Perhaps one of the most diverse collections of stories one will encounter, A Wonderful Waste of Time embraces comedy, absurdity, complexity, sincerity and yes, stupidity into a compilation that has something in it for everyone. An out-of-work insurance salesman and a stuntman pass the time on a lengthy flight to Japan by discussing life, movies and everything in between. Theories are professed and questions are pondered: Do Japanese women crave hairy chests? What is a "graver"? Who is Sampson Paine? And has anyone ever stormed the refrigerator on an airplane to stave off starvation? If that were not enough, the plethora of short stories that follow show the true spirit of this book. From gloriously intense road rage and a chronic-masturbating super-villain to love long lost and stories with Wilde and Kafka familiarity, every new story is a surprise unto itself. A Wonderful Waste of Time is as funny as it is thought-provoking and surreal. Ultimately candid and fresh, this is a must-read for those who shun the beaten path of the written word.

A Wonderful Waste of Time

Literature & Fiction

Weaver, Tom

Humor & Satire

iUniverse

Attack of the Monster Movie Makers: Interviews With 20 Genre Giants

Arts & Photography

Performing Arts

McFarland Publishing

These men and women saved the planet from aliens, behemoths, monsters, zombies, and other bloated, stumbling threats-in the movies, at least-and now they tell their stories. Julie Adams, John Agar, Richard Anderson, John Archer, Jeanne Bates, Billy Benedict, Turhan Bey, Lloyd Bridges, Ricou Browning, Robert Cornthwaite, Louise Currie, Richard Denning, Anne Francis, Mark Goddard, June Lockhart, Eugene Lourie, Jeff Morrow, Lori Nelson, Rex Reason, William Schallert, Don Taylor, George Wallace and Jane Wyatt give behind-the-scenes insights into such classic movies as Creature from the Black Lagoon, Forbidden Planet, Destination Moon and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. They also discuss the impact "monster-fighting" had on their careers and what they are now doing. Some interviews were previously published in different form in fan magazines.

They Fought in the Creature Features: Interviews With 23 Classic Horror, Science Fiction and Serial Stars

Humor & Entertainment

Movies

Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Flashbacks: Conversations with 24 Actors, Writers, Producers and Directors from the Golden Age

a new collection of interviews that go behind the scenes of Golden Age science fiction, horror and fantasy filmmaking. Among the interviewed are Casey Adams, John Badham, Anthony Carbone, Robert Clarke, Robin Kirkman, Gene Evans, Alex Gordon, Jackie Joseph, Ken Miller, John Moxey, Arthur Ross, Arianne Ulmer, Debra Paget and Edward Dmytryk.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Flashbacks: Conversations With 24 Actors, Writers, Producers and Directors from the Golden Age

John Carradine played a wildly varied series of characters - those he constructed for himself as well as those he played on stage and in film. And what characters they were, ranging in real life from "banana messenger" to flamboyant Shakespearean actor to loutish drunk, and onscreen from Casy in The Grapes of Wrath (1940) to a blood-drinking poetry lover in Vampire Hookers (1979). No book has ever captured Carradine's entire film career until now. This complete filmography, from his first appearance (Tol'able David, 1930) to his last (Buried Alive, 1990), is packed with detail and lavishly illustrated - the essential Carradine reference for every film historian and fan.

John Carradine: The Films

Biographies & Memoirs

Mank, Gregory William

Arts & Literature

The people who directed, produced, and starred in the scary and fantastic movies of the genre heyday over thirty years ago created memorable experiences as well as memorable movies. This McFarland Classic brings together over fifty interviews with the directors, producers, actors, and make-up artists of science fiction and horror films of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. From B movies to classics, Samuel Z. Arkoff to Acquanetta, these veteran vampire baits, swamp monsters, and flying saucers attackees share their memories. This classic volume represents the union of two previous volumes: Interviews with B Science Fiction and Horror Movie Makers ("more fun than the lovably cheap movies that inspired it"-Booklist/RBB); and Science Fiction Stars and Horror Heroes ("candid...a must" -ARBA). Together at last, this combined collection of interviews offers a candid and delightful perspective on the movies that still make audiences squeal with fear, and occasionally, howl with laughter.

