Beloved for its clever story, relatable characters, and unforgettable one-liners (“She doesn’t even go here!”), the 2004 movie Mean Girls has increased in popularity over the years to become a true pop culture phenomenon. Modeled after the iconic Burn Book, this journal lies flat when open and includes 192 ruled pages, a ribbon placeholder, an elastic band, and a back pocket for storing keepsakes and mementos. Read more

“They’re not going to catch us,” Dan Aykroyd, as Elwood Blues, tells his brother Jake, played by John Belushi. “We’re on a mission from God.” So opens the musical action comedy The Blues Brothers, which hit theaters on June 20, 1980. Their scripted mission was to save a local Chicago orphanage.But Aykroyd, who conceived and wrote much of the film, had a greater mission: to honor the then-seemingly forgotten tradition of rhythm and blues, some of whose greatest artists—Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles—made the film as unforgettable as its wild car chases. Much delayed and vastly over budget, The Blues Brothers opened to outraged reviews; however, in the years since, it has become a classic.The saga behind The Blues Brothers, as Daniel de Visé reveals, is epic, encompassing the colorful childhoods of Belushi and Aykroyd; the comedic revolution sparked by Harvard’s Lampoon and Chicago’s Second City; the birth and anecdote-rich, drug-filled early years of Saturday Night Live, where the Blues Brothers were born as an act amidst turmoil and rivalry; and, of course, the indelible behind-the-scenes narrative of how the film was made, scene by memorable scene.Based on original research and dozens of interviews probing the memories of principals from director John Landis and producer Bob Weiss to Aykroyd himself, The Blues Brothers illuminates an American masterpiece while vividly portraying the creative geniuses behind modern comedy. Read more

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COMEDY BOOKS OF 2023 AT VULTURESurely You Can't Be Serious is an in-depth and hysterical look at the making of 1980's comedy classic Airplane! by the legendary writers and directors of the hit film.Airplane! premiered on July 2nd, 1980. With a budget of $3.5 million it went on to make nearly $200 million in sales and has influenced a multitude of comedians on both sides of the camera.Surely You Can’t Be Serious is the first-ever oral history of the making of Airplane! by the creators, and of the beginnings of the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) – charting the rise of their comedy troupe Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin all the way to premiere night. The directors explain what drew them to filmmaking and in particular, comedy. With anecdotes, behind the scenes trivia, and never-before-revealed factoids – these titans of comedy filmmaking unpack everything from how they persuaded Peter Graves to be in the movie after he thought the script was a piece of garbage, how Lorna Patterson auditioned for the stewardess role in the back seat of Jerry’s Volvo, and how Leslie Nielsen’s pranks got the entire crew into trouble, to who really wrote the jive talk. The book also features testimonials and personal anecdotes from well-known faces in the film, television, and comedy sphere – proving how influential Airplane! has been from day one.Four decades after its release, Airplane! continues to make new generations laugh. Its many one-liners and visual gags have worked their way into the mainstream culture. This fully organic expansion of the ZAZ trio’s fan-base, prompted solely by word-of-mouth, comes as no surprise to longtime fans. When all around us is in flux – laughter is priceless. Read more

Nominated for 8 Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Adapted ScreenplayShe's everything. He's just Ken. The exclusive screenplay of the film phenomenon by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach.*Featuring an exclusive introduction by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach and 8 pages of full-color photos from the film*"Greta Gerwig’s bold and inventive Barbie breaks the mold." BBC Culture"A near-miraculous achievement." Independent"Brilliant, beautiful, and fun as hell." The New YorkerFor the first time, the BARBIE screenplay is now available in print. Anarchically hilarious and unexpectedly emotional, BARBIE is a magical cinematic confection of absurdity, heart, and Technicolor musicals. Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach have created a deeply personal and idiosyncratic film from the icon that is the Barbie doll. The movie celebrates the perfection of imperfection, and affirms that everyone, even Allan, is Kenough.BARBIE™ and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel. ©2023 Mattel. Read more

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes the New York Times bestselling account of the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come. Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to never-before seen photos and interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets and backstage stories. With a foreword by Rob Reiner and a limited edition original poster by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film. Read more

This officially-licensed kit includes a mini replica of the Psychokinetic Energy (P.K.E. Meter) from the 1984 classic film, Ghostbusters!SPECIFICATIONS: 4” mini P.K.E. meter with sensor wings that spring open at the push of a button  LIGHTS UP: 2 light modes consisting of multi colored LEDs + light illuminating along wingsSOUND EFFECT: Features authentic detecting soundBOOK INCLUDED: Mini book contains 8 full-color stickersPERFECT GIFT: A unique gift for fans of the Ghostbusters filmsOFFICIALLY LICENSED: Authentic collectible™ & © 2019 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Read more

