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Martin Scorsese: Interviews, Revised and Updated (Conversations with Filmmakers Series)
by Robert RiberaMartin Scorsese (b. 1942) has long been considered one of America’s greatest cinematic storytellers. Over the last fifty years he has created some of the most iconic moments in American film, never afraid to confront controversial issues with passion. While few of his films are directly autobiographical, his upbringing in New York’s Little Italy, the childhood asthma that kept him from playing sports, and his early desire to enter the priesthood all helped form his sensibilities and later shaped his distinct style. Community, religion, violence—these themes drive a Scorsese picture, and whether he examines the violence that bursts forth in the hand of Travis Bickle or the passion of Jesus Christ, Scorsese’s mastery of the history, art, and craft of filmmaking is undeniable. This collection was originally edited by the late Peter Brunette in 1999 and is now revised and extensively updated by Robert Ribera. It traces Scorsese’s evolution from the earliest days of the New American Cinema, his work with Roger Corman, and his days at New York University’s film program to his efforts to preserve the legacy of cinema, his documentary work, and his recent string of successes. Among new movies discussed are The Departed, Hugo, and The Wolf of Wall Street, and the documentaries No Direction Home and The Blues. Scorsese stands out as a director, producer, scholar, preservationist, and icon. His work both behind the camera and in the service of its history are a cornerstone of American and world cinemas. In these interviews, Scorsese takes us from Elizabeth Street to the heights of Hollywood and all the journeys in between.
Martin Scorsese and the American Dream
by Jim CullenMore than perhaps any other major filmmaker, Martin Scorsese has grappled with the idea of the American Dream. His movies are full of working-class strivers hoping for a better life, from the titular waitress and aspiring singer of Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore to the scrappy Irish immigrants of Gangs of New York. And in films as varied as Casino, The Aviator, and The Wolf of Wall Street, he vividly displays the glamour and power that can come with the fulfillment of that dream, but he also shows how it can turn into a nightmare of violence, corruption, and greed. This book is the first study of Scorsese’s profound ambivalence toward the American Dream, the ways it drives some men and women to aspire to greatness, but leaves others seduced and abandoned. Showing that Scorsese understands the American dream in terms of a tension between provincialism and cosmopolitanism, Jim Cullen offers a new lens through which to view such seemingly atypical Scorsese films as The Age of Innocence, Hugo, and Kundun. Fast-paced, instructive, and resonant, Martin Scorsese and the American Dream illuminates an important dimension of our national life and how a great artist has brought it into focus.
Martin Scorsese in 10 Scenes: The Stories Behind The Key Moments Of Cinematic Genius
by Tim GriersonMartin Scorsese in Ten Scenes takes an intriguing look at the life’s work of one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. Boiling down the Oscar-winner’s career to ten indelible scenes, this beautiful, full color collection examines Scorsese’s trademark techniques while offering critical analysis, filmmaking tips, and firsthand accounts from the cast and crew. An essential read for filmmakers, film students, and movie fans, this engaging and accessible book makes use of previously unreleased, behind-the-scenes material to present a multi-faceted view of each scene. With selections from Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, and The Departed, Martin Scorsese in Ten Scenes provides an insightful, inspiring examination of a man whose films have influenced generations of moviegoers and filmmakers.
