Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia: Career Profiles of More Than 2000 Actors and Filmmakers, Past and Present

by Leonard Maltin

Book Overview

This is a guide to films. It contains entries covering films of every genre, which are rated for excellence, and charts the careers of actors, directors, writers, producers, composers and others in off-camera roles. It includes useful indexing for easy reference.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452270588
• ISBN13: 9780452270589
• Release Date: November 1995
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 992 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 6.0" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Movie Mania

I love the movies and movie stars-these books are great if you need info on the movie or the stars in it.

Great Reference Book

I originally purchased this book when I was editing acrostic puzzles, as a reference book, but I find myself referring to it frequently even now, although no longer edit puzzles. It contains "career profiles of more than 2,000 actors and filmmakers, past and present" arranged alphabetically. It also contains "filmographies" for each actor. I'd recommend this book highly.

Not perfect, but indispensable

Initially about a year ago I made the mistake of following the other reviews which panned the book, and did not buy it. I then gradually realized that some of my favorite short bios on IMDB.com were excerpted from Maltin's Encyclopedia. Of course at that point I bought it. There are few, if any, other volumes that quickly give you the sum-up and low-down on 2,000 movie industry people. To say the book has errors and omissions is to me ridiculous...a perfect book would cost a few thousand dollars. Meanwhile, IMDB.com is available as a backstop for searching out hundreds of thousands of details, which wouldn't fit in a reasonably sized volume anyway. Generally speaking, I've gone wrong far more often in rejecting something based on a review or an opinion about a book, movie, etc., than in consuming something recommended -- you can always bail out if a recommender was wrong.

Enjoyable reference book

This is a an extremely informative book on film professionals. Loaded with fascinating facts, it constantly provides interesting information which entertains as well as informs. Maltin's dependable appreciation and high standards for film craft shine through in each entry. A most commendable source of information on key motion picture personnel.