Thursday Thirteen #40

A few weeks ago, I had a look at some books that, for better or worse, have been made into movies.  There certainly are a lot of them.  Here is another TT’s worth; some became pretty good films while others, in my view, should have been left on the cutting room floor.  Anyway, here are….

          13 More Books That Have Been Made Into Movies

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“Primary Colors”  by ANONYMOUS.  Well, that’s what it says on the cover, but in fact it was by the political writer and columnist Joe Klein, written in 1996.  It’s about a charismatic Democrat candidate for the US presidency, who is charming, clever, engaging, intelligent… and shags every woman he can.  He has a wife who is even brighter than him, who has political ambitions of her own.  Gosh!  I can not even begin to imagine who that couple might be based on!  A film was made starring John Travolta and Emma Thompson (no American actresses available?) which was very entertaining.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“Breakheart Pass”  ALISTAIR MACLEAN.  A western, this time, from this enjoyable writer.  It’s set in the mountainous part of northern Nevada, not the prairies, and in mid-winter, not under a blazing sun.  A train carrying a varied mixture of passengers: soldiers, civilians, politicians and a convicted murderer. What should be a straightforward journey does not, as you may have guessed, run smoothly.  One of Maclean’s better novels, in my opinion. The movie of this novel starred Charles Bronson and, inevitably, Jill Ireland.  It was rather good.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“To Sir, With Love”  by E. R. BRAITHWAITE.  This is a true story about a West Indian teacher at a tough school in the East End of London in the 1950s (the cover of my second hand copy describes him as “a Negro” which shows how old it is), who overcomes the children’s natural hostility to teachers and curiosity about strangers and forms a rapport with them.  The film, starring Sidney Poitier, was set in the sixties and was a surprise success on both sides of the Atlantic.  Both the book and the film have aged well and are worth finding.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“All Quiet On The Western Front”  by ERICH MARIA REMARQUE.  This is a classic of anti-war literature, by a man who had served in the Kaiser’s army in WW1.  Beautifully written, from experience not the imagination.  A film was made in 1929 that was every bit as powerful as the book.  It was originally planned as a silent, but while it was in production, sound movies arrived.  A re-make was made for TV in 1979: all very worthy but nothing like as good as the original.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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"The Incredible Journey”  by SHEILA BURNFORD.  I have fond memories of the film because my  late grandmother took me to see it – at the Studio One in Oxford Street, as I recall, alas long since closed down.  This is a charming, feel-good animal story about two dogs and a cat , with very little human involvement.  The Disney film was pretty faithful to the book.  And the scenery was gorgeous  -- it was filmed in British Columbia, so that explains it!   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“The Caine Mutiny”  by HERMAN WOUK.  This is an instance where everyone has heard of the film rather than the book that inspired it.  It’s a very intelligent, absorbing book, and the movie managed to do it justice.  We are encouraged to loathe Captain Queeg, but at the end of the story we discover Wouk’s point of view; that while the world rested, Queeg and his ilk were the true heroes.  It’s up to the readers and viewers to agree or not.  In the film, Humphrey Bogart gives one of his best performances ever.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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The Rats”  by JAMES HERBERT.  This is a terrific and terrifying book from the early seventies about a plague of rats overrunning London. Even though it comes from a time before mobile phones and PCs, it hasn’t really dated all that much and is an exciting, swift read.  It was filmed as “Deadly Eyes” in about 1982 and, oh dear, what a bad movie!   Definitely from the El Buncho Crappo film company. Don’t bother with it. Read the book instead.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“Avalanche Express”  by COLIN FORBES.  One from the cold war.  A top defector from the USSR (remember that?) is defecting, making his journey to the West on a train, guarded by MI6 and CIA agents, while the KGB do their best to stop him, or the train, or both.  Quite a good book, and quite a good film.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“The Diary Of A Young Girl”  by ANNE FRANK.  Visiting the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam will make this story even more poignant – the movie stars’ photos torn from magazines and still stuck on the wall where Anne glued them: the doodling on the wallpaper – but you don’t have to have been there to be touched by this story of hiding and persecution, of hope and resistance. Almost inevitably, it became a movie and a play, but the unvarnished tone of Anne’s words is the best medium with which to experience this true story.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“The Omen”  by DAVID SELTZER.   For some reason, everyone ridiculed this film when it came out, but actually it was pretty good.  The adopted son of the American Ambassador to Britain and his wife is actually the Antichrist.  Well, no family is without its problems.  David Seltzer said he was amazed at how many people read his book and took it seriously,  believing in all that devil stuff – he had just made it all up and written it for the  money.  Both the book and film are quite good.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“The Dirty Dozen”  by E. M.NATHANSON.  Another example of many more people knowing of the film than of the book that came first, which is a shame because the book was so much better.  The story was about the recruiting and training of a dozen US soldiers who were under sentence of death for murder, giving them a chance to redeem themselves.  The book is all about the men, their commander, their personalities and their demons.  The actual mission the were sent on was just a chapter or two at the end.  In the movie, the actual mission is more than 50% of the story.  I didn’t care for it.  Especially at the end where they lock a crowd of men and women in a cellar and pour burning gasoline over them. And they are supposed to be the good guys!  Forget the film but do read the book.   Buy it here   IMDB link

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“Coffee, Tea Or Me?”  by TRUDY BAKER and RACHEL JONES.  This was supposedly written by two flight attendants, in the days when they were still called stewardesses.  I say supposedly because I don’t know if the two authors have ever been identified.  This is a series of anecdotes from a time when flying was still glamorous, planes had only one aisle and most people never flew anywhere.  It’s fun, probably based on a lot of peoples’ experiences, and it was a best seller.  A film was made, starring lovely Karen Valentine, which was about one stewardess and her love life, and had very little in common with the book except for the title.   Buy it here    IMDB link

