A BOOK THAT YOU MUST NOT MISS
September 23rd, 2009
This is a book written by the greatest living Action Unit director Mickey Moore, and it is a must read for any fan of cinema. Mickey has been working in movies for 90 years ! was a child star with Mary Pickford, and has directed first units, second units and has worked with all the greats of the cinema, he directed Elvis Presley in “PARADISE ,HAWAIIAN STYLE” as first unit director, Mickey has done it all.
I first met Mickey in Tunisia on “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK”, the unit had been shooting a while when I was drafted in to double Harrison. I had been shooting a picture in Mexico called “GREEN ICE” up until then. I learnt so much from Mickey, and his words of wisdom still come back to me today when I am directing and I often say to myself “what would Mickey do in this situation”?
Mickey is the role model for every action unit director out there today with his calmness, politeness, safety first, his thoughtfulness and his incredible knowledge. Since Raiders I have worked with Mickey many times in various places around the World.
Thank you Mickey on behalf of all cinema goers around the World and every stuntman past and present, you have touched us all with your magic carpet, I look forward to seeing you at your 100th Birthday Party. Vic
September 28th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Hello Vic…just looking through your bio so can I wish you a Happy Birthday for Oct 5.
Can you clear up a couple of things ? A couple of websites say you’re a native of Glasgow,elsewhere you were born in England. Also you have a horse racing history but I assume you’re not related to possibly the greatest horseman ever, Lester Pigott. He of course married Susan Armstrong, Sam’s daughter.
Have a great birthday
Arthur
September 28th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Hi Arthur, thank you for the birthday wishes although the numbers are getting pretty high now and I feel I want to forget them a little.
I was born in England, my Dads family came from glasgow where they were Blacksmiths. My father was a racehorse trainer but we are not related to the other Armstrong’s although I believe Lester did ride for Dad in his young days and it was over hurdles which not many people new he rode over jumps at all and as you say he was the greatest there has been.
thanks again, best wishes Vic
January 5th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Hi Vic,
It’s a little confusing to buy this book as its an on-demand-printing book. Prices on Amazon range from 15 to 35 GBP!! Is there a site where we can get this for the 25USD published price or do we take our chances with the Amazon sellers? Look forward to reading this as he went off in Tunisia and contributed a whole load of film that Steven Spielberg had no say in. A talented man.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Hi Colin, i got my copy from Mickey himself so i do not know the ins and outs of it, i suppose you have to take a chance with Amazon. As you say Mickey is such a talented guy and has set the benchmark for so many people. I hope you get a copy and if so let me know your reaction. Regards Vic
May 1st, 2010 at 5:45 am
I enjoyed this book very much and have sent my copy on to Robert Watts who was very interested in reading it. I did try posting a review last month but it never appeared when I clicked ‘Submit’. I will try submitting it again later.
June 12th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Robert of course would love the book because he was instrumental in the making of the “INDY” films. Best wishes Vic
August 5th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Hi Vic,
I enjoyed reading this in the morning and last thing at night, it was wonderful. It doesn’t take too long to read and the photos and documents give it a great sense of history. I can see why you respect him so much. What a life he has led!
I had never heard the name Micky Moore until I started to research Raiders Of The Lost Ark filming locations. Even then it was just as someone in the ‘Making Of Raiders’ documentary going through some storyboards of the truck chase with Steven Spielberg. Then here I am on your website about to request the same information when I see the post for ‘A Book That You Must Not Miss’. Talk about timing, I was about to get my eyes opened…
Well I admit I bought the book purely to get some insight into the Raiders film but I was blown away by this remarkable man’s career in the film industry. There can’t be anyone alive today who has been involved in more movies than Micky, from the 20s to the turn of the century he has been involved in some of the biggest and best films ever made, consistently decade after decade. From the epics of Cecil B DeMille to Disney live action, he has worked in all genres; musicals, sci-fi, comedy, action, western, war, the list of films is incredible. There are personal insights into many of the famous people Micky has worked with over the years. The experiences of working in Beirut during the bloody civil war seem to have left their mark as he devotes more pages to this than any other film. It details in here how Micky gave Vic his first directing job and it speaks volumes about him that Vic now asks himself “How would Micky do it?”
This isn’t an autobiography but his memoirs of working in the film industry from child star to props to directing. Starting out as a family project it was obvious this book would appeal to a wider readership. His love of making films is evident; whenever Hollywood called him, he said “Yes”. The book is richly illustrated with photos and documents from his own collection showing an emerging movie making business in California develop into what it is today. This really is “a book that you must not miss”.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
It is great the you appreciate this mans work Colin he truly has been inspirational for many of us.
Keep on being a film fan and take care best wishes Vic
August 27th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Hi Vic! I have become increasingly interested in second unit directors and I have a few questions.
1. Do I have to be a stunt coordinator in order to become a second unit director?
2. Is any training required to become a second unit director?
3. Can I hold another film related job while being a second unit director?
Thank you very much, and hope to see more =]