[DOC] Warren William: Magnificent Scoundrel of Pre-Code Hollywood by John Stangeland at Arts-Photography

Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating ManBy JLeeIrsquo;ve always loved Warren William. especially as a character actor in a movie with a strong cast. He was too limited in range to be a great actor. but he could create some terrific characters. No matter what. when or who. he certainly had a sonorous speaking voice.Irsquo;m not usually drawn to villains. but in movies such as The Match King. Skyscraper Souls and Employeesrsquo; Entrance. he was mesmerizing as a cold and sleazy businessman. In movies such as Cleopatra. The Man in the Iron Mask and Imitation of Life. he was bland and forgettable. He was good as Perry Mason when he had strong writing. but his appearances as The Lone Wolf. where the writing was sometimes tepid. were sometimes uncomfortable.So who was the man behind these characters? Not just a pretty face. He was fascinating. He was intelligent. an inventor. ambitious. athletic. and full of energy. He was happily married and he enjoyed life. He seems to have been quite decent and likeable. He had good taste ndash; he often wore his own clothes in movies. and he was usually beautifully dressed.The author does a good job of telling Williamrsquo;s story. The writing is marred. however. by the authorrsquo;s juvenile attitude toward women. William got along very well with women. including his costars. and was very happily married for many years. For some reason. the author feels the need to repeatedly apologize and justify this. as if it were a shortcoming on Williamrsquo;s part. The author also blames Williamrsquo;s limits as an actor on his female costars. as if it were their fault his performances were sometimes weak. The author seems to have a personal grudge against Bette Davis. whom he viciously attacks more than once. Compared to Warren Williamsrsquo; maturity and strength. the author comes across as immature. He should not have let his personal problems interfere with the telling of Williams story. Other than that. itrsquo;s an interesting and entertaining book about a very interesting and entertaining fellow.15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. "The Magnificent Scoundrel Was Really A Magnificent Gentleman.....!!!"By John H. McCarthyI cant add much more than Clifford J. Aliperti did in his review. On one of MY many searches over the years for info on this sadly forgotten great thespian. I also ran across Mr. Alipertis great tribute site. Ive also authored a Listmania! run-down on all of Warrens available films on this site. check it out! You can access it by clicking on my name above which will lead you to my profile. I have also reviewed the three currently available legitimate LONE WOLF DVDs. and the new PERRY MASON set. Unfortunately some of my reviews are on my sellers account. but can be accessed below. I have an interesting antidote regarding Warrens side career as an inventor. One day years ago on American Movie Classics (AMC) before they went commercial and were the template for Turner Classic Movies. they showed a Technicolor Paramount "short-subject" about Warren and his inventions between movies. I wish I had been taping at the time. it was in perfect condition. and not only showed Warren relaxed and showing off his latest inventions. it was a rare chance to see him in glorious Technicolor! If any collector out there has a copy. please contact me......Links to the reviews: THE LONE WOLF MEETS A LADY. COUNTER-ESPIONAGE. PASSPORT TO SUEZ. PERRY MASON MYSTERIES: The Original Warner Bros. Movies Collection4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Classy Biography of a Classy GentlemanBy BeaThe author. Mr. Stangeland. and the publisher. McFarland Company. Inc.. Publishers deserve a 5-star rating for chronicling the life of Warren William. an often forgotten star of the golden age of Hollywood. In this biography. Warrens career and his contribution to the pre-code era of Hollywood is summarized in detail in a classy way befitting a gentleman like Warren William Krech. Unlike many biographies of past stars. Mr. Stangeland does not resort to titillating stories which cannot be documented or defended by those long in their grave. The author presents a factual. well-researched account of Warrens life that made this fan appreciate the humble. hard-working. devoted husband. and often unappreciated actor even more. My only wish is that additional photos had been included in the book.