Bøger af Derek Sculthorpe

Never Say Die is the gripping story of Arthur 'Baby' Gore, a battling tennis player of the Edwardian era and the oldest ever winner of the Wimbledon singles title. Gore enjoyed an unparalleled 40-year career. This fascinating biography provides an unrivalled insight into the life and times of a forgotten great of English sport.

A versatile craftsman, actor Van Heflin was never concerned with popularity or comfortable with stardom. Lauded by his peers, Heflin won over moviegoers with his portrayal of resolute homesteader Joe Starrett in George Stevens' classic Shane (1953). He impressed in all genres, convincingly portraying every type of character from heel to hero. Van Heflin first garnered attention as the sensitive, alcoholic friend of gangster Johnny Eager (1941), for which he won an Academy Award, and later gave notable performances in a string of noirs, dramas and westerns. He was memorable as the psychotic cop in Joseph Losey's masterpiece The Prowler (1951) but equally impressive as the doubtful executive in Jean Negulesco's smart satire Woman's World (1954). This first full-length biography of Heflin covers his early life as a sailor and his career on stage and screen, providing detailed commentary on all his films.

With her striking looks, the raven-haired, dark eyed Ruth Roman had an air of sophistication that made her seem sexy yet wholesome. She had to strive harder than most to establish herself as a leading actress in Hollywood during its glory years and finally broke through in 1949 with her role in Champion. As one of the last Warner Bros. contract players, she appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's classic Strangers on a Train. Seen at her best in strong parts, such as the ambitious Ronda Castle in Anthony Mann's The Far Country or as a modern-day Lady Macbeth, she enjoyed a varied career as a freelancer before re-inventing herself as a character actress of note on television. A remarkable return to the screen in the bizarre psycho-horror The Baby (1973) assured her of cult status. This is the first book dedicated to a committed but often undervalued actress who is fondly remembered by fans of classic film. More than a biography, it seeks to contextualize the actress within her own time, illuminate her Hollywood experience and celebrate her extensive career.

Portrait of a Unique Music Hall ArtisteOrphaned at thirteen, Malcolm Scott rose to become a leading female impersonator of the Edwardian era. A true eccentric, he first made his name at the Palace and Pavilion theatres in London attired as a female figure of history where he entertained audiences with his highly individual satiric act as "The Woman Who Knows." An acerbic wit, with a surrealist humour, he was in many ways a man ahead of his time. Besides being an actor, he was the doyen of Pierrot shows, and widely acknowledged as one of the finest pantomime dames ever known. In addition, he made several successful world tours and became an early radio personality before his untimely death. With a discography and substantial inventory of credits including all known sheet music and many rare photographs, this extensively-researched monograph is the first ever written about a forgotten great of British entertainment.

Portrait of a Unique Music Hall ArtisteOrphaned at thirteen, Malcolm Scott rose to become a leading female impersonator of the Edwardian era. A true eccentric, he first made his name at the Palace and Pavilion theatres in London attired as a female figure of history where he entertained audiences with his highly individual satiric act as "The Woman Who Knows." An acerbic wit, with a surrealist humour, he was in many ways a man ahead of his time. Besides being an actor, he was the doyen of Pierrot shows, and widely acknowledged as one of the finest pantomime dames ever known. In addition, he made several successful world tours and became an early radio personality before his untimely death. With a discography and substantial inventory of credits including all known sheet music and many rare photographs, this extensively-researched monograph is the first ever written about a forgotten great of British entertainment.

At the age of 61, Sydney Greenstreet made one of the most memorable debuts in classic cinema as the mysterious Kaspar Gutman in The Maltese Falcon (1941). His performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor Nomination. Born in England, Greenstreet had enjoyed a forty-year stage career which encompassed everything from Shakespeare to musical comedy and some of the most acclaimed plays of the 1930s. His film career lasted a mere eight years but included the timeless Casablanca (1942) and saw him teamed to great effect with the inimitable Peter Lorre. This is the first book dedicated to Greenstreet and includes over a hundred photographs, many of which are previously unseen.

At the age of 61, Sydney Greenstreet made one of the most memorable debuts in classic cinema as the mysterious Kaspar Gutman in The Maltese Falcon (1941). His performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor Nomination. Born in England, Greenstreet had enjoyed a forty-year stage career which encompassed everything from Shakespeare to musical comedy and some of the most acclaimed plays of the 1930s. His film career lasted a mere eight years but included the timeless Casablanca (1942) and saw him teamed to great effect with the inimitable Peter Lorre. This is the first book dedicated to Greenstreet and includes over a hundred photographs, many of which are previously unseen.

An alluring blonde with a uniquely seductive voice, Claire Trevor is chiefly remembered now for her many femme fatale roles in a series of iconic noirs. However she was a versatile actress not trapped by genre who brought a rare emotional depth to her art. This book provides a comprehensive discussion of her life and career.

Edmond O'Brien was one of the most versatile actors of his generation and made an abiding impact in a series of iconic noir films. This first in-depth study of O'Brien charts his life and career from the Broadway stage to Hollywood in its heyday and the rise of television. It shows him as a devoted family man dedicated to his art.

This is the first book dedicated to Brian Donlevy, an underrated actor who was often typecast as a villain but who had a surprising range and an unheralded gift for comedy. Separating fact from fiction, the narrative charts his colourful early life as a boy soldier, his years playing comedy on Broadway, and details his long career in Hollywood.