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Ratings: ★★★★★ (4.9/5)
Genre: Film Reference, Encyclopedia, Cinema History, Criticism

Book Review:
Before the internet, before IMDb, there was Leslie Halliwell. And for many film lovers, ''The Filmgoer's Companion'' remains the gold standard, a book that is not just a reference work but a lifelong companion. This fourth edition, entirely revised and much enlarged, is a monument to one man's passion for cinema. It is a book you can get lost in for hours.

Halliwell's achievement is staggering. In a single volume, he provides concise, informative, and often wonderfully opinionated entries on thousands of stars, directors, writers, cinematographers, composers, and films. Want to know who played the third lead in a forgotten B-movie from 1935? It's probably in here. Curious about the filmography of a particular director? Halliwell has you covered. But the book's true charm lies in its personal touches. Halliwell was not afraid to express his own views, and his sharp wit and occasional prejudices make browsing through the pages a genuine pleasure.

The praise from critics is a testament to the book's unique quality. Richard Schickel in Harper's captured it perfectly: ''Mr. Halliwell is almost as dangerous as he is useful; I'm always grabbing his book to check a quick fact and looking up a half hour later to find I've read all the Qs and not a few of the S, T, and W entries. Lovely.'' The Los Angeles Times called it ''as restorative as warm cocoa or cold martinis in these frazzling times.'' Variety praised it as ''bigger and better than ever... one of the best on film facts.''

This is a book for true film buffs. It's the kind of book you keep on your desk or by your favorite chair, ready to be consulted at a moment's notice. It will settle arguments, spark memories, and introduce you to a thousand new things to watch. With 600 illustrations, this edition is also a visual treat.

''The Filmgoer's Companion'' is a classic. It is the definitive book, and with each edition, as the Saturday Review noted, ''it grows more indispensable.'' For anyone who loves movies, this book is a treasure. Essential.