Return of the B Science Fiction and Horror Movie Makers: Writers, Producers, Directors, Actors, Moguls and Makeup

Poverty row horror films were usually inexpensively (some would say cheaply) produced with writing that ranged from bad to atrocious. Yet these movies with their all-star horror casts (Carradine, Lugosi, Karloff, et al.) and their ape men, mad monsters, devil bats and white zombies still have a loyal audience 50 years after their release. Essays contain full filmographic data on the 31 horror chillers made by the three studios from 1940 through 1946 and are arranged by year of release. Each entry includes the date of release, length, production credits, cast credits, interview quotes, and a plot synopsis with critical commentary. Filmographies for prominent horror actors and actresses, from John Abbott to George Zucco, are provided in the appendices.

Poverty Row HORRORS!: Monogram, PRC and Republic Horror Films of the Forties (McFarland Classics S)

Reference

McFarland

David Hedison, who plays a tiny human-headed insect menaced by a spider at the climax of The Fly (1958), says the moviemakers spoiled the scene by giving him a squeaky voice. "Imagine if, as the camera moved in closer, you actually heard me screeeeaming for my life. That is horror. That is horror." In Tom Weaver's eighth interview book, Hedison--and 22 other moviemakers--talk about their horror and science fiction movie experiences as part of such films and TV series as The Blob, It Came from Outer Space, Tarzan the Ape Man, Star Trek, The Wild Wild West, Somewhere in Time, The Devil Bat and Forbidden Planet. Among those interviewed are Dan O'Herlihy, Kate Phillips, John Alvin, Anthony Cardoza, Tod Griffin, Alex and Richard Gordon, Suzanne Kaaren, and Warren Stevens. Full credits are provided for the actors, actresses, and producers.

Science Fiction Confidential: Interviews With Monster Stars & Filmmakers

This whopping big McFarland Classic brings together 43 interviews with horror and science fiction movie writers, producers, directors and the men and women who saved the planet from aliens, behemoths, robots, zombies, and other sinister, stumbling threats-in the movies, at least. The interviewees reminisce about some of their great (and not so great!) films and tell their stories. This classic volume represents the union of two previous volumes: 1994's Attack of the Monster Movie Makers ("anecdotes are frank and revealing"-Video Watchdog); and 1995's They Fought in the Creature Features ("a fun book for all SF film enthusiasts"-Interzone). Together at last, this combined collection of interviews offers a candid and delightful perspective on the movies that still make audiences howl and squeal (though fear has long been replaced with sweet nostalgia).

Double Feature Creature Attack: A Monster Merger of Two More Volumes of Classic Interviews

Tom Weaver's classic fifth volume of interviews is now back in print. Originally published as It Came from Weaver Five in 1996, this collection goes behind the scenes with 20 of the most talkative people of Hollywood's horror, science fiction and serial films of the 1930s through 1960s. Delores Fuller loaned Ed Wood her angora sweater, but didn't fully realize he was a transvestite until Glen or Glenda was released. Tom Hennesy played the title role in Clint Eastwood's first movie--Revenge of the Creature. The interviewees include Fuller, Hennesy, Junior Coghlan, Charlotte Austin, Les Baxter, John Clifford, Mara Corday, Kathleen Crowley, Michael Fox, Anne Gwynne, Linda Harrison, Michael Pate, Gil Perkins, Walter Reed, Joseph F. Robertson, Aubrey Schenck, Sam Sherman, Gloria Stuart, Gregory Walcott and Robert Wise. Also included is "A Salute to Ed Wood," with illustrations by Drew Friedman.

It Came from Horrorwood: Interviews with Moviemakers in the SF and Horror Tradition

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