The Gift of the Magi; O. Henry: A Life in Stories

A commendable look at prolific writer William Sydney Porter--who wrote hundreds of stories, including "The Ransom of Red Chief" and "The Gift of the Magi" under the nom de plume O. Henry--this entry in Monterey's About the Authors series, hosted and narrated by Ronald Rezac, offers a detailed account of the author's checkered life and career. Born in North Carolina on September 11, 1862, "Will" (as family and friends called him), grew up with a heavy-drinking father and poet mother (who died of consumption) and was initiated into the delights of singing and--most significantly--reading by his schoolmarm aunt. Before becoming an author, Porter dabbled in several professions, including pharmacist, cowboy, and newspaperman. A perennial job jumper (constantly stressed are his "half-hearted attempts at working," "lazy nature," and methodical "way of having others help him"), Porter drank too much, partied beyond his means, and was even charged with four counts of embezzlement after a stint as a bank teller, spending over three years in an Ohio penitentiary, where he wrote many well-received stories--emerging with a new name and career, as "O. Henry." In 1910, less than a decade after leaving prison, Porter died of cirrhosis and diabetes. Combining photographs, art, commentary from Dr. James W. Thomas (Pepperdine University), and excerpts from Monterey's filmed adaptations The Gift of the Magi (see below) and The Last Leaf, this is a good introduction to this renowned American author and his work. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Williams) A re-telling of O. Henry's classic tale of poignant irony, The Gift of the Magi, set at Christmastime at the turn of the century, tells the story of a young bride who sells her long beautiful hair to purchase a pocket watch chain for her husband only to find he has sold his watch to buy her a set of combs. A better than average production sporting good visual quality and sound, this adaptation remains true to the short story and with its running time of 20 minutes is ideal for classroom use, allowing for viewing and discussion in the same class period. A companion volume, The Last Leaf, is also available at the same price. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (L. Stevens). (Note: All three titles-- O. Henry: A Life in Stories, The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf--are available from Monterey as a set entitled An Evening with O. Henry for $49.95 on VHS [3 videocassettes] or $39.95 on DVD [1 disc].)