Reel Verse

by Harold Schechter (Editor)

The variety of subjects is dazzling, from movie stars to bit players, from B-movies to Bollywood, from Clark Gable to Jean Cocteau. More than a hundred poets riff on their movie memories: Langston Hughes and John Updike on the theaters of their youth, Jack Kerouac and Robert Lowell on Harpo Marx, Sharon Olds on Marilyn Monroe, Louise Erdrich on John Wayne, May Swenson on the James Bond films, Terrance Hayes on early Black cinema, Maxine Kumin on Casablanca, and Richard Wilbur on The Prisoner of Zenda. Orson Welles, Leni Riefenstahl, and Ingmar Bergman share the spotlight with Shirley Temple, King Kong, and Carmen Miranda; Bonnie and Clyde and Ridley Scott with Roshomon, Hitchcock, and Bresson. In Picturehouse Poems, one of our oldest art forms pays loving homage to one of our newest—the thrilling art of cinema.

Genres: Poetry

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 22, 2019

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

[Patrick Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly forgettable. Made me want to rewatch some great films, though.

[Katelyn Eckels · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️’s #ReelVerse is another delightful collection of #poems by the @everymanslibrary 🤍

[Peter J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Pieces:
"Rope" by Juliana Gray, "The Death of Carmen Miranda" by Martin Espada, "Movie Extras" by Gregory Djanikian, "Sam" by Cornelius Eady.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

happy this exists!

[Reedin Rainbough · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag of poetry. Subjects revolve around specific movies, film stars, film genres and the experience of watching films at the theater or at home on TV. The standouts for me were: "Enter the Dragon" by John Murillo, "Poem Ending With a Sentence by Heath Ledger" by Frank Bidart, "Movie Extras" by Gregory Djankikian, "Ode to Thelma Ritter" by David Trinidad, "Stalker" by David Yezzi, "Buddy Holly Watching Rebel Without A Cause" by David Wojahn, "Voice Over (ghost aria for Edmond O'Brien)" by Geoffrey O'Brien, "Final Farewell" by Tom Clark, "After the Movie" by Marie Howe and "TV" by Ann Inoshita.

[pennpenn]

Did its job of being a light, entertaining read for me as I was traveling!

Favorite poems:
• “Double Feature” by Theodore Roethke
• “1948: Saturdays” by Robert Hershon
• “Enter the Dragon: Los Angeles, CA, 1976” by John Murillo
• “Janet Leigh is Afraid of Jazz” by Marsha De La O
• “Early Cinema” by Elizabeth Alexander
• “Silent Film, DVD” by Kurt Brown
• “At the Movies With My Mother” by Joseph O. Legaspi
• “The Movies” by Billy Collins
• “Dear John Wayne” by Louise Erdrich
• “Imitation of Life” by Allison Joseph

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reel Verse is a lovely Everyman’s Library anthology of poems inspired by, based on, or alluding to films. There’s a little something for any movie buff of any age between the covers. Charming and intriguing.

[David Macpherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

this had more good poems than bad. or dull. and that
is always a good thing. there was one poem about casablanca that is one of the best poems I have ever read so that makes it a really worthwhile book

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mix of poem. Some were wonderful, others just OK.

[Aggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Nothing serious. The poems pay homage to movie stars and movies.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

just adored this collection of poems, now one of my favorite poetry books! incredible how cinema can capture a moment in so many mediums.

[Olivia king · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

[Micah Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty bad, with a few notable exceptions.

[Lorna Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk...

This anthology features an eclectic mix of well-known, much-loved writers like Jack Kerouac, right through to names I had never heard before. It's a well-crafted, beautifully-presented little volume that is packed full of engaging poetry - all inspired by the movies.

From tongue-in-cheek poems about famous stars of the big screen right through to nostalgic laments of a time long gone by, there really is a poem for everyone in this book.