Twentieth Century Fox: A Century of Entertainment

As both a HOLLYWOOD historian and someone who actually worked at 20th Century-Fox, let me say that this book by Michael Troyan, Jeffrey Paul Thompson and Stephen X. Sylvester, is an absolute treasure...I make that statement unbiased, as I have never heard of or met these gentleman, but I do know the studio very, very well having spent 25 years there.Through this book TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX A Century of Entertainment, you too will come to know this studio very well. It has everything for both the movie buff and the novice. Incredible photos and 700 pages of detailed research, document the incredible history of this fine studio with the world famous searchlight logo.It will give the reader a studio tour that shows so much, from its creation to the present day. But for me, it was the rare "behind-the-scenes" photos of the studio sets and productions that really bring back the memories. You would never know or appreciate just what a fantastic studio lot it was visiting Century City in West Los Angeles today... Having sold off their back lot decades ago, and with all the skyscraper development since, this book is the only one that will show you all the iconic areas of western towns, churches, mansions, city streets, castles, lakes etc., that defined the only HOLLYWOOD studio purpose built for sound. It was MOVIETONE CITY, and Fox developed the sound system that became the industry standard.I produced a two-hour DVD history of the studio to celebrate it's 75th anniversary... This book though, goes way beyond that as it will give you many more happy hours when it brings back the memories of so many iconic movies that were made there!

This book is nostalgic delight with pictures galore of that fantastic Twentieth Century Fox studio and stars during its heyday. You'l have hours of pleasant reading going down memory lane and seeing some of the back lot sets.Worth every penny for so much entertainment in every page.

This is a comprehensive, page-turning coffee-table-sized book with mountains of color and B&W archival photographs, charting the rise to prominence of one of Hollywood's greatest motion picture studios in the world. Copious knowledge has been jam-packed into this wonderful history, certainly to enthrall the avid film lover and historian. Lots to consider, and not nearly enough time to write about all of it here. Suffice it to say, you won't be disappointed, and one trip through this hallowed history is never enough. A must have!

I visited Fox many times during the 1950s. I had a close relative who worked there during this period. The book and maps brought back many memories...especially the back lot. It was Disneyland to me...a thirteen year old boy. Marilyn Monroe was the favorite at the time and very nice to me and our family. Betty Grable also ! The books maps are wonderful and important history of the area. Beautifully written details of Hollywood and the era. My wife , Pollee, purchased this book for me....I intend to read it again. James Gough

Great understanding of a lot which will be lost in the greed of Disney !! Get it while you can

can't hold this book to read. does a coffee table book mean it must be read sitting on a coffee table? this one does.

Excellent overview of the history of this great movie studio; in addition to synopses of films themselves, there are numerous hard-to-find photos and texts of the making of some of the best films as well as photographic shots of the studio premises and soundstages, interactions with some of the stars and directors. Great stuff!

Fantastic book. Very high quality printing. The book is large enough to do the photo's justice. Combination of back stage sets and accompanying movie shots. As good as Bingen's MGM book.

Wonderfully comprehensive and detailed trawl through the studio's history, with remarkable photographs and a proper chronological index. All this would easily merit 5*, so why only 3*? Because the book is printed on really poor quality paper, thin and flimsy, and arrived with all its pages tightly warped like a ripple. Three weeks' of heavyweight compression in dry constant warmth has ironed out much of it, but not all, alas. A classic case of a ship spoiled for a ha'porth of tar....

If you're interested in the movies and how they're made you'll probably like this book. It's got lot's of interesting pictures and the text is well written, although there is the odd grammar mistake.. It's a good companion to the M-G-M Hollywood's Greatest Backlot book.I just feel it's a shame films aren't made like this any more. In 20 years time there're probably be a nostalgic book about how every film set was done with CGI.......

Absolutely wonderful book and well worth waiting for after all the delays. Definitely the next best thing to actually touring the studio.

A comprehensive book and the service was very prompt

I have two other big picture books on Twentieth Century-Fox studios from a few years ago, but this one is the ultimate book on the history of the studio with a great coverage of photos. So many behind the scenes stills, celebrities of the day, back lot photos, etc. I was fortunate to visit the Fox Studios way back in the early seventies with another photographer friend of mine on a VIP pass from a good friend in the writer's building. We spent the whole day walking the lot, and checking out the sound stages. They were filming the TV series, 'Fall Guy', and 'Trapper John' at that time. Twentieth Century-Fox has to be my favorite of all the studios! This indeed is a real collector's item...