New Releases by Life Magazine

It''s an American holiday ritual: At Christmas time, families across the country gather to watch the beloved 1946 Hollywood classic, It''s a Wonderful Life. Directed by Frank Capra, and starring Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart, the story of a small-town banker who faces financial ruin and emotional despair until he is saved by an angel sent from heaven to show him how much he is loved by his family and fellow citizens of the fictional Bedford Falls, N.Y., is a milestone of American cinema. This LIFE special issue celebrates the 75th anniversary of the iconic movie (which earned three Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture) with an in-depth look at Capra''s one-of-a-kind filmmaking and storytelling techniques, the making of the movie just after World War II and its lasting legacy, and why, 75 years later, it''s still a heartwarming delight to watch.

Rocky Balboa, the underdog palooka who boxed his way to box office super-success, burst into popular culture in 1976. Now 45 years later, “Yo, Adrian” has joined the very short list of very short quotes that are instantly identifiable with a classic character from a classic film. Tourists still run the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Marching bands play “Gonna Fly Now” as halftime entertainment. High school football teams get crazy-eyed to “Eye of the Tiger.” LIFE Rocky looks back the story conceived by actor and writer Sylvester Stallone and the iconic 8-film franchise it has become, celebrating Rocky''s friends, his foes, his fights and the songs and scenes that endure today.

This special edition from the editors of LIFE Magazine examines our long fascination with vampires; shows how vampire bats live and thrive; opens the book of ''Dracula'' and revisits some of history''s greatest cinematic portrayals of vampires.

No one nailed happiness like Peanuts'' creator Charles Schulz. Or anger or loneliness or wonder or fear, for that matter. He was a student of the human condition and spent 50 years exploring it through the hyper-articulate Peanuts gang. It''s been more than 20 years since Charles Schulz''s last original strip was published, but Peanuts continues as a cultural touchstone. It regularly makes the lists of best comics ever. Snoopy and his doghouse, Charlie Brown and his zigzag shirt, Linus and his blanket are all iconic. This special edition takes a look at the characters that make Peanuts a classic and peels back the curtain to reveal the man who made them.

Days spent soaking up the Laurel Canyon vibe and nights spent jamming at the famous Troubadour bar in Los Angeles led the Eagles - whose founding fathers include Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner - to become the quintessential California band. Their music navigated dark desert highways, tequila sunrises, and beyond. Take it easy? The Eagles, unfortunately, failed to follow their own advice. They had glorious harmonies on record that concealed chronic disharmony on tours. Those tours left in their wake a trail of splintered hotel furniture and bathtubs full of Budweiser, often at the hands of renowned guitarist and hard partier Joe Walsh. And yet with those songs, and on those tours, the Eagles conquered the world. Despite the tension and the death of front man Glenn Frey, there was - and is - the music, which still resonates today. LIFE''s special edition serves as a tribute to the sound and songs the Eagles created in the 1970s and over the 50 years since - and the legacy that endures.

LIFE celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beloved family classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with a veritable chocolate river of stories and photos. The book features a collection of gorgeous behind-the-scenes photographs that reveal the merriment and mayhem of the original movie set. It also tells the improbable story of how Roald Dahl''s book was ever filmed in the first place, and tracks how the movie went from being an opening-day dud to a staple of American childhood, as well as the inspiration for a Tim Burton&–Johnny Depp remake and a popular Broadway musical. The issue includes tributes to star Gene Wilder and explains why he was the perfect Wonka, and shares what became of the movie''s child stars. From Golden Tickets to Oompa Loompas to Everlasting Gobstoppers, LIFE captures everything that made Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory a work of pure imagination.

LIFE Barack Obama chronicles the former President''s life, from his early years in Chicago to meeting Michelle and his rise in politics to the White House and beyond, as he continues to be prolific today at the age of 60. Complete with stunning, intimate photography, this special edition is a must-have for history buffs and fans of American politics.