LIMITED FIRST EDITION contains red foil gilded page edges, foil cover elements, and a black satin ribbon marker. As featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, MovieMaker, SYFY, Fangoria, Yahoo's "It List", SFX, Mental Floss, Total Film, Mashable, and more!How did a low-budget British movie about Londoners battling zombies in a pub become a beloved global pop culture phenomenon?You’ve Got Red on You details the previously untold story of 2004’s Shaun of the Dead, the hilarious, terrifying horror-comedy whose fan base continues to grow and grow. After speaking with dozens of people involved in the creation of the film, author Clark Collis reveals how a group of friends overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to make a movie that would take bites out of both the UK and the US box office before ascending to the status of bona fide comedy classic.Featuring in-depth interviews with director Edgar Wright, producer Nira Park, and cast members Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Bill Nighy, Lucy Davis, and Coldplay singer Chris Martin, the book also boasts a treasure trove of storyboards, rare behind-the-scenes photos, and commentary from famous fans of the movie, including filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth, Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero, and World War Z author Max Brooks.As Pegg’s zombie-fighting hero Shaun would say, “How’s that for a slice of fried gold?” Read more

Susan Fleming appeared in three Broadway shows and twenty-eight films before she turned her back on a show business career she never really enjoyed or wanted. The role of her lifetime came when she married Harpo Marx in 1936. Together, they raised four adopted children and enjoyed one of Hollywood's happiest and most successful unions. But their twenty-year age difference made Susan a young widow in 1964.On her path to Hollywood, Susan worked in Broadway musicals produced by Florenz Ziegfeld and George White and befriended a young dancer who would later be known as Paulette Goddard. In Hollywood, she appeared in films with stars like John Wayne, W.C. Fields, and Katharine Hepburn and worked at all the major studios. But it wasn't until she fell in love with a confirmed bachelor, twenty years older than her, that she found her purpose. Her story is the counterpoint to the beloved and acclaimed Harpo Marx autobiography, Harpo Speaks! Susan's frank, opinionated perspective provides a true look behind the curtain and details Harpo's last years, following the publication of his own book.Susan's account of her more than thirty-year adventure with Harpo includes encounters with people like Charlie Chaplin, William Randolph Hearst, Salvador Dalí, Somerset Maugham, Joan Crawford, Howard Hughes, George S. Kaufman, Helen Keller, Oscar Levant, Jean Harlow, Bugsy Siegel, Samuel Goldwyn, Menachem Begin, Ginger Rogers, Alexander Woollcott, and of course, the Marx Brothers. Susan provides an inside look at the family and pulls no punches when discussing her brothers-in-law, who weren't always her favorite comedians. Read more

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"As you dish!"Few films have captured the hearts and imaginations like The Princess Bride. Based on the book by William Goldman, the 1987 film, directed by Rob Reiner and starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Andre the Giant, Carol Kane, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Fred Savage, and Peter Falk is as universally beloved as it is quotable. Now, for the first time, The Princess Bride Cookbook: The Official Cookbook features more than 50 recipes for dishes seen in, and inspired by, the film, including: Buttercup Buttermilk SconesHash You WishFarm Boy BreakfastSix-Fingered SandwichesChips of InsanityMLTThe Grandson’s Soup and SandwichVizzini’s Sicilian MeatballsFezzik’s StewThe Spaniard’s PaellaBread Pirate RobertsTwu Wove’s Kiss CookiesIocane Powder PunchInigo Montoya’s Taste of RevengePerfect for fans, families, and Brute Squads, The Princes Bride: The Official Cookbook is the ultimate way for home cooks to plate up the adventure, comedy, and romance of everyone’s favorite film. Read more

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WHO YOU GONNA CALL? The Ghostbusters saga has been thrilling fans around the world for over three decades, from the original movies to the animated shows, comics, video games, toys, and other collectibles. For the first time, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History takes a comprehensive look at the entire franchise, telling the complete story behind the creation of a true pop culture phenomenon. Beginning with an in-depth look at the original film, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History delves into the archives to showcase a wealth of never-before-seen concept art and photography that will take fans into the production of a true classic. Also featuring a large section on Ghostbusters II, the book brings together exclusive interviews with the key players from both films, including director Ivan Reitman; stars Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver; and producers Michael C. Gross and Joe Medjuck. The book also explores the creation of The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters animated shows, featuring interviews with the writers, animators, and voice artists, plus previously unseen sketches, animation cels, and other stunning visuals. With additional sections on Ghostbusters comics, video games, merchandise, and fandom, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History is the last word on one of the most popular franchises of all time. ALSO INCLUDES INCREDIBLE SPECIAL ITEMS THAT WILL THRILL GHOSTBUSTERS FANS, INCLUDING: -Peter Venkman’s business card -Sedgewick Hotel storyboard booklet -Rare concept art sketches of ghostbusting gadgets -Stay Puft Marshmallow Man package sticker -Production notes -A schematic of the Gozer temple miniature Ghostbusters TM & © 2015 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COMEDY BOOKS OF 2023 AT VULTURESurely You Can't Be Serious is an in-depth and hysterical look at the making of 1980's comedy classic Airplane! by the legendary writers and directors of the hit film.Airplane! premiered on July 2nd, 1980. With a budget of $3.5 million it went on to make nearly $200 million in sales and has influenced a multitude of comedians on both sides of the camera.Surely You Can’t Be Serious is the first-ever oral history of the making of Airplane! by the creators, and of the beginnings of the ZAZ trio (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker) – charting the rise of their comedy troupe Kentucky Fried Theater in Madison, Wisconsin all the way to premiere night. The directors explain what drew them to filmmaking and in particular, comedy. With anecdotes, behind the scenes trivia, and never-before-revealed factoids – these titans of comedy filmmaking unpack everything from how they persuaded Peter Graves to be in the movie after he thought the script was a piece of garbage, how Lorna Patterson auditioned for the stewardess role in the back seat of Jerry’s Volvo, and how Leslie Nielsen’s pranks got the entire crew into trouble, to who really wrote the jive talk. The book also features testimonials and personal anecdotes from well-known faces in the film, television, and comedy sphere – proving how influential Airplane! has been from day one.Four decades after its release, Airplane! continues to make new generations laugh. Its many one-liners and visual gags have worked their way into the mainstream culture. This fully organic expansion of the ZAZ trio’s fan-base, prompted solely by word-of-mouth, comes as no surprise to longtime fans. When all around us is in flux – laughter is priceless. Read more

