Joseph H. Lewis [Hardcover]

Francis M. Nevins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0810834073 | ISBN-13: 978-0810834071

The first full-length account of the life and work of Joseph H. Lewis, the noted director of films such as My Name is Julia Ross (1945) and The Halliday Brand (1957). Because most commentators and interviewers have focused on Lewis' contributions to film noir and particularly Gun Crazy and The Big Combo, Nevins tries to give equal time to Lewis' early B westerns and television series episodes, including episodes of The Rifleman and Gunsmoke that he directed at the end of his career.

Nevins's narrative is interspersed with Lewis's own reflections on his life and career, adding a personal element that enlivens the text. A detailed filmography includes Lewis's editorial work, feature films, and episodes of TV series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...an affectionate, informative tribute to this undersung auteur...a brief but enjoyable read with solid research value for fans of some of the best of classic television and, of course, Lewis aficionados. (Bright Lights Film Journal )

Interesting reading about a man who always put extra effort into his work and left a legacy of some of the most visual B-westerns and TV shows ever made. (Western Clippings )

About the Author

Francis M. Nevins is Professor of Law, St. Louis University School of Law.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (July 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810834073
• ISBN-13: 978-0810834071
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #720,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Interesting director, dull book, September 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Joseph H. Lewis (Hardcover)

Lewis almost defines the idea of a cult director, since his work was exclusively in the b picture category and he never worked with big stars or big budgets. Except for the justly famous Gun Crazy, a wild film noir take on the Bonnie and Clyde story, and the talked about but more minor noir The Big Combo, most of Lewis' films are not well known and a lot of them are not good, though the director often tries to do something stylish or unexpected with some of the scenes. It's not surprising I guess that the only book on the man is this slim, expensive and not very detailed book. It's okay if you love Joseph H. Lewis movies and you want to spend 30-something dollars for a moderately extended interview and a filmography. The interviewer doesn't go very deep and you don't come away with a very good idea of what inspired Lewis or even many good anecdotes.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph H. Lewis Covered Beautifully by Nevins, April 25, 2000

By 

Mrs. George Sangster - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joseph H. Lewis (Hardcover)

Joseph H. Lewis was a superb film director, and Francis Nevins did an absolutely wonderful job of covering his career.