| THE BIG LITTLE BOOK CLUB | |||||||||
| ENGEL-VAN WISEMAN BOOK CORPORATION | |||||||||
| FIVE-STAR LIBRARY SERIES¨ | |||||||||
| 1934 - 1935 | |||||||||
| The Engel-van Wiseman Book Corporation of New York produced 23 titles that were similar to Whitman's movie-size Big Little Books¨. The books were released under the trademark Five-Star Library Series¨ and were numbered consecutively. The series began in the last half of 1934 and ended near the end of 1935. The logo for the 1934 titles was 5 stars placed around the trademark. The 1935 logo was the initials "E van W" beneath a world that was imprinted with 5 stars and the trademark. | |||||||||
| The content of the books was taken entirely from United States and British motion pictures. A variety of studios were represented, and the selections contained some memorable movie stars: Katharine Hepburn, Robert Donat, John Wayne, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., and William Boyd. About a quarter of the titles were westerns and another quarter were movies in which children starred: Mickey Rooney, Frankie Thomas, Dickie Moore, and Jackie Cooper. | |||||||||
| The books were slightly taller and narrower than the Whitman Movie Scene books (4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"). Each contained 160 pages which alternated text with black and white photographs of motion picture scenes. The pages were sewn together and mounted within colorful four-color hardboard covers that were illustrated with photographs from the pictures. The books had soft cover spines and a distinctive bookplate was printed inside the front covers. They sold for 15¢. | |||||||||
| Some titles have been discovered in soft cover format. They are identical to the hard cover versions but have no number. It is unknown how many soft cover titles were produced, but it is likely that all were reproduced as soft cover giveaways. The discovered titles have Tootsie Roll advertisements printed inside. | |||||||||
| BOOK NO. | TITLE | GOOD | VG | FINE | |||||
| Lowery | EVW | ||||||||
| GE2 | 2 | BEYOND THE LAW starring Tim McCoy | 19 | 38 | 76 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Pat Patterson. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 73 motion picture scenes from the Columbia film. The film stars are Tim McCoy and Shirley Grey. | |||||||||
| GE1a | 1 | The COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO starring Robert Donat | 18 | 36 | 72 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Unknown - adapted from the film and the work of Alexander Dumas. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 72 motion picture scenes from the Reliance Pictures film. The film stars Robert Donat, Elissa Landi, and Louis Calhern. The original printing is identified by its hard cover. | |||||||||
| GE1b | ---- | The COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO starring Robert Donat | 36 | 72 | 144 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; Variation; 1934. Soft cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Unknown - adapted from the film and the work of Alexander Dumas. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 72 motion picture scenes from the Reliance Pictures film. The film stars Robert Donat, Elissa Landi, and Louis Calhern. The variation is identified by its soft cover, no publisher's number and a Tootsie Roll¨ ad inside the cover. RARE | |||||||||
| GE13 | 13 | DINKY starring Jackie Cooper | 14 | 28 | 56 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Helen M. Davidson. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 65 motion picture scenes from the Warner Brothers film. The film stars Jackie Cooper, Roger Pryor, and Mary Astor. | |||||||||
| GE16 | 16 | A DOG OF FLANDERS starring Frankie Thomas | 14 | 28 | 56 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from a story by Ouida. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 62 motion picture scenes from the RKO picture. The film stars Frankie Thomas and Helen Parish. | |||||||||
| GE6 | 6 | The FIGHTING PRESIDENT, THE STORY OF F. D. ROOSEVELT | 12 | 24 | 48 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Jerome van Wiseman and Wallace West. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: 60 motion picture scenes from Universal films. | |||||||||
| GE22 | 22 | FLAMING GUNS starring Tom Mix | 18 | 36 | 72 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Pat Patterson. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: 73 motion picture scenes from the Columbia film. | |||||||||
| GE8 | 8 | GREAT EXPECTATIONS starring Henry Hull | 18 | 36 | 72 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by A. J. Sharick from the film and the work of Charles Dickens. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 65 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. The film stars Henry Hull, Jane Wyatt, and Alan Hale. | |||||||||
| GE17 | 17 | HOOSIER SCHOOLMASTER starring Norman Foster and Charlotte Henry | 14 | 28 | 56 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by Edward Finney from the film and novel by Edward Eggleston. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 70 motion picture scenes from the Monogram film. The film stars Norman Foster, Charlotte Henry, and Tommy Pupp. | |||||||||
| GE9a | 9 | The LITTLE MINISTER starring Katharine Hepburn | 15 | 30 | 60 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by James M. Barr from the film and novel by Sir James M. Barrie. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 74 motion picture scenes from the RKO film. The film stars Katharine Hepburn, John Beal, and Alan Hale. The original printing is identified by its hard cover. | |||||||||
| GE9b | ---- | The LITTLE MINISTER starring Katharine Hepburn | 30 | 60 | 120 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; Variation; 1935. Soft cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by James M. Barr from the film and novel by Sir James M. Barrie. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 74 motion picture scenes from the RKO film. The film stars Katharine Hepburn, John Beal, and Alan Hale. The variation is identified by its soft cover, no publisher's number and a Tootsie Roll¨ ad inside the cover. RARE | |||||||||
| GE19 | 19 | The LOST CITY starring William Boyd | 14 | 28 | 56 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by Charles Reed Jones. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 61 motion picture scenes from the 12 chapter serial; Sherman S. Krellberg Productions. The film stars William Boyd, Kane Richmond, and Claudia Bell. | |||||||||
