A/V Geeks Recommend...
So you like what the A/V Geeks are doing, or you've heard an A/V Geek talk about a certain book or movie. Here's where you can find some of these items...
Books of A/V Geeks interest Below are some great books written on subjects near and dear to the A/V Geeks' hearts. You can order these books from Amazon.com and A/V Geeks will get a little money from the purchase. It's like a mini bookstore (through Amazon's Associate program) but without the Dilbert Soup is Good for the Soul 2000 calendars. Great gifts for the literate A/V Geek.
Bold! Daring! Shocking! True : A History of Exploitation Films, 1919-1959 by Eric Schaefer Eric has turned an academic eye on the Golden Age of Exploitation Films, looking at an entire genre of film that sprouted up in the face of the Hayes Production Code. No real examination of the current Media Spectacle is complete without looking at this amazing time period in film.
Re/Search #10: Incredibly Strange Films by V. Vale (Editor), Andrea Juno This book is more than ten years old, but it's still excellent guide to low budget, ephemeral, and just plain odd films. Luckily many films have been made available on VHS and DVD because of the demand generated by this book.
Mental Hygiene : Better Living Through Classroom Films 1945-1970 by Ken Smith Ken Smith (the man behind Roadside America and the hysterical Ken Smith's Guide to the Bible) writes the book that the A/V Geeks were going to write after the VD film book - Cinema VD: Sin, Sex and Sores. This is an excellent primer to the world of educational films. Look for Ken's feature film, where he interviews some of the folks who worked behind-the-scenes on these educational films.
Videos of A/V Geeks interest Below are some videos that tickle A/V Geeks' eyeballs. You can order these books from Amazon.com and A/V Geeks will get a little money from the purchase. It's like a mini Blockbuster (through Amazon's Associate program) but without the two hundred copies of Big Daddy (plus no blue long sleeve shirts and neckties).
"Fat of the Land" You saw this great documentary about five women travelling across the country in a Chevy van powered by fast-food fryer grease, now buy it directly from one of the filmmakers for $30 postage paid. Send a check or money order to Sarah Lewison 3883 Miramar St. Apt. F La Jolla, CA 92037-1313.
End of Civilization bits Some folks have wondered where I got the footage and sounds for December's show, "The End of Civilization As You Know It" Almost all of it can be purchased on the web...
Late, Great Planet Earth - Creepy late 1970s intrepretation of Revelations as narrated by Orson Welles available as a DVD from Amazon (or other DVD online sites) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IO3V/avgeekslibra/
1999 A.D. - The vision of the future through Philco/Ford Motor Company with Wink Martindale. Available as a VHS dub from Scorched Earth Productions http://www.sepnet.com/rcramer/misc.htm
Future Shock - Creepy late 1970s intrepretation of the book as narrated by Orson Welles coming soon on the A/V Geeks video compilation, "The End of Civilization As You Know It" Buy it here.
Man In Space With Sounds - Attilio Mineo - An excellent CD of spacey World's Fair music from your local record store or online from Amazon (or other CD online sites) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000007RW6/avgeekslibra/
Celebrities At Their Worst, Volume One - a two CDs of obnoxious celebrities, including Orson Welles temper tantrums. Excellent! Get it from your local record store or online at Jack Diamond http://www.jackdiamond.com/celebritiecds.html
Frank Capra - "It's a Wonderful War" During the holidays, If you feel like you're going to overdose on celluloid saccharine from repeated showings of Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life," try a spoonful of Frank's bitter "Why We Fight" series. These propaganda films were shown to servicemen (and the general public) to explain why we were shipping them off to the Pacific and Europe. Filled with hostility and stereotypes, these films were pep rallies for the Great War Machine and really can offer some insight to why our grandparents still bear grudges against former Axis countries that are now are "allies." You can find these films for pretty cheap ($5-$9) on video. You can find them in the budget bins of many video stores (because the films are in public domain) or at Amazon.com:
Why We Fight- Divide and Conquer - Why We Fight - Prelude to War - Why We Fight - The Nazis Strike - Why We Fight - The Battle of Russia - Why We Fight - The Battle of Britain - Why We Fight - The Battle of China - Why We Fight - War Comes to America
Other stuff of A/V Geeks interest Let's face it, Man (and Woman) can't live by films alone.
'Plaque Candy!' An added premium handed out at the "Teeth Are A Good Thing to Have Show" these saccharinely-sweet red plaque disclosing tablets were in big demand. I got'em here...