Podcast Summary: New Books Network – “Scott Feinberg, ‘The Hollywood Reporter’s 100 Greatest Film Books of All Time’ (2023)”

Host: Dan Moran
Guest: Scott Feinberg, Executive Editor of Awards at The Hollywood Reporter
Release Date: January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores the creation and impact of The Hollywood Reporter’s ranking of the “100 Greatest Film Books of All Time.” Host Dan Moran is joined by Scott Feinberg, executive editor of awards at The Hollywood Reporter, to discuss the lists’ origins, methodology, highlights, controversies, and personal favorites. Together, they celebrate not only cinematic history, but also the rich literature that surrounds the film industry.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

Feinberg’s Motivation and Methodology

• Personal passion: Feinberg, a lifelong film book aficionado, saw an opportunity during the Hollywood dual strikes to pitch a definitive “greatest film books” feature, an idea long in the making.
  • “I’ve always wanted to highlight film history and film books, specifically, in The Hollywood Reporter.” (Scott Feinberg, 03:41)
• Credibility through diversity:
  • The juror pool spanned filmmakers, executives, writers, animators, cultural tastemakers, critics, and authors.
  • Goal: Represent “the community at large,” not just academics or critics.
  • Notable jurors included David Remnick, Maureen Dowd, Roxane Gay, Lawrence O’Donnell, and more.
  • No one was asked to name 100 books; ballots requested up to 25 favorites, leading to surprises and omissions for all.
• Inspiration: The list aims to be as formative for readers as the AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies list was for Feinberg himself.
  • “I schlepped around a binder of lists and checklists until I got through them all.” (Feinberg, 06:46)

Accessibility and Engagement

• Checklist: Printable and interactive. Encourages exploration for both newcomers and seasoned film lovers.
• The ballot as a resource: The original 1200+ title ballot may be released, adding another layer of discovery (09:14).
• No one has read them all: “There’s nobody who’s read all 100, I would dare to say… I hope it inspires people to check out something they haven’t read.” (Feinberg, 05:55)

The Top 5 Film Books (Reverse Order)

5. Pauline Kael, “I Lost It at the Movies” (1965) [09:57]

• Description: Collection of reviews exemplifying Kael’s fiercely independent thought before her New Yorker era.
• Distinctive style: Deep dives, contrarian opinions (“She was already thinking fiercely independently and often as a contrarian…” – Feinberg, 10:26).
• Memorable critique: Notably critical of “West Side Story,” challenging popular sentiment.

4. Robert Evans, “The Kid Stays in the Picture” [14:49]

• A Hollywood character: Larger-than-life, self-mythologizing, flamboyant memoirist.
  • “Is this book entirely true? Absolutely not a chance. But does it keep you entertained? You bet your ass it does.” (Feinberg, 16:36)
• Audiobook & documentary: Cult classics for Evans’ outrageous delivery.

3. William Goldman, “Adventures in the Screen Trade” [17:19]

• Insider’s view: Legendary screenwriter exposes the industry’s unpredictable, illogical side.
• Definitive quote: “Nobody knows anything.”
• Industry myth-busting: Examples such as the myth that “black doesn’t travel,” directly critiqued.

2. Peter Biskind, “Easy Riders, Raging Bulls” (1998) [19:08]

• Chronicles the “New Hollywood”: From “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967) to “Raging Bull” (1980).
• Candid, chaotic stories: Outsize egos, creative innovation, and self-destruction under the influence.
  • “Did they have to have hubris to do that, or did they get hubris because they did it?” (Feinberg, 19:58)
• Controversies: Not always perfectly sourced; stories sometimes stretched for effect.

