Cheryl Hollar – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Author Cheryl Hollar has penned an interesting book for fans of the two TV series Hawaii Five-O and of TV history. “A Fan’s Guide to Hawaii Five-O” is an “unofficial” guidebook to the two shows. It’s clear that Hollar researched extensively in order to bring plenty of interesting tidbits to readers.

In 1968 a little show hit the airwaves. With a powerful opening sequence and memorable theme song, Hawaii Five-O didn’t quite take off with viewers in the beginning. But it soon caught on with interesting and unforgettable characters, tag lines, and stories and scenery that brought viewers to Hawaii every week. It remained on the air until 1980. In 2010 the show was rebooted with a new cast however the scenery is the same and the theme song, although a bit bouncier, is still one of the most memorable tunes on TV today.

Hollar brings readers into the heart of the show and all the actors. There are so many facts woven into her narrative that it a fun read for anyone interested in the shows and TV itself. Do you know how the series got its name? Most people might assume that Five-O is the actual name of a police division in Hawaii. But they would be wrong. It was named Hawaii Five-O because Hawaii is the 50th state.

The show has insinuated itself into pop culture and culture all together. Cops are often called “Five-O,” and the phrase, “Book ‘em Danno” is a definitely well recognized axiom.

Hollar has infused many facts into this book. She even describes how the “big wave” shot in the opening came to be. Readers get to know about all aspects of creating the show and how it weaves into the locations and names in Hawaii. Information from and about writers, directors, locations, actors, names, and plenty of photos combine to make this a book every fan of the original series and the rebooted series should have. The actors from both shows are looked at in detail as the author creates a well-rounded guide to all aspects of Hawaii Five-O. This is a backstage pass into the world of two iconic shows. It’s apparent that Hollar is a devotee of the show and brings her exuberance to the pages of this book.

Paperback: 116 pages
Publisher: Tomahawk Press (October 9, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0956683487
ISBN-13: 978-0956683489

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter