Classic American Films explores the origin and development of many of the most influential and revered films in cinema history, and does so with the aid and insight of the people who actually wrote the screenplays. These lively, candid, in-depth interviews are filled with fascinating new material (details, anecdotes, judgments, and opinions) about the creative and collaborative processes that went into the making of these extraordinary films. In the past, Hollywood screenwriters―the original artists―have often been overlooked. This book is a special tribute to the invaluable contributions of these cinematic visionaries, many of whom are considered among the greatest screenwriters in American film history. As Orson Welles once said, In my opinion, the writer should have the first and last word in filmmaking. This book allows them to have that exciting opportunity.
Some of the highlights from these interviews include: Betty Comden and Adolph Green's explaining how a nightclub skit became the premise for Singin' in the Rain; Ernest Lehman's description of how, while in conversation with Hitchcock, his unconscious suddenly solved the plot problems in North by Northwest; Carl Gottlieb's remembrance of the terrible pressure involved with writing the script for Jaws while shooting was already underway; and Sylvester Stallone's account of how he received final approval to star in Rocky from studio executives who thought he was just another actor.

Classic American Films: Conversations with the Screenwriters

Humor & Entertainment

Baer, William

Movies

Praeger

Candid, fiercely independent opinions from the Caribbean poet & playwright who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992.

Conversations With Derek Walcott (Literary Conversations Series)

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

Univ Pr of Mississippi

A unique collection of uncompromising poetic portraits written in the tradition of Masters, Robinson, and the verse portraits of Pound and Eliot. Each portrait has a specific, unsettling tale to tell, and the sum total of these poems provides a powerful commentary on contemporary life in the American fin de siecle.

The Unfortunates: Poems

Poetry

Truman State Univ Pr

A unique collection of uncompromising poetic portraits written in the tradition of Masters, Robinson, and the verse portraits of Pound and Eliot. Each portrait has a specific, unsettling tale to tell, and the sum total of these poems provides a powerful commentary on contemporary life in the American fin de siecle.

New Odyssey Press

Write poetry in the great metrical tradition of Dante, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Frost, and the poets of the current Formalist revival. In this contemporary guide, you'll learn how to write metrical poetry in all the major forms, from blank verse and quatrains to sonnets and villanelles. Each chapter provides step-by-step instruction that's accessible and easy to understand for even the beginning poet. This book includes unique features difficult to find anywhere else: Essential but non-intimidating instruction on meter and rhyme; Focused assignments detailing how to make your first attempt at a specific form; Illuminating discussions on pop culture, figures of speech, difficult themes, and other important topics; An engaging overview of poetry's history, and why it's important to learn the traditional forms; Complementing the instruction are many classic and contemporary poems, including recent work by Richard Wilbur, Wendy Cope, X.J. Kennedy, Dana Gioia, Rachel Hadas, Wyatt Prunty, Alicia Stallings, and many others; Writing Metrical Poetry is the perfect course in metrical poetry for the person working alone or working in the classroom.

Writing Metrical Poetry

Measure Press Inc.

Write poetry in the great metrical tradition of Dante, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Frost, and the poets of the current Formalist revival&amp;break;&amp;break;In this contemporary guide, you'll learn how to write metrical poetry in all the major forms, from blank verse and quatrains to sonnets and villanelles. Each chapter provides step-by-step instruction that's accessible and easy to understand for even the most beginning poet.
&amp;break;&amp;break;This book includes unique features difficult to find anywhere else:
<ul>&amp;break;<li>Essential but non-intimidating instruction on meter and rhyme&amp;break;</li>
<li>Focused assignments detailing how to make your first attempt at a specific form&amp;break;</li>
<li>Illuminating discussions on pop culture, figures of speech, difficult themes, and other important topics&amp;break;</li>
<li>An engaging overview of poetry's history, and why it's important to learn the traditional forms</li>
</ul>&amp;break;&amp;break;Complementing the instruction are many classic and contemporary poems, including recent work by Richard Wilbur, Wendy Cope, X.J. Kennedy, Dana Gioia, Rachel Hadas, Wyatt Prunty, Alicia Stallings, and many others. &amp;break;&amp;break;Writing Metrical Poetry is the perfect course in metrical poetry for the person working alone or working in the classroom.

Writers' Digest Books

About the Author\nWilliam Baer, a recent Guggenheim fellow, is the author of twenty-two books including NEW JERSEY NOIR: THE JACK COLT MURDER MYSTERY NOVELS, BOOK ONE (Able Muse Press, 2018); NEW JERSEY NOIR-CAPE MAY: THE JACK COLT MURDER MYSTERY NOVELS, BOOK TWO (Able Muse Press, 2021); TIMES SQUARE AND OTHER STORIES (Able Muse Press, 2015); One- and-Twenty Tales; Companion; The Ballad Rode into Town; Formal Salutations: New & Selected Poems; Classic American Films; and The Unfortunates (recipient of the T.S. Eliot Award). A former Fulbright in Portugal, he's also received the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award and a Creative Writing Fellowship in fiction from the National Endowment for the Arts.\nAfter solving the assassination case of his beloved uncle, Colt finds himself truly alone, ditched by his girlfriend. However, there's not much respite or time for introspection for him: he's called on again to solve a new murder case, along with a suspiciously related cold case. What follows is another gripping tale in the backdrop of the Garden State's sights and scenes, including its picturesque beaches, casinos, and the rural Pine Barrens. In New Jersey Noir: Cape May-Book Two of his Jack Colt Murder Mystery Novels series-William Baer continues to enchant and spellbind.PRAISE FOR NEW JERSEY NOIR: CAPE MAY:In Jack Colt, William Baer gives us a private detective perfectly suited for the Garden State: gritty, charming in spite of himself, sidesplittingly hilarious and incomparably authentic. Baer proves himself the Sinatra of Noir, the Edison of Intrigue, the Springsteen of Suspense-and a rightful heir to Hammett and Chandler. Far more fun than a night out in Atlantic City or a weekend at the Jersey Shore.- Jacob M. Appel, author of Millard Salter’s Last DayPRAISE FOR WILLIAM BAER:“New Jersey Noir introduces an ultracool hometown detective from Paterson, set perfectly in his well-detailed locales. The writing is crisp, sarcastic, wryly funny, steeped in New Jersey lore and anecdotes that add great historical and cultural dimensions to its mystery.”- Robin Farrell Edmunds, Foreword Reviews (Five-star review)“A brilliant debut novel . . . precise prose, perfect pacing, stunning imagery, complex characterization, grand historical and cultural contexts, and a superb sense of place.”- Hollis Seamon, author of Somebody Up There Hates You“Not since Donna Tartt’s The Secret History have I read a novel as mesmerizing, engrossing, and delectable as William Baer’s New Jersey Noir. In prose as fast-moving as a bullet, Baer compels the reader to keep flipping pages more and more rapidly. The writing is taut and gut-wrenching.”- Terri Brown-Davidson, author of Marie, Marie, Hold On Tight“Baer evokes a cinematic chiaroscuro New Jersey-specifically Paterson-its history and politics limned over a baseline of Springsteen, doo-wop, and Whitney Houston.”- Dennis Must, author of Hush Now, Don’t ExplainABOUT THE AUTHOR:William Baer, a recent Guggenheim fellow, is the author of twenty-two books including New Jersey Noir; Times Square and Other Stories; One-and-Twenty Tales; Companion; The Ballad Rode into Town; Formal Salutations: New & Selected Poems; Classic American Films; and The Unfortunates (recipient of the T.S. Eliot Award). A former Fulbright in Portugal, he’s also received the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award and a Creative Writing Fellowship in fiction from the National Endowment for the Arts.

