Tim Burton : An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker

by Ken Hanke

• ISBN13: 9781580631624
• ISBN10: 1580631622
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2000-12-01
• Publisher: Renaissance Books

Summary

This is the first full-length biography of the visionary Hollywood filmmaker Tim Burton, director of Batman, Batman Returns, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Peewee's Big Adventure, Tim Burton's The Nightmare before Christmas, Ed Wood, Mars Attacks!, and Sleepy Hollow. More than an examination of his body of work, this book takes an in-depth look at Tim Burton's personal life, which until now the reclusive director has managed to keep under wraps. Author Ken Hanke examines the frail, wild-haired fellow whose unique, introverted feature films are passionately admired by many and dismissed by others. How does he command the respect of so many big names in a creative industry not much known for good judgment? How has he managed to carve out an impossibly personal and quirky body of work within the confines of the most mainstream venues of establishment Hollywood? You'll learn about: * Tim Burton's unhappy childhood; to this day he has no relationship with his family * the real reason why Tim Burton left Disney after Ed Wood * his collaborations with talent such as Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Vincent Price (his idol), and Danny Elfman * the autobiographical elements in Edward Scissorhands * Tim Burton's often disastrous involvement with other people's projects * the ramifications of excessive power-- the Batman Returns debacle * the collapse of the Superman Reborn project

Author Biography

Ken Hanke is the author of A Critical Guide to Horror Film Series, Charlie Chan at the Movies: History, Filmography & Criticism, and Ken Russell's Films. He is a frequent contributor to film magazines and also writes liner notes for home video/laser disc/DVD editions of movies. He resides in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction The Dark Side of Childhood and the Suburban Myth	xiii
Batmania	19	(6)
Backyard Gothic	25	(10)
The Disney Way	35	(8)
The Real World as Cartoon	43	(8)
Kindred Spirits	51	(6)
Burton Unbound	57	(6)
Into the Mainstream	63	(12)
Going Batty in Britain	75	(12)
Burton Bats a Home Run	87	(10)
Burton Gets Personal	97	(10)
Suburbia Resplendent	107	(10)
Batman on Burton's Terms	117	(6)
Dark Days and Darker Nights	123	(14)
Burtonland	137	(12)
Burton Adrift and Anchored	149	(6)
Ed Wood in Hollywood	155	(12)
Visions Worth Fighting For	167	(16)
A Plan 9 of His Own	183	(10)
Chaos, Mass Destruction, and Tom Jones	193	(14)
Anatomy of a Disaster	207	(6)
A Job for Superman?	213	(10)
Filmography	223	(16)
Bibliography	239	(6)
Index	245