Author Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He was the movie critic on 'Entertainment Tonight' for 30 years and published Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide from 1969 to 2014.
Leonard Maltin with fellow film critics Gene Siskel (left) and Roger Ebert
Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide
Maltin's love of movies began as a child, when he had a TV Guide route instead of a newspaper route, and studied his father's weekly edition of 'Variety', which covers entertainment news.
Even as a youth, Leonard Maltin devoured Variety
Young Leonard saved his money to buy vintage films with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and other silent era stars, and even tried to make his own silent shorts, which usually featured shenanigans with cream pies.
Leonard Maltin is a big fan of Laurel and Hardy
Leonard tells lots of stories about growing up in New York and New Jersey, where he was a devoted viewer of The Mickey Mouse Club, haunted the public library for film-related books and biographies, and saw as many movies as he could.
Young Leonard was a fan of The Mickey Mouse Club
Leonard's description of movie-going as a youngster, where his family 'sat down in the middle of a film, watched it to the end, sat through a cartoon, a travelogue, coming attractions, and a second feature, and then watched the first movie until the part where they came in' is reminiscent of my movie-going as a kid.
Young Leonard Maltin watched a lot of movies
Leonard also liked comic books and watching TV, which took up much of his time in the hours after school.
Leonard and a friend started their own magazine in the fifth grade, and Leonard began writing fan letters to show business people he admired, some of whom sent warm replies. In time Leonard even scored interviews with some 'generous, gracious individuals', and he names names. This doesn't come across as bragging because Maltin clearly reveres the people he's met.
Young Leonard Maltin with radio and television host Joe Franklin
Young Leonard Maltin with Ginger Rogers
At the age of 15, Leonard took over 'Film Fan Monthly', and he and his contributors spotlighted character actors such as Nigel Bruce, Robert Donat, and Miriam Hopkins....the kind of people that fascinate Maltin to this day.
Film Fan Monthly magazine
Leonard Maltin admires character actors like Robert Donat
As Leonard got older, he began to view old and new films in every possible venue, and his extensive knowledge came in handy when he interviewed film stars, directors, and other cast and crew. Leonard's movie expertise even helped him meet his wife Alice, when he gave a lecture about movie history to an adult education class.
Leonard Maltin with his wife Alice
Leonard started publishing books about movies as well, and his early titles include: Movie Comedy Teams; The Disney Films; Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals; and more.
Leonard Maltin was a big fan of The Little Rascals
A lucky break got Leonard hired as the movie critic for Entertainment Tonight, which was a reason to move to California. The job was also an opening to film festivals, award dinners, Oscar shows, television specials, and other media-related events - many of which Maltin was asked to host.
Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute
These activities, plus teaching classes about animation, television, and movies gave Maltin almost unlimited access to entertainment folks as well as enthusiastic movie fans.
Leonard Maltin talking about the Oscars with heavyweight boxer “Iron” Mike Tyson
Leonard Maltin with Mitzi Gaynor
Leonard Maltin with Fess Parker
Leonard Maltin with Shirley Temple Black
Leonard Maltin with Johnny Depp and director Scott Cooper
Leonard Maltin interviews Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden about the National Film Registry selections for 2017
Teaching also became one of the joys of Leonard's life. (I'd like to attend Maltin's film class - at the University of Southern California - myself. It features full length movies and interviews with famous people like J.J. Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Marion Cotillard, Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier, and lots more.)
Marion Cotillard was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class
Sidney Poitier was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class
A pair of anecdotes that made me laugh feature George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Talking about an Oscar party, Maltin writes, "When George Clooney walked into the green room backstage at the Arlington Theatre in 2006, I witnessed something I'd never seen before. Every woman in that room, regardless of age, simply melted."
Leonard Maltin with George Clooney
Later, when Leonard talks about the Maltin Modern Master Award, he observes, "In 2020 the honoree was Brad Pitt. I have never seen anything quite like the reaction of Santa Barbarans to this mega-movie star. If George Clooney made the women swoon, Brad Pitt knocked them senseless."
Leonard Maltin with Brad Pitt
Maltin's numerous stories about people in the entertainment industry are fascinating and fun. I recognize many of the movies and people Maltin mentions, but not all of them. Dedicated film buffs will probably do better than me. Leonard also sings the praises of Walt Disney; Jerry Lewis; Roy Rogers, cartoons; radio, jazz; film-viewing at the Playboy Mansion; and more - all of which he's passionate about.
Leonard Maltin with Jerry Lewis
Maltin's wife Alice and their daughter Jessie feature in many of Leonard's stories, since Alice was a partner in Leonard's business ventures and young Jessie joined her parents for media events.
Leonard and Alice Maltin with their daughter Jessie
As an adult, Jessie works in the entertainment industry herself, and hosts a podcast with her dad.
Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie
Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie with Laura Dern
Maltin has a more glamorous lifestyle than most people, but he seems like a congenial guy who'd make a good dinner party guest.
I found the narrative, enhanced by photos, to be informative and fun. Highly recommended to movie fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, Leonard Maltin, and GoodKnight Books for a copy of the book.
