William Powell: The Life and Films [Paperback]

Roger Bryant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2006

Actor William Powell is perhaps best known for his roles as charming Nick in The Thin Man films and blustery Clarence Day in Life with Father. As diverse as those characters are, they don't begin to reveal the full scope of talent demonstrated by one of Hollywood's most intelligent leading men. Elegant, witty and dignified, Powell created accessible and human characters in a great variety of roles. His talent was such that Powell has a large and growing fan base 50 years after his last film was released, evidenced by the popularity of DVD rereleases and the frequent appearance of his films on cable television.

The focus of this book is Powell’s work in more than 90 films, from the silent era to the age of CinemaScope, woven into the dramatic and touching story of the actor’s life. It begins by leaping into how Powell and actress Myrna Loy were launched to stardom as husband and wife Nick and Nora Charles in The Thin Man. The next chapter sets the stage for the baby Powell’s entry into the world in 1892 and details his childhood and upbringing. Following chapters trace Powell’s journey into the film industry, his early career as a popular villain, and his transition to talkies in the late 1920s aided by his stage training. The book details his work at Warner Bros., which turned him into a leading man, and his years of stardom at MGM. The book describes turning points in Powell’s life—the death of lover Jean Harlow, a 21-month hiatus from films while the actor battled cancer, and a new leap to the top in Life with Father. Concluding chapters detail another flurry of films and the actor’s retirement. A filmography lists Powell’s films from 1922 to 1955, including those believed to be lost.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Bryant lives in Midland, Michigan, where he is a freelance writer and business intelligence analyst.

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers (August 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786426020
• ISBN-13: 978-0786426027
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent History of William Powell's Early Life and Film Career, November 22, 2006

By 

S. R. RITENOUR (Grove City, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: William Powell: The Life and Films (Paperback)

Bryant's book is an outstanding contribution to the literature about classic Hollywood cinema. The author provides an engaging telling of Powell's early life and early stage career. He then embarks on a detailed biographical filmography of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars. It is THE outstanding introduction to the film career of William Powell. Bryant provides insightful and intelligent commentary in his evaluation and critique of Powell's entire film output, including his early silent films. The book is all the more valuable due to the paucity of literature devoted to Powell. An added bonus is the inclusion of several rare photos, including a sweet portrait of Powell taken when he was a mere four years old; a photo that my three-year old daughter is especially taken with. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in classic Hollywood film in general and in the life and work of William Powell in particular.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great new book on one of the '30s Unsung Stars, May 6, 2007

By 

Leslie C. West "Arielclaire" (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: William Powell: The Life and Films (Paperback)

Thank goodness, we are finally getting a new book on the life and career of one of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s greatest stars. There are too few books out about William Powell who made acting look effortless. I loved him in The Thin Man series, My Man Godfrey, Life with Father, The Great Ziefield, Mr. Roberts, and in anything with Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, & Clark Gable. They just don't make them like they used to!!! This is a great book to learn not only about his films, but also about his personal life. If you are interested in the Golden Age of film, don't miss this book!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Filmography, December 31, 2008

By 

Avid Reader "shernscott" (Miramar, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: William Powell: The Life and Films (Paperback)

This book was a well written & informative filmography of William Powell, one of my favorite actors. Unfortunately, I was looking for a biography. The longest biographical sections cover his early life and his life after he retired from the screen. Information about his life in between is sketchy. His courtship, marriage and divorce from Carole Lombard is covered in a total of seven paragraphs. However, as stated, this is an excellent book for those only interested in the films of William Powell.