Mann on Film: It's a Mad World and other essays: Ramblings on American Cinema

by S.E. Mann

S. E. Mann celebrates American cinema and culture in this first in a series of books on entertainment.

A lover of movies from an early age, Mr. Mann has been called an actor, director, writer and producer, as well as some other things we can't repeat here. Love him or hate him, you'll definitely have an opinion on his opinion of what makes Hollywood one of the most influential places on Earth.

From his Tokyo hideaway, S. E. Mann offers up a blue plate special of juicy insight garnished with humor and gushing with delicious admiration for America's most beloved invention: Hollywood.


Here's what some famous people are saying:

"This is The Greatest Book on Earth!"
- Cecil B. DeMille (Toll booth operator on the New Jersey Turnpike.)

"A Quiet Man, he is not!"
- John Ford (proprietor of Ford Auto Body and Collision Repair, Braintree, Massachusetts - we accept only cash.)

"It's a Wonderful Book!"
- Frank Capra (head dough flipper of Capra's Pizzeria, Port Authority Bus Terminal, NY - bathroom use for customers only)

"I vanted to ridd dees book. But no! Cuz dees sample Blanca. Nothing! Bring on the Empty Verses, I say!"
- Michael Curtiz (of Curtiz Carpets and Flooring, Paramus Park Mall - free estimates!)


Look for more coming in the 'Mann on' series of books - Mann on Music, Mann on War, Mann on Art...

84 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2009

Reviews

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mann examines our past and present through the films we love and hate. But he also examines our films of the past through the prism of what we have become and the foolishness of our way of life. He is staunchly conservative in the way conservatives are supposed to be, not as they exist in Washington, and this outlook gives him a clear understanding of American film. In the decline of American film, characterized in one example by "American Beauty," he sees the decline of America. It was a great experience to read these essays, to hear the clear and logical voice of a film critic who actually loves American film as well as the country that produced it.

[Liquidlasagna]

Some have compared the wit and range expressed in the eleven essays here in 'Mann on Film' to an odd combination of Mystery Science Theater 3000 meets John Waters meets Siskel and Ebert meets Harlan Ellison meets Joe Bob Briggs meets the Council on Foreign Relations. That's a good assessment as any.

To quote Ernst Toht, 'the man is nefarious'.

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Here's what some other famous people are saying:

This is The Greatest Book on Earth!
Cecil B. DeMille, Toll booth operator on the New Jersey Turnpike

A Quiet Man, he is not!
John Ford, proprietor of Ford Auto Body and Collision Repair, Braintree, Massachusetts - we accept only cash

It's a Wonderful Book!
Frankie Capra, head dough flipper of Capra's Pizzeria, Port Authority Bus Terminal, NY - bathroom for customer use only