With Walt Disney Studios'' announcement that a fifth Indiana Jones movie is in the works, it''s time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg''s blockbuster film franchise about the adventures of a swashbuckling archaeologist. Indelibly embodied by Harrison Ford, the man in the fedora is dashing and irresistibly human, braving all manner of heart-stopping danger while battling Nazis, Stalinists and other foes in his quest for priceless artifacts—always with humor and panache. LIFE traces the evolution of the film series, from its roots in 1940s serials and action flicks through the creation and production of Raiders of the Lost Ark and three rollicking sequels. With a lively, incisive narrative and a rich trove of photos, this special edition features plot summaries, actor profiles, and a wealth of behind-the-scenes anecdotes—a fitting tribute to one of cinema''s most beloved and enduring heroes.

America''s national parks are more popular than ever, drawing record numbers of visitors every year. This special issue is a celebration of these parks, representing the best of the geographic and biological diversity of the far-flung U.S. park system. Packed with extraordinary photographs (as well as intriguing data and detailed descriptions), these pages serve not only as a guide to the parks'' individual charms, but also as an appreciation of their unmatched—and fragile—natural splendor.

She was capricious, outspoken, madcap, and never embarrassed. And we loved her for it. Thirty years after the death of one of TV''s legends, LIFE remembers the life and career of Lucille Ball, the hilarious comic actress whose iconic sitcom, I Love Lucy (which she created and starred in with her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz) was so popular that the episode featuring the birth of their characters'' son, Little Ricky, attracted more viewers than the inauguration of President Dwight Eisenhower. A Hollywood giant who blazed a trail for women in front of and behind the camera, Ball was the first female to run a major television production studio, and she green-lighted such classic broadcasts as Star Trek and Mission Impossible. A former showgirl on Broadway stage, Ball was known as one of the hardest-working actresses in Tinseltown before conquering radio and then TV. With her unique brand of fearless, physical comedy, she paved the way for funny folks like Mary Tyler Moore, Penny Marshall, and Robin Williams. As Will and Grace''s Debra Messing writes in the heartfelt foreword to this LIFE Special Edition, “It''s fair to say that I have my career because Lucy paved the way. She and Desi in

On April 29, 2011, an estimated 2 billion people the world over tuned in to the royal wedding of Prince William, the first-born son of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and second in line to the throne, to his former university classmate and long-time love Catherine Middleton. Ten years on, the future king and queen of England have established themselves as diligent and dutiful royals, raising a family of their own, traveling as goodwill ambassadors, and supporting a range of charitable works. In honor of their anniversary, this special edition of LIFE reflects on the couple''s early years growing up, their budding romance, and their roles as future rulers. William and Kate surely belongs in every royal watcher''s collection.

North vs. South. Brother against brother. The War of Northern Aggression. The Civil War, over 150 years in our nation''s past, still weighs upon American culture and politics to this day. This special edition of Life Explores brings readers a thorough overview of what remains the largest, longest and most bloody war set on American soil. This special edition covers every facet of the war from the political and cultural divides that sparked the war, to life on the front lines for soldiers, slavery, and the war at home, to a country, once again united and transformed. Whether you''re a Civil War buff or just in search of a little more information, The Civil War, On the Front Lines will bring you a thorough overview of the war that has continued to affect America.

''All in the Family'' quickly did more than become a top-rated, Emmy Award&–winning series that promoted a positive, progressive agenda. This revolutionary show about a reactionary man helped foster an openness in culture. It transformed the very nature of what could be broadcast into our homes, and paved the way for other shows with working-class as well as racially diverse protagonists. During ''All in the Family''s nine seasons on CBS, creators Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin used their series as a televised soapbox to masterfully portray the upheavals and concerns racking the United States. Half a century later, its humor and message remain prescient, as it plumbs problems that still vex our families and society, and seeks to understand and explain the very soul of America.

