Shawn Levy Knihy

Paul Newman se zapsal do historie filmu jako jedna z největších hollywoodských legend. Shawn Levy ve své knize sleduje Newmanovu cestu od divadelních začátků až po vrchol, kde spolupracoval s hvězdami jako Elizabeth Taylorová a Robert Redford, a získal řadu oscarových nominací. Kromě úspěchů se kniha nezdráhá přiblížit i temnější stránky života tohoto modrookého lamače srdcí. Newman, oscarový herec známý svými charismatickými a zlomenými postavami ve filmech jako Biliárový král a Butch Cassidy a Sundance Kid, byl raritou v Hollywoodu – herec, který točil kasovní trháky a zároveň se věnoval charitě dlouho předtím, než se to stalo módou. Narodil se v rodině úspěšného podnikatele, vyrostl na předměstí Clevelandu a místo rodinného byznysu se rozhodl pro herectví. Po počátečních obtížích mu tragická náhoda přinesla roli boxera Rockyho Graziana. Newman, člen původní generace Actors Studia, se vždy snažil o vysokou profesionalitu. Kromě herectví se aktivně angažoval v otázkách občanských práv a nukleárního zbrojení. V automobilovém sportu se stal nejstarším jezdcem, který vyhrál velký profesionální závod, a založil značku Newman’s Own, jejíž zisky věnoval na dobročinné účely. Levy nabízí jedinečný pohled na Newmanův život, jeho lásku k Joanne Woodwardové a tragédii, která zasáhla jeho rodinu. Je to fascinující portrét muže, který se stal jednou z nejoslavenějších hvězd dvacátého století.

When Shawn Levy had the notion to write a poem each day for a year, inspired by the obituary pages of The New York Times, he had no way of knowing that the year in question, 2016, would claim so many of the world's most iconic figures. His project became, in effect, a vehicle for surveying the breadth of the twentieth century: Titans from all fields of endeavor, lives that contained one quirky but insoluble achievement, and people who had special significance in his own life. From Nancy Reagan to Muhammad Ali, David Bowie to Arnold Palmer, Prince to Janet Reno, Antonin Scalia to Mary Tyler Moore, and including a Black Miss America, an obsessive weather reporter, the nurse famously kissed by a sailor on VJ Day, the man who put the '@' in your email address, and the last man to walk on the moon, the lives recollected in these one hundred poems provoke compassion, sorrow, outrage, surprise, nostalgia, even laughter.

The biography delves into the multifaceted life of Paul Newman, highlighting his iconic roles in classic films and his diverse off-screen endeavors. Shawn Levy paints a portrait of Newman as a dedicated family man, philanthropist, and racing enthusiast, while also addressing the complexities of his personal life, including infidelities and the lasting impact of his son's tragic death. Through detailed anecdotes, readers gain insight into Newman’s integrity and professionalism, revealing the man behind the legendary star.

A portrait of the film icon offers insights into his early years and family background, drawing on interviews with friends and colleagues to trace his artistic evolution and the apparent disconnect between his real and on-screen personalities

Focusing on a charismatic figure of the past, the narrative explores the life of a man known as Rubi, whose fame and allure captivated the world. Renowned for his relationships with wealthy and glamorous women, he also mingled with prominent male figures, from politicians to celebrities. His adventurous lifestyle included polo, racing, and even jewel theft, alongside connections to a notorious dictator. His untimely death at fifty-six marked the end of an era characterized by luxury and celebrity culture, leaving a lasting impact on the social landscape.

"Today, women are ascendant in standup comedy, even preeminent. They make headlines, fill arenas, spawn blockbuster movies. But before Amy Schumer slayed, Tiffany Haddish killed, and Ali Wong drew roars, the very idea of a female comedian seemed, to most of America, like a punchline. And it took a special sort of woman-indeed, a parade of them-to break and remake the mold. In on the Joke is the story of a group of unforgettable women who knocked down the doors of standup comedy so other women could get a shot. It spans decades, from Moms Mabley's rise in Black vaudeville between the World Wars, to the roadhouse ribaldry of Belle Barth and Rusty Warren in the '50s and '60s, to Elaine May's co-invention of improv comedy, to Joan Rivers' and Phyllis Diller's ferocious ascent to mainstream stardom. These women refused to be defined by type and tradition, facing down indifference, puzzlement, nay-saying, and unvarnished hostility. They were discouraged by agents, managers, audiences, critics, fellow performers-even their families. And yet they persevered against the tired notion that women couldn't be funny, making space not only for themselves but for the women who followed them. Meticulously researched and irresistibly drawn, Shawn Levy's group portrait forms a new pantheon of comedy excellence. In on the Joke shows how women broke into the boys' club, offered new ideas of womanhood, and had some laughs along the way"-- Provided by publisher

The narrative unfolds the complete tale of a wild adventure in Las Vegas, where Frank and his closest friends embark on a memorable party. This journey captures the excitement, chaos, and unexpected events that arise during their escapades in the vibrant city, revealing the bonds of friendship and the thrills of nightlife. As they navigate through various experiences, the story highlights the allure of Vegas and the unforgettable moments that define their trip.

The intoxicating story of Hollywood, as seen from the suites and bungalows of its most iconic hotel

A biography of the 'Rat Pack' - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, this is the brilliant story of their rise and fall, and their connections with the Kennedys and the Mafia.