William Goldman was an American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for his works in the field of fiction and film. He was born on August 12, 1931, in Highland Park, Illinois, and passed away on November 16, 2018, in New York City. Goldman began his writing career as a novelist with the publication of his first novel, "The Temple of Gold," in 1957. This was followed by several other novels, including "Your Turn to Curtsy, My Turn to Bow" and "Soldier in the Rain." However, it was with his foray into screenwriting that Goldman found his greatest success. In the early 1960s, Goldman began writing screenplays for Hollywood.
Mike Nichols and Norman Jewison were both attached to the project before Richard Attenborough took over as director, doing great work with his cast. Anthony Hopkins was probably his favourite actor and he does a great job here, convincing both as the neurotic Corky and as the successful stage performer (though most of the ventriloquism was in fact the work of Dennis Alwood), while Ann-Margret is perfect in a role that was literally written for her (though this does mean they are both a good 10 tears older than the characters in the book). Burgess Meredith (in a role apparently earmarked for Olivier at one stage, which would have been a terrible idea) does well as Corky’s loving agent; and the always underrated Ed Lauter brings much to what might be a two-dimensional role as Peggy’s philandering failure of a husband.
If the film didn t become a big hit, despite the fine ensemble and the many surprises, it s probably because it was unclear to audiences just what kind of film this was going to be a deliberate and necessary choice to avoid spoilers, but a marketing nightmare. He also had a secret and a certainty a secret that must be hidden from his public at all costs; and a certainty that the dark forces of magic were out to destroy him.
In the early 1960s, Goldman began writing screenplays for Hollywood. His first major success came with the adaptation of his own novel, "Harper," into a film starring Paul Newman. This led to further highly acclaimed screenplays, such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the President's Men.
Magic
“One of those can’t-put-it-down-until-the-last-page-is-turned monsters that has readers all over the country missing sleep.”—Minneapolis Tribune
Corky is a brilliant entertainer with a bright future ahead of him. He has good looks, many women, and enormous talent. He also had a secret and a certainty: a secret that must be hidden from his public at all costs; and a certainty that the dark forces of magic were out to destroy him.
“Fascinating . . . This dazzling psychological thriller cannot be put down! . . . The most imaginative and enjoyable novel I’ve read since Marathon Man. . . . [A] bizarre journey into the world of illusion.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Kept me up half the night. . . . A brilliantly alarming novel!”—Cosmopolitan
About Magic
“One of those can’t-put-it-down-until-the-last-page-is-turned monsters that has readers all over the country missing sleep.”—Minneapolis Tribune
Corky is a brilliant entertainer with a bright future ahead of him. He has good looks, many women, and enormous talent. He also had a secret and a certainty: a secret that must be hidden from his public at all costs; and a certainty that the dark forces of magic were out to destroy him.
“Fascinating . . . This dazzling psychological thriller cannot be put down! . . . The most imaginative and enjoyable novel I’ve read since Marathon Man. . . . [A] bizarre journey into the world of illusion.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Kept me up half the night. . . . A brilliantly alarming novel!”—Cosmopolitan
DVD Availability: This one is easy to get on DVD round the world and on Blu-ray in the US (the above still are taken from that release, with acknowledgement and special thanks to DVD Beaver). The Blu-ray includes interviews (from a 2006 DVD release) with Goldman, cinematographer Victor J Kemper and best of all Dennis Alwood, who not only dishes the dirt on the production but also brings a wealth of knowledge about the history of ventriloquism and its representation on screen
" One of Goldman's most notable achievements as a screenwriter was his ability to seamlessly blend comedy and drama, creating movies that were both entertaining and thought-provoking. His witty dialogue and skillful storytelling made him one of the most sought-after screenwriters in Hollywood. In addition to his work as a screenwriter, Goldman also wrote several notable works of fiction, including "The Princess Bride" and "Marathon Man." "The Princess Bride" was later adapted into a beloved film that has become a cult classic. Throughout his career, Goldman received numerous accolades for his writing. He won two Academy Awards for his screenplays and was nominated for several more. In 1985, he received the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement from the Writers Guild of America. Goldman's impact on the world of fiction and film was significant. His unique storytelling style and ability to captivate audiences will ensure that his work continues to be cherished by readers and viewers alike for generations to come..
Reviews for "The Chameleon Writer: How William Goldman Successfully Navigated Multiple Genres"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic William Goldman". The story was confusing and the characters were uninteresting. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself getting bored halfway through. The writing style was also disjointed and hard to follow. Overall, I just didn't enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Magic William Goldman" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was all over the place, with no clear direction or purpose. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth. The pacing was off, with slow and repetitive sections that dragged on. It felt like the author was trying to be clever and innovative, but it fell flat for me. I struggled to finish this book and wish I hadn't wasted my time on it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic William Goldman" based on the reviews I read, but I was sorely disappointed. The story felt convoluted and confusing, with numerous plot holes and inconsistencies. The characters were forgettable and underdeveloped, making it hard to engage with the story. The writing style was also lacking, feeling forced and unnatural. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Magic William Goldman" was a complete mess of a book. The story was all over the place and lacked any coherent structure. The characters were poorly developed and their actions often made no sense. The dialogue was stilted and awkward, making it hard to connect with the characters. I couldn't wait for this book to be over, as it felt like a chore to read. I would not recommend this book to anyone.