Customer Reviews

Films of Lana Turner

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This is that rarity, a film book that is at once a labor of love, a valuable piece of reportage and a beautiful example of design work. Its author, Lou Valentino, was for years an associate art director of LIFE Magazine. He is also the world's foremost collector of Turner photos and memorabilia. His knowledge and love of his subject -- perhaps the ultimate studio movie star -- is apparent on every page. Extremely hard to find today, it is well worth searching for.

Okay, it's this simple: If my house was on fire, this is THE book I'd save (and I own several hundred) from destruction! When I first saw the film noir masterpiece "The Postman Always Rings Twice" several years ago, I instantly became a life-long Lana Turner fan. Honestly, I think she's the most beautiful woman that ever lived! Unfortunately, books about Lana Turner are few and far between, but I'd say this is easily the cream of the crop. There's nearly 300 pages of glorious b & w photos that cover her entire life. However, don't expect to find out anything new about her many marriages, affairs, and of course the murder of Johnny Stompanato, as this book focuses mainly on her many films. I recommend her autobiography for those wanting to learn more about her personal life. This awesome book is packed with hundreds of great photos of Lana, and it examines each and every role she ever had in Hollywood. I don't know why such a fabulous book would go out-of-print, but you can still get a used copy on Amazon from a seller. If you wanna be captivated by the amazing beauty of Lana Turner then this book is an absolute must-have!

"The Films of Lana Turner," by Lou Valentino, is the handsomest, most knowledgeable book of its type that I have ever read or seen. Valentino, the most recognized authority on and collector of Turner memorabilia, has written what amounts to a mini-biography of this beautiful, underrated film actress, inluding film-by-film descriptions and backstage glimpses of each film that are accurate and fascinating. He has opened his treasure trove of stills to provide the most lavishly illustrated pages. If Turner fans can lay hands on this book, snap it up. It is a "must" for the Lana admirer/collector.

credit is due to author lou valentino for writing and designing this superlative addition to the popular citadel "films of..." series of books which includes illustrated editions on hollywood stars as diverse as greta garbo and tyrone power, laurence olivier and alan ladd. this is one of the very best of the lot - thanks to its authors wealth of knowledge not just about turner, but also the movie factories which nurtured her shimmering star, with their corps of still photographers, costume designers, fan writers et al. beautifully produced with rare and amusing stills including several previously unpublished candids and behind the scenes glimpses of the "great" turner, and anchored to a text that is both affectionate, witty and insightful. a lovely job, and a veritable "holy grail" for fans of lana. thanks, lou!