Sam Wasson Knihy

The narrative explores Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious quest to transform American cinema and his broader vision for the film industry. It delves into his creative processes, challenges, and the impact of his groundbreaking work, offering an engaging and insightful look at his legacy. With praise for its entertainment value, the account captures the essence of Coppola's influence on filmmaking and the cultural landscape.

From the New York Times bestselling author comes a revelatory account of the making of a modern American masterpiece. Chinatown is hailed as the Holy Grail of 1970s cinema, known for its notorious twist ending and haunting closing line. This narrative unveils the incredible true story behind its creation, spotlighting the colorful characters of a vibrant Hollywood era. Jack Nicholson shines at the peak of his fame, entangled in a passionate yet doomed romance with Anjelica Huston. Director Roman Polanski, both predator and prey, grapples with the haunting memory of his wife’s brutal murder as he returns to Los Angeles, where his own self-destruction begins to unfold. The narrative also captures the fevered deal-making of Robert Evans, a quintessential producer, and Robert Towne's legendary script, often regarded as the greatest original screenplay ever written. Wasson strips away layers of myth to reveal the true account of this classic film's creation. The story is set against the backdrop of the decline of '70s filmmaker-friendly studios, marking the transition to corporate Hollywood. This exploration will join the ranks of classics like Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, and The Devil's Candy as one of the great movie-world books. Praise for Wasson highlights his talent for chronicling old Hollywood and his flair for style.

"Hollywood: The Oral History covers the history of Hollywood from the Silent era up to the 21st century. What makes this book unique from any other survey of Hollywood's history is that it is the history of an art form through the words of those people who created it - from Harold Lloyd to Katharine Hepburn to Warren Beatty to Jane Fonda and beyond, including directors, writers, producers, editors, designers of sets and costumes. As such, the authenticity of the text is irrefutable. The material in the book - gathered over the decades by the American Film Institute - has never been published before, has never been heard before"--Publisher's description

Here is director Roman Polanski, both predator and prey, haunted by the savage murder of his wife, returning to Los Angeles, where the seeds of his own self- destruction are quickly planted. Here too is Robert Towne's fabled script, widely considered the greatest original screenplay ever written.

Audrey Hepburn is an icon like no other, yet the image many of us have of Hepburn—dainty, immaculate—is anything but true to life. Here, for the first time, Sam Wasson presents the woman behind the little black dress that rocked the nation in 1961. With a colorful cast of characters including Truman Capote, Edith Head, Givenchy, “Moon River” composer Henry Mancini, and, of course, Hepburn herself, Wasson immerses us in the America of the early sixties before Woodstock and birth control, when a not-so-virginal girl by the name of Holly Golightly raised eyebrows across the country, changing fashion, film, and sex for good.

Sam Wasson’s engaging narrative chronicles the remarkable career of Academy Award–winning director Francis Ford Coppola, focusing on his ambitious vision to transform American filmmaking through his production company, American Zoetrope. Founded in San Francisco before Coppola’s monumental success at just thirty, Zoetrope represented his dream of a communal, experimental approach to moviemaking. Despite numerous challenges over fifty years, Coppola's vision endures, particularly through his long-awaited film, Megalopolis, which embodies his utopian ideals. Wasson highlights the intertwined lives of Coppola, his wife Eleanor, and their children, revealing how personal experiences shape artistic endeavors. The narrative also contrasts Coppola's journey with that of his cofounder and former apprentice, George Lucas, showcasing their differing perspectives on art and commerce. Central to this tale is the making of the legendary Apocalypse Now, capturing Coppola's intense experiences in the Philippine jungles. This story, rich with passion and ambition, has remained largely untold until now, offering a profound look at the complexities of creativity and the pursuit of dreams in cinema.

Ein eher leichtes Mädchen namens Holly Golightly sorgte 1961 in Amerika für Kopfschütteln und Naserümpfen. Als unverheiratete, selbstbewusste Frau, die selbst entscheidet wie sie lebt und mit wem sie schläft, brachte sie das Rollenverständnis ihrer Zeit gehörig durcheinander. Bis dahin durften sich amerikanische Frauen ausschließlich um Ehemann, Haushalt und Kinder sorgen. Doch Audrey Hepburn veränderte in Frühstück bei Tiffany ein für alle Mal das Verhältnis der Geschlechter, den Film und die Mode. Was alles bis zu ihrem legendären Auftritt geschah, erzählt Sam Wasson in diesem sorgfältig recherchierten und äußerst unterhaltsamen Buch: Er berichtet vom Streit der Produzenten mit Truman Capote, der für die Verfilmung seines Romans Marilyn Monroe in der Titelrolle sah. Von den diplomatischen Winkelzügen, um die Filmzensurbehörde zu umgehen. Und von Hepburns eigenen Bedenken, die fürchtete, mit dem Film ihren Ruf zu ruinieren. Wer dieses Buch gelesen hat, sieht Frühstück bei Tiffany, Audrey Hepburn und die Stadt New York mit völlig neuen Augen. Sam Wasson studierte Film an der Wesleyan University und an der USC School of Cinematic Arts. Er hat mehrere filmhistorische Arbeiten unter anderem über Blake Edwards – Regisseur von Frühstück bei Tiffany – veröffentlicht. Als Journalist schreibt er regelmäßig in The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Angeleno Magazine und The Huffington Post. Er lebt in Los Angeles und New York.

Jesienią 1960 roku na nowojorskiej Piątej Alei rozpoczęły się zdjęcia do jednego z najsłynniejszych filmów w historii. Opowieść Wassona odkrywa kulisy jego powstawania oraz dokumentuje burzliwą epokę przełomu lat pięćdziesiątych i sześćdziesiątych w Ameryce, przed rewolucją seksualną i powszechnym dostępem do antykoncepcji. Autor przybliża relacje w ekipie filmowej oraz napięcia między jej członkami, jednocześnie ukazując wpływ Audrey Hepburn na modę, politykę płci i nową moralność. W książce pojawiają się wielkie postacie tamtych czasów, takie jak Truman Capote, Blake Edwards czy Henry Mancini. Wasson bada również problemy cenzury, różnice między filmem a powieścią Capote’a oraz wpływ na życie młodych kobiet, które pragnęły odmiany. Książka, pełna smakowitych szczegółów, jest jak powieść o dawnym Hollywood – urokliwym, ale i mrocznym. Autor, znawca filmowy i wykładowca, zdobył uznanie za swoje prace, a ta pozycja została okrzyknięta jedną z najlepszych w popkulturze. Książka ukazuje Audrey Hepburn jako nowoczesną kobietę, a także moment w historii, w którym kobiety zaczęły odrzucać ograniczenia.