Rating: 4 stars
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Author Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He was the movie critic on 'Entertainment Tonight' for 30 years and published Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide from 1969 to 2014.
Leonard Maltin with fellow film critics Gene Siskel (left) and Roger Ebert
Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide
Maltin's love of movies began as a child, when he had a TV Guide route instead of a newspaper route, and studied his father's weekly edition of 'Variety', which covers entertainment news.
Even as a youth, Leonard Maltin devoured Variety
Young Leonard saved his money to buy vintage films with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and other silent era stars, and even tried to make his own silent shorts, which usually featured shenanigans with cream pies.
Leonard Maltin is a big fan of Laurel and Hardy
Leonard tells lots of stories about growing up in New York and New Jersey, where he was a devoted viewer of The Mickey Mouse Club, haunted the public library for film-related books and biographies, and saw as many movies as he could.
Young Leonard was a fan of The Mickey Mouse Club
Leonard's description of movie-going as a youngster, where his family 'sat down in the middle of a film, watched it to the end, sat through a cartoon, a travelogue, coming attractions, and a second feature, and then watched the first movie until the part where they came in' is reminiscent of my movie-going as a kid.
Young Leonard Maltin watched a lot of movies
Leonard also liked comic books and watching TV, which took up much of his time in the hours after school.
Leonard and a friend started their own magazine in the fifth grade, and Leonard began writing fan letters to show business people he admired, some of whom sent warm replies. In time Leonard even scored interviews with some 'generous, gracious individuals', and he names names. This doesn't come across as bragging because Maltin clearly reveres the people he's met.
Young Leonard Maltin with radio and television host Joe Franklin
Young Leonard Maltin with Ginger Rogers
At the age of 15, Leonard took over 'Film Fan Monthly', and he and his contributors spotlighted character actors such as Nigel Bruce, Robert Donat, and Miriam Hopkins....the kind of people that fascinate Maltin to this day.
Film Fan Monthly magazine
Leonard Maltin admires character actors like Robert Donat
As Leonard got older, he began to view old and new films in every possible venue, and his extensive knowledge came in handy when he interviewed film stars, directors, and other cast and crew. Leonard's movie expertise even helped him meet his wife Alice, when he gave a lecture about movie history to an adult education class.
Leonard Maltin with his wife Alice
Leonard started publishing books about movies as well, and his early titles include: Movie Comedy Teams; The Disney Films; Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals; and more.
Leonard Maltin was a big fan of The Little Rascals
A lucky break got Leonard hired as the movie critic for Entertainment Tonight, which was a reason to move to California. The job was also an opening to film festivals, award dinners, Oscar shows, television specials, and other media-related events - many of which Maltin was asked to host.
Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute
These activities, plus teaching classes about animation, television, and movies gave Maltin almost unlimited access to entertainment folks as well as enthusiastic movie fans.
Leonard Maltin talking about the Oscars with heavyweight boxer “Iron” Mike Tyson
Leonard Maltin with Mitzi Gaynor
Leonard Maltin with Fess Parker
Leonard Maltin with Shirley Temple Black
Leonard Maltin with Johnny Depp and director Scott Cooper
Leonard Maltin interviews Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden about the National Film Registry selections for 2017
Teaching also became one of the joys of Leonard's life. (I'd like to attend Maltin's film class - at the University of Southern California - myself. It features full length movies and interviews with famous people like J.J. Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Marion Cotillard, Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier, and lots more.)
Marion Cotillard was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class
Sidney Poitier was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class
A pair of anecdotes that made me laugh feature George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Talking about an Oscar party, Maltin writes, "When George Clooney walked into the green room backstage at the Arlington Theatre in 2006, I witnessed something I'd never seen before. Every woman in that room, regardless of age, simply melted."
Leonard Maltin with George Clooney
Later, when Leonard talks about the Maltin Modern Master Award, he observes, "In 2020 the honoree was Brad Pitt. I have never seen anything quite like the reaction of Santa Barbarans to this mega-movie star. If George Clooney made the women swoon, Brad Pitt knocked them senseless."
Leonard Maltin with Brad Pitt
Maltin's numerous stories about people in the entertainment industry are fascinating and fun. I recognize many of the movies and people Maltin mentions, but not all of them. Dedicated film buffs will probably do better than me. Leonard also sings the praises of Walt Disney; Jerry Lewis; Roy Rogers, cartoons; radio, jazz; film-viewing at the Playboy Mansion; and more - all of which he's passionate about.
Leonard Maltin with Jerry Lewis
Maltin's wife Alice and their daughter Jessie feature in many of Leonard's stories, since Alice was a partner in Leonard's business ventures and young Jessie joined her parents for media events.
Leonard and Alice Maltin with their daughter Jessie
As an adult, Jessie works in the entertainment industry herself, and hosts a podcast with her dad.
Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie
Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie with Laura Dern
Maltin has a more glamorous lifestyle than most people, but he seems like a congenial guy who'd make a good dinner party guest.
I found the narrative, enhanced by photos, to be informative and fun. Highly recommended to movie fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, Leonard Maltin, and GoodKnight Books for a copy of the book.
