Immortal Ephemera Bookshelf

The movies come first, yes, but my bookshelf is usually the next stop.

As this site has developed over the years I've found myself boxing up my old fiction, literature and even many history titles to clear shelf space for more and more movie books. Some of these books I've had for years, others I've picked up, new or used, usually as I seek more information about a certain subject for a coming post. Biographies are probably my favorite, though a bad biography is the absolute worst.

What follows below is not so much the contents of my shelves as it is the site cited. These are the books I've gone to while researching articles and reviews for Immortal Ephemera. Most are excellent, some not quite, yet they still hold some research value. I own nearly all of them, though I did include a few from my want list when an online preview was able to supply me with enough information to include the title as a source in an article.

The books are listed alphabetically by author. Titles then follow and include an Amazon affiliate link which leads you over to buy your own copy and provide me with a small commission for pointing the way should you decide to buy. Following my attempt to pick up some small change come links to any articles or reviews that I've written that include that book as a source or refer to it in some other way. Chances are if you're interested in the book, the article I used it for may be of interest as well.

This page is still in progress as I post it in June 2014 (Last updated: October 6, 2014). So far I have included all titles from my other Books page, which includes reviews and interviews with authors, and I've included works cited from all review posts from the present back to June 17, 2013. In the coming weeks I'll continue working back in time from there and eventually begin to include any works cited from the biography section of the site as well. Who knows, if I haven't used a favorite title for a post I might include it here with a small note of recommendation.

I've replaced the standard bullet point with a star like the one to the left on those books I especially recommend. If the subject is of interest to you, then that star is my way of telling you it is a must-own book.

Hope you find something interesting:

