CRESTVIEW — “The Great Escape” was an exciting World War II film. But some critics said the book was better.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was a lavish musical. But some believed the book was better.
“Excalibur” was an epical adventure. But some offer that “The Once and Future King,” the book on which it was based, was better.
Or were they?
A new display at the Crestview Public Library pairs books in multiple genres with original movie posters from films made from them.
News Bulletin writer Brian Hughes culled the display’s books from his personal library and posters from his film collection, supplemented by some from friend and Dallas film poster collector Clyde Ponder.
Some sources, or the films made from them, may be surprising.
While many musical fans are familiar with the Oscar-winning Liza Minnelli breakthrough, “Cabaret,” few know English writer Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Stories” also inspired an earlier film, “I Am a Camera.”
“Sound of Music” was inspired by Baroness Maria von Trapp’s multiple autobiographies, most notably “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.”
But the inspiring tale of an Austrian family was actually filmed as two German movies in the 1950s, which were edited into one and released in the United States as “The Trapp Family.”
Posters and books displayed include a Harry Potter film, a James Bond film, World War II films, children’s films, and classics such as “Dracula,” “Swiss Family Robinson,” “Dr. Zhivago,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Lost Horizon.”
The display runs through October in the library lobby.
Hughes said with so much material to choose from, he’ll probably swap out some of the books and posters midway through the exhibit.
So, was the book really better? View the exhibit, read the book, check out the film, and decide for yourself.
What: “The Book Was Better” exhibit
When: During opening hours, through October
Where: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive
WANT TO GO?
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'The book was better.' Or was it? (PHOTOS)