New Book! SALAMIS & SWASTIKAS: LETTERS HOME FROM A G.I. JEW!

Back and Front Covers Of Book

SALAMIS & SWASTIKAS: LETTERS HOME FROM A G.I. JEW is a remarkable collection of letters written by my father, Staff Sgt. David E. Stoliar, to my mother and sister in St. Louis during World War II, from North Africa, Italy, France, Germany, and England.

The letters run the gamut from vivid war reportage to insightful analysis of anti-Semitism in Germany (as well as in the U.S.) to heartwarming adventures with his dog to heartbreaking reminders of how much he sorely misses his family to thumbnail reviews of then-current movies and songs, all filtered through the prism of a secular Jew caught in the middle of war against the Nazis.

Additionally, there are dozens of never-before-seen personal photos that bring to life the colorful people, places, and events that my dad writes about in his elaborately detailed letters. (More photos from the book on the Gallery page.)

“Steve Stoliar’s book is a richly satisfying read. The book’s heart is a priceless –  and, fortunately, preserved –  collection of his soldier father’s personal letters home from World War II. A rare, moving, colorful, and intimate look at war from inside the beast. A book to remember.”

DICK CAVETT (Author/Talk-Show Host)

I found the book very entertaining, full of good stuff, sad as can be, and eye-opening as to what it was like to be shipped thousands of miles from one’s wife and child and to have to fight missing them, which, for me, would be as hard as fighting Germans. I couldn’t have lived through what the author of these letters lived through. Great fun to read, but also heartbreaking.”

WOODY ALLEN (Writer/Filmmaker)

Just one G.I’s pen to paper and what a revelation! Staff Sgt. David Stoliar’s letters home are dense with humor, love, the right amount of army scuttlebutt, and soulful musings of a young American-Jewish soldier in the war against Hitler. I’m grateful to Steve for making his dad’s World War II story an important addition to the historical record.

STEVEN KARRAS (Director of ABOUT FACE: THE JEWISH REFUGEE SOLDIERS OF WORLD WAR II)

These humorous and heartbreaking letters home from World War II are a wonder. They not only paint a portrait of the fight and the human face of war, but more importantly, we feel the incredible love for wife and family, which is why we were fighting. Endearing. Moving. Unforgettable.

– STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY (Actor/Author of MY ADVENTURES WITH GOD)

MOVIE NEWS – 9/22/20

Lots of people have been asking me what’s happening with the film version of ‘Raised Eyebrows” – especially since Rob Zombie left the project last year. In fact, there has been solid progress since then and I’ve been told that I can at least say a (precious) few words about it – for now:The screenplay was initially written by yours truly. After that, it went through some rewrites from Oren Moverman (Oscar-nominated screenwriter whose credits include “I’m Not There,” “The Messenger,” “Rampart,” and “Love & Mercy,” just to name a few). Oren definitely “gets it,” I’m happy to report, and it was definitely not a case of that cliche wherein a terrific script is given to some hack who turns it into something entirely different, destroying it in the process. We’re very much on the same page – literally and figuratively.

After several years of getting an annual – and most-welcome – option payment, Cold Iron Pictures recently hauled off and purchased the rights from me – which is a solid indication that they intend making this movie sooner than later.As I say, I can’t divulge any more info than that, so please don’t hammer away at me with questions that I’m not at liberty to answer. Likewise, any and all casting suggestions will be deleted, because we’re on top of that, but thanks for your interest just the same.Bottom line: It’s definitely moving forward and not stuck in Development Hell – or even Development Purgatory.

I’ll let you know about other elements when they are made available for discussion.But for now, I’m very happy that, at long last (emphasis on the “long”), the movie seems to be a happenin’ thang.

Thanks,

Steve

Co-Writer & Co-Executive Producer

Steve Stoliar Returns To Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!

Here’s the just-released and much-anticipated (by me anyway) sequel to my 2015 episode of Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast. Since it’s a mini-episode, it’s only about 40 minutes long. It’s not quite as, um, “freewheeling” as the first one, but I think there is still much merriment to be found herein. More talk about Groucho, the Marx Brothers, the upcoming film version of RAISED EYEBROWS, the new Blu-Ray set of Paramount Marx Brothers films, and general silliness. Gilbert had broken his ankle two days earlier and had just finished recording a lengthy podcast and wasn’t feeling as energetic as the first time ‘round, so his trusty sidekick, Frank Santopadre, did the lion’s share of the questioning (and did a splendiferous job thereof). Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geiJC7wxbbA

RAISED EYEBROWS Audiobook CD Now Available!!

At long last, the brand-new CD version of the RAISED EYEBROWS: MY YEARS INSIDE GROUCHO’S HOUSE Audiobook (read and performed in its entirety by the author) exists in three dimensions rather than merely theoretically. It’s over eleven and a half hours of the complete book and it’s available on Amazon and Audible. Enjoy!

https://www.amazon.com/Raised-Eyebrows-Inside-Grouchos-Expanded/dp/1504729153/ref=tmm_abk_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=