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Stardust and Shadows: Canadians in Early Hollywood
 by Charles Foster
(Dundurn Press)
  Writer Charles Foster uses his 50 years of Hollywood meetings and memories to pay tribute to 18 talented Canadians who helped in a large way to make tinseltown what it is today. From Montreal's Norma Shearer to New Brunswick's Louis B. Mayer, and from Toronto's Gladys Mary Smith (Mary Pickford) to Quebec's Mack Sennett, Canadians from all avenues of the entertainment profession and beyond played an important role in the early days of the motion picture industry.
  Also of note in this fascinating memoir, is how Canadians in early Hollywood helped each other acclimatize to the rarefied air of the motion picture capital upon their arrival from north of the 49th parallel. Time and time again, jobs and loans were forthcoming for new Canadian arrivals from their fellow expatriates. One can't help but wonder whether the same fraternal spirit exists out there among today's Canadian bright lights?
- Gerry Young

Hear it!

 Almost Famous
Dreamworks
One of the best compilations we've run across in some time, thanks to co-producers Cameron Crowe and Danny Bramson. Featuring songs by Simon & Garfunkel, Todd Rundgren, Yes, The Who, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Rod Stewart and Elton John, among others, finally here's a soundtrack for a rock and roll movie that really does rock.

Duets
Hollywood Records
Celine Dion dueting with Huey Lewis and Babyface I can understand, but Gwyneth Paltrow? Well, suffice it to say that Ms. Paltrow the actress should keep her day job if this soundtrack is any indication. But, surprisingly, she doesn't do badly on "Cruisin" with Huey, and Smokey Robinson's "Just My Imagination" with Babyface. The only sour note is on her solo turn of Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes," where she can't seem to find the proper key. 
- Gerry Young

Hang It!

  There's no place like home… especially during the holidays. Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion have followed the yellow brick road right to your Christmas tree. The Wizard of Oz pieces are part of the Polonaise Collection, a series of handcrafted blown-glass ornaments that can be found at specialty, holiday and gift stores, or you can call
1-800-243-9627 to locate a retailer.

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  Fujifilm's FinePix 40i is the first high resolution digital camera to incorporate
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