Hispanics In Hollywood (Garland Reference Library Of The Humanities)

Hispanics In Hollywood (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities)

From Library Journal This large-format one-volume encyclopedia covers popular Hollywood films (chiefly those of the sound era) and television programs featuring Hispanic actors or addressing Hispanic themes. The work is divided into two main sections, plot summaries and biographies, with a good index that leads to information on people and films not listed separately in the main sections. Though covering much of the material included in George Hadley-Garcia's Hispanic Hollywood (Carol Pub. Group, 1990), this new work is much better suited for reference use. Many handsome black-and-white stills from film publicist Reyes's personal collection will provide hours of entertaining browsing. A drawback is the lack of attention to correctly written Spanish; for names of actors known primarily for Spanish-language films and particularly in citing titles of Spanish-language films, accents marks are generally left out (e.g., Luis Bunuel instead of Luis Bun~uel). At least the authors are consistent in ignoring correct usage. Recommended for larger film collections and for libraries with a need for popular material on Hispanic films.James E. Ross, Seattle P.L.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. First published in 1994. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company. From Booklist Although Hispanic Americans have been involved in many aspects of the American film industry, there has been little note taken of this fact in standard film-reference works. In addition to the biographical sketches and descriptions of films and television programs that make up the bulk of this work, there are also essays on the role of the Hispanic American in American film and television. The book begins with an essay on movies, followed by alphabeticallly arranged entries on films that had a Hispanic character, setting, or subject or in which a Hispanic actor starred. Each entry includes producer, director, writer, cast, and a brief summary of the plot. Individuals whose names appear in boldface type are the subject of biographical sketches later in the book. The next section begins with an essay on television followed by entries on individual programs, which include network, cast, and a brief plot summary. Again, boldface type is used to indicate persons who are the subject of biographies. This section is followed by brief essays on Zorro and the Cisco Kid, with complete chronologies of their movie and television incarnations. Finally, there is the biographical section, which lists Hispanic American performers and behind-the-scenes personnel. The authors indicate that they have "also included . . . a number of non-Hispanic individuals who are nevertheless identified in the public mind as Hispanic, on the basis of the roles they played or their Hispanic-sounding names." There is a separate section of "profiles of selected non-Hispanic filmmakers who have contributed substantially to shaping the cinematic image of Hispanic Americans through classic films they made." These include such directors as John Ford and John Huston. An index completes the work; a selected bibliography precedes the front matter.There are throughout the book black-and-white photographs of very good quality. Studio portraits, movie posters, and stills of many familiar (and some unfamiliar) faces and scenes complement the text. Since there is currently little on this increasingly popular subject, it is recommended for film and Hispanic-culture collections alike.