Customer Reviews

World's Coolest Movie Star: The Complete 95 Films (and Legend) of Jean Gabin, Vol. 2 - Comeback/Patriarch

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This is really a brilliant book, and I'm glad that I purchased both of the two volumes. I have always enjoyed Jean Gabin's movies, but here in
America, we only know about handful of them, and author Zigman, a true wordsmith, lovingly critiques each of the actor's films in a kind of fun/vibrant/gonzo style that really makes the book "pop." Not only is book great to read, but it's also been beautifully designed (the credited book designer is Michael Kellner, a true artist), and it's an asset to anybody's book collection. Part filmography, part biography, part reference book, I can't recommend this book too highly.

Jean Gabin made movies between 1930 and 1976, and they are all worthwhile, although in America, we only know about a handful of movies which he made in the late 1930s, such as "La Grande illusion," "Pepe Le Moko," "La Bete humaine," and "Le Jour se leve." (During this same period of '37 through '39, Gabin also appeared in a few movies which are just as interesting as the ones I've mentioned, but which were never released in America -- principally 1938's "Le Messager" and 1939's "Le Recif corail." On the recommendation of Mr. Zigman, through his book, I sought out these additional two films, which are available on DVD in France, without Engish subtitles, and found them to be amazing.)

In short, I'm bowled over by both volumes of "World's Coolest Movie Star: The Complete 95 Films (and Legend) of Jean Gabin," and I think that you will be, too.

I learned a lot from reading this comprehensive and entertaining book. Like many film buffs, I had seen Gabin in La Grande Illusion and also in Carne's masterpiece, Le Jour Se Leve. But I did not know he had been in nearly 100 films; nor did I know how he worked practically up to his death in wide-ranging roles that would have stretched and broken many actors. Zigman does a thorough job in tracking down many Gabin rareties and the love for his subject is evident. I plan to revisit many Gabin films using this book as a guide.

I've been a longtime fan of the French actor Jean Gabin, and am thrilled to find this English-language book about him. I just completed this two-volume set about Gabin's life and films and was completely engaged and entertained. The second volume, which details Gabin's life and films when he was older, is just as great as the first volume. The two books together are an in-depth look at his life and work. I have friends who love old movies, and I'm definitely buying them both volumes for the holidays. I agree with a previous reviewer - with a great title and fascinating subject, WORLD'S COOLEST MOVIE STAR makes a great coffee table book!

These two books are great to have on your coffee table or anywhere else you may want to have something fun and interesting to read for a few minutes a day. I enjoy reading an article about one of Jean Gabin's almost 100 movies, and doing so learning fun facts about haw and when each film was made. The story line, seeing beautiful pictures, reading excerpts and much more, it's really fun. I highly recommend both books. The first one is about his early career when he often played a tragic drifter, the second about the later part of it when he took on a more patriarchal figure.

This book was terrific! A must have for any true cinemaphile (cinephile???). To my knowledge, it's the only English language book written about Jean Gabin which is shocking. That being said, if one book is all we get you couldn't ask for better. The book has a light, humorous touch that makes for fun and easy reading.