Boris Karloff: A Bio-Bibliography (Bio-Bibliographies in the Performing Arts) [Hardcover]

Beverley Bare Buehrer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bio-Bibliographies in the Performing Arts | Publication Date: August 30, 1993

This reference work on Boris Karloff presents a comprehensive record of the life and career of this famous performer. The volume begins with a biography, which succinctly presents the facts of Karloff's life. A chronology of his significant achievements follows. The remaining chapters overview Karloff's broad career. Chapters document and comment upon his film, stage, radio, and television performances. A discography is included as well. The book concludes with an annotated bibliography of books and articles about Karloff, along with a comprehensive index.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The book begins with a brief, well written biography, followed by a chronology, a filmography, a record of stage and broadcast appearances, a discography, and an annotated bibliography.”–Classic Images

About the Author

BEVERLEY BARE BUEHRER is a freelance writer and an Instructor at Kishwaukee College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; annotated edition edition (August 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031327715X
• ISBN-13: 978-0313277153
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,380,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fitting Academic Study, August 3, 2003

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DodgyUSA (Jamaica Plain, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boris Karloff: A Bio-Bibliography (Bio-Bibliographies in the Performing Arts) (Hardcover)

Beverly Buehrer's book is a well written academic text on the subject. Similar to others in this series of biographies, published by Greenwood Press, the first part is devoted to a snapsnot account of the actor's life and works.
Beverly is generous in allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions on certain aspects of Boris's life, such as his birth origin or the confusion in names of the various stock companies where he is said to have performed. Often she is able to make a willing argument as to why "facts" have been jumbled and muddled along the years.
His films, stage, radio, television, and recordings are all listed in an exhaustive (for 1993 ! other accomplishments have surfaced since this book was written) index with items cross referenced.
I am a collector of Karloff, and appreciate the number of entertainment reviews she includes with each film-highlighting in particular those where Boris's name is mentioned.
Extra text and information is devoted to his major films such as the FRANKENSTEIN trilogy and the MUMMY.
There are a few editing errors scattered throughout (such as listing MAD GENIUS as Boris's final film for Warner Brothers--five more were to follow over the years) but for the average reader they are nothing of consequence. Biographers of Boris since Beverly's book, and those to come will check and cross-check their references so her mistakes will be rectified.
Although, since Scott Nollen's excellent books BORIS KARLOFF, A CRITICAL ACCOUNT... and BORIS KARLOFF, A GENTLEMAN'S LIFE, have been written, I doubt there is much more to say about the man !

I highly recommend this book for the academic minded person researching Boris Karloff. Performing Arts schools are encouraged to include this in book in their library. A fitting tribute to a very distinguished actor.
Those readers looking for a more biography-type book, may want to consult Scott Nollen's books.