The Martini-Henry Rifle
by Peter Dennis Stephen ManningThe breech-loading, single-shot .458in Martini-Henry rifle has become a symbol of both the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the numerous battles in Egypt and the Sudan in 1884-85, but continued to be used by both British and colonial troops well into the 20th century. Its invention and introduction into British service were in direct response to the success of the Prussian Dreyse needle gun, which demonstrated that the breech-loading rifle offered faster loading, improved accuracy and superior range; significantly, the weapon could be loaded and fired from a prone position, thus offering the rifleman greater security on the battlefield.The Martini-Henry first saw active service in the Ninth Cape Frontier War (1877-79), where it was particularly effective at stopping the charge of rebellious tribesmen at the battle of Centane. Indeed the success of the rifle bred a certain amount of complacency in the British Army that, armed with such a weapon, the British could repel any attack, even if seriously outnumbered. The British defeat at Zulu hands at Isandlwana dispelled this myth and it was only with the adoption of the square formation at Gingindlovu and Ulundi, with a corresponding concentration of fire, that the Martini-Henry really demonstrated its 'stopping power'. The same tactical formation and use of the Martini-Henry continued in the battles in Sudan in 1884-85. The Martini-Henry again showed its ability to stop charging warriors in the Second Afghan War (1878-80), particularly at the battle of Ahmed Khel, but against a force armed with modern weaponry, as at the defeat of Maiwand, the British Army did not fare as well. In 1888 the rifle was replaced in British service by the bolt-action, magazine-fed .303in Lee-Metford and Martini-Henry production ended in 1889, but it was to remain in service with colonial forces into World War I.The Martini-Henry rifle was not without its faults or its critics. The rifle possessed a dreadful recoil when fired, especially once the bore was fouled, and in sustained combat severe bruising, even dislocation of shoulders and nose bleeds, were likely. The rifle had no safety mechanism of any sort and was prone to discharge if grit or sand entered the trigger mechanism. The weapon could jam, for the extractor grip might tear through the soft brass of the cartridge, or sand could enter the mechanism and cause a similar jam. The barrel became intensely hot when fired and although, from the Mk II design onwards, a wooden forestock was added to give some protection, the barrel would frequently become too hot to touch.Despite these faults, the Martini-Henry Mk II was far superior to any firearm previously issued to the British Army. Its small bore - which meant soldiers could carry more ammunition - greater accuracy, lower trajectory, ease of operation and reloading with consequent rapidity of firing, as well as its robustness, all combined to make the Martini-Henry a solid, if not always completely dependable, weapon to be used against Britain's enemies. It was sighted to 1,000yd and could maintain a reasonable degree of accuracy at that range. The soft lead bullet could stop a charging warrior in his tracks, and in experienced hands ten to twelve 'aimed' volleys could be fired per minute into the charging ranks of a massed enemy.
Martinsville (Postcard History)
by Joanne Raetz Stuttgen Curtis TomakBased on vintage postcards, this new book is a unique and welcome addition to the small number of works devoted to the history of Martinsville. Captured here in more than 220 postcard images is an important chronicle of the past 100 years in the "City of Mineral Water." This visual record showcases the sanitariums--including the glorious Home Lawn and its sibling, the Martinsville--industries and businesses, buildings and people, courthouse square, and special events that shaped the past and influenced the present. This fascinating retrospective is an indispensable companion to and expansion of Morgan County, the authors' first book in Arcadia's Postcard History Series.
Martyrs and Players in Early Modern England: Tragedy, Religion and Violence on Stage (Studies in Performance and Early Modern Drama)
by David K. AndersonFocusing on Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, John Webster and John Milton, Martyrs and Players in Early Modern England argues that the English tragedians reflected an unease within the culture to acts of religious violence. David Anderson explores a link between the unstable emotional response of society to religious executions in the Tudor-Stuart period, and the revival of tragic drama as a major cultural form for the first time since classical antiquity. Placing John Foxe at the center of his historical argument, Anderson argues that Foxe’s Book of Martyrs exerted a profound effect on the social conscience of English Protestantism in his own time and for the next century. While scholars have in recent years discussed the impact of Foxe and the martyrs on the period’s literature, this book is the first to examine how these most vivid symbols of Reformation-era violence influenced the makers of tragedy. As the persecuting and the persecuted churches collided over the martyr’s body, Anderson posits, stress fractures ran through the culture and into the playhouse; in their depictions of violence, the early modern tragedians focused on the ethical confrontation between collective power and the individual sufferer. Martyrs and Players in Early Modern England sheds new light on the particular emotional energy of Tudor-Stuart tragedy, and helps explain why the genre reemerged at this time.