The recent passing of Eddie Van Halen marked the somber end to one of rock ''n'' roll''s greatest eras. The iconic and innovative guitar wizard and his rowdy bandmates were synonymous with hard rock from the late 1970s through the 1990s, churning out hits like "Runnin'' With the Devil," "Jump" and "Why Can''t This Be Love" through a variety of lineups. From the breakout years headed by flamboyant lead singer David Lee Roth to the decade with the boisterous Sammy Hagar up front, Van Halen maintained a perpetual appeal with fans and critics. This LIFE special issue explores the turbulent history and massive popularity of the mercurial band and their legendary music.

Fifty years ago, a half-hour sitcom first appeared on CBS. &“The Mary Tyler Moore Show&” starred its namesake actress as a new kind of TV woman: professional, unmarried, independent. And very, very funny. This special edition of LIFE delves into the seven-season Emmy-winning mega hit, including its beloved cast of quirky characters, the top-10 episodes, special guests and several spin-off series, that changed television in powerful and lasting ways and painted a new picture of the American working woman.

This LIFE Special edition remembers the Hall of Fame baseball players we lost in 2020: Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Joe Morgan, Tom Seaver, Al Kaline, and Whitey Ford.

There is a royal way of being-stoic, dry-eyed, and most importantly, private. And by maintaining an air of opacity despite their very public lives, scandals, and mishaps, the royal family has captured the attention and intrigue of the world. Readers buy tabloids promising to expose their secrets, viewers have tuned in to watch their special moments since Elizabeth first took the throne, books telling inside accounts have sold millions of copies. The world eagerly wants to learn as much as they can about what this royal family is like behind closed doors. That''s why the streaming hit The Crown, which has earned high praise for its relatively accurate historical account of Queen Elizabeth''s life, has been held in such high regard by viewers season after season. The show evolves with the Queen''s life, the cast rotating as the real-life royals grow in both age and confidence in their roles. And for all the insight the Netflix series provides, the real-life version of these stories, is just as rich and compelling. This special edition is a chronicle of the highs and lows of Queen Elizabeth''s monarchy, with &“on-screen&” photo gallery interstitials showing the same moments in her life from

There was a book, a movie, and then of course the landmark television series that made M.A.S.H. a cultural force like few others with 11 seasons and 256 episodes. Set during the Korean War, it channeled the anxiety of the Vietnam era at home and explored the absurdism of war viewed through the staff of the mobile hospital. Now, at the 50th anniversary of M.A.S.H.''s cinematic debut, this special edition of LIFE revisits Hawkeye, Trapper, Radar, Hot Lips, Klinger and the rest of the extraordinary ensemble cast through photos and a lively laugh-out-loud narrative. You''ll go behind the scenes and explore the most memorable moments and episodes, including the two-hour series finale, seen by over 106 million people, remaining the most-watched series finale of all time. PLUS: The making of the iconic theme song, and the show''s enduring legacy.

Mysterious and insular associations are a phenomenon as old as the pyramids. People have formed clandestine organizations, with idiosyncratic rules, rites and practices that have attracted the wealthy, respected, and powerful. From Freemasons and Knights Templar, to Sons of Liberty, Black Hand, and Skull and Bones, these groups have been religious, political, nefarious or just plain silly, and now this special edition from LIFE unlocks the door to these secretive worlds. From those organizations that were hidden behind the Founding Fathers that helped shape the course of history to those that have dabbled in the occult, this beautifully illustrated edition takes you deep inside these fascinating organizations.

From her youth on Chicago''s South Side to her years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as America''s First Lady, and in the years that have followed, Michelle Obama has shown the world how to lead with kindness and grace. Revisit the glorious, historic era of the Obama White House—and the many roads traveled to get there—in LIFE Michelle Obama, a photo-filled biography and Special Edition featuring beautiful images and discerning text from the editors of LIFE. Follow Michelle''s journey from her years under the tutelage of her mother, Marian, who encouraged her children to be thinkers, doers, and decision makers, to her time at Princeton, Harvard Law, and then back home to Chicago to work for the law firm Sidley Austin, where one fateful, rainy day in 1989, a young man named Barack walked through the door. Relive their romance, and their time in the Illinois Senate back in early aughts, before the Obamas would become a household and worldwide name. In the White House, Michelle would dedicate much of her time to ensuring the next generation of children lived a healthy, active lifestyle, and outside of it, she''d be recognized as a fashion icon on par with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

