Lee Marvin: Point Blank is the first full-length, authoritative and detailed story of the iconic actor's life to go beyond the Hollywood scandal sheet reporting from earlier books, and provide an appreciation for the man and his acting career and the classic films he starred in, whether it's his chilling titular villain in "Who Shot Liberty Valance" to the paternal yet brutally realistic platoon leader in "The Big Red One." And, while Marvin is best known for his icy tough guy roles, veteran Hollywood writer Epstein provides us with a portrait of a much, deeper, more complex individual who took great risks in his acting and career, often joining forces with relative unknown directors of the time like John Boorman and Sam Fuller. Yet, although voted the leading male action star in 1967, and winner of an Academy Award (Cat Ballou), very little is known of his personal life, his family background, his experiences in WWII, his relationship with his father, family, friends, wives, and his ongoing battles with alcoholism, rage and depression, occasioned by his postwar PTSD. Now, after years of research, interviews with family members, friends and colleagues, and complete with rare photographs and illustrative material, LEE MARVIN: Point Blank will provide a full understanding and appreciation of this acting titan's place in the Hollywood pantheon in spite of (or perhaps because of) his very real and human struggles. Moreover, this biography provides a penetrating psychological and sociological analysis of Lee Marvin and his role in shaping the image of the violent male in modern film. By exploring Marvin's family history and his formative years as well as the harrowing combat that Marvin was involved in the Pacific campaign in WWII, Epstein gives us a portrait of a man shaped and shattered by violence, yet one who, having been intimately acquainted with it, could bring it home to the film audience with an intensity and realism previously unseen in modern cinema.

Lee Marvin: Point Blank will be released February 2013. For more information visit www.schaffnerpress.com.

Reviews and Comments

“I have known Dwayne Epstein for more than 20 years and he is without a doubt the most knowledgeable person I know on the subject of Hollywood and film history. And he is flat out a great writer. His style of writing will attract the attention of film critics and buffs alike. The information he has culled on Lee Marvin over a 20- year-period is deep and most likely will never be repeated. The market is also ripe for an in-depth look at Marvin's life and filmography. Dwayne's book will be the most definitive look at this underrated superstar and most likely kick-off a rediscovery of Marvin's work, which is long overdue.”

MARSHALL TERRILL, author of STEVE McQUEEN: Portrait of an American Rebel

“I looked over Dwayne's shoulder while he was working on early chapters of his Lee Marvin biography, and I know it will be a great book. He had already done unique, unduplicated research into Marvin's early life, his war experience and the relationship between that and his decision to pursue acting. Lee Marvin: Point Blank will also be the definitive book on its subject: the rare star biography that substitutes passion for pandering, which always makes for gripping reading.”

BILL KROHN, LA Correspondent since 1978 of Cahiers du Cinema and author of HITCHCOCK AT WORK

“Dwayne has a broad knowledge of film and pop culture that comes through in his well-researched articles. His work requires no rewriting, making my job that much easier. Many of the articles he has submitted have garnered sincere praise in letters to the editor from our readers. We at Filmfax are very proud that Dwayne's initial research on Lee Marvin first saw the light of the day in our publication. I can not say enough about his ability...”

MIKE STEIN, founder and publisher, FilmFax Magazine

Michael Dante set to release memoirs in 2012

Michael Dante will add another distinguished title to his list of credits: celebrity author.

 

The athlete turned actor recently penned From Hollywood to Michael Dante Way, and will be released later this year.

 

Dante appeared in more than 50 movies and 150 television episodes. His tall, dark, leading-man good looks got him his break in Hollywood, but his ability to adapt to a wide variety of roles kept him busy in show biz for more than three decades.

 

The actor known as Michael Dante was born Ralph Vitti in 1931, in Stamford, Conn. He played ball and began studying acting at the University of Miami. In 1949, the Boston Braves discovered him playing semi-pro ball in a fast New England league and signed him to a pro contract at the age of 18.



After injuring his arm, he sat out the 1952 season, and left pro ball for good a few years later.

 

His first acting job came in the 1956 movie Somebody Up There Likes Me. For the 30 years he had guest roles in many of the TV Westerns of the time, along with soap operas, cop shows, etc.

 

You can view his "filmography" at the Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com and his minor league baseball career at www.baseball-reference.com. Be sure to search under Michael Dante on the former site, and Ralph Vitti on the latter.

Stage 32 a Game Changer for Independent Film

Since its launch last September, social network Stage32.com has resonated with film, TV and theater creatives. The site — founded by Curt Blakeney and Richard “RB” Botto — has attracted more than 50,000 members in more than 180 countries, catering to an audience that is dependent on strong networking connections. Stage 32 is a vibrant meeting place where actors, directors, screenwriters, producers, crew and others connect year round, around the world —a free virtual network of like-minded individuals who collaborate to promote creative growth in film, television and theater. Whether someone is looking to fund a film, cast talent in a project, find crew, get advice or discuss key industry issues, Stage 32 is designed to connect everyone within the industry: seasoned professionals, motivated newcomers, film students and award-winning talent. “Excelling at your craft is only half the battle,” said Richard Botto, co-founder and CEO of Stage32.com. “Networking is just as important, and we’re helping to accelerate that process.” Stage 32 members include award-winning writers Danny Rubin, Rex Pickett and Doug Richardson, whose “tales from the trenches” have resonated with Stage 32 members. "A good friend and intermediary suggested that I might pen a short blog series for Stage 32,” said Richardson, an American screenwriter best known for writing the box office smash Bad Boys and Die Hard 2. “Imagine my greater surprise that, during the run of the blog, I found myself as enamored by the interaction from the Stage 32 members as the actual writing experience. An entirely new and unexpected voice was injected into the story that I found stimulating as hell. I'm very grateful for the Stage 32 experience and plan to stay involved as the site continues to evolve.” Pickett had a similar experience sharing My Life on Spec: The Writing of Sideways, which outlined Pickett’s incredible journey from concept to the Academy Awards. “The crew at Stage 32 approached me about doing a blog for their new social media website for industry professionals, Stage32.com,” said Pickett, the author of the blockbuster book “Sideways.” “I was impressed. Stage 32 deserves to become the Facebook of the entertainment industry.” About Stage 32 Stage 32 is the social network uniquely populated with the most creative people on Earth. Relevant for both newcomers and seasoned entertainment professionals, Stage 32 is the no-nonsense, professional place to get serious about taking a dream and making it a reality. Best of all, Stage 32 is free to join and can easily be linked to an individual’s Facebook account, giving the user easy access to their existing contacts and colleagues. Stage 32 can be found online at www.Stage32.com.