Marvel Arms and Armor: The Mightiest Weapons and Technology in the Universe
by Nick JonesWho is Iron Man without his armor, or Thor without his hammer? Learn about the mightiest weapons ever made!From Iron Man&’s armor to Cap&’s shield and Star-Lord blasters to Gamora&’s godslayer, the Marvel universe is filled with iconic weapons, armor, and technology. Wielded by some of the greatest heroes and villains ever created, many of these objects have histories just as compelling as the characters who use them. Some are high-tech, futuristic creations; others have mystical origins. A few have destroyed worlds or sent entire empires crashing into dust. This is their story.© 2023 MARVEL
Marvel Comics: The Untold Story
by Sean HoweThe defining, behind-the-scenes chronicle of one of the most extraordinary, beloved, and dominant pop cultural entities in America’s history -- Marvel Comics – and the outsized personalities who made Marvel including Martin Goodman, Stan Lee, and Jack Kirby. “Sean Howe’s history of Marvel makes a compulsively readable, riotous and heartbreaking version of my favorite story, that of how a bunch of weirdoes changed the world…That it’s all true is just frosting on the cake.” —Jonathan LethemFor the first time, Marvel Comics tells the stories of the men who made Marvel: Martin Goodman, the self-made publisher who forayed into comics after a get-rich-quick tip in 1939, Stan Lee, the energetic editor who would shepherd the company through thick and thin for decades and Jack Kirby, the WWII veteran who would co-create Captain America in 1940 and, twenty years later, developed with Lee the bulk of the company’s marquee characters in a three-year frenzy. Incorporating more than one hundred original interviews with those who worked behind the scenes at Marvel over a seventy-year-span, Marvel Comics packs anecdotes and analysis into a gripping narrative of how a small group of people on the cusp of failure created one of the most enduring pop cultural forces in contemporary America.
Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy The Ultimate Guide New Edition
by Nick JonesUncover the full story of the galaxy's most heroic band of misfits.Even since the 2000s, Marvel's greatest band of intergalactic outlaws have become ever more crucial to the comic book Marvel Universe and its key story lines, ultimately inspiring their inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Fans all over the world have enjoyed their comics and movie adventures, and many will be wondering how the Guardians came to be the galaxy's most wanted crew of cosmic rogues. This new, updated, and expanded edition of the Guardians of the Galaxy Ultimate Guide gives the lowdown on the motley team's entire story, from their earliest incarnations to their latest story lines and future legacy. Chronicled by Marvel-approved comics experts and illustrated with stellar comic artwork, this is a must-have guide for die-hard fans and newcomers alike. © 2022 MARVEL
Marvel Studios 100 Objects: Iconic Artifacts from the MCU
by Tracey Miller-ZarnekeOne hundred key artifacts that encapsulate the Marvel Cinematic Universe in all its multifaceted magnificence. Explore Marvel Studios’ prop archives and discover the compelling stories of iconic items such as Iron Man’s Mark I Armor, Ant-Man’s cybernetic helmet, and Cap’s vibranium shield—as well as less well known but highly intriguing items … Full-color images illustrate every entry, while the accompanying essay provides in-world insights into crucial events and characters’ lives that will captivate MCU fans old and new. © 2024 MARVEL
Marvel Studios Be More Spider-Man: Follow in the Footsteps of Your Friendly Neighborhood Hero (Be More)
by Kelly KnoxSpider-Man is the most relatable hero in the MCU—he&’s the hero who could be you!Be inspired by Spider-Man, the neighborhood hero who balances his great powers with great responsibility. This web-swinging Avenger will stop at nothing to save those in need and is hugely loyal to friends and family. In the pages of this book, learn to think on your feet and, like Spider-Man, always have a witty comeback at the ready, even when backed into a corner Packed with iconic movie scenes, inspiring quotes, and handy lifestyle tips from Marvel Studios&’ blockbuster movies, such as 2019&’s Spider-Man: Far From Home and 2021&’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, Be More Spider-Man is the ideal gift for your family, friends, colleagues – in fact, your whole neighborhood! © 2022 MARVEL © 2022 CPII.
Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Creators, Writers, and Comics Legends on the Impact of Marvel Studios' Black Panther
by Marvel Ruth E. Carter Hannah Giorgis Yona Harvey Tre Johnson Marlene Allen Ahmed Aaron C. Allen Maurice Broaddus Arvell Jones Frederick Joseph Suyi Davies Okungbowa Dwayne Wong Omowale Gil Robertson Mateus ManhaniniJoin creators, writers, and comics legends as they discuss the impact of Marvel Studios&’ Black Panther in this gorgeously illustrated collection of essays Marvel Studios&’ Black Panther has become more than just a movie—it has shaped conversations about art, culture, science fiction, representation, justice, fashion, comics, creativity, and so much more. Celebrate the legacy of the film with this collection of all-new personal essays and reflections that shed light on its monumental impact, including firsthand stories from artists involved in the film, cultural analysis from journalists and academics, and thoughtful insights from writers and comics legends. Each contributor brings their unique expertise and experience to explore the film&’s genesis and significance from every angle. Complete with gorgeous original illustrations, Dreams of Wakanda brings together a wide array of diverse and multifaceted perspectives that exemplify the many ways the film has impacted cinema, culture, and society. In this collection:• Costume designer Ruth E. Carter takes us through her Afrofuturistic designs.• Writer Tre Johnson discusses the metaphoric qualities of vibranium.• Author Yona Harvey reflects on how the film has resonated with audiences across the African diaspora.• Journalist Hannah Giorgis uncovers how the soundtrack fits into sonic portraits of Blackness. The contributors:Marlene Allen Ahmed • Aaron C. Allen • Maurice Broaddus • Ruth E. Carter • Hannah Giorgis • Yona Harvey • Tre Johnson • Arvell Jones • Frederick Joseph • Suyi Davies Okungbowa • Dwayne Wong Omowale • Gil Robertson IV • Foreword by Nic Stone • Art by Mateus Manhanini To celebrate the launch of this book and Black Panther&’s global impact, Disney and Penguin Random House are donating books to First Book and Books for Africa respectively. Disney is donating books valued at approximately $1,000,000 to support First Book, a leading nonprofit that serves children in underserved communities and addresses the needs of the whole child by supporting their education, basic needs, and wellness—all of which are essential to educational equity. Penguin Random House (PRH) is donating PRH titles valued at approximately $100,000 to Books For Africa. Books For Africa was founded upon a singular mission: to end the book famine in Africa. BFA collects, sorts, and ships books, computers, tablets, and library enhancement materials to every country in Africa.
Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe An Official Timeline
by Anthony Breznican Amy Ratcliffe Rebecca Theodore-VachonBecome a master of the Marvel Cinematic Universe!The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is vast, incredibly varied, and richly complex. Different worlds, different timelines, countless characters. This is the guide to that universe. Created in close collaboration with Marvel Studios, it will answer the biggest questions: what happened, when, and where.Follow the entire story of the MCU from before the Big Bang to the Blip and beyond. Along the way, learn more about the evolution of the Iron Man armors, the hunt for the Infinity Stones, and the formation of the Multiverse. Want to know how many times aliens have invaded Earth, or the complete history of Cap&’s shield? Look no further!A treasured keepsake for any movie buff, filled with exclusive infographics, illuminating timelines, and amazing movie stills, this book will have pride of place on any MCU fan&’s shelf.© 2023 MARVEL
Marvellous Grounds: Queer of Colour Histories of Toronto
by Jin Haritaworn, Ghaida Moussa, and Syrus Marcus WareToronto has long been a place that people of colour move to in order to join queer of colour communities. Yet the city’s rich history of activism by queer and trans people who are Black, Indigenous, or of colour (QTBIPOC) remains largely unwritten and unarchived. While QTBIPOC have a long and visible presence in the city, they always appear as newcomers in queer urban maps and archives in which white queers appear as the only historical subjects imaginable. The first collection of its kind to feature the art, activism, and writings of QTBIPOC in Toronto, Marvellous Grounds tells the stories that have shaped Toronto’s landscape but are frequently forgotten or erased. Responding to an unmistakable desire in QTBIPOC communities for history and lineage, this rich volume allows us to imagine new ancestors and new futures.
