REEL TEARS: The Beverly Washburn Story

Beverly Washburn was one of Hollywood's most familiar child actors during the 1950s and '60s, a consummate performer who excelled at both comedy and drama with equal ease. Renowned for her uncanny ability to cry on cue, she appeared in countless television shows during the medium's Golden Age, and many of the era's best-loved movies, including Walt Disney's Old Yeller, The Greatest Show on Earth, Shane, and Spider Baby, just to name a few. Beverly made her first movie at age 6, and quickly found her niche. Over the years, her circle of friends included some of the biggest names in movies and television, many of whom she "dated" in the pages of the fan magazines - and in real life. But Beverly's fame went far beyond the silver screen. In the 1960s, for example, she even cut a hit record - "Everybody Loves Saturday Night" - written by the legendary folk artist Pete Seeger. In this heartfelt and deeply revealing autobiography, Beverly talks from the soul about her astounding career as a child actress, and the difficulties she encountered as she became a teenager and then an adult. She also reflects back on her most famous movies, with many behind-the-scenes anecdotes never before revealed, and discusses her enduring friendships with some of entertainment's most prominent performers, including Jack Benny, Loretta Young, Lou Costello, and George Reeves. After reading this wonderful book I made a point of watching as many of the movies and TV shows that featured Beverly Washburn that I could find. Many of them I had in my own DVD library ( Old Yeller, Superman and the Mole Men, Spider Baby and the episode of Star Trek ) I found much much more on google videos. And as I write this review I'm listening to "EV'RYBODY LOVES SATURDAY NIGHT". I'll tell the truth I wanted to write this review just because of her conection with George Reeves (Superman and the Mole Men, and Heart of Gold) and ended up becoming a fan. As you read Reel Tears you will find that it touches your heart, and you just might shed a tear of your own. Get your copy today. Or get two it would make a great gift.

The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

In Chapter Four of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. It is the world's most famous murder. But the Bible is silent about one key detail: the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history. In 1932, Mitchell Siegel was killed by three gunshots to his chest. While mourning, his son dreamed of a bulletproof man and created the world's greatest hero: Superman. And like Cain's murder weapon, the gun used in this unsolved murder has never been found. Until now. Today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cal Harper comes face-to-face with his family's greatest secret: his long-lost father, who's been shot with a gun that traces back to Mitchell Siegel's 1932 murder. But before Cal can ask a single question, he and his father are attacked by a ruthless killer tattooed with the anicent markings of Cain. And so begins the chase for the world's first murder weapon. What does Cain, history's greatest villain, have to do with Superman, the world's greatest hero? And what do two murders, committed thousands of years apart, have in common? This is the mystery at the heart of Brad Meltzer's riveting and utterly intriguing new thriller. Now what do I think about "The Book of Lies"? All I can say is Mr. Meltzer got my attention, and then kept it. And look at how he did it. He was able to take Bible lore ( the story of Cain and Abel ), the story behind the creation of the Man of Steel, a crazed killer and weave these plot threads into a novel that was just plain fun. Do you have to be a Superman fan to read this book? No. But as a fan I think I was able to connect with "The Book of Lies" on a different level than a non-fan. This is neither good or bad, just different. This is a first rate thriller that you will not want to miss. Order your copy today.

FLIGHTS OF FANTASY The Unauthorized But True Story Of Radio & TV's Adventures Of Superman

Product Description: Includes episode logs for radio and television, complete storylines for two unproduced TV episodes, and dozens of "deleted scenes" taken right from the scripts! "Michael J. Hayde significantly broadens our empathy for The Man of Steel through his profound revelations surrounding an imposing figure based on popular myth. In a meticulously researched discourse, he supplies the gaps about a character that became a mid 20th century hero to the nation's boys and girls. Hayde probes the backgrounds of the real-life individuals behind-the-scenes and before the microphones and cameras that intensified that aura. In breezy, comprehensive style, he focuses on the radio and TV manifestations while interweaving timely inferences from the newspaper strip, comics, books, film and other formats plus a prosperous merchandising trade. Lovers of the genre of juvenile adventures are rewarded by the author's efforts to expose how one man wearing a cape and bearing incredible strength could pervade an impressionable younger generation and a society that pursued his exploits intensely." - Jim Cox, author of Radio Crime Fighters "With so many books about Superman out there, it's pleasing to know that one book has everything you'd want to know under one cover. Trivia, background production and numerous behind-the-scenes stories make this a must-have for everyone's shelf. An enjoyable read." - Martin Grams, Jr., author of The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic Over 500 pages of intense research. First I would like to thank Michael J. Hayde who sorted thru a mountain of data to give us this wonderful book. In one volume we are introduced to the movers and shakers behind Superman Inc. The cast of "The Adventures of Superman" both radio and television. And see the effect of forces (both good and bad) on the Man of Steel. And front and center are Clayton "Bud" Collyer and George Reeves. Two all to mortal men who grudgingly (neither man wanted the job at first) became the custodians of the cape, and long ago made me believe a man could fly, because each and every time they took me with them. Flights of Fantasy the unauthorized but true story of radio & TV's Adventures of Superman has found a prominent place in my library. A must have for any Superman fan.

