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Title: Edith Head : The Life and Times of Hollywood's Celebrated Costume Designer by David Chierichetti ISBN: 0-06-019428-6 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 04 March, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.4 (5 reviews)
Rating: 1
Summary: Why is this book so terrible???
Comment: This is, most probably, the worst book I have ever read. I have been struggling to come up with concise reasons as to just what makes it so terrible. This book is so bad, that I am at a loss as to where to start.
First, the choice of photos is dismal. There are few photos of any costumes that won awards. The majority of the photos are head & shoulder shots, that reveal nothing of the lines or designs. The few sketches are done by others. The inclusion of them adds nothing to understanding Head's work.
Second, the writing is abysmal. The author starts in on an event, topic, subject & disposes of it in one or two sentences. Not one subject is dealt with in any depth. Things are thrown in for no apparent purpose except to take up space. As an example, we are told Head thought, after viewing Star Wars, Princess Leia's costume should have a side zipper. That's it - why is this important at all? This is not a film she had any connection with. The author tosses off a remark that someone doesn't want to hire Head because she has told too many lies. (When, to whom, what, WHAT???) One is just left with this statement, it has not been explained previously & it is never explained.
The book is merely cover-to-cover filler. The publisher & the editor should be ashamed.
If you are interested in Head's fashions, save your money & rent the movies - they will give you more information than this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Fascinating portrait
Comment: Edith Head's rise as one of Hollywood's most famous costume designers was a result of her hard work as well as some controversial career decisions. The author, who became a close friend and confidante of Head in her later years, manages to penetrate her secretive core and paint a fascinating yet objective biography of her.
Edith Head rose through the ranks at Paramount before becoming head of the costume department in the late 30s and held the position for over 30 years. But she was basically an insecure woman who craved publicity and acceptance and managed to achieve it by hard work, tenacity and sometimes deceptive manipulation. It is true that she sometimes took credit for other designer's work (most notably Givenchey for the 1954 film "Sabrina") and she was often ridiculed by her colleages. But, she was adept and hard-working in her craft, and she had a knack for communicating and pleasing the actresses and directors that she worked with.
The book combines just the right amount of biographical detail with juicy Hollywood gossip (especially about Claudette Colbert!) to keep you turning the pages. The book also depicts a touching portrait of Head's longtime marriage to Bill Ihnen and debunks the longtime rumor that Head was a lesbian. The book's one major fault is the lack of photos - only a small color section and a few b&w are scattered throughout - not enough to illustrate her work at all. But aside from this one quibble, I recommend it.
Rating: 5
Summary: FINALLY, THE REAL EDITH HEAD IS GOING TO MY HEAD
Comment: Edith Head has got to one of the most celebrated fashion designers that ever came out of Hollywood. She also is one of the most ambiguous. Her general secrecy as well has her revisionist personal autobiography has had a lot of people wondering who this lady actually was.
The author has managed to get a fairly clear picture of his subject. He also has managed to uncover a lot of truths and facts regarding her own personal history and has come up with a very interesting story here. It doesn't hurt that David Chierichetti happened to know Edith Head fairly well at the end of her life.
If you are into celebrity biographies, you will find this book not only interesting for its own merits but well-written and crafted by the author who proves to be a very good researcher and writer.
I have long enjoyed David Chierichetti's articles in the periodicals Classic Images and Films of the Golden Age. I am glad to see that his talents have translated well when tackling a book format.
Bravo, David! Keep up the good work. I am waiting for the next book! This is definitely one of the best books published in 2003.
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Title: Gowns by Adrian : The MGM Years 1928-1941 by Gutner Howard ISBN: 0810908980 Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Pub. Date: 01 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: Costume Design in the Movies : An Illustrated Guide to the Work of 157 Great Designers by Elizabeth Leese ISBN: 048626548X Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 01 March, 1991 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Unmistakably Mackie : The Fashion and Fantasy of Bob Mackie by Frank DeCaro, Gideon Lewin, Dorothy Twining Globus ISBN: 0789306522 Publisher: Universe Books Pub. Date: 22 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Shocking! The Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli by Dilys E. Blum ISBN: 0300100663 Publisher: Yale Univ Pr Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $65.00 |
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Title: Great Costumes from Classic Movies Paper Dolls : 30 Fashions by Adrian, Edith Head, Walter Plunkett and Others by Tom Tierney ISBN: 0486427722 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 15 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.95 |
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