David Thomson, one of the great living authorities on the movies, is the author of
The New Biographical Dictionary of Film, now in its fifth edition. His books include a biography of
Nicole Kidman, a biography of Orson Welles, and
The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood. His latest works are the acclaimed
Have You Seen...?: A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films and
The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies.
One of Thomson's five favorite books about film, as told to
The Daily Beast:
The Deer Park
by Norman Mailer
I want books you would enjoy reading even if you knew next to nothing about the movies. In that spirit, I start with a novel—Norman Mailer’s The Deer Park (1955)—about an Air Force flier who goes to Hollywood. It’s a vivid description of the place, its talk and sex, and its compromises. Look for a director, Charles Eitel, a man of principle who will name names to keep working.
Read about
the other entries on the list.
See
David Thomson's five best books about making movies.
--Marshal Zeringue
Nicole Kidman, a biography of Orson Welles, and The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood. His latest works are the acclaimed Have You Seen...?: A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films and The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies.
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