Born in 1916 in La Jolla, California, Gregory Peck took up acting in college on a lark that would lead to a career. In his early years, he appeared in a series of summer stock engagements and Broadway shows. He became a star within a year after arriving in Hollywood during World War II, and he won an Academy Award nomination for his second film. From the 1940s to the present, he has played some of film's most memorable and admired characters. This volume provides complete information about Gregory Peck's work in film, television, radio, and the stage. Entries are included for all of his performances, with each entry providing cast and credit information, a plot summary, excerpts from reviews, and critical commentary. A biography and chronology highlight significant events in his life, while a listing of his honors and awards summarizes the recognition he has received over the years. For researchers seeking additional information, the book includes descriptions of special collections holding material related to Peck's work, along with an extensive bibliography of books and articles.

Lillian Russell was the Victorian era's symbol of talent, charm, and beauty. She was introduced by impresario Tony Pastor in 1880, and was considered an emblem of feminine beauty until the turn of the century. Although her voice still set a standard of excellence, by that time America's vision of loveliness had changed, and her middle-aged body could not meet the new challenge on the musical stage. Russell responded with extraordinary resilience. She adapted with the times and became the Igrande dameR of the American theatre in non-musical plays, burlesque, variety, and the lecture circuit. She wrote widely-read newspaper columns in which she pioneered an optimistic philosophy of self-help, and she used her numerous connections to champion the causes that she held dear.

Carefully researched, this reference book is a comprehensive and thoroughly documented guide to Lillian Russell's life and career. A biography places her in the social and cultural context of her time and adds previously ignored information about her parents, birth, coming-of-age in the Midwest, early career, daughter, and death. A chronology then gives a detailed listing of events in her life and career. The chapters that follow are devoted to her many performances. Entries in each section provide cast and credit information, plot synopses, review excerpts, and critical commentary. Several appendices offer additional information about her work, and an extensive annotated bibliography lists sources of additional information.

The time is 1887. From any window in Georgia O'Keeffe's Sun Prairie, Wisconsin birthplace home she only saw the Wisconsin prairie with its traces of roads veering around the flat marshlands and a vast sky that lifted her soul. At twelve years of age Georgia had a defining moment when she declared, "I want to be an artist." Years later from her east-facing window in Canyon, Texas she observed the Texas Panhandle sky with its focus points on the plains and a great canyon of earth history colors streaking across the flat land. Georgia's love of the vast, colorful prairie, plains and sky again gave definition to her life when she discovered Ghost Ranch north of Abiquiu, New Mexico. She fell prey to its charms which were not long removed from the echoes of the "Wild West." These views of prairie, plains and sky became Georgia's muses as she embarked on her step-by-step path with her role models--Alon Bement, Arthur Jerome Dow and Wassily Kandinsky. In this two-part biography of which this is Part I covering the period 1887-1945, Nancy Hopkins Reily "walks the Sun Prairie Land," as if in Georgia's day as a prologue to her family's friendship with Georgia in the 1940s and 1950s. Reily chronicles Georgia's defining days within the arenas of landscape, culture, people and the history surrounding each, a discourse level that Georgia would easily recognize. The book includes bibliographical references and indes. NANCY HOPKINS REILY was a classic outdoor color portraitist for more than twenty years and has taught portrait workshops at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas where she had a one-woman show of her portraits. Her advance studies included an invitational workshop with Ansel Adams. Reily graduated from Southern Methodist University and lives in Lufkin, Texas. She is also the author of "Classic Outdoor Color Portraits" and "Joseph Imhof, Artist of the Pueblos," both from Sunstone Press.

Many life stories are represented in this book that is presented as a poetic autobiography. The author uses the poetic "voice" to announce that we are all "wonderfully made" despite being told or treated otherwise. Although there is anger, pain and protest on the pages, there is also love, pleasure and power included. The book is both cultural autobiography and poetry therapy. It is both sad and sassy. The goal is for the reader to leave the work with a new sense of priceless value. What is most interesting is that the author gets to your heart and brain with powerful poetry that can assist you with self expression and empowerment.

