The Virgin Encyclopedia of Stage and Film Musicals (Virgin Encyclopedia Series) [Paperback]

Colin Larkin (Editor), John Martland (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Virgin Encyclopedia Series | Publication Date: June 1999

Musical buffs have finally met their match in Colin Larkin's latest volume. The Virgin Encyclopedia of Stage & Film Musicals is an exhaustive, indepth view of one of the world's oldest forms of entertainment. Timeless classics are included in this volume as well as the flops which may have escaped the memories of avid musical enthusiasts. Compiling an entire history of musicals in one volume allows the reader to draw links between stage and film. How many people knew that Gay Divorce, Funny Face, and Of Thee I Sing were the predecessors for such timeless classics as Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, and The Sound of Music. Chronicling musicals from the West End to Broadway and everywhere in between, this volume offers a world view of an art form that millions of people stand in line for every year.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Following up on his extraordinary eight-volume Encyclopedia of Popular Music (LJ 2/15/99, 3d ed.), music critic Larkin's latest reference title is a kind of updated and expanded version of The Who's Who of Stage Musicals and The Who's Who of Film Musicals combined. The 1600-plus entries contained here (which range in length from one paragraph to a few pages) cover the gamut of American and British musical history and its composers, lyricists, and shows. Larkin's light yet incisive writing style makes for a great read, and he doesn't shy away from including the musically obscure and awful (the Broadway version of Footloose, for example). The result is a tremendous bargain for the quality of information, although continual use will quickly destroy the paper binding. Highly recommended for all theater and music collections.AAnthony J. Adam, Prairie View A&M Univ. Lib., Houston
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 680 pages
• Publisher: Virgin Pub (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753503751
• ISBN-13: 978-0753503751
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.8 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,488,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent but not frighteningly complete, June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Stage and Film Musicals (Virgin Encyclopedia Series) (Paperback)

The Virgin Encyclopedia of Stage & Film Musicals is, of course, an excellent work. The merging of the earlier two (Guinness) Who's Who:s of Stage/Film Musicals is a good decision, since for example we don't have to look in vain, as we did in the Guinness Who's Who in Film Musicals for entries on Hair and Grease. The added discographical and bibliographical data more than doubles the value of some entries. The book is destined to give help and happiness to many. The backside review quote, however, from The Times, promises "A work of almost frighteningly completeness". If it is so, I do need to complain: I very much lack biographical entries on Shirley MacLaine and Ann-Margret. The fact that the two ladies abandoned musicals for dramatic roles doesn't disqualify, does it? And what about these not so successful or well made musicals, that still are purchased on CD and may be discussed in many a "Lost Musicals" forum - Happy Hunting, Prettybelle, Bajour, Tovarich, Walking Happy, Fade Out Fade In, Darling Lili (movie) - with wonderful singularities in them, don't they deserve at least a small entry? Two more remarks: Why this concentration on things Anglo-American? Mightn't an "encyclopedia" at least mention Les Parapluies de Cherbourg or the German film musical business in the thirties or the Indian Bollywood musicals? And, while discussing additions, I strongly suggest the cutting of Isham, Jarre, Korngold and other composers of music to dramatic films. What do those have to do with musicals? Apart from that, a perfect book. Johan Franzon, Finland

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential resource, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Stage and Film Musicals (Virgin Encyclopedia Series) (Paperback)

No single volume could truly be "fighteningly complete," but this is a badly needed up-to-date resource on musical theatre and film. The Stanley Green 2 volume work dates back more than a decade -- this one fills in the gaps.