Peter Lorre (Midnight Marquee Actors Series) (Paperback)

~ Gary J. Svehla (Editor) "After covering the obvious horror film icons-Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Vincent Price-we at Midnight Marquee Press wanted to go in a..." (more)
Key Phrases: antwortet nicht, face behind the mask, Peter Lorre, Peter Lone, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

After coverning horror film icons Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Vincent Price, Midnight Marquee Press wanted to go in a slightly different direction for our fifth edition of the Actors Series, by highlighting quasi-horror man Peter Lorre.

While the other entries in the series were predominantly horror film actors, Peter Lorre made many horror film appearances, but was never actually considered a horror film star. Instead, it was Lorre's persona, that of a quirky, deviant little man, sometimes charming, sometimes boiling over with venom, that made him a perfect match for horror films. However, Lorre also played opposite such mainstream stars as Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Sydney Greenstreet, Kirk Douglas, Mickey Rooney and Bob Hope. Lorre felt just as comfortable enacting supporting roles in A films as he did starring in the Bs. This book takes an in-depth look at the film work of this versatile performer by providing analyses of films such as M, Mad Love, The Face Behind the Mask, The Maltese Falcon, The Raven and The Comedy of Terrors as well as many of the other films that made Peter Lorre a film legend.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Midnight Marquee Press (January 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887664300
• ISBN-13: 978-1887664301
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #718,869 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine effort, overall, January 9, 2000

By	Rory Coker (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Peter Lorre was blessed, and cursed, with the most distinctive screen persona of all time, including an absolutely unique voice that was quite easy to mimic--- I could do a great Lorre when I was 12. This volume surveys many of the important films in his long career. Though each film is discussed by a different author, there is surprisingly little repetition. In some other volumes in the Midnight Marquee series, film reviews have in fact been nothing more than semi-literate, or painfully illiterate, plot summaries. I am happy to report that this is not a problem with the current book. Although the discussions vary in quality, they are all very well researched and actually function as effective critical reviews of the films in question. Recommended highly.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Numerous authors give well rounded picture, May 18, 2000

By	Rick Hartnett (London, OH) - See all my reviews

This is a very good source on both Peter Lorre and his films. Each film is reviewed by a different author so the emphasis, length and tone varies by author. By having this combination of authors all of the heights and shortcomings of Lorre's films are brought out. If you are a Lorre fan you will find this a valuable resource, especially if you want to seach out Lorre films to view - this will guide you to the better ones. Until a definitive biography is written, this will give you some of the facts about Lorre's life in a nutshell.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Read, December 7, 2002

By	Gene Stover (Potomac, Texas) - See all my reviews

This is a great book, an entertaining read. Certainly not a reference book although I am familiar of other books being written about Lorre presently. The chapter about the Moto films are nice coverage, though just a recap of the plots. Only gripe is the chapter about Lorre's radio work. As an old-time radio fan, I do ask readers not to take everything to heart. There are many mistakes in the radio chapter, [...] even John Dunning's Ultimate book that every old-time radio fan has is far more correct. I do wish a Lorre book comes out soon that is a reference. This is an entertaining read for any Lorre fan.