The life and career of Henry Fonda, one of Hollywood's greatest stars, are detailed in this bio-bibliography that places equal emphasis on the actor's professional and private lives. The reference provides a complete and detailed guide to Fonda's films, television, theater, radio, recordings, awards, video releases, and a comprehensive bibliography. A detailed index makes it easy to look up every significant actor and filmmaker with whom Fonda worked. Also included are filmographies of Jane and Peter Fonda.

Feathers of Color What it was like playing the Famous BigBird " An American Icon" is about the journey of a man who became one of the world's biggest stars. In this book Lionel Douglass shares the days before he reached stardom as the Sesame Street character, and the book will touch on several phases of his life, giving you a glimpse of his life's paths. This book will make you realize that we all have a destiny. Part of Lionel's destiny was to secure a spot in history, and join the ranks of those who have been affiliated with one of the biggest television shows for children. This book touches upon the life of a middle-class, small-town boy with dreams, which were answered as a young-adult by becoming one of the famous Bigbirds, on stage and screen. Learn the interesting story of how Lionel became one of the famous Bigbirds, and how Jim Henson, Caroll Spinney, Anita Mann, as well as Kermit Love helped school and condition him to represent and portray the work of this Muppet great Travel along with Lionel and find out how he was snubbed by members of the Sesame Street organization despite his vital contributions to the show's survival. Ride with him, and share his journey as he tells the world about a dreamer who embraced the opportunity to become one of the world's largest icons, and some of his fascinating adventures along the way. Just sit back and relax, and enjoy Lionel Douglass' story of an African American who relished the chance to portray such a world-renowned icon.

This volume presents the life and works of Robert Russell Bennett, whose prolific career as composer and arranger spanned much of the twentieth century. George J. Ferencz chronicles how Bennett's concert works, orchestrations, and commercial scores both reflected and enhanced the musical vitality of New York City, where he spent most of his professional life. Although Bennett enjoyed commercial success, his stylistic preferences embraced the classics, and Ferencz appropriately focuses his study on Bennett's original concert works rather than his popular scores. Ferencz introduces the artist with a lengthy biographical profile, followed by a complete list of works and selected performances which features compositions rather than arrangements in an effort to document those works most representative of Bennett's singular talent. All of Bennett's known commercial recordings are cataloged in the discography, and an annotated bibliography highlights writings about the composer and his works. Subsequent appendixes list commercial orchestrations and original scores for shows, film, and television, and a full index completes the work.

In this entertaining and poignant autobiography, EastEnders star Sid Owen chronicles a life filled with incredible highs and devastating lows, with his trademark humour and charm. Sid Owen is best known for playing the hapless but loveable EastEnders character Ricky Butcher, one of Britain's most enduring soap icons. What people don't know is that Sid's early life saw more drama than anything his character endured. His father was an armed robber who was sent to prison when Sid was very young. Sid went out 'on the rob' from an early age, breaking into shops and seeing it as a big adventure. Sid lived happily with his mum and siblings on a sprawling north London council estate until he was seven, when his mum died and the brothers were split up. Feeling confused, unloved and unhappy, Sid was heading towards a life of crime. Acting offered an escape from his troubled home life and his teen years played out between extremes - at thirteen he was working with Al Pacino and Donald Sutherland on the movie Revolution; at sixteen he was living in an Islington squat with his brothers when his work brought him to the attention of the EastEnders producers. From Rags to Ricky is Sid's moving, unforgettable account of his north London childhood during the late 1970s and 80s. His natural storytelling skills, authentic voice, ear for dialogue and sharp eye for detail transform this story of loss and deprivation into a timeless tale of one individual's struggle to defy the hand fate dealt him and come out winning.