"ENEMIES & ALLIES" by Kevin J. Anderson

From the Publisher As America and the Soviet Union race to build their nuclear stockpiles, two extraordinary heroes must form an uneasy alliance. These studies in opposites - shadow and light - must overcome their distrust of each other to battle evil and injustice. Sputnik silently circles in the skies above the fabled cities of the United States as danger lurks in the Earth's darkest corners. In Gotham, the shadowy vigilante known as the Batman haunts Gotham's streets . . . and the police are just as afraid of this Dark Knight as the city's criminals are. In Metropolis, the notorious Lex Luthor is leveraging international tensions to build LuthorCorp into a military-industrial empire, competing against his business rival Wayne Industries, which is run by Gotham's enigmatic millionaire, Bruce Wayne. Luthor's activities have raised the interest of Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane, who is beginning to realize that Luthor may stop at nothing to achieve success. At the same time, Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen are investigating the rumored crash of a flying saucer. Clark is desperate to know if there may be other lost interplanetary visitors on Earth secretly living among them? visitors like himself. When Batman's and Superman's paths cross, their lives change, and history will never be the same. "ENEMIES & ALLIES" gives us a look at two heroes. Kal-El the refugee from the lost planet Krypton, who feels most at home as plain old Clark Kent on the farm back in Smallville. And the Caped Crusader who can never truly be himself as Bruce Wayne but must put on a mask and become a creature of the night to do what needs to be done. Superman who sees things as right or wrong, black or white and must follow the letter of the law. And Batman who works in shades of grey and strives for justice. Kevin J. Anderson reintroduces us to old friends, Lois Lane strong willed and bull headed. Who will follow a story to the ends of the earth, and Jimmy Olsen a sci-fi movie fan who's maybe not Superman's but is definitely Clark Kents pal. And then we have Lex Luthor. I don't think I have ever seen a more evil depiction of this criminal mastermind. "ENEMIES & ALLIES" is action packed and fast paced, I just couldn't put this book down.

"The Last Days Of Krypton" by Kevin J. Anderson

From the Publisher Everyone knows how Kal-El --Superman-- was sent to Earth just before his planet exploded. But what led to such a disaster? Now, in "The Last Days of Krypton," Kevin J. Anderson presents a sweeping tale of the pomp and grandeur, the intrigue and passion, and the politics and betrayals of a doomed world filled with brave heroes and cruel traitors. Against the spectacular backdrop of Krypton''s waning halcyon days, there is the courtship and marriage of Kal-El''s parents, the brilliant scientist Jor-El and his historian wife, Lara. Together they fight to convince a stagnant, disbelieving society that their world is about to end. Jor-El''s brother, Zor-El, leader of the fabled Argo City, joins the struggle not only to save the planet but also to fight against the menace of the ruthless and cunning General Zod. The diabolical Zod, future archenemy of Superman, avails himself of a golden opportunity to seize power when the android Brainiac captures the capital city of Kandor. As Zod''s grip on the populace tightens and his power grows, he too is blind to all the signs that point to the death of the very civilization he is trying to rule. Through all of this, Jor-El and Lara''s love for each other, their history, and their son allows for Krypton to live on even as the planet is torn apart around them. For in the escape of their baby lies Krypton''s greatest gift--and Earth''s greatest hero. "The Last Days of Krypton" is a timeless, ground-breaking exploration of a world that has never been fully defined, and reveals the extraordinary origins of a legend that has never ceased to amaze and astound generation after generation. Now that being said what do I think of "The Last Days Of Krypton"? Kevin J. Anderson has taken on the daunting task of culling information about the lost planet Krypton from the many and conflicting sources in the D.C. Universe. By using a piece from here and another from there he has created a seamless mosaic that has brought Jor-El and Lara to life and made the tragic and beautiful planet Krypton as real as any of the places that I studied in school. I have been a fan of the man of steel most of my life and the "Last Days Of Krypton" has answered most of what I have wanted to know about Krypton, Argo City, the Phantom Zone ... I could go on and on. Buy your copy today, you will not be disappointed.

"Superman vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon" by Jake Rossen

First a breif discription of the Superman vs. Hollywood. Tinseltown's fascination with the comic icon is detailed in this book, encompassing all the behind-the-scenes machinations that helped shape Superman into a screen legend, and all the derailed projects that have vilified everyone involved. These newly uncovered stories about the odyssey of bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen include the challenge of making Superman appear to fly, and the many casting processes, which at various points had Superman being played by the likes of Bruce Jenner, Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Justin Timberlake, Keanu Reeves, and even Muhammad Ali. Based on extensive interviews with producers, screenwriters, cast members, and crew, this exposé spills the beans on all the various TV shows, from the classic The Adventures of Superman to the current hit Smallville; the various animated efforts on both the large and small screens, and the movies, from 1979's smash hit Superman: The Movie to 2006's wildly expensive Superman Returns. Also included are the stories about the Superman movies that never made it to the screen, helmed by maverick directors Kevin Smith and Tim Burton, and featuring expenditures on scripts and sets that are even more eye-popping than the films special effects. I'm afraid that my review is going to echo the foreword by Mr Millar. I'm supposed to be a Superman expert, I run a Superman web site for crying out loud. But I guess that the old adage is true, the more you learn, the more you realize that you don't know. Once I started reading "Superman vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon" I could not put it down. It gave substance to stories that had only been rumour to me, and gave insight into speculation.This book is a must have for any Superman fan, or anyone that wants to see an insiders view of the entertainment industry (warts and all). I highly recommend it. Available at bookstores everywhere and through Independent Publishers Group, 815 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL. 60610. Toll-free number for orders only: 1-800-888-4741. Or visit online at www.ipgbook.com

"The George Reeves Adventures of Superman Companion" by Peter S. Murano

As a child of the 50's "The George Reeves Adventures of Superman Companion" brought me back to a time when the good guys always won, and all the worlds problems could be solved in 30 minutes. This fact filled volume is well written, entertaining, and heavily illustrated. Peter Murano has reintroduced me to characters, and a show that I thought I knew all about. As I buried myself in the book I found myself getting out my DVD copies of "The Adventures of Superman" and watching them as I read. "The George Reeves Adventures of Superman Companion" is an indispensable reference book that will enhance and enrich the reader's experience for many years to come. For more information, or to get your copy, go to www.grsupermanbook.com

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