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Albert J. Luxford, the Gimmick Man: Memoir of a Special Effects Maestro Paperback – February 14, 2002

by Albert J. Luxford (Author), Gareth Owen (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
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Albert J. Luxford has long been known as "The Gimmick Man" in the film and television industry, but he has remained one of its unsung and unknown geniuses despite his well-known work. He equipped James Bond with some of his most memorable gadgets; made possible many of the effects and sequences in the Carry On series. He worked on such shows and movies as Are You Being Served?, The Muppets, Highlander, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, among many others.

In this memoir, Luxford reminisces with great good humor about his life and work and shares some tricks of the trade. He left school at 16 to attend the Institute of Automobile Engineers in West London and began in the film industry as an engineer at Pinewood Studios. The bulk of this work is made up of Luxford's recollections about his experiences in special effects. This is a genuine tour behind the scenes by an incomparable master of movie magic.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    McFarland
  4. Publication date
    February 14, 2002
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 0.45 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0786411503
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0786411504
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Luxford’s reminisces are lively, fun, and instructive―here’s a ‘how to’ book that isn’t as dull as dirt. He even reveals some of his ‘secret’ effects…photos are excellent…a thoroughly marvelous book…an entertaining glimpse behind the scenes”―Classic Images; “fun...anecdote filled memoir”―Communication Booknotes Quarterly; “fun and fascinating book...this book is great fun, one of the anecdote filled treats from a period we all loved”―Little Shoppe of Horrors.

About the Author

Albert J. Luxford is now retired. He lives in Hillingdon, England.

Gareth Owen is a film producer and writer in England.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McFarland (February 14, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0786411503
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786411504
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.45 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

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  1. Gareth Owen

    Gareth Owen

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  2. Albert J. Luxford

    Albert J. Luxford

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
7 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mr. R.
4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2003
This is a terrific litle book about a much under-celebrated British special effects technician. Anyone interested in the history of special effects or the wider British film industry in general would learn much from this book. It would be of particular interest to Bond fans as Luxford was responsible for many of the famous gadgets seen in the earlier films.
A very enjoyable read with some rare insights.
Richard Rickitt
Author: 'Special Effects: The History and Technique'
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Timothy
5.0 out of 5 stars A neat history of the man and his movies
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2022
Verified Purchase
Bert Luxford's memoir was such a delight to read. Not only was he involved with the early James Bond movies, but also the Carry On movies, Aliens, and British comedies Are You Being Served and Benny Hill. It was neat to see the comparison of special effects then and now and how much work goes into them.
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Top reviews from other countries

Tin Tactoo
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing insight into an amazingly modest but skilled SFX man.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
Lovely book that explains the background to the 'whizz-bangs' and such like that we take for granted in films and television. This man is perhaps not widely known outside 'the biz' but he helped to make SFX what they are even today but what makes this book that bit special is its down to earth way its written - no hi-tec explanations but gives basic answers to big problems and a lot of them solved on a shoe string budget. An amazing insight into an amazingly modest but skilled man. Thank you, Albert - you had me fooled many a time with your handiwork and it was only by reading this book I found out just 'how did they (you) do that' .
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