Marvelous Geometry: Narrative and Metafiction in Modern Fairy Tale
by Jessica TiffinExplores self-consciousness and metafictional awareness in modern fairy tale and its expression across literary fairy tale, popular fairy tale, and fairy-tale film.
Marvelous Manhattan: Stories of the Restaurants, Bars, and Shops That Make This City Special
by Reggie Nadelson&“A wonderfully lively, knowledgeable journey through the past and present of places that help make New York City what it is, and which we must cherish and (hopefully) preserve.&” —Salman Rushdie New York might have Broadway, Times Square, and the Empire State Building, but the real heart and soul of the city can be found in the iconic places that have defined cool since &“cool&” became a word. Places like Di Palo&’s in Little Italy, where you might stop in to pick up a little cheese only to find yourself in a long conversation—part friendly chat, part profound tutorial—with fourth-generation owner Lou Di Palo, sampling cheeses all the while. Or Raoul&’s in SoHo, to enjoy a classic steak-frites in the company of downtown artists, celebrities, and dyed-in-the-wool locals. Or Minton&’s Playhouse in Harlem, to be in the room where some young guys named Thelonious, Dizzy, and Charlie invented bebop. Or maybe Russ & Daughters, to pick up the city&’s best lox and bagels, which they&’ve been selling since 1914. A lifelong New Yorker, writer Reggie Nadelson celebrates her city and all the places that make it special. Part guidebook, part cultural history, part walk down memory lane, alive with the spirit and the grit of small, often family-owned businesses that have survived the Great Depression, World War II, 9/11, and the coronavirus lockdown, Marvelous Manhattan is a seductive and timely book for anyone who lives in New York, loves the city, lived there once, or wishes they had. Because that&’s the thing about Manhattan: all you need to do is walk into the right place—say, Fanelli&’s on Prince Street—sit down at the bar, order a drink, open this book, and suddenly you&’re a New Yorker.
Marvel's Avengers: Black Panther: War for Wakanda Expansion: Art of the Hidden Kingdom
by Matthew PellettThe official art book for the Marvel&’s Avengers expansion Black Panther: War for WakandaBlindsided by a betrayal and the resulting tragedy, King T&’Challa, the Black Panther, devoted protector and current ruler of Wakanda finds it difficult to entrust his duty to anyone else, even his sister Shuri, while also confronting those who wish to do Wakanda harm. When arch-villain Klaw&’s forces threaten Wakanda&’s safety, T&’Challa must take the fight right to them to defend everything and everyone he holds dear. Players experience the game&’s story and additional missions in the ongoing Avengers Initiative in the lush jungles of Wakanda, an entirely new environment and sole location of the world&’s Vibranium. They also get to explore the Royal Palace that overlooks Birnin Zana, known as &“The Golden City,&” in a new Outpost that contains Shuri&’s laboratory, Zawavari&’s chambers, and the Wakandan War Room. Unmask the artistry behind the expansion in this showpiece hardback book containing exclusive concept sketches, character art, storyboards, and fully rendered scenes alongside fascinating insights into the creative process from the talented creators of the expansion.
