About
STEVE SARAGOSSI, M.A.
I’m a London born film historian, Freelance writer, author and journalist. I like to think of myself as a gatekeeper of film – making sure older movies don’t disappear from the public consciousness.
The purpose of setting up this site is first and foremost to provide a forum for reading about older movies, films that may have slipped through your cultural net, or are in need of re-evaluation.
As you’ll see I’m big fan of movies from the 60s and 70s – given I was born in 1960 this is no big surprise, but I find that those two decades have a brilliant one-two, knock-on effect. The 60s were stylish and aesthetically creative and saw the beginnings of the studio system falling away, and the 70s really were the magic decade for post-war cinema – so much unbridled creativity and expressionism.
Although I love all facets of film, my particular field of interest is film music and I’ve amassed one of the most comprehensive collections of soundtracks on vinyl. I’m particularly a fan of the Silver Age, that period that encompasses the early 60s to the early 70s, and am proud of the fact that I’ve had a chance to meet some of my idols of the era, such as John Barry, Ennio Morricone, Lalo Schifrin, John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith.
I’ve also managed to amass a sizable collection of movie tie-ins – novelisations of films or reprints brought out to coincide with a films’ release. I love the cover artwork, and I’ll share some of the more striking examples with you here at The Screen Lounge.
Currently I’m in the process of writing a biography of James Coburn, and am in preparation to write a book on the creative relationship between directors and compsoers. I write for many publications round the world including Cinema Retro , The Spectator, M2, Empire Magazine Australasia and FilmInk. You can find some my work by clicking this link. I have appeared on various radio stations chatting about film, and you can hear me regularly on ABC Hobart with Annie Warburton talking about new releases and classic movies. My list of favourite movies changes all the time, but if pushed will always include The Lion in Winter, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974 version obviously), The Godfather, The Gambler, Rocco and His Brothers, and The Odd Couple – so no hope of pigeon-holing then!
With two TV credits already, I’m also in the process of writing two feature scripts – I’m collaborating with two writers on a Hollywood satire, and working solo on a genre piece.
I’m about to start lecturing in film, and curating film screenings.
Married with two boys, I have gained my Masters degree in Film Culture and History from the University of Westminster. I have recently begun a PhD. I also want to one day fulfill a wish of writing an extensive cultural history of film music.
If you’re looking for a writer or guest broadcaster in my particular field, drop me an email at steve@thescreenlounge.com.
