Lawrence J. Quirk (1923–2014)

This is an account of the lives of noted entertainers, primarily Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Lawford and Bishop, and the numerous other stars who were satellite members of the pack in its various iterations. Although they may have been great performers they were perfectly loathesome as human beings. It is not because if the booze, drugs and womanizing but because of the horrible way they treated their own families and friends. The insight into the entertainment industry for much of the 20th show more century was enlightening. show less

"I never enjoyed my work more than when I worked with William Powell. He was a brilliant actor, a delightful companion, a great friend, and above all, a true gentleman." — Myrna Loy


Whether it’s because of the Thin Man films, My Man Godfrey, or Life With Father, nearly everyone has affection for William Powell. One of my all-time favorite films happens to be One Way Passage, starring Powell and Kay Francis. Powell, though he had failings like everybody, really was much like the beloved show more characters he portrayed. Richard Barthlemess and Ronald Colman were good pals, making up a sophisticated Three Musketeers in old Hollywood.

This coffee table size book by Lawrence J. Quirk from Citadel Press is a really nice blend, giving readers an overview of the man himself, and his films. Each film is given photos, cast listing and description, and a short essay regarding it. Documenting Powell’s films is no easy feat, since his career began in 1922, during the silent film era. He often portrayed villains in those early days, but when sound came along, his voice transformed him into the suave hero rather than the bad guy. Once he made Interference, starring Evelyn Brent, there was no looking back. There was a roadblock, however, when two separate studios — the one he’d just come from, and the one who had him — thought he was washed up. Then came Manhattan Melodrama, opposite Loy and Clark Gable, and he was a star again. Woody Van Dyke requested Powell and Loy be paired up once again, for The Thin Man, and the rest, as they say, is history.

You get a lot of films here, and because Powell starred opposite just about every great actress, there are some wonderful photos. Yes, it would have been nice if they were glossy, photo paper quality rather than just paper, but they’re clear, detailed, and some are startlingly lovely. In that one respect, though the Alan Ladd one is a favorite of mine, I think this one edges it out. You don’t just get Powell here, you get all his lovely co-stars, both on the set and off, as they play monopoly or clown around, have a drink, or laugh over dinner. For any film fan, it’s heartwarming heaven.

Narratively, before we get to the films, we get the overview of Powell the man. We learn of his failures in marriage — it wasn’t just Lombard — and his almost debilitating grief and guilt over the death of Jean Harlow. We see how kind he was, helping Evelyn Brent when her star was waning, and practically handing the film Escapade to Luise Ranier, so that she could become a star. And of course, there was the long friendship between Powell and Loy. Harlow was not the only tragedy to befall Powell, however, as we discover once he finally retires to Palm Springs with his wife, Diana Lewis, known as Mousie. The final days of this man’s life will make you shed a tear.

This is over 250 pages of background, films, and wonderful photos. For any Powell fan, it’s invaluable. Definitely worth tracking down a copy, if only for the photos. But there’s more here, much more. A bio it isn’t, but a perfect blend of information and filmography it is. A treasure for any William Powell fan. show less

" Joan Crawford: The Essential Biography explores the life and career of one of Hollywood's great dames. She was a leading film personality for more than fifty years, from her beginnings as a dancer in silent films of the 1920s, to her portrayals of working-class shop girls in the Depression thirties, to her Oscar-winning performances in classic films such as Mildred Pierce. Crawford's legacy has become somewhat tarnished in the wake of her daughter Christina's memoir, Mommie Dearest, which show more turned her into a national joke. Today, many picture Crawford only as a wire hanger-wielding shrew rather than the personification of Hollywood glamour. This new biography of Crawford sets the record straight, going beyond the gossip to find the truth about the legendary actress. The authors knew Crawford well and conducted scores of interviews with her and many of her friends and co-stars, including Frank Capra, George Cukor, Nicholas Ray, and Sidney Greenstreet. Far from a whitewash -- Crawford was indeed a colorful and difficult character -- Joan Crawford corrects many lies and tells the story of one of Hollywood's most influential stars, complete with on-set anecdotes and other movie lore. Through extensive interviews, in-depth analysis, and evaluation of her films and performances -- both successes and failures -- Lawrence J. Quirk and William Schoell present Crawford's story as both an appreciation and a reevaluation of her extraordinary life and career. Filled with new interviews, Joan Crawford tells the behind-the-scenes story of the Hollywood icon. Lawrence J. Quirk is the author of many books on film, including Bob Hope: The Road Well-Traveled. William Schoell is the author of several entertainment-related books, including Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin. show less

Best Colbert reference to date, lovely photos though the book should have had more pages with the photos reproduced larger.