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“Green Ice”  by  GERALD A. BROWN.  It’s a very long time since I read this but as I recall it is a rather exciting book about an American who gets caught up with a gang of emerald smugglers in South America.  I have read other books by this author and they were all good.  A movie was made with Ryan O’Neal but I think it came and went, causing little stir.   Buy it here    IMDB link

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“Shout At Devil”  by WILBUR SMITH.  Another of Smith’s novels set in Africa, as almost all of them are.  This one takes place in 1914, as war breaks out between Germany and Portugal (among others) both of whom have colonies in the south of the continent.  A penniless English traveller and an American-Irish ivory poacher become involved in a plan to destroy a German gunboat on one of the lakes.  The Englishman also marries the poacher’s daughter.  The book is an absorbing adventure story.  The movie, starring Roger Moore and Lee Marvin (hamming it up like crazy) played much more for laughs, even though the adventure was still there.   Buy it here    IMDB link

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Notice anything?.

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Comments

[SandyCarlson]

To Sir with Love is a favorite! Great list--again!

[pjazzypar]

I actually saw most of the movies you mentioned here and believe it or not I even read "Coffee, Tea, and Me" many, many, years ago. Happy TT.

[amypalko]

I notice that there are 14! However, I also notice some of my absolutely favourite books/movies. The Omen is such a good film, on so many levels - haven't read the book though! The Diary of Anne Frank is sitting on my bookcase waiting patiently for the day when I think my daughter is ready for it. Immensely powerful! And as for The Incredible Journey - that was one of those movies that my brother and I almost wore out the video tape of, because we watched it so often. That moment when Bodger the bulldog finally makes it... well, it brings a lump to my throat just thinking about it! Excellent list, as always, Nicholas.

[Tink]

Some pretty good movies there! Although most of the time I prefer the book.
Good to see someone else that thinks The Omen is a good movie! :-)
I also agree with you on Anne Frank 's diary. I've seen several movies and plays, good and not-so-good ones, but the book is unbeatable...
Thanks for visiting my TT. I was very surprised to see Moscow on no. 1 too!

[Rian Fike]

Primary Colors is the perfect kick-off this week, for the elections. Brilliant.

[Mama Pajama]

I have seen The Omen, The Dirty Dozen, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Incredible Journey. Thank goodness I haven't seen "Deadly Eyes"!! LOL

I wasn't even sure I could handle the animated Disney Pixar hit "Ratatouille", but it was actually an excellent film that adults can enjoy. You should rent it if you haven't seen it!

[Chelle Y.]

I have actually read "The Incredible Journey" and "The Diary of Anne Frank." Disney did a remake of the Incredible Journey movie, except the animals could "talk." It was sweet, but the original was true to the book.

[Lori]

The Omen and the Diary of Anne Frank are the only movies I have seen. Both great movies...even loved the remake of the Omen. Happy TT my friend. Thanks for stopping by:)

[Melissa]

I've seen five of the movies, but only read the books of two of them.

I hang my head in shame today.

No TT for me this week since it is Day to Read.

[Hootin' Anni]

Most books are better tho.......and I'M a movie fanatic. How 'bout Gone with the Wind?

Mmmmmmm, Rats. I love those kind too.

My 13 is shared now also.

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

Okay, so what am I supposed to be noticing?

[Holly]

FINALLY - I've read some of the books on your list! Love "To Sir With Love", and of course the classic "The Diary of Anne Frank".

And yes, I am eclectic - Cleopatra and Britney Spears in one posts deserves points!

Happy TT-13!

Smiles,

Holly
http://theabundanceplace.com

[Melissa]

I've really got to get the Diary of Anne Frank. Thanks for stopping by. Happy TT!

[pussreboots]

I love All Quiet on the Western Front (both film and book). Happy TT and thanks for stopping by.

[Rebecca]

I've read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and seen a version of "The Incredible Journey" (I think). A few more of the books I need to read.

[Cheerio]

At least I recognize 3 of them. To Sir With Love, Dirty Dozen and Omen.
Thanks for visiting.

[Sue]

Always enjoy your lists! And yes Jessica was a Miss Marple knock-off absolute! I think the former was a serial killer though.

[Malcolm]

Humphrey Bogart is my all time favorite actor and his portrayal of Capt. Queeg is one of his best. When I describe that film to people, I tell them that it has not one, but two climaxes (the typhoon scene and when Barney Greenwald questions Queeg on the witness stand).

Amy Palko mentioned that there are 14 entries on your list. Is that what you are asking us if we noticed?

[On a Limb with Claudia]

Arg, I just tried to post....

I wrote down "Herman Wouk" so I would remember to get some of his books from the library. I read them as a kid, but not in a long long time.

Dirty Dozen has lots of hot guys in it - what could be wrong with that??

[The Gal Herself]

I read Coffee, Tea or Me back when I was in high school! Haven't thought about it in decades! Loved both film and book of Primary Colors, Incredible Journey (the original is better than the remake) and, of course, Anne Frank. Terrific list, and thanks for visiting mine.

[susiej]

I had forgotten many of these, and some I didn't even realize were movies. I'd like to re-read the Diary of a Young Girl.

[Dallas >^^< Meow]

I JUST watched the Caine Mutiny -

[Missy]

You added an extra one, again. ;) The Diary of Anne Frank is the only book I've read of this bunch, but I've seen several of the movies. I loved To Sir With Love.

Recently, I wrote a post about the difference between the book and movie versions of P.S. I Love You at Incurable Disease of Writing. My Thursday Thirteen is at its normal place.

[SJ Reidhead]

You have pulled up some old books, with some old covers.

Impressive.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo

[Indonesian WAHM]

I think I've watched the Rats sometimes when I was little and that made me totally scared of them...