75 years ago, Americans and the Allied forces around the globe cheered, cried, and danced with relief to celebrate the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II, the most devastating conflict in human history. But as this special edition from LIFE demonstrates in vivid detail, the road to Allied victory in the Pacific and the subsequent end to the war was tortuous and fraught with uncertainty: from the crushing blow of Pearl Harbor, through savage bloodbaths at sea and on teeming jungle islands, and culminating with an apocalyptic weapon that still casts a shadow over humanity. Told through the vivid photography that defines LIFE and accompanying text, LIFE The Road to VJ Day reminds readers of the sacrifices made decades ago, and how they still resonate today.

The 1970s may have yielded some epic disappointments, including Watergate, the gas crisis, and Disco Duck, just to name a few, but the 1970s also delivered some extraordinary delights: The Fonz, leisure suits, Star Wars, Farrah Fawcett and the biggest red, white, and blue celebration the nation has ever known. LIFE: Celebrate the ''70s is a brilliant visit back in time that chronicles and celebrates the so-called &“Me Decade&” through its unique and lasting cultural mainstays; think disco music, Saturday Night Fever, The Joy of Sex, and never forget the clothes! Featuring a special section devoted to the Bicentennial Year of 1976, with LIFE''s unmatched photography and a sweet, often hilarious narrative, this is a keepsake for anyone who wants to remember the ''70s or experience them for the first time

LIFE Explores History of the Rifle begins with a bang with the discovery of the explosive combination of charcoal, potassium nitrate, and sulfur. From 10th Century China to the United States, this special edition details the evolution of the weapon including innovative modifications such as improved ignition devices allowing single shooters to aim, fire, and hit targets. Although the innovation of the rifle improved efficiency and efficacy, the smaller, sleeker, and more sophisticated model of the rifle posed a threat, including increased crime and conflict. Traverse the Old World, the Civil War, and the Wild West and explore how the evolution of this firearm has changed warfare, society, and history irrevocably

In 1975, Steven Spielberg''s Jaws transformed the Hollywood landscape, sparked a cultural phenomenon and took a huge bite out of the collective psyche, with the public always wondering what lurked just beneath the surface of the water. The first true summer blockbuster was a masterpiece of the thriller genre, following the terrifying ordeal of a beach community under attack by a monstrous great white shark. This LIFE special issue celebrates the 45th anniversary of this iconic film (which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture) with an in-depth look at Spielberg''s revolutionary filmmaking and storytelling techniques, the chaotic making of the movie and its lasting legacy, and why, 45 years later, it''s still scary.

The songs are iconic, their faces unmistakable. When John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, all cheeky young lads from Liverpool, exploded on the international stage in the 1960s, with their mop tops and infectious love songs it was a cultural earthquake. Beatlemania swept the globe. The Fab Four''s music and lyrics would continue to grow in maturity and sophistication, including the albums Rubber Soul, Sgt. Pepper''s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Abbey Road broke new ground. After breaking up in 1970, the Beatles found both solo success and tragedy, with Lennon''s 1980 assassination and Harrison''s untimely death from cancer. But their music is eternal. This special edition tells their story and includes: The early days, John and Paul: friends and rivals, the women they loved, and going solo.

It was a four-year struggle for the survival of a nation and for its soul, in which 620,000 Americans died largely over the question of whether human beings could be owned as property, and a state''s right to secede from the union. From the early days of the conflict through the collapse of the Confederacy, this LIFE Explores special edition highlights the Civil War''s legendary battles and brings a particular focus to many of the generals, including Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, &“Stonewall&” Jackson, William Tecumseh Sherman and other generals, celebrated and obscure, who led North and South to victory and defeat.

Lifestyle, entertainment, and a true source for inspiration! Volume 14 issue 1 is a souvenir edition. You''ll be engaged with relationship, health, finance, and self help topics.