Steve Ryfle's Books

Ishiro Honda

By: Steve Ryfle

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“An appreciation of Japanese fantasy-film history through the eyes of a filmmaker whose name is obscure but populism remains influential.” —Chicago Tribune Ishiro Honda, arguably the most internationally successful Japanese director of his generation, made an unmatched succession of science fiction films that were commercial hits worldwide. From the atomic allegory of Godzilla and the beguiling charms of Mothra to the tragic mystery of Matango and the disaster and spectacle of Rodan, The Mysterians, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Honda’s films reflected postwar Japan’s anxieties and incorporated fantastical special effects, a formula that created an enduring pop culture phenomenon. Now, in the first full account of this overlooked director’s life and career, Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski shed new light on Honda’s work and the experiences that shaped it—including his days as a reluctant Japanese soldier, witnessing the aftermath of Hiroshima, and his lifelong friendship with Akira Kurosawa. The book features close analysis of Honda’s films (including, for the first time, his rarely seen dramas, comedies, and war films) and draws on previously untapped documents and interviews to explore how creative, economic, and industrial factors impacted his career. Fans of Godzilla and tokusatsu (special effects) film, and of Japanese film in general, will welcome this in-depth study of a highly influential director who occupies a uniquely important position in science fiction and fantasy cinema, as well as world cinema. “Provides the reader with a lasting sense of the man—his temperament, values, philosophies, dreams, and disappointments?behind some of cinema’s most beloved characters.” —Film Comment

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Page Count

368

Publisher

Wesleyan University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0819577413

ISBN 13

9780819577412

Japan's Favorite Mon-star

The Unauthorized Biography of "The Big G"

By: Steve Ryfle

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Japan's Favorite Mon-star

The Unauthorized Biography of "The Big G"

By: Steve Ryfle

Bigger, badder, and more durable than Hollywood's greatest action heroes, Godzilla emerged from the mushroom cloud of an H-bomb test in 1954 to trample Tokyo. More than 40 years later, he reigns as the undisputed monarch of movie monsters, with legions of fans spanning several generations and countless international boundaries.

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Page Count

376

Publisher

ECW Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1550223488

ISBN 13

9781550223484

Japan's Favorite Mon-star

The Unauthorized Biography of "The Big G"

By: Steve Ryfle

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Japan's Favorite Mon-star

The Unauthorized Biography of "The Big G"

By: Steve Ryfle

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376

Publisher

ECW Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1550223488

ISBN 13

9781550223484

The World of Shaft

A Complete Guide to the Novels, Comic Strip, Films and Television Series

By: Steve Aldous

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The World of Shaft

A Complete Guide to the Novels, Comic Strip, Films and Television Series

By: Steve Aldous

Mention Shaft and most people think of Gordon Parks' seminal 1971 film starring Richard Roundtree in a leather coat, walking the streets of Manhattan to Isaac Hayes' iconic theme music. But the black private dick who inspired the blaxploitation film genre actually made his debut on the printed page as the creation of a white novelist. Ernest Tidyman was a seasoned journalist down on his luck when he decided to try his hand at fiction. Shaft was the result, giving Tidyman the break he was looking for. He went on to become an Academy Award winning screenwriter and respected film producer. Based on extensive research of Tidyman's personal papers, this book tells the story of Shaft from the perspective of his creator. The author provides new insight and analysis of the writing of the Shaft novels, as well as the production of the films and TV series. First-ever coverage of the forgotten Shaft newspaper comic strip includes previously unseen artwork. Also included is Shaft's recent reappearance on the printed page, in both comic book and prose form.

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Page Count

266

Publisher

McFarland

Published Date

ISBN 10

0786499230

ISBN 13

9780786499236

Robots in American Popular Culture

By: Steve Carper

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Robots in American Popular Culture

By: Steve Carper

They are invincible warriors of steel, silky-skinned enticers, stealers of jobs and lovable goofball sidekicks. Legions of robots and androids star in the dream factories of Hollywood and leer on pulp magazine covers, instantly recognizable icons of American popular culture. For two centuries, we have been told tales of encounters with creatures stronger, faster and smarter than ourselves, making us wonder who would win in a battle between machine and human. This book examines society's introduction to robots and androids such as Robby and Rosie, Elektro and Sparko, Data, WALL-E, C-3PO and the Terminator, particularly before and after World War II when the power of technology exploded. Learn how robots evolved with the times and then eventually caught up with and surpassed them.

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Page Count

302

Publisher

McFarland

Published Date

ISBN 10

1476635056

ISBN 13

9781476635057

Crying for a Vision and Other Essays

The Collected Steve Scott

By: Steve Scott

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Crying for a Vision and Other Essays

The Collected Steve Scott

By: Steve Scott

Meet these notable women and others as you walk in their footsteps around downtown Chicago in three short journeys outlined in this book. From the earliest days of permanent settlement to the present, women's sacrifices, commitment, and creativity have shaped this city. Our lives today reflect the legacy of these women. You will find these tours interesting and informative, and perhaps even provocative.

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Page Count

144

Published Date

ISBN 10

1425977545

ISBN 13

9781425977542

Ratt, Renegade Angels

By: Steve Gett

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Ratt, Renegade Angels

By: Steve Gett

Describes the origins of the popular San Diego hard rock band, and gives brief profiles of each group member

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Publisher

Cherry Lane Music

Published Date

ISBN 10

0895242826

ISBN 13

9780895242822

Book's by Steve Ryfle

Ishiro Honda

Ishiro Honda

Japan's Favorite Mon-star

Japan's Favorite Mon-star

Japan's Favorite Mon-star

Japan's Favorite Mon-star

The World of Shaft

The World of Shaft

Robots in American Popular Culture

Robots in American Popular Culture

Crying for a Vision and Other Essays

Crying for a Vision and Other Essays

Ratt, Renegade Angels

Ratt, Renegade Angels

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