Hawks on Hawks

Hawks on Hawks presents an intimate series of conversations between film critic Joseph McBride and legendary director Howard Hawks, documenting their interactions from 1970 until just months before Hawks' death in 1977. Through extensive interviews, Hawks recounts his experiences directing Hollywood icons including Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and John Wayne. The book captures Hawks' perspectives on filmmaking, his collaborations with renowned writers like Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner, and his approach to crafting memorable scenes and characters. The text originated from McBride's multiple encounters with Hawks at film festivals, panel discussions, and a final three-day interview session in Laguna Beach. These conversations accumulated over seven years into a comprehensive examination of Hawks' five-decade career in cinema. The book stands as a vital document of Hollywood's golden age, revealing Hawks' direct and unpretentious philosophy of filmmaking while offering insights into the relationships between directors, stars, and writers during a transformative period in American cinema.

Readers appreciate the interview format that lets Howard Hawks speak directly about his filmmaking philosophy and experiences. Many note how Hawks' straightforward, no-nonsense personality comes through clearly in his responses. Film students and directors mention finding practical insights into Hawks' directing methods and creative decisions. Readers liked: - Detailed discussions of specific film techniques - Behind-the-scenes stories about classic movies - Hawks' candid opinions about other directors and actors Common criticisms: - Questions could be more probing/challenging - Some repetitive sections - Limited coverage of certain films in Hawks' catalog Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (12 reviews) "Like having a long conversation with Hawks himself" notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader comments that it "demystifies the filmmaking process without diminishing the magic." Some readers point out the book works best for those already familiar with Hawks' films.

Hitchcock by François Truffaut In-depth conversations between filmmaker Truffaut and director Alfred Hitchcock reveal the master's techniques, philosophies, and approach to cinema across his career.

This Is Orson Welles by Peter Bogdanovich Through extensive interviews, Welles discusses his films, radio work, and theatrical productions with candor and technical detail.

Lynch on Lynch by Chris Rodley Director David Lynch explains his creative process, interpretation of dreams, and filmmaking methods through conversations spanning his entire filmography.

Scorsese on Scorsese by David Thompson and Ian Christie Martin Scorsese discusses his films chronologically, providing insights into his influences, methods, and evolution as a filmmaker.

The Emperor by Ryszard Kapuściński Through interviews with former servants and associates of Emperor Haile Selassie, Kapuściński constructs an intimate portrait that mirrors Hawks's personal revelations about Hollywood's golden age.

🎥 Howard Hawks directed iconic films across multiple genres, including "Scarface" (1932), "Bringing Up Baby" (1938), and "Rio Bravo" (1959), demonstrating remarkable versatility rarely seen in Hollywood directors. 📚 The interviews in the book span from 1970 to 1977, with the final three-day session taking place at Hawks's Palm Springs home just months before his passing at age 81. 🎬 Author Joseph McBride went on to write acclaimed biographies of other film legends, including Frank Capra, Steven Spielberg, and John Ford, establishing himself as one of cinema's foremost chroniclers. 🌟 Hawks worked with Cary Grant in five films, developing one of Hollywood's most successful director-actor partnerships and helping establish Grant's sophisticated screen persona. 📽️ The director's famous "Hawksian woman" archetype - tough, independent, and quick-witted female characters - influenced generations of filmmakers and challenged Hollywood's traditional gender roles.