Sign-In
Cart
The 'Reel' Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley - A Century of Filmmaking and Filmmakers
Hardcover
Film StudiesFilm Guides & Reference
Publisher: BearManor Media
Published: Mar 19 2026
Pages: 380
Weight: 1.49
Height: 0.88 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Martin Cooper's new book tells the fascinating story of how the San Fernando Valley became the hub of the motion picture industry. It is a story of creative excellence, economic development, and individual achievement. This is a book of important historical achievement. Martin Cooper's book reads like fiction, but it's all fact.
- Bob Blumenfield
Los Angeles City Councilmember, District 3 (San Fernando Valley), Former Member, California Film Commission
Martin Cooper has a researcher's instinct for finding great stories and the scribe's talent for sharing them with gusto and delight. If you're old enough, The 'Reel' Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley will take you back to the many images of the Valley in film and TV; and if you're too young to be old enough, it will give you a chance to look at this wonderful part of Los Angeles in a fresh and exciting way.
- Bob Beitcher
President and CEO, Motion Picture Country Home
The Valley finally gets its due with Cooper's engaging book! Largely because of a real estate sign, Hollywood has falsely overshadowed the San Fernando Valley's embrace of film production and talent from its earliest days. Alongside those orange groves were Egyptian columns, Western bars and cattle rustlers.
- John Ptak
Film producer and former talent agent
No one knows the San Fernando Valley and the movie industry better than Martin Cooper. Put those two strengths together and even the knowledgeable cinephile or local history buff will find many hidden historical gems. His encyclopedic knowledge and research uncovers little-known facts found nowhere else. You won't put it down!
- Bob Rawitch
Former Executive Editor, Los Angeles Times Valley Edition and 75-year resident of the San Fernando Valley
Martin Cooper's latest book tells how the San Fernando Valley wasn't Hollywood's backyard - it was its center stage, the fascinating arena where countless movies and television shows were filmed simultaneously. Familiar names like Casablanca, Walt Disney, Warner Brothers and Roy Rogers populate the pages, and their stories unspool naturally in Martin's witty and readable linear fashion. It is astounding that the Valley's central role in filmdom has never really been told, but in this book the Valley finally gets its close-up.
- Charles Crumpley
Journalist and former Editor and Publisher, San Fernando Valley Business Journal
1 different editions
Also available
The 'Reel' Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley - A Century of Filmmaking and Filmmakers
Cooper, Martin M.
Paperback
Also from
Cooper, Martin M.
The 'Reel' Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley - A Century of Filmmaking and Filmmakers
Cooper, Martin M.
Paperback
North of Mulholland: Essays from the San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Cooper, Martin M.
Hardcover
North of Mulholland: Essays from the San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Cooper, Martin M.
Paperback
Also in
Film Studies
Visions of Japanese Modernity: Articulations of Cinema, Nation, and Spectatorship, 1895-1925
Gerow, Aaron
Paperback
Dreaming of Cinema: Spectatorship, Surrealism, and the Age of Digital Media
Lowenstein, Adam
Paperback
Ancient Rome at the Cinema: Story and Spectacle in Hollywood and Rome
Theodorakopoulos, Elena
Paperback
What Have They Built You to Do?: The Manchurian Candidate and Cold War America
Jacobson, Matthew Frye
Gonzalez, Gaspar
Paperback
The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures: A True Life Murder Mystery from the Birth of the Movies
Paul Fischer
Paperback
Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation
Napier, S.
Paperback
The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg--And the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema
Fischer, Paul
Hardcover
Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism (1968-1980)
Johnson, Eleanor
Hardcover
Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum
Fox, Michael J.
Fortenberry, Nelle
Hardcover
Hollywood Babylon: The Legendary Underground Classic of Hollywood's Darkest and Best Kept Secrets
Anger, Kenneth
Paperback
Partially Devoured: How Night of the Living Dead Saved My Life and Changed the World
Kraus, Daniel
Hardcover
Star Wars Dad Jokes Strike Back: The Best Worst Jokes and Puns from a Galaxy Far, Far Away. . . .
Knox, Kelly
Hardcover
Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror
Cullins, Ashley
Paperback
The World of Black Film: A Journey Through Cinematic Blackness in 100 Films with a Foreword by John Akomfrah
Clark, Ashley
Hardcover
The Magic of Minalima: Celebrating the Graphic Design Studio Behind the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Films
Denton, Nell
Minalima
Hardcover
Disney: Winnie the Pooh: The Hundred-Acre Wood Cookbook: Family-Friendly Recipes Featuring Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, and Most o
Jao, Vivian
Tarpy, Liz
Asmus, James
Hardcover
Laika: The Magic Behind a Stop-Motion Dream Factory: Two Decades of Groundbreaking Animation from Coraline to Wildwood
Inguanzo, Ozzy
Hardcover
Studio Ghibli Origami: Unofficial Papercraft Projects to Create Totoro, Ponyo, Jiji, and More!
