Masters of Make-Up Effects: A Century of Practical Magic

Journalist Julius and Oscar-winning makeup artist Berger have assembled a loving, photo-filled tribute to the people who created special effects movie makeup spanning from 1922’s Nosferatu to 2022’s Evil Dead Rise. They’ve assembled an all-star list of filmmakers as contributors who sing the praises of specific artists and fondly recall which films and artists launched their own passion about becoming special makeup artists. Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead) remembers Man of a Thousand Faces changing his life; Rick Baker (American Werewolf in London) relives working as Dick Smith’s assistant on The Exorcist. Tami Lane (The Hobbit) notes getting hooked on Fangoria magazine at age four; and Nick Dudman recalls creating the prosthetics for Jack Nicholson’s Joker in Batman. Christopher Tucker recollects creating (with Stuart Freeborn) the creatures in Star Wars (director George Lucas “was the epitome of vagueness. He just didn’t know what he wanted.”). It’s a treat for movie buffs, jam-packed with full-color photographs—many behind the scenes. Includes filmographies for the 67 actors, directors, and makeup artists quoted in the book.