The Marx Brothers are widely regarded as the 20th century’s greatest comedy team, a tight knit performing unit who reached their fans through a dozen films, three Broadway shows, a radio program, and a top-flight vaudeville act, as well the brothers’ own separate accomplishments as book authors, recording artists, television personalities, and entrepreneurs. Yet while it’s tempting to think so, the world’s most popular comedy act didn’t emerge in a vacuum. Groucho’s brand of verbal nonsense humor, Harpo’s silent clowning, and Chico’s “Italian” shtick were all highly popular and familiar vaudeville specialties in their day. What made the Marx Brothers original was that they packed it all into the same explosive, anarchistic act. And they were so funny, of course.Writer/ performer Trav S.D. (No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous) now turns his attention to the greatest of all stage and screen comedy teams in The Marx Brothers Miscellany. Adapted from a series of public lectures and over 150 articles originally published on the popular website Travalanche, The Marx Brothers Miscellany mimics its unruly subject with an irreverent style and crazy-quilt structure combining cultural history, biography, criticism, and more than a few surprises. A one of a kind ex-TRAV-aganza, The Marx Brothers Miscellany also features art by Noah Diamond and a foreword by Austin Pendleton (Skidoo, What’s Up Doc? Finding Nemo).Bette Midler called No Applause “the best book about the people who worked in vaudeville” in People magazine. Trav S.D.’s other books have included Chain of Fools: Silent Comedy and Its Legacies from Nickelodeons to Youtube (2013) and Rose’s Royal Midgets and Other Little People of Vaudeville (2020). With Noah Diamond, he co-produced and directed the first ever revival of I’ll Say She Is, the Marx Brothers’ first Broadway show, in 2014. He has performed and lectured at such notable venues as the Museum of Modern Art, Columbia University, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He has contributed to The New York Times, The Village Voice. American Theatre, Reason, and Time Out New York, and has been heard as a guest on the BBC, NPR, and The Halli Casser-Jayne Show, where he had the honor of appearing on a Marx Brothers themed panel with Dick Cavett and Bill Marx, Harpo’s son. The Marx Brothers Miscellany is the product of over 40 years of fandom. Read more

Put every "inconceivable!" idea to paper with the Princess Bride Journal, an officially licensed, deluxe hardcover journal celebrating the characters and quotes of the beloved film. Write a perfect "as you wish" letter to your dream date, correct your coworker who "keeps using that word," or plot out your next "inconceivable!" adventure in this handsome guided journal inspired by the world of The Princess Bride.This journal features: Full-color illustrated hardcover binding.Movie quotes and in-world prompts to inspire fans.Lined and blank interior pages, printed on woodfree paper.Full-color illustrations throughout.© The Princess Bride Ltd.  All Rights Reserved.  Based on the original book The Princess Bride by William Goldman. Read more

Steve North the Comedy Coach, voted #1 Comedy Coach in the USA, starts by teaching you how to create your own unique comedic character for stand up, then offers the twenty best joke-writing formulas developed over 20 years in his workshops, and then helps you put it all together to work as a stand up comedian. Whether you're a beginner or advanced comedian, you need to learn the character method first. Then slay the audience, or just be funnier in life. Read more

Abbott and Costello were the most popular comedians of the 1940s, with burlesque-inspired routines that enthralled audiences on both radio and television. Oddly, their films have not received the same level of attention from critics and writers as those of other comedy teams. This book is a scene-by-scene, film-by-film guide to their movies, making a compelling case for their inclusion at the very top of comic artists. Featuring new research and some surprising revelations, the book introduces newcomers to the delights of this uproarious team and provides confirmed fans with the ultimate companion to their work. Also included is a foreword by John Landis, the celebrated director and Abbott and Costello devotee. Read more