Straight from the Horse's Mouth: Ronald Neame, an Autobiography (Volume 98) (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series, 98) - Softcover

Neame, Ronald; Cooper, With Barbara Roisman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810848996 ISBN 13: 9780810848993

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2003

Synopsis

Now in Paperback! Ronald Neame's autobiography takes its title from one of his best-loved films, The Horse's Mouth (1958), starring Alec Guinness. In an informative and entertaining style, Neame discusses the making of that film, along with several others, including In Which We Serve, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter, Great Expectations, Tunes of Glory, I Could Go on Singing, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Scrooge, The Poseidon Adventure, and Hopscotch. Straight from the Horse's Mouth provides a fascinating, first-hand account of a unique filmmaker, who began his career as assistant cameraman on Hitchcock's first talkie, Blackmail, and went on to direct Maggie Smith, Judy Garland, Walter Matthau, and many other prominent performers. The book includes tales of the on-and-off-the-set antics of comedian George Formby, and original accounts of his experiences working with Noel Coward and David Lean. This is not simply an autobiography, but rather a history of British cinema from the 1920s through the 1960s, and Hollywood cinema from the 1960s through the present. Aside from Neame's own writing, the book contains original commentary by many of his contemporaries and associates including Alec Guinness, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Shirley MacLaine, Walter Matthau, John Mills and Shelley Winters. Includes more than 40 photos!

About this title

About the Author:

Ronald Neame has enjoyed an unparalleled career in the film industry, beginning as an assistant cameraman in his native England in the 1920s, becoming a director of photography with such major motion pictures as Major Barbara, In Which We Serve, and Blithe Spirit, and later graduating to producer and director with Take My Life, The Golden Salamander, The Card, The Man Who Never Was, and some 20 other feature films. Barbara Roisman Cooper is a freelance writer specializing in celebrity profiles for various publications.

Review:

Ronald Neame's life story reads like a veritable Who's Who of the movie business. (The Director's Guild Of America)

The name Ronald Neame should be a household word...A virtual who's-who history of the film business, here and in England, since the beginning of sound films...it's a book that deserves a read by anyone interested in the endlessly fascinating process of filmmaking, especially those who, like Neame, pursue their passion with class, style and wit. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Both amusing and informative...Cinematographers will delight in the many colorful stories Neame relates about filmmaking in this engaging autobiography, and it's required reading for anyone interested in the history of British film. (American Cinematographer)

Yours is an extraordinary life, and I found the book enthralling. It encompasses so much of our film history, and for you to have mastered three great film crafts, to have worked with Hitch, Coward, Lean, Guinness, Powell, and Pressburger, even Garland and Formby, and to have been responsible for such magnificent films as The Horse's Mouth, Tunes of Glory, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie places you firmly in the pantheon of great British filmmakers. (George Perry London Times)

a charming memoir. (Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times)

Any career that spans across eight decades is quite an achievement, particularly a career that's been so consistently distinguished and adventurous, a career of such passionate pursuits. More than a career, really―a Life. (Martin Scorsese)

You'll enjoy his book. (The Veteran)

Given that Neame collaborated with the likes of David Lean and Noel Coward, he recalls some impressive anecdotes, the choicest of which can be found in his consistently engrossing autobiography. Told in a gentlemanly style, the book provides a valuable first hand record of what it was like to work in the British Film industry in the Thirties and Forties. As for Neame's experiences in Hollywood, they're the icing on the already delicious cake. (Film Review, (Uk))

Intriguing...I couldn't put it down and read it all in one sitting, as David Lean, who features very heavily would have said 'A bloody good read.' (British Society of Cinematographers Newsletter)

Long-overdue, revealing, and extremely readable (Academy)

About this edition

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0810848996
• ISBN 13: 9780810848993
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 328