Albert J. Luxford, the Gimmick Man

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.

Albert J. Luxford is now retired. He lives in Hillingdon, England.
Gareth Owen is a film producer and writer in Iver Heath, England.

Albert J. Luxford with Gareth Owen
Foreword by Desmond “Q” Llewelyn, ; Afterword by John Richardson
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 224
Bibliographic Info: 118 photos, filmography, index
Copyright Date: 2002
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1150-4
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments v
Preface 1
Introduction 3
1. CEDAW 9
2. Afghanistan 14
3. Algeria 41
4. Bangladesh 57
5. Egypt 66
6. Iran 96
7. Iraq 161
8. Pakistan 177
9. Turkey 193
10. Summary 212
Chapter Notes 219
Bibliography 227
Index 233

“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.