Cheap Tricks and Class Acts

Special Effects, Makeup and Stunts from the Fantastic Fifties

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by John J.J. Johnson

Type

Stories

Subject

Genre > Fantasy

Keywords

fantasy, special effects, 1950s

Publishing date

2009

Publisher

McFarland & Co

1st publishing

1996

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 414 pages
7 x 10 inches (18 x 25.5 cm)

ISBN

978-0-7864-4058-0

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Book Presentation:
In the 1950s Hollywood unleashed a wave of monsters; everything from demon aliens and dinosaurs to blobs and bloated bugs infested theaters and drive-ins. Lost worlds were discovered, unnatural terrors shook the screen, gigantism ran rampant. Moviegoers were left with one question: How did they do that?

This work uncovers the cheap and challenging behind-the-scenes production secrets of the fantastic films of the 1950s. Special technical effects, visual effects, menacing makeup, stunts, fantastic sets and film locations are all covered in detail along with the many men and women who shared in these occasionally brilliant and usually outrageous efforts. Also included is a lengthy checklist of the prominent makeup, stunt, prop and effects artists of the era, with a listing of their fantastic film credits.

About the Author:
John “J.J.” Johnson lives in Keizer, Oregon.

Press Reviews:
"I enjoyed reading this book"—Classic Images; "hefty work…bit by bit, Johnson reveals dang near everything about genre flick of the 1950s"—Scarlet.

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co