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Rating: 
Summary: Simply A Terrific Book
Review: This is decidedly NOT your father's coffee table book! The images presented here are not the typical collection of shadowy movie studio glamour shots (though there are a handful of gorgeous ones). These pictures, from the 1930s thru 2003, have been culled for their respective unique and telling qualities arising from the distinctive environment created during a film's production, particularly within the setting of a major film studio.
Frequently, the many stars here are seen just outside the set or huddled in a corner out of harm's way, deep in contemplation, probably unaware of the camera, steeling themselves up for a take or perhaps stealing a much-needed break between set-ups, mustering energy for just one more shot. Among the countless actors and actresses included are Paul Newman, Sally Field, Warren Beatty, Raquel Welch, Joanne Woodward, Doris Day, Tyrone Power, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Temple, Robert DeNiro, Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, Richard Burton, Robert Redford, Gene Tierney, Elizabeth Taylor, many others, all of whom made such tremendous contributions to 20th Century Fox's achievements over the years. It can even be argued that these photographs primarily succeed OUTSIDE the context of film production. If one forgets who is in the picture or where and when it was taken, these images are, well, simply excellent photographs, taken by countless artists during the last 7 decades.
Oh, some may grumble that several successful Fox movies are given short-shrift by their absence; if this is your conclusion after perusing the book, then you've simply failed to grasp the book's raison detre: this collection accomplishes something "photographically", period. This collection isn't meant to be a fading memento of boffo box-office blockbusters or a cheesy souvenir of black and white cheesecake and pin-ups. Nor is it the intention of this book to be just another historical tome loaded with facts, figures and anecdotes about Fox's past. This book is about the PHOTOGRAPHY, the "liveness" of those split-seconds captured in the midst of that chaos known as the Hollywood motion picture studio.
This is certainly a must-own addition to your collection of film memorabilia!
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