David Castell

This book was the first one from the group that published the Films Illustrated magazine series, which pre-dated Empire magazine by two decades. In 1976, Jaws was setting the box office world on fire, thus ending the long history of showcasing roadshows to launch movies. The editors realized how this eventful happening was affecting moviegoer patterns and also how the English cinemagoers were now focused almost solely on American flicks.

This is a well-done book, with an abundance of film stills and an excellent foreword by film actor, and film fan, Oliver Reed. Obviously, this is now out-of-print for printed books, but if you ever find one in a Charing Cross Road bookshop, grab it.


Book Season = Summer… (mer)

During the 1970s, FILMS ILLUSTRATED was the pre-eminent magazine for cinema fans. This was before the days of PREMIERE or EMPIRE, and David Castell was the man behind the curtains. Although the entire FI team was British, they had a heartfelt appreciation for all movies, especially American ones. This slim volume (yes, it's a book) capitalizes on the suddent shift from old studio showcases to the new films then hitting and the associated new flock of stars.

Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery, Steve McQueen, James Caan, Burt Reynolds, and Roger Moore are just some of the film actors highlighted in this tome. There are pictures a'plenty, and it's groovy (not sure if that word was used then) to see some of these folks when they were, um, younger.

Castell and his associates did a whole series of small books on different actors, and they are all fun and informative. Good for collectors, good luck in finding them.


Book Season = Year Round… (mer)

Published in 1981, this book contains 64 short profiles of film actors who's work made a mark in the 1970's. Castell has limited himself to American, Canadian & British stars, but his pieces are informative and opinionated enough to be engaging. The A4 size pages are padded out with copious film stills, mainly black and white.
Many of the actors featured are still working thirty years later, Dustin Hoffman, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford. And some are no longer alive, Christopher Reeves, Jack Lemmon, Roy Scheider. So in a real sense the reader knows more than the writer - yes Clint Eastwood's prowess as a director did grow; Glenda Jackson? Became a politician,
Despite being limited in scope I enjoyed this book and have a long list of films to look out for.… (mer)