Shooting Montezuma: A Hollywood Monster Story

Rating:
Summary: What They Don't Teach in Film School
Review: As one who teaches film studies, I am often surprised at how much is formulaic in the movie business. Yet, some of the most formulaic movies (murder mysteries, special effects stories) may contain the most surprises. This roman a clef tells the story of a famous Hollywood tale and the movie that serves as its backdrop. Readers of this fascinating account may be surprised, pleasantly and not, by the attitudes of big stars and bigger directors. Done in a movie script format, the novel only underscores the cruel fiction of "entertainment" in the Hollywood mode. How much is true? From my own historical studies, I would say more than not; and what is not true may be changed to protect the illusions movie fans live by. Was it John Ford who used the tag line to "print the legend"? Well, Jan Merlin prints the legend with warts and all. A must read for anyone who thinks he knows the movie business and movie trivia.

Rating:
Summary: What They Don't Teach in Film School
Review: As one who teaches film studies, I am often surprised at how much is formulaic in the movie business. Yet, some of the most formulaic movies (murder mysteries, special effects stories) may contain the most surprises. This roman a clef tells the story of a famous Hollywood tale and the movie that serves as its backdrop. Readers of this fascinating account may be surprised, pleasantly and not, by the attitudes of big stars and bigger directors. Done in a movie script format, the novel only underscores the cruel fiction of "entertainment" in the Hollywood mode. How much is true? From my own historical studies, I would say more than not; and what is not true may be changed to protect the illusions movie fans live by. Was it John Ford who used the tag line to "print the legend"? Well, Jan Merlin prints the legend with warts and all. A must read for anyone who thinks he knows the movie business and movie trivia.

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood: the True Story
Review: Veteran Hollywood character actor Jan Merlin has based this novel on one of the most remarkable experiences of his life--- his participation in a film called THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER. The novel's hero, Kurt Mitchell, undergoes a year-long makeup ordeal identical to Jan's, and like Jan is cheated of screen credit though he plays one of the film's key roles. Apart from this Jan gives a vivid picture of the Hollywood studio system in its dying days, and the horrors of location filming (Ireland for the actual film, Brazil for the imaginary film that is the basis of the novel). He has also added a subplot involving a series of child murders. The whole mix works quite well; as usual in Jan's novels the characters all come to life, whether based on real people or not, and the evocation of sights, sounds, odors and details is so vivid in each of the novel's scenes that the reader seems to be there. At about 200 pages, and with situations that keep you turning the pages, this is a particularly fine book for summer reading.

Rating:
Summary: The Dark Side of Hollywood!
Review: Veteran Hollywood character actor Jan Merlin has based this novel on one of the most remarkable experiences of his life--- his participation in a film called THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER. The novel's hero, Kurt Mitchell, undergoes a year-long makeup ordeal identical to Jan's, and like Jan is cheated of screen credit though he plays one of the film's key roles. Apart from this Jan gives a vivid picture of the Hollywood studio system in its dying days, and the horrors of location filming (Ireland for the actual film, Brazil for the imaginary film that is the basis of the novel). He has also added a subplot involving a series of child murders. The whole mix works quite well; as usual in Jan's novels the characters all come to life, whether based on real people or not, and the evocation of sights, sounds, odors and details is so vivid in each of the novel's scenes that the reader seems to be there. At about 200 pages, and with situations that keep you turning the pages, this is a particularly fine book for summer reading.

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood: the True Story
Review: Wow! I can hardly wait to see the E! network version of this great book. If you want the inside picture of the movie business, this book has it all over The Player. The author knows what really happens on a movie set and in the makeup room. This one will blow the roof off one of the big studios! Highly recommended for film buffs.