| GE21 | 21 | A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM starring Mickey Rooney | 14 | 28 | 56 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by Helen Davidson from the film and Shakespeare's play. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 70 motion picture scenes from the Warner Brothers film. The film stars Mickey Rooney, James Cagney, and Olivia DeHaviland. It was nominated for Best Picture of 1935 and won awards for Film Editing (Ralph Dawson) and Cinematography (Hal Mohr). | |||||||||
| GE11 | 11 | OLIVER TWIST starring Dickie Moore | 14 | 28 | 56 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Unknown - adapted from the film and the work of Charles Dickens. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 67 motion picture scenes from the Monogram picture. The film stars Dickie Moore, William Boyd, and Irving Pichel. | |||||||||
| GE20 | 20 | RED DAVIS, THE AMERICAN BOY | 12 | 24 | 48 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Unknown - adapted from Elaine Stearne Carrington's Radio Program. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: The radio show, Red Adams, began October 2, 1932 and starred Burgess Meredith. The show's hero had his name changed twice: 1) to Red Davis when Beech Nut Gum sponsored the show; 2) to Pepper Young. In June 1936, the program became Pepper Young's Family. | |||||||||
| GE3a | 3 | The RED RIDER starring Buck Jones | 21 | 42 | 84 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by Harry Ormiston from the story The Red Head of Sun Dog by W. C. Tuttle. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 70 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. Starring: Buck Jones (Red Davidson), Grant Withers, William Desmond, Silver. Title may have influenced Red Harman in naming his famous comic strip, Red Ryder. | |||||||||
| GE3b | ---- | The RED RIDER starring Buck Jones | 42 | 84 | 168 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; Variation; 1934. Soft cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted by Harry Ormiston from the story The Red Head of Sun Dog by W. C. Tuttle. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 70 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. Starring: Buck Jones (Red Davidson), Grant Withers, William Desmond, Silver. Title may have influenced Red Harman in naming his famous comic strip, Red Ryder. The variation is identified by its soft cover, no publisher's number and a Tootsie Roll¨ ad inside the cover. RARE | |||||||||
| GE4 | 4 | The RIDER OF DEATH VALLEY starring Tom Mix | 21 | 42 | 84 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from film by A. J. Sharick. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 65 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. The film stars Tom Mix, Lois Wilson, and Mae Busch. | |||||||||
| GE10 | 10 | ROBIN HOOD starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Wallace Berry | 18 | 36 | 72 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Austin Gilmore and Alex Gottlieb. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 70 motion picture scenes from the United Artists film. The film won Academy Awards for: Interior Decoration (Carl Wey); Musical Score (Erich Korngold); and Film Editing (Ralph Dawson). The film stars Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Wallace Berry, and Alan Hale. | |||||||||
| GE15a | 15 | ROCKY RHODES starring Buck Jones | 21 | 42 | 84 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Harry Ormiston. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: 73 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. | |||||||||
| GE15b | ---- | ROCKY RHODES starring Buck Jones | 42 | 84 | 168 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; Variation; 1935. Soft cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from film, by Harry Ormiston. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: 73 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. The variation is identified by its soft cover, no publisher's number and a Tootsie Roll¨ ad inside the cover. RARE | |||||||||
| GE14 | 14 | SPEEDWINGS starring Tim McCoy | 21 | 42 | 84 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Pat Patterson. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 66 motion picture scenes from the Columbia film. The film stars Tim McCoy, William Bakewell, and Evalyn Knapp. | |||||||||
| GE12a | 12 | STAMPEDE starring Rex, King of the Wild Horses | 10 | 20 | 40 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by George Gerry. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 69 motion picture scenes from the Columbia film titled Wild Horse Stampede. The film stars Rex (the horse), William James, and Dorothy Appleby. This original printing is identified by a red spine. | |||||||||
| GE12b | 12 | STAMPEDE starring Rex, King of the Wild Horses | 10 | 20 | 40 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; Variation; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by George Gerry. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: 69 motion picture scenes from the Columbia the film titled Wild Horse Stampede. The film stars Rex (the horse), William James, and Dorothy Appleby. This variation is identified by a yellow spine. | |||||||||
| GE7 | 7 | TEXAS BAD MAN starring Tom Mix | 21 | 42 | 84 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 1 60 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by A. J. Sharick. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: 60 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. | |||||||||
| GE18 | 18 | WESTWARD HO starring John Wayne | 45 | 90 | 180 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Edward Finney. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 67 motion picture scenes from various Republic films, but none from the film of this title. The film stars John Wayne, George Hays, and Myrna Winters. | |||||||||
| GE5a | 5 | WHEELS OF DESTINY starring Ken Maynard | 19 | 38 | 76 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Harry Ormiston. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 62 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. The film stars Ken Maynard and Dorothy Dix. | |||||||||
| GE5b | ---- | WHEELS OF DESTINY starring Ken Maynard | 38 | 76 | 152 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1934. Soft cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Adapted from the film, by Harry Ormiston. COLLECTOR'S NOTES: 62 motion picture scenes from the Universal film. The film stars Ken Maynard and Dorothy Dix. The variation is identified by its soft cover, no publisher's number and a Tootsie Roll¨ ad inside the cover. RARE | |||||||||
| GE23 | 23 | The WORLD OF MONSTERS starring Frank Sage | 15 | 30 | 60 | ||||
| Five Star Library Series¨; 1935. Hard cover. Movie size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 3/4"; 160 pages. Author: Unknown. COLLECTOR'S NOTE: Although this title is listed at the back of other books, no proof has been presented that the book exists. | |||||||||