Nicholas Ray: An American Journey [Hardcover]

Bernard Eisenschitz (Author), Tom Milne (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1993

This is a biography of Nicholas Ray - one of the most distinctive directors in America in the 1950s. Films like "They Live by the Night", "In a Lonely Place", "Johnny Guitar" and "Bigger than Life" reveal the psychic ills of the 1950s more than any other films of that period. Ray's brooding pessimism and rebellious individualism reached its peak in his most famous film, "Rebel Without a Cause".

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A monumental job of research (even the footnotes are irresistible reading)." —Washington Post

"Spells out the extraordinary and tumultuous life of a man who found his fullest expression in filmmaking, yet never fully resolved his battles with himself and with the world he lived in." —Film Comment

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Bernard Eisenschitz is a film historian, translator, program curator, etc. living in Paris. He is the author and editor of books about German, Soviet, and American cinema. From 2001 to 2007, he edited the magazine Cinéma. His book Fritz Lang au travail is scheduled for publication next fall.

Tom Milne was a British film critic and the founding editor of Time Out Film Guide.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (May 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571140866
• ISBN-13: 978-0571140862
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,304,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough examination of American auteur director, April 12, 2000

By 

Ian Muldoon (Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nicholas Ray: An American Journey (Hardcover)

Cinema and theatre lovers should find this book an interesting and revealing read. Bernard Eisenschitz has done credit to another American film master more appreciated in Europe than in his own country. The early chapters are especially interesting in regard to Ray's apprenticeship and contribution to theatre in New York and elsewhere. Theatre of Action, Federal Government subsidies for the arts and the whole question of government support and the benefits these brought, Voice of America, and Ray's sympathies for the marginalised of American society are all attentively addressed by the author. Insights into the relationships between studios and artists, the power of stars, the evolution of scripts, the egoes of such as Joan Crawford, the genesis of some memorable even iconographic films such as Rebel Without a Cause, make for an excellent read. At least two films Ray made, In A Lonely PLace and Johhny Guitar, can be reckoned as American masterpieces and for these alone Ray deserved this biography. It contains 79 illustrations, extensive notes, a detailed filmography and comprehensive index. I recommemd this text for the general reader even vaguely interested in American cinema.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a great director, May 4, 2005

By 

James Sturch "James Sturch" (El Cajon, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nicholas Ray: An American Journey (Paperback)

I actually attempted to contact Mr. Eisenschitz to thank him for delivering this book going as far as contacting his publisher. I go back to this book over and over as it contains a wealth of information about the great man Nicholas Ray. If you haven't read this, get it now. Also, get Ray's book I WAS INTERRUPTED; a heartbreaking book composed of various entries toward the end of Ray's life. What a journey through a life of creativity and moviemaking. Eisenschitz manages to compose a meaningful portrait of Ray's life with amazing detail covering all periods and various lives ray led. I found the rambling years and failed projects Ray attempted the most fascinating ending with his 'folding chair' positions at various colleges, and his meeting in Chicago '68 with Susan. And his eventual surrender with alcoholism. A genius work. And: Mr. Eisenschitz, if you by-chance read this, I was looking for you, and e-mail me ([e-mail]) so I can tell you of my gratitude.