Alamo Movies [Paperback]

Frank T. Thompson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Republic of Texas Pr; 2nd edition (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556223757
• ISBN-13: 978-1556223754
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,040,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frank Thompson is a filmmaker, comedy writer and film historian, the author of 38 books.

His most recent television work includes "Southern Fried Stings" (truTV, 2010), "High School Reunion" (TV Land, 2009), "Stringers: LA" (Tru TV, 2008-2009), "Party Heat" (Tru TV, 2008-2009), "Dance Machine" (ABC, 2008), "Speeders" (Court TV, 2007) and "Bandits vs. Smokies" (CMT, 2007). He wrote and directed a special for American Movie Classics: "The Great Christmas Movies" (1998). Other television credits include "The Bachelor: Paris" (ABC, 2006), "Blind Date" (1999-2003), "The Fifth Wheel" (2003), "Fast Food Films" (FX, 1998-99) "Reel Wild Cinema" (USA Network, 1996 - 1997), "Hollywood Babylon" (syndicated, 1992) and others.

He has written hundreds of introductory scripts for American Movie Classics hosts Cher, Alec Baldwin, Jodie Foster, Winona Ryder, Billy Bob Thornton, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Stefanie Powers, Morgan Fairchild, Phyllis Diller, Brendan Fraser, Shirley Jones, Ali MacGraw, Kirsten Dunst, Lesley-Anne Down, Patrick Wayne, Lesley Ann Warren, Sean Young and many others.

He wrote and co-produced "Frank Capra: A Personal Remembrance" (VidAmerica, 1992), and "The Making of 'It's a Wonderful Life'" (Republic Pictures, 1991), both of which appear on the DVD and Blu-Ray releases of "It's a Wonderful Life."

Thompson has contributed to several film encyclopedia and has written for magazines such as American Cinematographer, American Film, Film Comment, The Big Frame, The Hollywood Reporter, The Disney Channel Magazine, Sight and Sound, Tower Pulse! and Texas Monthly.

He has also written for many newspapers, notably The Atlanta Journal & Constitution, The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, The San Antonio Express News.

He served as Guest Curator for a major museum exhibit called "Hollywood Comes to South Carolina: A Century of Filmmaking in the Palmetto State" which ran from January through October, 2008 at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia SC. This was a follow-up to his exhibit "Texas Movies" which ran in 2005 at the Bob Bullock State History Museum in Austin, Texas.

In 2004 he had a cameo appearance in "The Alamo" and also wrote two books that tied in with the film: "The Alamo: A Novel" (2004, Hyperion) and "The Alamo: The Illustrated Story of the Epic Film" (2004, Newmarket).

He has written and/or produced several videos and have contributed audio commentary to more than a dozen classic films, notably "Wild Boys of the Road" (1933), "The Time of Their Lives" (1946), "McLintock!" (1963), "Hondo" (1953) and "Track of the Cat" (1954).

And he appears onscreen in many documentaries, most recently on the Blu-Ray release of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (2009).

Frank Thompson lives in North Hollywood, California with his wife Claire McCulloch and their dogs Maggie and Jake.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read, January 12, 2004

By 

Peter Stines (Anahuac, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alamo Movies (Paperback)

Being a Texas History buff, I've seen most of the films made about the Alamo. So, I was pleseantly surprised when I found this book. Thompson covers just about every motion picture made about the 13 day seige. He even covers films that are not about the Alamo directly. In some cases, the crumbling adobe mission makes only a cameo appearance. There is plenty of enjoyable reading here, with facts, trivia and lore. In addition to the lively text are photos and even cartoons that deal with Alamo films. Even if the Alamo is not your cup of tea, students of film will find plenty to hold their interest. From the first movie made in 1911 to the IMAX production; PRICE OF FREEDOM.
What is really telling is how the image of the Texas Revolution, especially the Mexican perspective has changed over the years.
Compare the MARTYRS OF THE ALAMO done in 1915 to John Wayne's 1960 epic. Hopefully this new production by Disney will be a major improvement.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars alamo movies, December 14, 1999

By 

bob turgeon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alamo Movies (Paperback)

i have been a fan of the battle of the alamo since i saw walt disney's davy crockett. since then i have seen every movie about the seige. this book brought back fond memories. i even fulfilled a dream of 37 years of going to bracketville to see the movie sets of the alamo. unfortunately, i was caught in the flood, and couldn't see them. i would really enjoy writing to frank thompson, we could share very similar memories. again, thanks frank for a very enjoyable book.