Variety: An Illustrated History of the World from the Most Important Magazine in Hollywood

An illuminating view of the world as seen through the tinted lens of Hollywoods most important chronicler of entertainment news and show business. Variety is not only a fascinating look at the history of entertainment as reported by the worlds most highly regarded commentator of show business news, it is also a history of American popular culture and a record of the influence and confluence of art, life, and Hollywood. Illustrated with hundreds of front pages, its articles chronicle everything from Debbie Reynoldss opinions of 1960s youth to how Steven Spielberg and Jaws transformed the movie business. With new and archival photographs spanning Varietys more-than-century-old archives, the book includes exclusive essays by a host of well-regarded artists about what Variety means to them, how Variety has impacted the entertainment industry, and what they felt like the first time they saw their names in Varietys pages. Variety is a decade-by-decade documentation of such pivotal moments as the audiences move from vaudeville houses to movie theaters, censorship, how Lucy and Desi changed the face of television, Walter Cronkites shaping of Americas view of the Vietnam War, the birth of the summer blockbuster, the game-changing technology of Jurassic Park and Avatar, and how the movies, television, and theater reflect societys ever-changing social values and mores. The perfect gift for anyone who loves Hollywood, Variety is also a never-before-available look at the premier source of entertainment reporting. See more