Roger Corman: Metaphysics on a Shoestring (Paperback)

~ (Author), James Ursini (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating read that will make you appreciate what Roger Corman was able to accomplish with minimal resources." -- 10kbullets.com

"If you want to bone up on Corman lore, there's no better place than 'Roger Corman: Metaphysics on a Shoestring.'" -- the-trades.com

"an enjoyable, fact-loaded and enlightening read." -- b-scared.com

Product Description

Roger Corman just might be one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of motion pictures. Not because of his work as a director, although he has directed more than 60 movies, and not because of his success as a producer--although, as the title of his autobiography boasts, he has made more than 100 pictures and never lost a dime. He might be one of the most influential filmmakers because, along the way to directing and producing more than 200 films, he ran a de facto school for young filmmakers, the alumni of which have garnered more money and awards than any other group in film history. Among them are James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola and Jonathan Demme. Through research and a series of interviews with Corman, the authors trace his humble beginnings in post- World War II Hollywood to his current mythic status as the godfather of all independent moviemakers. Discussed in detail are each of Corman's films as a director--from such two-day wonders as The Little Shop of Horrors to such studio pictures as The St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 332 pages
• Publisher: Silman-James Press (March 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879505428
• ISBN-13: 978-1879505421
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,754,594 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Informative, but Sometimes Critically Slight, February 13, 2007

By	Jonathan M. Lampley "JM!L" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alain Silver and James Ursini have established themselves as key experts in the areas of film noir and horror film study. It is warmly appreciated that the prolific authors have turned their attention to the output of Roger Corman, the King of the B-Movies. METAPHYSICS ON A SHOESTRING contains a lot of information and some useful critical insight and some truly spectacular illustrations (the book designer deserves some sort of award, I think); unfortunately some entries are more descriptive than analytical, and this unevenness greatly undermines the authors' approach. Overall, though, a worthy addition to the shelf of Corman books that have appeared over the years.