Real to Reel

by Harold Schechter

Profiles the real persons who influenced the creation of films such as "The Fugitive," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and "Saving Private Ryan."

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Aka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)

Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.

Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.

Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uninspired. Most of the movies referenced are only marginally notable. And the stories behind them are either already very well-known or barely connected.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, did I learn a lot from this book. The Bridge on the River Kwai guy was a real hero (his real life antagonist journeyed to England to visit his grave). Jeremiah Johnson was a near-psychotic who was called "The Liver-Eater" for the way he enjoyed the spoils of victory. Clifford Odets, a.k.a. Barton Fink, wrote the Elvis vehicle Wild in the Country. There was a real Indiana Jones. There was a real Quint from Jaws. And the true story that Dead Ringers was based on? Yikes. All in all, fifty stories (most under five pages) that prove truth isn't just stranger than fiction - it's vastly more entertaining than even the Hollywood versions.

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it was certainly creepy in relation to the horror movies that were spawned from a seed of reality. I already knew about Ed Gein but other movies and killers they were loosely based on left me feeling uneasy and suspicious of strangers. A very fun book!