Book on Cagney in the 30s coming out in Dec.

[JLNeibaur]

My book The James Cagney Films of the 1930s is set to be released in December. It is available for pre-order at a discount at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1442242191/ref ... 01Z9CT3564" target="_blank

Finished a book on the Clint Eastwood westerns, started one on the Mickey Rooney films. I have been away from comedy since the Charley Chase book that was released last year (have written three books since then, one of which -- The Elvis Movies -- was released last April). I want to get back to comedians after I finish the Rooney book. Decided not to do one on the Andy Clyde Columbias. Got the films together, but the interest in such a topic seems to be way too narrow.

Anyway, if you are interested in the Cagney book, there's the link

[Phillyrich]

Could you say a little bit more? Why did you decide to focus only on the 1930's? Did you find any new (or little known) info on the making of these films?

[JLNeibaur]

Could you say a little bit more? Why did you decide to focus only on the 1930's? Did you find any new (or little known) info on the making of these films?

There are a few reasons why I focused on the 30s. First, a broad overview of all of the films wouldn't allow enough discussion about each. The book would be too long. Also, I think this is probably his strongest decade. He kept making great films after 1939, of course, and those are discussed in concluding chapters, but the focus is on his development, choices as an actor, etc.

New or little known info. Yeah, the odd thing about doing books on major stars is that even if there are several other books out there, you always find something that's like "hey, whoa, I didn't know that." Not a lot, mind you, but there is some of that.

Thanks for asking!

JN

[Booze Movies]

I want to get back to comedians after I finish the Rooney book.

If you are looking for ideas for your next book, I'd like to see books on the films of Danny Kaye or Peter Sellers. I'd be even more interested in a volume on epic comedies (Mad World, The Great Race, Those Magnificent Men..., 1941, Rat Race, etc.).

If you'd consider looking outside of the comedy genre, there hasn't been a good critical book on the films of John Wayne. You could focus on the Westerns to narrow it down a bit.

[JLNeibaur]

Those are all great ideas but right now I am about to do film-by-film books on Mickey Rooney, then W.C. Fields, then Marilyn Monroe. Of course that is subject to change, but that's currently the plan.

I would like to do a book on John Wayne's films some day.

JN

[Booze Movies]

I'm definitely interested in the books on Monroe and Fields (my favorite of all of the classic comedians).

[JLNeibaur]

It has been a long time since a film-by-film book assessing W.C. Fields' work has come out (there was a great biography a few years ago). So I'd like to do one. Sometimes, however, I plan things and another comes along with a book that is too similar to my idea, so I go on to something else. No biggie, but it does sometimes happen. So, barring anything unforeseen, that's the plan.

Thanks again for your ideas

JN

[JLNeibaur]

My book THE JAMES CAGNEY FILMS of the 1930s is already available. It's pretty expensive (I have no say in that) so ask your library to get it if you'd like to read it and don't want to shell out the dough. Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/James-Cagney-Film ... +the+1930s" target="_blank