• Alexander, Linda J. Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, and Communism. Swansboro, NC: Tease Publishing, 2008. Interview with the author: Interview with Linda Alexander, author of Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood and Communism; Referenced: Complete Robert Taylor TCM April 2010 Schedule
• Ankerich, Michael G. Broken Silence: Conversations with 23 Silent Film Stars. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2011. Review: 39 Classic Movie Stars of the 1920′s and 30′s Interviewed by Michael Ankerich (post lists contents)
• Ankerich, Michael G. Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen. BearManor, 2010. (Book includes brief biographies of the following: Agnes Ayres, Olive Borden, Grace Darmond, Elinor Fair, Juanita Hansen, Wanda Hawley, Natalie Joyce, Barbara La Marr, Martha Mansfield, Mary Nolan, Marie Prevost, Lucille Ricksen, Eve Southern, and Alberta Vaughn.) Interview with the author: Interview with Michael G. Ankerich Author of Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels; Video Review: Dangerous Curves atop Hollywood Heels
• Ankerich, Michael G. Mae Murray: The Girl with the Bee-Stung Lips. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2012. Interview with the author: Interview with Mae Murray Biographer Michael G. Ankerich
• Ankerich, Michael G. The Sound of Silence: Conversations with 16 Film and Stage Personalities Who Bridged the Gap Between Silents and Talkies. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2011. Review: 39 Classic Movie Stars of the 1920′s and 30′s Interviewed by Michael Ankerich (post lists contents)
• Atkins, Rick. Guest Parking: Zita Johann. BearManor, 2011. Referenced in Majestic’s The Sin of Nora Moran (1933) Starring Zita Johann
• Behlmer, Rudy, editor. Henry Hathaway. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2001. Cited in The Witching Hour (1934), Hypnotized by John Halliday
• Behlmer, Rudy, editor. Memo from Darryl F. Zanuck: The Golden Years at Twentieth Century Fox. Grove Press, 1995. Mini-Review: What I’ve Been Reading: Errol & Olivia Plus Some Older Titles
• Biskind, Peter. My Lunches with Orson: Conversations between Henry Jaglom and Orson Welles. Metropolitan Books, 2013. Reviewed: ‘My Lunches with Orson’ Review – Orson Welles Speaks
• Bluestone, George. Novels into Film. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1968. Cited in The Constant Nymph (1943) Starring Joan Fontaine and Charles Boyer
• Clarke, Donald Henderson. In the Reign of Rothstein. 1929. Fifth ed. New York, Grosset & Dunlap, 1930. Cited in The Mouthpiece (1932) – Warren William Becomes a Star; 1932 William J. Fallon Cycle Begins
• Custen, George F. Twentieth Century's Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck And The Culture Of Hollywood. New York: Basic Books, 1997. Cited in Tyrone Power and Alice Faye - In Old Chicago (1937), Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) and Rose of Washington Square (1939)
• Cohen, Lester. Sweepings. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1928. Cited in Sweepings (1933) and Mamie's Christmas Counter Freak-Out
• Curtis, James. Spencer Tracy: A Biography New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Cited in Test Pilot (1938) Starring Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy; Unboxing: UPS Delivers: Video Unboxing of the New Spencer Tracy Biography by James Curtis; Article: Spencer Tracy Hits the Jackpot at MGM
• Custen, George F. Twentieth Century's Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck And The Culture Of Hollywood. New York: Basic Books, 1997. Cited in Tyrone Power and Alice Faye - In Old Chicago (1937), Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) and Rose of Washington Square (1939)
• Donati, William. The Life and Death of Thelma Todd. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2012. Cited in Chester Morris – Biography of the Boston Blackie Star
• Douglas, Kirk. The Ragman's Son New York: Simon & Shuster, 1987. Cited in Lust for Life (1956) - Van Gogh from Irving Stone to Kirk Douglas; Reviewed: His Warts, Their Warts: The Ragman’s Son by Kirk Douglas; Appreciation and preview: Kirk Douglas TCM Star of the Month September 2011
• Druxman, Michael, B. Paul Muni: His Life and His Films A.S. Barnes, 1974. Reviewed and referred to: Paul Muni’s 1932 – Multiple Projects Converge to Make Paul Muni a Huge Star; Cited in Review of Black Fury (1935)
• Dumenil, Lynn. The Modern Temper: American Culture and Society in the 1920s New York: Hill and Wang, 1995. Cited in Elsie Ferguson's Only Talkie, Scarlet Pages (1930)
• Eells, George. Ginger, Loretta, and Irene who?. Putnam, 1976. (This book includes biographical chapters about Loretta Young, Ginger Rogers, Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis, Ruth Etting and Irene Bentley.) Mini-Review: What I’ve Been Reading: Errol & Olivia Plus Some Older Titles
• Elder, Jane Lenz. Alice Faye: A Life Beyond the Silver Screen. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2002. Cited in Tyrone Power and Alice Faye - In Old Chicago (1937), Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) and Rose of Washington Square (1939); Mini-Review: What I’ve Been Reading: Errol & Olivia Plus Some Older Titles
