Reviews

Applause Books has done an enormous service in compiling this set of Chayefsky's work, most of which has been long out of print. Two volumes are devoted to his screenplays, including the film classics Marty (1955), The Goddess (1958), Network (1976), and The Hospital (1971). The third volume contains his five stage plays, including the powerful The Passion of Josef D. (1964) and the final volume of his six television plays. Original casts are listed with each work. And the stage-play volume includes a poignant and informative foreword by Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Chayefsky's friend for 22 years. Just to have the film and television versions of Marty available for comparison is worth the price of admission for libraries supporting television, film, and drama programs. This set is highly recommended for academic and large public libraries or any library serving a performing arts community.‘Susan L. Peters, Emory Univ., Atlanta