Rating: 4 stars
Author Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He was the movie critic on 'Entertainment Tonight' for 30 years and published Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide from 1969 to 2014.
Leonard Maltin with fellow film critics Gene Siskel (left) and Roger Ebert
Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide
Maltin's love of movies began as a child, when he had a TV Guide route instead of a newspaper route, and studied his father's weekly edition of 'Variety', which covers entertainment news.
Even as a youth, Leonard Maltin devoured Variety
Young Leonard saved his money to buy vintage films with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and other silent era stars, and even tried to make his own silent shorts, which usually featured shenanigans with cream pies.
Leonard Maltin is a big fan of Laurel and Hardy
Leonard tells lots of stories about growing up in New York and New Jersey, where he was a devoted viewer of The Mickey Mouse Club, haunted the public library for film-related books and biographies, and saw as many movies as he could.
Young Leonard was a fan of The Mickey Mouse Club
Leonard's description of movie-going as a youngster, where his family 'sat down in the middle of a film, watched it to the end, sat through a cartoon, a travelogue, coming attractions, and a second feature, and then watched the first movie until the part where they came in' is reminiscent of my movie-going as a kid.
Young Leonard Maltin watched a lot of movies
Leonard also liked comic books and watching TV, which took up much of his time in the hours after school.
Leonard and a friend started their own magazine in the fifth grade, and Leonard began writing fan letters to show business people he admired, some of whom sent warm replies. In time Leonard even scored interviews with some 'generous, gracious individuals', and he names names. This doesn't come across as bragging because Maltin clearly reveres the people he's met.
Young Leonard Maltin with radio and television host Joe Franklin
Young Leonard Maltin with Ginger Rogers
At the age of 15, Leonard took over 'Film Fan Monthly', and he and his contributors spotlighted character actors such as Nigel Bruce, Robert Donat, and Miriam Hopkins....the kind of people that fascinate Maltin to this day.
Film Fan Monthly magazine
Leonard Maltin admires character actors like Robert Donat
As Leonard got older, he began to view old and new films in every possible venue, and his extensive knowledge came in handy when he interviewed film stars, directors, and other cast and crew. Leonard's movie expertise even helped him meet his wife Alice, when he gave a lecture about movie history to an adult education class.
Leonard Maltin with his wife Alice
Leonard started publishing books about movies as well, and his early titles include: Movie Comedy Teams; The Disney Films; Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals; and more.
Leonard Maltin was a big fan of The Little Rascals
A lucky break got Leonard hired as the movie critic for Entertainment Tonight, which was a reason to move to California. The job was also an opening to film festivals, award dinners, Oscar shows, television specials, and other media-related events - many of which Maltin was asked to host.
Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute
These activities, plus teaching classes about animation, television, and movies gave Maltin almost unlimited access to entertainment folks as well as enthusiastic movie fans.
Leonard Maltin talking about the Oscars with heavyweight boxer “Iron” Mike Tyson
Leonard Maltin with Mitzi Gaynor
Leonard Maltin with Fess Parker
Leonard Maltin with Shirley Temple Black
Leonard Maltin with Johnny Depp and director Scott Cooper
Leonard Maltin interviews Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden about the National Film Registry selections for 2017
Teaching also became one of the joys of Leonard's life. (I'd like to attend Maltin's film class - at the University of Southern California - myself. It features full length movies and interviews with famous people like J.J. Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Marion Cotillard, Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier, and lots more.)
Marion Cotillard was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class
Sidney Poitier was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class
A pair of anecdotes that made me laugh feature George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Talking about an Oscar party, Maltin writes, "When George Clooney walked into the green room backstage at the Arlington Theatre in 2006, I witnessed something I'd never seen before. Every woman in that room, regardless of age, simply melted."
Leonard Maltin with George Clooney
Later, when Leonard talks about the Maltin Modern Master Award, he observes, "In 2020 the honoree was Brad Pitt. I have never seen anything quite like the reaction of Santa Barbarans to this mega-movie star. If George Clooney made the women swoon, Brad Pitt knocked them senseless."
Leonard Maltin with Brad Pitt
Maltin's numerous stories about people in the entertainment industry are fascinating and fun. I recognize many of the movies and people Maltin mentions, but not all of them. Dedicated film buffs will probably do better than me. Leonard also sings the praises of Walt Disney; Jerry Lewis; Roy Rogers, cartoons; radio, jazz; film-viewing at the Playboy Mansion; and more - all of which he's passionate about.
Leonard Maltin with Jerry Lewis
Maltin's wife Alice and their daughter Jessie feature in many of Leonard's stories, since Alice was a partner in Leonard's business ventures and young Jessie joined her parents for media events.
Leonard and Alice Maltin with their daughter Jessie
As an adult, Jessie works in the entertainment industry herself, and hosts a podcast with her dad.
Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie
Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie with Laura Dern
Maltin has a more glamorous lifestyle than most people, but he seems like a congenial guy who'd make a good dinner party guest.
I found the narrative, enhanced by photos, to be informative and fun. Highly recommended to movie fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, Leonard Maltin, and GoodKnight Books for a copy of the book.
Rating: 4 stars
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