Danielle Solzman
There’s been many movie or television books released, be it biographies, memoirs, etc. Here’s a few that I recommend.
Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
If you follow Kendrick on Twitter or are a fan of her work in general, this is a must-own book. The actress writes about her life both in and out of the spotlight. These candid stories give us an inside look at Kendrick’s life with an upbringing that led her to become an actress. Her takes on the topics she writes about are honestly one-of-a-kind.
Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night by Jason Zinoman
It’s been two years since David Letterman retired as the host of The Late Show on CBS. In April, Letterman fans finally got the book they have been waiting for. Letterman’s 33-year-reign surpassed that of both Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson. He was the voice of a generation. With so many television options, people have a gazillion options to turn to so there’s never going to be the likes of Letterman again. Zinoman writes this book with both groundbreaking reporting and unprecedented access to the comedy giant. From growing up in Indiana to retiring from late night, we get an in-depth look at Letterman by going behind the scenes and break his career down into three distinct eras.
Peter O’Toole: The Definitive Biography by Robert Sellers
Sellers gives us what he promised: a definitive biography of the actor who was a talented leading and charismatic man. Seller’s understanding of stagecraft is profiled, we learn about his photographic memory, and why he took his work more seriously than other things in his life. There’s some interesting moments that are truly fascinating. It’s a great tribute to an actor that was nominated eight times for Best Acting in a Leading Role at the Oscars but never won.
We’ll Always Have Casablanca: The Life, Legend, and Afterlife of Hollywood’s Most Beloved Movie by Noah Isenberg
Released in February in time for the 75th anniversary of the movie’s release, this book pays tribute to the classic film that is as relevant now as it was back when it was released. Isenberg provides anecdotes about what happened on set, grudges, rewrites, and censorship. To think that the film’s story and some of the most iconic lines of all time could have been something completely different is just astonishing to say the least. The inspiration for the play that inspired Casablanca was playwright Murray Burnett’s desire to stand up against fascism. The themes in the script hit so hard for many actors, who were also refugees, that some scenes took longer to film. No matter what happens, we’ll always have Casablanca.
