About the Book:
Designed especially for animal-loving movie buffs, this all-inclusive film reference contains 90 complete reviews of movies in which a primary character is an animal (genres include animated, western, horror, comedy, drama, and more). There are flash reviews and synopses of nearly 1,000 animal movies spanning from the 1920s to the present.
With behind-the-scenes tidbits about Hollywood and the human and animal actors that appear in these movies, the entertaining and informative listings provide animal lovers the details needed to choose movies that will appeal to them and offers parents the background to select appropriate movies for their children. Featured films survey both the all-time greats and the yawners, and run the gamut from general admission to R-rated.
Interviews with actors such as Antonio Banderas, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Viggo Mortensen, and Hollywood animal trainers Anne Gordon and Steve Martin present an insider's perspective while numerous sidebars sprinkled throughout the book reveal interesting factoids about how stunts are staged, how readers can get their pets in the pictures, and much more.
Or get it at discount from the publisher Running Free Press, MovieBooks.biz
From
the Introduction:
Did
you cry during Old Yeller or Bambi? Did you cheer Seabiscuit
or Man O' War across the
cinematic finish line? Did you laugh at the cat-obsessed dad
in Meet The Parents, or cringe at the strings of drool hanging from the
dog's mouth in Turner & Hooch? Most of our favorite movie-going experiences
and memories involve scenes with animals because billions of us are pet
keepers.
I still remember the first movie I ever saw in a theater. It was Bambi.
I was so captivated by the animated adventure, I named my very first puppy
Bambi. This began a tradition of my naming several pets over the years
after movies and movie characters. Decades after Bambi I now have a Casino,
a Mij (from Ring of Bright Water), a Neo (from The Matrix trilogy), and
a Spicoli (from Fast Times at Ridgemont High) sharing my home and my heart.
Throughout my life, I have always loved animals and movies. I've been lucky
enough to have careers through both of them -- I trained horses for several
years and wrote equine-related articles and books; in 2000 I started reviewing
movies for Cinescape magazine's online portal and that blossomed into working
for several freelance outlets and becoming a busy entertainment reporter
covering red carpet premieres and doing special celebrity interviews. Here
you will read some of the movie interviews I've done in the past, and film
reviews I have written for Bold magazine, Fantastica Daily and Horror.com,
but the majority of them are exclusive to this book.
The idea for Animal Movies Guide came from my own interest
in the subject. I was looking for an overview of all the animal movies
just
to see if there were any I'd missed over the years, but I came up totally
empty-handed. I was able to find a couple of books about animal actors
but with the exception of one, they were decades old. None of them contained
any movie reviews or synopses. Americans spend over $33 billion annually
on their pets, $26 billion on books, and well over $100 billion at the
movies and on DVDs. Despite these impressive numbers, there was no definitive
film reference handbook available to animal lovers. I've set out to write
the definitive guide, and worked very hard to put together an entertaining
and informative reading experience. Animal Movies Guide is not only packed with trivia (such as the real
names of the animal actors who played your favorite characters), it
also features a wealth of rare and exclusive photos.
This
is a book I myself would like to own if I hadn't written it. I hope
you'll enjoy it, too.
See the Table of Contents (and a few fun photos) here.
“Animal Movies Guide is not only an excellent home video resource, its an entertaining and insightful read. A neglected sub-genre finally has its movie guide and its champion in Staci Layne Wilson.”
John Fusco, Screenwriter: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and Hidalgo
“Humorous and candid. A great reference guide!”
Deb Bulmer, Creator: Horse Fame
“An informative, charming book that every animal lover who watches movies will want to own. There is no other book like it.”
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, PhD, Author: Dogs Never Lie About Love
“Animal Movies Guide is a long overdue book. Anyone who loves sharing
their lives with animals should have this book. It is a one-stop guide for
every important animal-related movie made, along with interviews and more. Before
you swing by the video store to rent your next video, check out Staci's book.
Not only will you be reminded of movies you loved as a child, but you are
sure to find new favorites as well. This one is a keeper and makes a great gift
for the animal lovers in your life!”
Bonnie Marlewski-Probert, Creator: Horse Tales for the Soul, and Dog Tales for the Soul book series
“Is Animal Movies Guide
in fact a horror book belonging in a horror fan's library? Absolutely it is and does. While it's not limited solely to our genre, it certainly accords it the love and respect it deserves, and I can't imagine that any horror fan wouldn't also enjoy reading about beloved (and feared) animals in dramas, comedies, westerns, etc. Where else can you learn about both Cujo and Old Yeller? Cat People and The Cat From Outer Space? Apes like Curious George and Amy from Congo? All in one convenient, easy-to-read, and extremely entertaining package.”
Debi Moore: Dread Central
“Animal Movies Guide is a fun trot through animal roles. The reviews are sometimes humorous, always engaging and feel as if they're written just for ‘you'. It is a reminder of how important animal themes are in every genre.”
Leslie S. Osborne, Producer: T. K. Productions
“Every library should have this book!”
Harold Reitz, Editor/Publisher: Cationary
