I'm just going through my pile of "To Be Read" books and I'm wondering if anyone has read any of the following works: HOLLYWOOD EAST Louis B. Mayer and the Origins of the Studio System by Diana Altman THE ROMANCE OF ADVENTURE The Genre of Historical Adventure Movies by Brian Taves THALBERG The Last Tycoon and the World of MGM by Roland Flamini ILLUMINATING SHADOWS The Mythic Power of Film by Geoffrey Hill I'd appreciate any coments on which works are or are not worth my time. By the way, let me recommend a short book called THE PHANTOM EMPIRE by Geoffrey O'Brien. It's not really a scholarly work -- more a long essay on growing up watching movies. Although it peters out a little toward the end, it's a very enjoyable light read -- real cineaste stuff. Best to all, Michael Muller USC