Scott Allen Nollen

This worthwhile book on three remarkable figures in film history and their intimate relationship on and off screen is a mixed bag in some ways. Extremely chronological (meaning that the calendar and not literary transitional grace rules the writing), marred by typographical errors and misspellings of names, and made irritating by frequent ill-advised attempts at humor and whimsy, the book nevertheless gives the clearest picture yet of the famous working and carousing relationship of Hollywood's greatest director, its biggest star, and their bull-in-a-china-shop friend. Most of what is presented here about Wayne and Ford is familiar, and indeed author Nollen relies a bit too heavily on quotations from other works on Ford, particularly Joseph McBride's and Scott Eyeman's, and on actor Harry Carey Jr's book of reminiscences. But his inclusion of the colorful character actor Ward Bond as one corner of the triangle provides not only the first substantial biographical material on Bond but real insights into the personalities and lives of the more widely known (and written-about) Ford and Wayne. Nollen takes Ford's jokey penchant for occasionally showcasing Bond's rear end in various shots in his films and runs that little quirk into the ground, to the point that it seems that Nollen won't mention a film Bond was in without pointing out where the butt shots are. Enough, already. But Nollen also makes a very human figure out of Bond, who, like Wayne, was an extreme conservative (and thus an intriguing choice for a bosom buddy by the liberal Democrat Ford). Nollen doesn't pull punches about the extreme damage Bond (and to a lesser extent Wayne) caused to people's lives during the Commie-scare witch hunts of the mid-twentieth century, nor does he give short shrift to the ego and selfishness behind Bond's actions, yet by the time the book has concluded, Bond is a real human being whom one can love or hate but whom one now understands. Nollen is as unforgiving of Wayne's reluctance to serve in World War II as Ford himself was, and he's harder on Wayne than either of the other two. But his admiration for all three of his subjects is quite evident, and he has done a real service in surveying the lives of all three men in combination. As irritating as the typos and the frequent forays into drollery are, this is a valuable and very readable book.… (plus d'informations)

Comprehensive biography of underrated actor Chester Morris, best known as Boston Blackie, but who starred in many films of the 1930's and 1940's. The author was good at tracking his early theatrical career as well as that of his parent's and siblings. There were plenty of reviews of the films or theatrical appearances. It was amazing that the author could indicate on a particular date Morris had dinner at a certain actor's home along with a list of other well known names. Morris was active in the Screen Actor's Guild and many of these events were SAG meetings of which I assume the author obtained the information from meeting minutes. Other information I had read indicated Morris had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer but this author did not mention that diagnosis. I loved that the author updated us on what happened with Morris' wife and children after Morris' death. There are great appendices including film, stage, radio, and television appearances. Well worth a read if you are a fan.… (plus d'informations)