Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-in Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American ’70s

Actor Chandler styles his reading of Taylor’s essay collection on American B movies from the 1970s in a low, sonorous tone that’s reminiscent of the voice of Don LaFontaine, the voiceover actor heard on thousands of movie trailers. It’s perfectly fitting for the audio edition of Taylor’s book, which highlights the pleasures of films either long forgotten or surviving on cult followings. Surveying such films as Prime Cut, Foxy Brown, and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Taylor discusses the undervalued elements and overlooked influence of these forgotten gems. Chandler playfully adds over-the-top emphasis while reading Taylor’s summaries and background information on each film and aptly capturing the lines and attitudes of each. It makes for a fun, entertaining listening experience that will likely lead listeners to watching the films. A Bloomsbury hardcover. (June)