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The Big Goodbye

Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Chinatown is hailed as the pinnacle of 1970s cinema, famed for its unforgettable ending and haunting final line. Sam Wasson's The Big Goodbye reveals the fascinating true story behind the making of this iconic film. The book explores the complex lives of its colourful cast and crew, including Jack Nicholson at his prime, director Roman Polanski grappling with personal tragedy, and producer Robert Evans amid high-stakes deal-making. It also delves into Robert Towne's legendary screenplay, recognised as one of the greatest original scripts ever written. Beyond the film, Wasson captures the twilight of the filmmaker-friendly 1970s studio era before corporate Hollywood reshaped the industry.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

The Big Goodbye is ideal for readers passionate about American cinema, film history enthusiasts, and those intrigued by behind-the-scenes stories of classic Hollywood productions.

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A book that will take its place alongside classics like Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and Robert Evans' The Kid Stays in the Picture.

A book that will take its place alongside classics like Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and Robert Evans' The Kid Stays in the Picture.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Sight & Sound's #1 Film Book of 2020

A multifaceted dissection of the infamous noir film ... good reading for any American cinema buff' - Kirkus

Chinatown is the Holy Grail of 1970s cinema. Its ending is the most notorious in American film and its closing line of dialogue the most haunting. Here for the first time is the incredible true story of its making. In Sam Wasson's telling, it becomes the defining story of its most colourful characters.

Here is Jack Nicholson at the height of his powers, embarking on his great, doomed love affair with Anjelica Huston. Here is director Roman Polanski, both predator and prey, haunted by the savage murder of his wife, returning to Los Angeles, where the seeds of his own self-destruction are quickly planted. Here is the fevered deal-making of "The Kid" Robert Evans, the most consummate of producers. Here too is Robert Towne's fabled script, widely considered the greatest original screenplay ever written.

Wasson for the first time peels off layers of myth to provide the true account of its creation. Looming over the story of this classic movie is the imminent eclipse of the '70s filmmaker-friendly studios as they gave way to the corporate Hollywood we know today.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571370269

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 200.0mm

Weight: 330g

Pages: 416

About the Author

Sam Wasson studied film at Wesleyan University and at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He is the author of the bestseller Fifth Avenue, 5A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's and the Dawn of the Modern Woman. He is also the author of the definitive biography of dancer-choreographer-filmmaker Bob Fosse. He currently teaches film at Emerson College in Los Angeles.

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