About Shaun Costello
After a lifetime in the film business, followed by a brief and failed career as possibly the worst real estate broker in the history of the Hamptons, I am now in Southwest Florida writing two books. Please feel free to leave comments on my posts. While thousands have viewed my posts, very few have commented on them. I guess it’s a flaw in the system. Just leave a comment. I won’t hold it against you. Well, I might, come to think of it, but leave a comment anyway.
Hey Shaun,
I really love your writing. I’m so fond of the old Hollywood stories and the Arthur Hornblow party reminded me so much of the stories in Garson Kanin’s “Hollywood” and David Niven’s “Bring on the Empty Horses,” two of my favorite old Hollywood reads.
Great stuff!
Jeff
January 30, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Another great Hollywood read is Frank Capra’s Bio ‘The Name Above the Title”. Probably the best Hollywood book ever. Although, toward the end of his career, Capra becomes disenchanted with movies, he has good reason. Wonderful stuff here, of Capra’s days as a gag writer for Sennett, and his first feature Silent, “Fultah Fisher’s Boarding House” If you can find it, pounce.
January 31, 2011 at 9:59 am
I just finished reading “The Name Above the Title.” Wow! What a great read! Thanks so much for turning me on to a Frank Capra I never knew. What a life! What a man!
Although he ended frustrated and bitter he still offered hope.
His last line of the book –
“Friend, you are a divine mingle-mangle of guts and stardust. So hang in there! If doors opened for me, they can open for anyone.”
Thanks again for this masterpiece!
Jeff
March 15, 2011 at 1:58 pm
I’m glad you found it, Jeff. Before Capra’s undone by Glenn Ford, the book is an amazing ride. I loved it all, particularly Harry Cohn, “Dago, you can make shit taste like pineapple”. And The early days with Sennett, and Fultah Fisher’s Boarding House, which I actually saw in a theater in NYC, back in the early Nineties. Capra’s Magic Carpet.
March 15, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Hi Shaun,
This story was really cute, it captured me right from the beginning. I wanted it to keep going. Thanks for sharing.
Teresa
March 9, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Very enjoyable reading, love it when you can get lost in the story and actually be a part of the story. Writing has become somewhat of a lost art but Shawn, you have the gift. Keep on writing and we will keep on reading!
March 18, 2011 at 9:23 am
Thanks Faith. Your comment means a lot to me.
March 18, 2011 at 9:45 am
What a wonderful list and commentary. I so remember how your Mom loved to watch “her movies” in the basement.
May 26, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Hello Mr. Costello,
I was wondering if you would be interested in participating in an interview that would be done via email.
I would love to ask you questions on your impressive and extensive filmography!
Email me at r.burkosky@gmail.com if you are interested.
Stay cool!
Robert B.
September 17, 2011 at 3:33 am
This blog ain’t navigable enough. Where’s “The Last Time I Saw Jesus”? Was gonna tweet it again.
October 22, 2011 at 11:24 am
You’ll find it. This Blog has grown to the point where sometimes you just have to look for stuff.
October 22, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Carter needs to be careful now that the word is out. Great fun reading your blog! But tell me, how do you imagine this stuff? LOL!
January 24, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I don’t know, Suz. Do you suppose there’s an herbal cure?
January 24, 2012 at 3:17 pm
thanks, shaun, for the expose’ on wgcu-hd2 dropping classical music programming – it confirms my suspicions, and your candid comments are refreshing. i suspect there was a good reason for wnps coming into the fort myers/naples/marco market with the same mpr syndicated programming as wgcu-hd2 . . . . if you ever find out what it was, please let us know! c.
August 19, 2012 at 12:11 am
Hi,
I came across your blog because I recently wrote an article on my own blog about my love of Westerns. I was interested to read your top 10. Generally as a rule I don’t think there are that many genuinely good ones before the early/mid 1960s. Prior to this they are almost all too pulpy. The morality is over simplified and they tend to be racist and misogynist on many levels. They are just not credible or interesting before this in my view. I am more of a revisionist Western fan, by that I mean films which have a more positive representation of Native Americans and a more complex presentation of morality and the causes and effects of violence. My own blog post mentions some films which I rate quite highly. I really ought to post a more detailed list of what I think are the best Westerns. Do you blog exclusively about Westerns?
Kind Regards,
Scott
January 13, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Unfortunately Scott, you criteria automatically rules out just about all films by John Ford and Howard Hawks. This post is about Hollywood westerns, warts and all. I do movie lists in many categories, as well as political essays and satire, and personal grievances I care to squawk about. There are now 57 posts on my Blg. Keep scrolling. Have a look:
http://shauncostello.wordpress.com/
January 13, 2013 at 2:38 pm
So good to find that you breathe and can share your hilarious reminences of Fifties Forest Hills.
Chuck P and Tim H
Molloy ’61
January 20, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Wow, Chuck. Or as Brother Victor used to call you – Mr Poochy. Great to hear from you.
Shaun
January 20, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Shaun, I’ve been looking for someone else who knew about the Hamburger Express on Austin Street for years! Do you have any source of information and/or photos of the restaurant? Is the photo your blog actually from that restaurant? I asked my Mom about her memories of Hamburger Express, and she told me that the man who owned it had a serial number tatooed on his arm, indicating that he’d been in a Nazi concentration camp. If you have any info/photos to share, I’d sure appreciate. I grew up in the neighborhood. Am also a writer (and a therapist). You can find me on Facebook if you want to communicate further. Thanks so much!
Jinji Willingham
April 30, 2013 at 9:29 pm