


Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film
“In a superbly researched, highly compelling account of one of cinema’s most gifted and underrated directors, Rode provides a vivid description of Curtiz’s personality and work- ing methods. It is di cult if not impossible to imagine a more complete account of his life.” —Steven C. Smith, author of A Heart at Fire’s Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann

Charles McGraw: Biography of a Film Noir Tough Guy
Books Blu-ray Discs Alan contributed numerous commentaries and special feature appearances for a variety of Blu-ray© and DVD classic film releases. Several recent releases include documentary featurettes produced by TVP Enterprises, Alan’s production company that...
Marsha Hunt, 1917-2022: An Appreciation of One of Hollywood’s Genuine Heroines
Film historian Alan K. Rode recalls his friendship with the actress who, beyond being one of the last great links to Hollywood’s golden age, dedicated herself to activism and service, forged in part by her experiences as a survivor of the Blacklist.

Being the Ricardos
A review of “Being the Ricardos” (Amazon Studios, 10dec2021) by Alan K. Rode.

Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film – Q&A – American Cinematheque Event 2aug2020
Here are the remaining questions submitted during the American Cinematheque book club Zoom presentation on Sunday August 2nd, 2020 — with my responses. So sorry we didn’t have time to get to everyone’s questions but I hope this helps. Thanks again for tuning in!...
THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936): Separating Fact from Fiction
Over the years, there have been numerous stories published or otherwise repeated about the production of Warner Bros, action film THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1936).
These anecdotal accounts received additional heft in 1975 with the publication of David Niven’s memoir BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES.
Among other recollections, Niven wrote about director Michael Curtiz’s “carnage” of injured and dead horses caused by his ordering the use of a “Running W” or trip wire during action scenes that were supposedly filmed in Mexico.
Other versions included a fight between Errol Flynn and Curtiz that never occurred (There was a physical confrontation between both men that occurred six years later during DIVE BOMBER) reportedly caused by Flynn’s rage over the director’s alleged indifference to the welfare of animals with the number of horses crippled or killed during the making of the picture ranging from 20 to 100 or many more.
My research, based on studio production records, correspondence and legal files( including sworn affidavits and photographs) and other sources, revealed an accurate and less fabulist account of what occurred during production of the film.

N.Y. Review of Books: David Thomson’s review of Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film
No Mistakes David Thomson DECEMBER 20, 2018 ISSUE Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film by Alan K. Rode University Press of Kentucky, 681 pp., $50.00 We’ll Always Have Casablanca: The Life, Legend, and Afterlife of Hollywood’s Most Beloved Movie by Noah Isenberg Norton, 334...Latest Book – Now in Paperback
Read Reviews of Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film . ....
Hollywood’s Great Deluge
TCM will be broadcasting NOAH’S ARK on April 4, 2018 that will commence a month long spotlight on the films of director Michael Curtiz. Here is some background on the making of the film adapted from MICHAEL CURTIZ A LIFE in FILM Michael Curtiz signed a contract with...
Michael Curtiz: He’s No Angel
Beverly in Movieland Book Review by Beverly Gray March 23, 2018 To those of us who are fascinated by early Hollywood, director Michael Curtiz has always been a puzzlement. He was born Manó Kaminer, began his professional life as Mihály Kertész, and (once he moved from...