In Love with Movies: From New Yorker Films to Lincoln Plaza Cinemas

Daniel Talbot, the impresario of the New Yorker Theater and distributor of New Yorker Films, has written a memoir titled "In Love with Movies" about his life in the film industry. He recounts how he discovered and selected films, including classics such as "Before the Revolution," "Shoah," "My Dinner with Andre," and "The Marriage of Maria Braun," and introduces American audiences to cutting-edge foreign and independent filmmaking. The book is a lively portrait of a tastemaker who was willing to take risks and turn his passion into a vibrant cultural community.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 29 March 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Daniel Talbot, a renowned figure in the world of film exhibition, has left an indelible mark on the Upper West Side and art-house audiences worldwide. In his memoir, "In Love with Movies," Talbot shares the captivating story of his life as the impresario of the legendary Manhattan theaters he owned and operated, as well as his influential role as a film distributor. Talbot and his wife, Toby, opened the New Yorker Theater in 1960, nurturing a devoted audience of film enthusiasts and cinephiles. Over the years, he expanded his cinematic empire, managing several theaters, including Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, and establishing the distribution company New Yorker Films. Talbot's profound influence extended to shaping the tastes and sensibilities of generations of moviegoers. He introduced American audiences to groundbreaking foreign and independent filmmaking, including the French New Wave and New German Cinema.

In this lively and personal account of a bygone era of film exhibition, Talbot delves into the art of discovering and selecting films that would become future classics. He reminisces about his encounters with renowned world directors such as Sembène, Godard, Fassbinder, Wenders, Varda, and Kiarostami, as well as the industry colleagues with whom he negotiated deals on a slip of paper or a handshake. "In Love with Movies" offers an intimate portrait of a tastemaker who was willing to take risks. It not only provides a comprehensive guide to running a theater but also delves into the journey of a young cinephile who transformed his passion into a vibrant cultural community.

Through his memoir, Talbot pays tribute to the power of cinema to inspire, educate, and entertain. He reminds us of the importance of preserving the art form and the significance of supporting independent filmmakers. "In Love with Movies" is a testament to the enduring legacy of Daniel Talbot and his unwavering dedication to the world of film.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231203142