Have you ever watched a movie with a fake book in it and thought that it would be great if it really existed? Here are 6 fake books in movies that would definitely be on my bookshelf if I could get hold of them.
How I Did It by Victor Frankenstein – Young Frankenstein
I always dread bringing up the subject of Frankenstein, in case I accidentally call the monster Frankenstein and every smartass and wise guy on the internet laughs at me briefly. However, I can’t fail to mention this fake book from the movie Young Frankenstein. How mixed up would the world be if we could head out to our favorite book store and buy a book telling us how to make a human being out of bits of dead people. On the bright side, the modern problem with cemeteries getting too full wouldn’t be an issue for very long. In the film, Frankenstein’s grandson finds this book and starts the whole wretched thing over again.
A Match Made in Space by George McFly – Back to the Future
George McFly always really wanted to be a famous science fiction author but his lack of a backbone or any sort of winning attributes whatsoever held him back in life. Thankfully, the appearance in his life of a weird young guy with funny clothes helped to make him more confident, as well as helping the girl of his dreams fall in love with him. A Match Made in Space was his first published book and it was inspired by the time he was wakened up by the weird visit of Darth Vader, who told him he had to get together with Lorraine if he didn’t want his brain melted.
The Grail Diary by Dr Henry Jones Sr – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
If you want to find the Holy Grail – and you do, trust me on that one – then this is the book you want. It’s a bit of a weird mix between maps, sculpture rubbings and rambling notes from an obsessed old fool. As far as the value of fake books in movies goes those one is possibly the most valuable. As well as being unique it also has Hitler’s signature in it.
Handbook for the Recently Deceased – Beetlejuice
To be fair, this might not even be a fake book at all. After all, I haven’t yet spoken to a dead person who can confirm or deny its existence. Among the highlights of this book is the advice that in case of an emergency, spirits should draw a door and knock three times.
Hogwarts: A History by Bathilda Bagshot – Harry Potter films
Books about the history of schools are rarely gripping reads. However, this one about Harry Potter’s school seems a bit more interesting than most others. It is the favorite book of Hermoine Granger and seems to be about wizardry in general as much as the past of the school itself.
The Rendering by Richard Dunn – Paper Man
In the movie this dark existential book was a complete flop. However, the world is filled with great books that initially flopped. Maybe we just need to give it a chance. The chances are that someone as loopy as Richard Dunn is going to regale us with a weird and wonderful book that we love.