• Fowler, Gene. Great Mouthpiece: The Life of William J. Fallon. New ed. New York: Bantam Books, 1962. Cited in The Mouthpiece (1932) – Warren William Becomes a Star; 1932 William J. Fallon Cycle Begins
• Fontaine, Joan. No Bed of Roses: An Autobiography New York: William Morrow, 1978. Cited in The Constant Nymph (1943) Starring Joan Fontaine and Charles Boyer; Joan Fontaine Biography, Book Review, TCM Summer Under the Stars Preview
• Fountain, Leatrice Gilbert. Dark Star: The Untold Story of the Meteoric Rise and Fall of Legendary Silent Screen Star John Gilbert New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1985. Cited in Gentleman's Fate (1931) Starring John Gilbert and Louis Wolheim as Unlikely Brothers; Downstairs (1932) Starring John Gilbert, From a Story by John Gilbert
• Giddins, Gary. Warning Shadows: Home Alone with Classic Cinema. William Morrow & Co., 1991. Reviewed: Review: Warning Shadows: Home Alone With Classic Cinema by Gary Giddins
• Gloske, John. Tough Kid-The Life and Films of Frankie Darro. Lulu.com, 2008. Video Review: Tough Kid: The Life and Films of Frankie Darro
• Golden, Eve. John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2013. Cited in Gentleman's Fate (1931) Starring John Gilbert and Louis Wolheim as Unlikely Brothers; Downstairs (1932) Starring John Gilbert, From a Story by John Gilbert
• Guiles, Fred Lawrence. Tyrone Power: The Last Idol. New York: Berkley Books, 1980. Cited in Tyrone Power and Alice Faye - In Old Chicago (1937), Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) and Rose of Washington Square (1939)
• Hammett, Dashiell. The Hunter and Other Stories. New York: The Mysterious Press, 2013. Cited in City Streets (1931) Starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney
• Jewell, Richard B. RKO Radio Pictures: A Titan Is Born. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2012. Cited in: Richard Dix – His Life and Film Legacy
• Kellow, Brian. The Bennetts: An Acting Family. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2004. Linked in Five and Ten (1931) Starring Marion Davies and Leslie Howard, a film also featuring Bennett patriarch Richard.
• Kennedy, Matthew. Edmund Goulding's Dark Victory: Hollywood's Genius Bad Boy Madison: University of Wisconsin, 2004. Cited in The Devil's Holiday (1930) Starring Nancy Carroll
• LaSalle, Mick. Dangerous Men: Pre-Code Hollywood and the Birth of the Modern Man. New York: Thomas Dunne, 2002. Cited in Downstairs (1932) Starring John Gilbert, From a Story by John Gilbert
• Lawrence, Jerome. Actor, the Life and Times of Paul Muni Putnam, 1974. Reviewed and referred to: Paul Muni’s 1932 – Multiple Projects Converge to Make Paul Muni a Huge Star; Cited in Review of Black Fury (1935)
• Leider, Emily W. Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood. University of California Press, 2011. Reviewed: Myrna Loy – The Only Good Girl in Hollywood vs. Being and Becoming
• Lennig, Arthur. Stroheim. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 2000. Cited in The Lost Squadron (1932) Starring Richard Dix, With Erich von Stroheim
• Loy, Myrna and James Kotsilibas-Davis. Myrna Loy: Being and Becoming. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1987. Cited in Test Pilot (1938) Starring Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy; Invoked: Myrna Loy – The Only Good Girl in Hollywood vs. Being and Becoming; Additional ephemera: Myrna Loy 1987 Being and Becoming Press Kit
• Mank, Gregory. Dwight Frye's Last Laugh. Midnight Marquee, 1992. Reviewed: Dwight Frye’s Last Laugh – Before and Beyond Dracula and Frankenstein
• Matzen, Robert. Errol & Olivia: Ego & Obsession in Golden Era Hollywood. Paladin Communications, 2010. Reviewed: What I’ve Been Reading: Errol & Olivia Plus Some Older Titles
• McBride, Joseph. Frank Capra: The Catastrophe of Success University Press of Mississippi, 2011. Cited in Frank Capra’s Broadway Bill (1934) Starring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy
• McCabe, John. Cagney. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997. Cited in James Cagney is Jimmy the Gent (1934); Cited in Review of Blessed Event (1932)
• McCann, Graham. Cary Grant: A Class Apart. New York: Columbia University Press, 1996. Cited in Review of Hot Saturday (1932)
• Menjou, Adolphe. It Took Nine Tailors. McGraw - Hill, 1948. Review: Adolphe Menjou’s Wit and Wisdom – It Took Nine Tailors, a Review
• Meuel, David. Women in the Films of John Ford. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2014. Reviewed: Women in the Films of John Ford by David Meuel
• Milland, Ray. Wide-Eyed in Babylon : An Autobiography William Morrow & Co., 1974. Appreciation and preview: Ray Milland TCM Star of the Month April 2011
• Mowbray, Alan and Alan Mowbray, Jr. Up From Central Park. CreateSpace, 2012. Reviewed: Alan Mowbray Book Review: Up from Central Park: Scenes From an Actor’s Life
• Nelson, Nancy. Evenings With Cary Grant: Recollections in His Own Words and by Those Who Knew Him Best. William Morrow & Co., 1991. Mini-Review: What I’ve Been Reading: Errol & Olivia Plus Some Older Titles