1. François Truffaut, “Hitchcock/Truffaut” (1967) [24:38]

• Unrivaled influence: “From start to finish, the leader.” (Feinberg, 24:50)
• Groundbreaking interview: French New Wave’s Truffaut methodically interviews Hitchcock, reshaping his reputation as an artist, not just an entertainer.
  • “Opened up insight into how filmmaking works in a way that people had not had access to prior to that.” (Feinberg, 26:01)
• Blueprint for others: Inspired books like “Hawks on Hawks,” “Scorsese on Scorsese,” and more.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On fearless film critics:
  “Thompson and Kael, they will just go where they really feel, which is admirable.” (Feinberg, 11:22)
• On Siskel & Ebert’s TV show:
  “They were like the Muppets up in the balcony when they did their show.” (Feinberg, 14:03)
• On Robert Evans’ storytelling:
  “He came to embody the character that he created… Nobody else talks like this.” (Feinberg, 14:49)
• On industry uncertainty (Goldman):
  “The most famous line, of course, is, ‘Nobody knows anything.’” (Feinberg, 18:05)
• On the Hollywood appetite for self-reflection:
  “There’s nothing that people in Hollywood…like more than having the mirror held up to themselves.” (Feinberg, 32:04)
• On the nature of failed productions:
  “None of these people went into these movies thinking they were making either a mediocre or a disastrous movie. The difference between a success and a failure is often not that large…” (Feinberg, 39:07)

Memorable Deep-Dive Segments

Books on Production Disasters [36:23–40:05]

• Picture (Lillian Ross): Embedded on “Red Badge of Courage.”
• Devil’s Candy (Julie Salamon): “Bonfire of the Vanities” unraveling.
• Final Cut (Steven Bach): The infamously mismanaged “Heaven’s Gate.”
  • How these stories, both tragic and instructive, echo William Goldman’s industry wisdom.

The Allure—and Deception—of “Hollywood Babylon” [33:52]

• Despite being “widely discredited” and “gross,” Kenneth Anger’s book is celebrated for its cultural impact and feeding a lasting appetite for gossip and myth.

Novels That Nail Hollywood [31:49]

• Get Shorty (Elmore Leonard): Lauded for irreverent, razor-sharp take on Hollywood’s criminal underbelly; “It’s just a great mixture of crime in Hollywood in a way that people can’t get enough of.” (Feinberg, 33:11)

Reflections on the List and the Process

Ongoing Evolution

• Many “obvious” greats missed the top 100, reflecting both recency bias and a surfeit of exemplary film writing.
• Even contributors like Steven Spielberg, Ava DuVernay, and Laura Dern had favorites omitted (47:13).
• “If we did this list again in 10 years, some of the older ones that are on the list now will fall off and will be replaced by much newer ones…” (Feinberg, 49:46)

Scott Feinberg’s Personal Favorites & Absences [43:15–48:57]

• Deep love for David Thomson’s “The Whole Equation.”
• Praise for Janine Basinger and Tom Doherty’s major works on censorship and Golden Age Hollywood.
• Regrets about voting and the impossible task of winnowing down so many favorites.

Community and Upcoming Events

Planned Author Gathering [50:22–53:17]

• October 28th event at the Chinese Theatre, Hollywood—featuring living authors of books on the list, including Ronan Farrow, Cameron Crowe, Leonard Maltin, Mark A. Vieira, and more.
• “This is going to be a heck of an event…like the old MGM’s 25th anniversary photo with all the great stars.” (Feinberg, 53:04)

Final Thoughts

• The list is both an entry point and a celebration of film literature—designed to encourage “broadening horizons” for all readers.
• “It’s a great, great film education for you wherever you dip in.” (Moran, 53:38)
• The Hollywood Reporter's online resource includes the top 100 with supplementary checklists and (eventually) ballots from celebrity jurors.

Useful Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|------------| | Show theme & methodology | 03:41–07:34| | The checklist and resource for readers | 06:42–09:22| | Discussing the Top 5 books | 09:57–24:50| | Honorable/memorable mentions | 31:49–36:23| | Failed productions and inside looks | 36:23–40:05| | Absences, regrets, and the challenge of selection | 43:15–48:57| | Community and upcoming author event | 50:22–53:17|

For Further Exploration

• Hollywood Reporter’s 100 Greatest Film Books List
• Event info and more ballots to be posted on the Hollywood Reporter’s site.