New Jersey Noir - Cape May: A Novel (The Jack Colt Murder Mystery Novels)

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Mystery

Able Muse Press

After Jack Colt is hired by a pretty FBI agent to solve a horrific murder case in Barnegat Light, he finds himself called upon by the daughter of a distinguished judge to another murder scene. Although Colt remembers that his uncle once warned him that “Only an idiot takes two cases at the same time,” he nonetheless takes up the challenge. Along the way, there is yet another case involving the family of the powerful state governor, which he turns down, and yet cannot resist casually working on in the background. The result is fast-paced, suspenseful action that propels Colt through the Garden State, New York City, and all the way to California and Arizona. William Baer has outdone himself with this can’t-put-down third installment of his critically acclaimed Jack Colt Murder Mystery Novels. 
PRAISE FOR NEW JERSEY NOIR: BARNEGAT LIGHT: 
In Jack Colt, William Baer gives us a private detective perfectly suited for the Garden State: gritty, charming in spite of himself, sidesplittingly hilarious and incomparably authentic. Baer proves himself the Sinatra of Noir, the Edison of Intrigue, the Springsteen of Suspense—and a rightful heir to Hammett and Chandler. Far more fun than a night out in Atlantic City or a weekend at the Jersey Shore. 
— Jacob M. Appel, author of Millard Salter’s Last Day 
PRAISE FOR WILLIAM BAER’S JACK COLT MURDER MYSTERY SERIES: 
“William Baer brilliantly mixes all the human emotions. . . . The layers, the depth, the characters, the intrigue, and the references to local settings all captivate and draw the reader in. I love books like this! A rarity! Five stars!” 
— Robert Leon Davis, Reader Views (Five-star review) 
“A brilliant debut novel . . . precise prose, perfect pacing, stunning imagery, complex characterization, grand historical and cultural contexts, and a superb sense of place.” 
— Hollis Seamon, author of Somebody Up There Hates You 
“Not since Donna Tartt’s The Secret History have I read a novel as mesmerizing, engrossing, and delectable as William Baer’s New Jersey Noir. In prose as fast-moving as a bullet, Baer compels the reader to keep flipping pages more and more rapidly. The writing is taut and gut-wrenching.” 
— Terri Brown-Davidson, author of Marie, Marie, Hold On Tight 
“With a head for crime and his own set of scruples, Jack moves effortlessly through the seamy underbelly of the state he loves. . . . [T]his is a can’t-put-it-down thrill ride.” 
— Publishers Weekly, (Five-star review) 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
William Baer, a recent Guggenheim fellow, is the author of twenty-two books including New Jersey Noir; Times Square and Other Stories; One-and-Twenty Tales; Companion; The Ballad Rode into Town; Formal Salutations: New & Selected Poems; Classic American Films; and The Unfortunates (recipient of the T.S. Eliot Award). A former Fulbright in Portugal, he’s also received the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award and a Creative Writing Fellowship in fiction from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Barnegat Light: A Novel (The Jack Colt Murder Mystery Novels)

Many Words Press-an imprint of Able Muse Press-is proud to introduce Advocatus Diaboli of the Catholic Themes, initiating a new series by the author of the popular Jack Colt mystery series:\nAdvocatus Diaboli is the story of a murder mystery caught up in a canonization cause. International in scope, it unravels though Washington, DC, Rome, the Vatican, Ireland, and elsewhere. It interrogates the making and makeup of a Modern-day saint, juxtaposed to forces for good or ill working to upend or uphold the cause, in the backdrop of the day-to-day failings or goodness of its cast of characters and hagiographies of related saints of the past. Advocatus Diaboli is spellbinding as the best mystery novels and spiritually fulfilling in ways few of them could hope to, or even, care to achieve.\nPRAISE FOR ADVOCATUS DIABOLI:\nIt's much easier to depict wickedness than sanctity, vice than virtue. It's much easier to portray a whiskey priest than a genuine believable saint. The reason is simple. It's difficult to depict sanctity without succumbing to either the saccharin or the preachy. William Baer has shown himself a consummate novelist in the manner in which goodness is portrayed without preachiness in this gritty tour de force of a story, which has as many twists and turns as the finest page-turning mystery story. This is fiction at its finest. 
- Joseph Pearce, author of The Quest for Shakespeare\nFrom the opening pages of William Baer's Advocatus Diaboli straight through to its moving conclusion, the reader is irrevocably hooked. This is a brave novel and a brave novelist, unafraid to address the unfashionable questions of faith and doubt, to posit the possibility (though never the certainty) of an immanent divinity at work in the lives of ordinary men and women, the human need for grace, and the power of redemptive suffering to save us from ourselves and each other. Baer writes in the tradition of Graham Greene, Walker Percy, Andre Dubus, and Ron Hansen, among others-Catholic fiction writers each of whom says "No! in thunder" to both the nihilism and easy belief of his era. Compelling and credible, Baer has given us that rare gift-a clear-eyed, intelligent, religious novel that eschews the pieties of doubters and unthinking believers alike. 
- Angela Alaimo O'Donnell, author of Andalusian Hours: Poems\nBaer draws characters who face a world larger, stranger, and more vast than they at first know. Its sharp edges and fleshly longings are confused and influenced by forces modernity would like to ignore-ones of both great evil and divine good, that in the words of Solzhenistsyn, ultimately lie not in the physical world at all, but cut right through the center of every human heart. 
- A. G. Harmon, author of Some Bore Gifts: Stories\nABOUT THE AUTHOR:\nWilliam Baer is the author of thirty books including Times Square and Other Stories, Psalter: A Sequence of Catholic Sonnets, Classic American Films: Conversations with the Screenwriters, Luís de Camões: Selected Sonnets (translations from the Portuguese); and the Jack Colt Mystery series, New Jersey Noir. A graduate of Rutgers, NYU, South Carolina, the Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars, and USC Cinema, he's been the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright (Portugal), an NEA fellowship in fiction, the T. S. Eliot Award, and the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award. He was also the founding editor of the Formalist, the founding director of the St. Robert Southwell Summer Workshops, and the film critic and poetry editor at Crisis.