• Nissen, Axel. Actresses of a Certain Character. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2007. Cited in Mary Boland Biography - TCM's Summer Under the Stars
• Nollen, Scott Allen. Boris Karloff: A Gentleman's Life. Midnight Marquee, 2005. Interview with the author: Talking Boris Karloff with Authorized Biographer Scott Allen Nollen
• Nollen, Scott Allen. Three Bad Men: John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2013. Interview with the author: Three Bad Men – Scott Allen Nollen Talks About His Latest Book; Reviewed: Review: Three Bad Men: John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond by Scott Allen Nollen
• O'Brien, Scott. Kay Francis: I Can't Wait to be Forgotten: Her Life on Film and Stage. BearManor, 2007. Video Review: Kay Francis: I Can’t Wait to Be Forgotten by Scott O’Brien
• Parish, James Robert. The Paramount Pretties. New Rochelle: Arlington House, 1972. (This book includes biographical chapters about: Gloria Swanson, Clara Bow, Claudette Colbert, Carole Lombard, Marlene Dietrich, Miriam Hopkins, Sylvia Sidney, Mae West, Dorothy Lamour, Paulette Goddard, Veronica Lake, Diana Lynn, Betty Hutton, Joan Caulfield, Lizabeth Scott and Shirley Maclaine.) Cited in City Streets (1931) Starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney
• Rhodes, Gary D. and Alexander Webb, editors. Alma Rubens, Silent Snowbird Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2006. Referred to in article: Alma Rubens – The Tragic End of Mrs. Ricardo Cortez
• Rice, Christina. Ann Dvorak Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2013. (Also serves as a trove of information about first husband Leslie Fenton.) Interview with the author: Ann Dvorak Biographer Christina Rice on Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel
• Robinson, Jane. Edward G. Robinson's World of Art. Harper & Row, 1971. Article: Edward G. Robinson’s World of Art – More Robinson on Collecting
• Rooney, Mickey. Life Is Too Short. New York: Villard Books, 1991. Cited in The Human Comedy (1943) Starring Mickey Rooney; Preview and appreciation: Happy 90th Birthday Mickey Rooney, TCM Schedule, Collectible Gallery, More
• Schindler, Colin. Hollywood in Crisis. New York: Routledge, 1996. Cited in Review of Black Fury (1935)
• Sperber, A.M. and Eric Lax. Bogart. Reissue. New York: ItBooks, 2011. Cited in Mary Boland Biography - TCM's Summer Under the Stars; Humphrey Bogart Seeks Hollywood Party, Rises to Stardom
• Spivak, Jeffrey. Buzz: The Life and Art of Busby Berkeley Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 2010. Cited in She Had to Say Yes (1933) Starring Loretta Young
• Stangeland, John. Warren William: Magnificent Scoundrel of Pre-Code Hollywood Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2011. Cited in Don't Bet on Blondes (1935) Starring Warren William and Claire Dodd; Guest post by the author: DOUBLE DARE: Warren William’s Biographer Tells the Amazing Tale of the Late, Late, Dorothy Dare
• Stevens, Jr. George. Conversations with the Great Moviemakers of Hollywood's Golden Age at the American Film Institute. New York: Random House, 2009. Cited in City Streets (1931) Starring Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney
• Stone, Irving. Lust for Life 50th Anniversary Edition. New York: Plume, 1984. Cited in Lust for Life (1956) - Van Gogh from Irving Stone to Kirk Douglas
• Swanson, Gloria. Swanson on Swanson. New York: Random House, 1980. Cited in Herbert Marshall, Biography of the Trouble in Paradise Star
• Thomas, Augustus. The Witching Hour, a Drama in Four Acts. Revised ed., New York: Samuel French, 1916. Cited in The Witching Hour (1934), Hypnotized by John Halliday
• Van Neste, Dan. The Whistler: Stepping Into the Shadows. Albany, GA: Bear Manor Media, 2011. Cited in His Greatest Gamble (1934) Starring Richard Dix; Cited in Richard Dix – His Life and Film Legacy; Interview with the author: 8 Questions for Author Dan Van Neste About The Whistler Film Series
• Wagner, Laura. Let Me Tell You How I Really Feel. Bear Manor, 2009. Interview with the author: Interview with Classic Images’ Laura Wagner about her new book
• Waits, William B. The Modern Christmas in America: A Cultural History of Gift Giving. New York: New York University Press, 1993. Cited in Sweepings (1933) and Mamie's Christmas Counter Freak-Out
• Weaver, Tom., Brunas, Michael., & Brunas John. Universal Horrors: The Studio's Classic Films, 1931-1946. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2007. Cited in Lon Chaney, Jr. in Dead Man's Eyes (1944) - An Inner Sanctum Mystery
• Weld, John. September Song: An Intimate Biography of Walter Huston. Scarecrow Press, 1998. Reviewed and discussed: Sidebar: Walter Huston and the Duke of Crovenay
• Williams, Esther with Digby Diehl. The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography Harvest Books, 2000. Appreciation and preview: Esther Williams TCM Star of the Month May 2011
• Wray, Fay. On the Other Hand: A Life Story. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1989. Cited in Herbert Marshall, Biography of the Trouble in Paradise Star
• Zecher, Henry. William Gillette, America's Sherlock Holmes. Xlibris, 2011. Cited in Secret Service (1931) - William Gillette's Civil War Melodrama Comes to RKO