The Studio

If you like dry humor. Black comedy. If you know a little bit about the inter workings of Hollywood, this book is so damn funny. I have been letting all my friends borrow it.

For those who tend to think of Hollywood in terms of glitz and glamour, this revealing book tells a different story. It shows the day-by-day struggles of Executive Producer Richard Zanuck to steer his studio, 20th Century Fox through the difficult era of the 1960's when public tastes were changing and studio were doing their best to cater to the new attitudes of society. In brief, we follow the production and promotion of "Dr. Doolittle", one of the last of the big Hollywood musicals in an era when musicals were on their way out. We get to see the large number of scripts which are presented to Zanuck, which ones are rejected and which ones later became movies. For those who are interested in the inner working of the old studio system, this book is a worthwhile read.

One of the best ever depictions of a movie studio in action. The author was given full access to what went on at Twentieth Century Fox, and uses his literary skills to fine advantage to give a full view of the successes and (especially) the failures of those in charge. Written with great insight and humor.

I thought I would read this after reading several of Joan Didion' s books. I' m glad I did. To discover the concern and attention that so many, well-paid adults demonstrate over the profit potential for movies meant for children isn't surprising, but somehow reinforces the power of the "almighty dollar" over everything.

An nteresting story full of detail and name-dropping, very similar to the style of brother Dominick, which I also like.