Reflections on the late Arthur Miller from over seventy writers, actors, directors and friends, with 'Arthur Miller Remembers' an interview with the writer from 1995. Following his death in February 2005, newspapers were filled with tributes to the man regarded by many as the greatest playwright of the twentieth century. Published as a celebration and commemoration of his life, Part I of Remembering Arthur Miller is a collection of over seventy specially commissioned pieces from writers, actors, directors and friends, providing personal, critical and professional commentary on the man who gave the theatre such timeless classics as All my Sons, A View from the Bridge, The Death of a Salesman, and The Crucible. Contributors read like a Who's Who of theatre, film and literature: Edward Albee, Alan Ayckbourn, Brian Cox, Richard Eyre, Joseph Fiennes, Nadine Gordimer, Dustin Hoffman, Warren Mitchell, Harold Pinter, Vanessa Redgrave and Tom Stoppard, to name but a few. Part II, 'Arthur Miller Remembers', is an in-depth and wide-ranging interview conducted with Miller in 1995. commentary and analysis both of Miller's life and the life of twentieth century America, including Miller's upbringing in Harlem, the Depression, marriage to Marilyn Monroe, post-war America, being sentenced to prison by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1956, and his presidency of the writer's organisation, PEN International, as well as commentary and analysis of his many plays and his reflections on the theatre in America. October 2005 sees the 90th anniversary of Miller's birth. The much acclaimed new Broadway production of Death of a Salesman opened to rave reviews at the Lyric Theatre, London, in May 2005, starring Brian Dennehy. Miller is a perennial of the theatre. His plays are constantly revived all over the world; and studied on school and university courses. Arthur Miller was born in New York in 1915. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he started a career as a playwright, which resulted in more than 25 important plays. He has also written fiction, screenplays, and non-fiction. He died on February 10 2005.

Unassuming late guitarist Paul Yandell described his career not as one of celebrity but as sideman, the musician that audiences hear while they're focused on the star. From his humble beginnings as a poor Kentucky farm boy learning to play to taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, he ultimately gained the trust and confidence of two of America's finest musicians, Jerry Reed and the incomparable Chet Atkins. Compiled from personal correspondence and interviews, Paul's online posts, and family members, a lifetime in the music business is recounted, from breaking in with the Louvin Brothers in the 1950s to his 25-year association with "Mr. Guitar" Chet Atkins, to his last recording in 2006. Along the way, Paul provides a wealth of information and history about guitar modification, gear and gadgets, and the people and personalities of country music's golden era in the second half of the 20th century.

Anyone who aspires to lead and be successful in any endeavor will profit from reading the Joe Francis story. No matter what your goals might be, you can bet that Joe Francis would encourage and support them in any way he could, even if you were a competitor of his. His credo, to make a poor man rich, came to fruition while he tread his journey and it is indelibly printed in the hearts of many of those who did become rich as a result of following Joe s lead.
Joe Francis had an iron core but was a kind and gentle man with an abundance of dignity and class. His passion was fueled by his love for his wife Flo, who was with him every inch of the way, providing new wind under wings as he faced challenges that seemed to be insurmountable.

For Nova Wallace, life was never easy. Living in poverty, she became a single mom at fifteen, yet she still graduated high school on time. Her determination to provide a better life for her child energized her. She landed a job with GM and started her first semester of community college. Then, when she accepted a promotion, everything changed.

Nova's new job soon guaranteed her financial security, and she bought a condo and a new Cadillac-only to have an injury on the assembly line set her back. She decided to pursue another career, going back to college and renting her condo to her youngest brother. But when a $10,000 bill for violations and fines showed up from her condo association, Nova knew the rug had been swept from under her feet.

Forced to take action, Nova sued her brother on the Judge Joe Brown show. It was just the beginning. She won the lawsuit, but huge legal fees remained. Determined to expunge them, Nova embarked on a journey of justice that left her entangled in personal and professional conflict. It was then that she learned the true meaning of life as an African American woman.

Spanning the course of five years, "Finally Unrestricted" is a brutally honest memoir of betrayal, redemption, and what it means to have a dream-and then lose it.

Cleveland, 1910: For a poor girl whose father has abandoned her, the prospect of becoming an artist is almost non-existent. But Bernice Abbott is resourceful and will happily challenge convention in order to succeed. Setting out to fulfill her dream, she embarks on a journey that will take her from bohemian Greenwich Village to the giddy cafes of 1920s Paris to a New York rising from the ashes of the Great Depression. On the way, illness and a tragic romance test her mettle, but a lucky coincidence leads her to the emerging art form of photography. Transforming herself from `dull' Bernice to cosmopolitan Berenice, she sets the tone for life as a portrait photographer in the Paris of Hemingway and Picasso, and prepares to take on the men who are threatened by her vision and strength.