Advocatus Diaboli: A Novel (The Catholic Themes, Book One)

Many Words

Fiction. Short Stories. In William Baer's TIMES SQUARE AND OTHER STORIES, there are everyday characters walking extraordinary paths for love; there are smart, skillful characters struggling to reconcile their viewpoints and convictions with the status quo in fields such as art, education, the cinema and religious doctrine. There is baseball and the story of the skills, training and ethics of pitching in the big leagues. And there is war and an enemy invasion juxtaposed with a do-or-die chess game. The stories take us coast to coast from New York to LA, away to South America, and overseas to Eastern and Western Europe. This is a fun-filled, fact-filled collection that smoothly melds scholarship with the everyday for unique, fresh, and highly intelligent stories, which are also highly entertaining.  "How wonderful to come across such a serious collection of short stories! Not 'serious' as in boring and tendentious; but serious as in grown- up, broadminded, large-hearted, sharply observed, and dryly, obliquely funny. Bill Baer's fiction kicks ass."—Pinckney Benedict  "As elegantly written as they are inventive, the short stories in TIMES SQUARE AND OTHER STORIES engage the reader all the way from the title piece, an ambitious tale that draws upon art, love, and the complex beauty of the human narrative, through eight other works that touch upon the timeless questions of what it means to create and to act, to be and to pretend. Baer's collection achieves that Horatian goal so sorely lacking in much of contemporary fiction—informing while delighting at the same time. The obligation to craft is taken very seriously in these pages, but the effort that undoubtedly went into their composition could easily be overlooked due to the skill with which they are rendered, and the degree to which they are enjoyed."—A.G. Harmon "TIMES SQUARE AND OTHER STORIES, William Baer's twice-measured fictions, channel the reflecting reflections of James and Borges back into our self-conscious consciousness. Like the four-story signs plastering the 'real' Times Square, these signs sing themselves, maps as detailed as the things they represent. These fictions resuscitate Poe's unities of effects, breathing life back into the simulacrum of life. I loved this book; it can't help but blurb itself!"—Michael Martone

Times Square and Other Stories

United States

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Baer, William. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Baer, William

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Baer, William. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Classic American Films: Conversations with the Screenwriters

Conversations With Derek Walcott (Literary Conversations Series)

The Unfortunates: Poems

The Unfortunates: Poems

Writing Metrical Poetry

Writing Metrical Poetry

New Jersey Noir - Cape May: A Novel (The Jack Colt Murder Mystery Novels)

Barnegat Light: A Novel (The Jack Colt Murder Mystery Novels)

Advocatus Diaboli: A Novel (The Catholic Themes, Book One)

Times Square and Other Stories