"B" Movies: An informal survey of the American low-budget film 1933-1945

By Don Miller and Don Miller

Book Overview

"B" MOVIES by Don Miller, with an introduction by Leonard Maltin No one ever paid much attention to the bottom half of double-features in the 1930s and '40s-except movie enthusiast Don Miller, who had a photographic memory. This unique and invaluable book traces the history of Hollywood's cinematic step-children, the low-budget movies that came from fly-by-night producers as well as the major studios. From Bela Lugosi to Charlie Chan, they're all here in this comprehensive and entertaining text-a resource that's been out-of-print for many years. Whether your interest is the early work of directors like Anthony Mann and Budd Boetticher or the roots of film noir, you'll find what you're looking for in Don Miller's lively, encyclopedic book.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1512267414
• ISBN13: 9781512267419
• Release Date: October 2015
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 418 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Hard to Find Information

First. let's say that Miller certainly knew what he was talking about and that the book is a great source of information. There's not many who would want to study this area in such detail as Miller. Miller will certainly identify a number of worthwhile "minor" films that you will enjoy. That said, one wishes he did not stop at 1945 as B movies continued to flourish for many years after that. So what you get here is avery thorough review of pre 1945 B movies and nothing after that.

A really full 361 pages! A perfect reference

This is the ONLY book you will ever need if you like to read about B-Pictures. Don Miller certainly knew alot about this genre of film. I have read this book easily 10 times from cover to cover and it never strays far from my desk. He covers not only the Bs released by the major studios, but also tells about the smaller companies efforts to compete with the "Majors". The interesting thing that I found with this book is that you are more likely to recognize the titles and stars of the B-movies, as you would the A-movies he mentions. The B-pictures, in most instances, were the saviors of the studios, in years where the A-product just wasn't working. Miller recognizes this and seems to delight in telling about "Bs" that did better in the box office than the "As". The forward to the book is written by Miller's friend, Leonard Maltin, who seems to be awestruck by Miller's indepth knowledge on the subject. This is truely one of the best books I have ever owned....and it is out of print too....sorry, I wouldn't sell my copy if ya paid me!...;)