Marvel's Avengers - Script To Page
by Al Ewing, Jonathan Hickman, Mark Millar & Mark WaidDiscover the craft of writing comics the Marvel way, with scripts and commentary from top writers and editors.The Marvel Script To Page series is an official behind-the-scenes look at the craft of writing comic books, featuring exclusive scripts and commentary from top Marvel creators and editors. The Avengers are the Earth&’s mightiest heroes, and one of the most famous superhero teams in comics history Meet Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow and many, many more iconic characters in selected scripts from a range of contemporary comics creators, with exclusive editorial commentary.
Marvel's Black Panther - Script To Page
by MarvelDiscover the craft of writing comics the Marvel way, with scripts and commentary from top writers and editors.The Marvel Script To Page series is an official behind-the-scenes look at the craft of writing comic books, featuring exclusive scripts and commentary from top Marvel creators and editors. Explore the world of Wakanda and its mighty champion and protector, the Black Panther. Meet T&’challa, Shuri, the Dora Milaje and many, many more iconic characters in selected scripts from a range of contemporary comics creators, with exclusive editorial commentary.
Marvel's Midnight Suns - The Art of the Game
by Paul DaviesOfficial art book of the Marvel's Midnight Suns video game, packed with interviews with the creative team behind the game, as well as stunning concept art created during the development process.When the demonic Lilith and her fearsome horde unite with the evil armies of Hydra, it&’s time to unleash Marvel&’s dark side. As The Hunter, your mission is to lead an unlikely team of seasoned Super Heroes and dangerous supernatural warriors to victory. Can legends such as Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Blade put aside their differences in the face of a growing apocalyptic threat? If you&’re going to save the world, you&’ll have to forge alliances and lead the team into battle as the legendary Midnight Suns—Earth&’s last line of defence against the underworld.Marvel&’s Midnight Suns – The Art of the Game captures the creative process of this much-anticipated game. The exclusive concept art and in-game renderings created by the talented development team—creating the game in collaboration with Marvel—are shown in glorious detail in this lush, hardback volume. Characters, locations, gadgets, weapons, monsters, enemies, and much more are all accompanied by unique insights from the artists and developers behind the game. So step into the world of Marvel&’s Midnight Suns – and rise up against the darkness!
Marvel's Spider-Man - Script To Page
by MarvelDiscover the craft of writing comics the Marvel way, with scripts and commentary from top writers and editors.The Marvel Script To Page series is an official behind-the-scenes look at the craft of writing comic books, featuring exclusive scripts and commentary from top Marvel creators and editors. It&’s been 60 years since the spectacular Spider-Man first swung into action, and the web-slinging superhero is now a household name. Meet Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Doctor Octopus and many, many more iconic characters in selected scripts from a range of contemporary comics creators, with exclusive editorial commentary.
Marxism and 20th-Century English-Canadian Novels
by John Z. Ming Chen Yuhua JiThis monograph is the first academic work to apply a neo-Marxist approach to 20th-century Canadian social realist novels, pursuing a refreshingly (neo-)Marxist approach to such issues as Bakhtinian notions of the novelistic form and dialogism as applied to Canadian socio-political novels influenced by various socialisms, socialist-feminist concerns, economic and sexual politics, and the genre of social realism. In so doing, it demonstrates that Marxist socialism is as relevant today as it was in the 1930s, just as social realist novels continue to thrive as a critique of capitalism. Readers will find valuable insights into the social significance, formal innovations, moral sensitivity, aesthetic enrichment, and ideological complexity of Canadian social realist novels.
Marxism Beyond Marxism
by Saree Makdisi Cesare Casarino Rebecca E. KarlThese essays critically rethink Marxism in the light of the disintegration of communist regimes Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Containing essays from a group of internationally distinguished writers and intellectuals, this collection addresses Marxism as a cultural-political problematic. Contending that Marxism is deeply embedded in specific cultural practices, the contributors illuminate Marxism's contribution to discussions of labour in post-industrial capitalism, to controversies surrounding compulsory heterosexuality and queer theory, and to debates about the institutionalization and academicization of the "New" Left. In examining Marxism's relationship to cultural practices, the contributors make a case for Marxism's continued relevance. By combining a diversity of perspectives, these essays demonstrate that Marxism addresses urgent needs that are often forsaken by other political and ideological practices. They show how - now more than ever - Marxism's reaffirmation can serve as a sophisticated and cunning response to the latest global developments - and travesties.
Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted
by Jennifer Keishin ArmstrongThe story of the making of a classic and groundbreaking TV show, as experienced by its producers, writers, and cast. Mary Tyler Moore made her name as Dick Van Dyke's wife on the eponymous show, a cute, unassuming housewife that audiences loved. But when her writer/producers James Brooks and Allan Burnes dreamed up an edgy show about a divorced woman with a career, network executives replied: "Americans won't watch television about New York City, divorcees, men with mustaches, or Jews." But Moore and her team were committed, and when the show finally aired, in spite of tepid reviews, fans loved it. Jennifer Armstrong introduces readers to the show's creators; its principled producer, Grant Tinker; and the writers and actors who attracted millions of viewers. As the first situation comedy to employ numerous women as writers and producers, The Mary Tyler Moore Show became a guiding light for women in the 1970s. The show also became the centerpiece of one of greatest evenings of comedy in television history, and Jennifer Armstrong describes how the television industry evolved during these golden years.
Mary Astor's Purple Diary: The Great American Sex Scandal of 1936
by Edward SorelIn a hilarious send-up of sex, scandal, and the Golden Age of Hollywood, legendary cartoonist Edward Sorel brings us a story (literally) ripped from the headlines of a bygone era. In 1965, a young, up-and-coming illustrator by the name of Edward Sorel was living in a $97-a-month railroad flat on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Resolved to fix up the place, Sorel began pulling up the linoleum on his kitchen floor, tearing away layer after layer until he discovered a hidden treasure: issues of the New York Daily News and Daily Mirror from 1936, each ablaze with a scandalous child custody trial taking place in Hollywood and starring the actress Mary Astor. Sorel forgot about his kitchen and lost himself in the story that had pushed Hitler and Franco off the front pages. At the time of the trial, Mary Astor was still only a supporting player in movies, but enough of a star to make headlines when it came out that George S. Kaufman, then the most successful playwright on Broadway and a married man to boot, had been her lover. The scandal revolved around Mary's diary, which her ex-husband, Dr. Franklyn Thorpe, had found when they were still together. Its incriminating contents had forced Mary to give up custody of their daughter in order to obtain a divorce. By 1936 she had decided to challenge the arrangement, even though Thorpe planned to use the diary to prove she was an unfit mother. Mary, he claimed, had not only kept a tally of all her extramarital affairs but graded them--and he'd already alerted the press. Enraptured by this sensational case and the actress at the heart of it, Sorel began a life-long obsession that now reaches its apex. Featuring over sixty original illustrations, Mary Astor's Purple Diary narrates and illustrates the travails of the Oscar-winning actress alongside Sorel's own personal story of discovering an unlikely muse. Throughout, we get his wry take on all the juicy details of this particular slice of Hollywood Babylon, including Mary's life as a child star--her career in silent films began at age fourteen--presided over by her tyrannical father, Otto, who "managed" her full-time and treated his daughter like an ATM machine. Sorel also animates her teenage love affair with probably the biggest star of the silent era, the much older John Barrymore, who seduced her on the set of a movie and convinced her parents to allow her to be alone with him for private "acting lessons." Sorel imbues Mary Astor's life with the kind of wit and eye for character that his art is famous for, but here he also emerges as a writer, creating a compassionate character study of Astor, a woman who ultimately achieved a life of independence after spending so much of it bullied by others. Featuring ribald and rapturous art throughout, Mary Astor's Purple Diary is a passion project that becomes the masterpiece of one of America's greatest illustrators.