Editions, Insight
Paperback
Lucas Wars: The True Story of George Lucas and the Creation of Star Wars
Hopman, Laurent
Roche, Renaud
Hardcover
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Official Cookbook: Recipes from the Four Nations
Dorsey, Jenny
Hardcover
Black Film: A History of Black Representation and Participation in the Movies
Walker, David F.
Hardcover
Disney Dreams Collection Thomas Kinkade Studios Disney Princess Coloring Book
Kinkade, Thomas
Paperback
House of Psychotic Women: Expanded Edition: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films
Janisse, Kier-La
Paperback
Godzilla: The First 70 Years: The Official Illustrated History of the Japanese Productions
Ryfle, Steve
Godziszewski, Ed
Hardcover
Star Wars Dad Jokes: The Best Worst Jokes and Puns from a Galaxy Far, Far Away . . . .
Knox, Kelly
Hardcover
Godzilla: The Encyclopedia: Shinji Nishikawa Unravels the Depths of Godzilla
Nishikawa Shinji
Paperback
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride
Layden, Joe
Elwes, Cary
Paperback
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Station Wagon and Griswold Family Tree: With Sound!
Running Press
Paperback
Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film - Updated Edition
Clover, Carol J.
Paperback
Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film
Pierce, Todd James
Hardcover
Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
Richau, Amy
Crouse, Megan
Brooks, Dan
Hardcover
Every Time a Bell Rings: The Legacy of It's a Wonderful Life, America's Most Beloved Holiday Film
Theisen, Lauren
St James, Emily
Hardcover
Studio Ghibli Bento Cookbook: Unofficial Recipes Inspired by Spirited Away, Ponyo, and More!
Rossi, Barbara
Azuki
Hardcover
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Bestiary: A Definitive Guide to the Creatures of the Goblin King's Realm
Bende, S. T.
Hardcover
Star Wars Vader's Little Princess: (Star Wars Kids Book, Star Wars Children's Book, Geek Dad Books)
Brown, Jeffrey
Hardcover
Nightmare Before Christmas: The Tiny Book of Jack Skellington
Insight Editions
Vitale, Brooke
Hardcover
They Kill People: Bonnie and Clyde, a Hollywood Revolution, and America's Obsession with Guns and Outlaws
Ellis, Kirk
Hardcover
Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook: Pacific Recipes Inspired by Motunui
Fiso, Monique
Monteith, Katie
Hardcover
Dog's Day: The True Story of a Bank Robbery, Gay Liberation, and Toxic Love That Inspired a Hollywood Classic
Prigge, Matthew J.
Hardcover
Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life -- From How Green Was My Valley to Lassie to Planet of the Apes
Garza Bernstein, Samuel
Hardcover
Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever
Singer, Matt
Hardcover
Hitchcock and Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores That Changed Cinema
Smith, Steven C.
Hardcover
Harry Potter: Make Your Own Chocolate Frogs: Silicone Chocolate Mold and Gift Box Set
Insight Editions
Paperback
I Love K-Pop Coloring and Activity Book: For Fans of Kpop Demon Hunters, Bts, Blackpink, Katseye, and K-Pop Idols
Reel Ink Press
Paperback
Star Wars: The Official Crochet Pattern Book: Crochet Your Way Through the Galaxy
Insight Editions
Parker, Leah
Hardcover
Guillermo del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities [Reissue]: My Notebooks, Collections, and Other Obsessions
del Toro, Guillermo
Hardcover
Welcome to the Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious, the Blockbusters That Supercharged the World
Hertz, Barry
Hardcover
Rewinding the '80s: Cinema Under the Influence of Music Videos, Action Stars, and a Cold War
Malahy, John
Paperback
The Unofficial Kpop Demon Hunters Handbook: A Fan Guide & Activity Book That Slays
Gabbara, Princess
Paperback
Star Wars: The Mini Book of Lightsabers: (Lightsaber Collection, Lightsaber Guide, Gifts for Star Wars Fans)
Insight Editions
Hardcover
Brain Games - Horror Movies Word Search Puzzles: Do You Dare to Solve These 84 Puzzles?
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
Paperback
F1 the Movie: The Making of the Most Authentic Racing Film of All Time
Salisbury, Mark
Medland, Chris
Hardcover
The Unofficial Studio Ghibli Cookbook: 50+ Delicious Recipes Inspired by Your Favorite Japanese Animated Films
Yun, Jessica
Hardcover
Dark City Dames: The Women Who Defined Film Noir (Revised and Expanded Edition)
Muller, Eddie
Hardcover
Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream
Lubin, David M.
Hardcover
DreamWorks Dragons: Recipes from the Isle of Berk [Official Cookbook]: A Book of Feasts, Drinks, Desserts . . . and Dragons
Danielsen, Daytona
Burnham, Erik
Hardcover