Rating: 
Summary: TERRIFIC and CONCISE
Review: As a confirmed habitual movie watcher, this book was a much-welcomed addition to my library. Actually, it never made it to my library, as I have it next to my favorite TV chair, right under the TV Guide. I've never seen anything else with such concise thumbnail bios, just the facts. Yes, many stars are not included, such a book would be impossible to pick up. I did miss some oldies such as Marge & Gower Champion. The content is 5-stars, but I deducted 1-star for the book's dire need of updating: additions such as Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam, etc. But I wouldn't want to be the one to decide who gets removed to include these new additions!
Rating: 
Summary: Leonard, how could you?
Review: I can't believe Leonard Maltin would put his name on this compilation of misinformation. He must be spreading himself too thin and hiring interns to do his writing. This book is so full of wrong dates, films, facts--I hope if he comes out with a second edition, Maltin hires someone to go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make corrections. I expected better of him!
Rating:
Summary: Not perfect, but indispensable
Review: Initially about a year ago I made the mistake of following the other reviews which panned the book, and did not buy it. I then gradually realized that some of my favorite short bios on IMDB.com were excerpted from Maltin's Encyclopedia. Of course at that point I bought it. There are few, if any, other volumes that quickly give you the sum-up and low-down on 2,000 movie industry people. To say the book has errors and omissions is to me ridiculous...a perfect book would cost a few thousand dollars. Meanwhile, IMDB.com is available as a backstop for searching out hundreds of thousands of details, which wouldn't fit in a reasonably sized volume anyway. Generally speaking, I've gone wrong far more often in rejecting something based on a review or an opinion about a book, movie, etc., than in consuming something recommended -- you can always bail out if a recommender was wrong.
Rating:
Summary: Not perfect, but indispensable
Review: Initially about a year ago I made the mistake of following the other reviews which panned the book, and did not buy it. I then gradually realized that some of my favorite short bios on IMDB.com were excerpted from Maltin's Encyclopedia. Of course at that point I bought it. There are few, if any, other volumes that quickly give you the sum-up and low-down on 2,000 movie industry people. To say the book has errors and omissions is to me ridiculous...a perfect book would cost a few thousand dollars. Meanwhile, IMDB.com is available as a backstop for searching out hundreds of thousands of details, which wouldn't fit in a reasonably sized volume anyway. Generally speaking, I've gone wrong far more often in rejecting something based on a review or an opinion about a book, movie, etc., than in consuming something recommended -- you can always bail out if a recommender was wrong.
Rating: 
Summary: Great info on the stars
Review: Leonard has done a great job on this. Tasty tidbits on the stars of yesterday and today. I have only one complaint, there are many of the old stars he did not include. Too bad.
Rating:
Summary: Great info on the stars
Review: Leonard has done a great job on this. Tasty tidbits on the stars of yesterday and today. I have only one complaint, there are many of the old stars he did not include. Too bad.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Useful Book to Own
Review: Like all "so-called" movie encyclopedias, this is really a biographical dictionary, as stated (in different words) on the cover. Maltin's encyclopedia does not have the range or depth of Ephraim Katz' "The Film Encyclopedia," but that also works to its advantage. If you wish a short and sweet bio of an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, cameraman, etc., and a short list of what films by this individual to see first, this is the place to go. I usually find myself turning to this book before I examine any other. On the negative side, the material in this book is now more than a decade old. A decade is a generation in cinema. Thus, the book is in need of updating. Also, many important figures (like director Sam Woods) are left out, and some very minor figures (like mostly-TV actress Kirstie Alley) are included. Hopefully, Mr. Maltin will fix these defects in the second edition of this book. Until he does, the present edition will please most people.
Rating:
Summary: oh no,another book by maltin
Review: this book is probably just another annoying book with wrong information,like most (or all) of maltin's books.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable reference book
Review: This is a an extremely informative book on film professionals. Loaded with fascinating facts, it constantly provides interesting information which entertains as well as informs. Maltin's dependable appreciation and high standards for film craft shine through in each entry. A most commendable source of information on key motion picture personnel.
Rating:
Summary: He calls it an "Encyclopedia", but it's not comprehensive.
Review: When I first saw this book on the shelf, I was very happy. I have been an avid movie-goer and movie-lover for years, and the only other Movie Encyclopedia I had was several years old. Unfortunately, when I got this book home I realized that MANY names were misssing. For example, Pamelyn Ferdin who was in a Clint Eastwood movie called "The Beguiled" in 1971. It seems there is no consistency regarding who he includes in this book, and who is left out. It should be ALL or nothing.
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