William Powell: The Life and Films

William Powell what can I say. He is fabulous. Really wanted this in hardback and needs more pictures

William Powell: The Life and Films by Roger Bryant is an elegantly written, intensely researched volume. Bryant painstakingly recounts the production of each and every Powell film (including the "lost" silents), providing a plot summary of each. His engaging text is intelligent, and includes pertinent and informative comments regarding Powell's co-workers, family, and friends without interrupting the flow of narrative.Bryant is quick to point out that this volume is not a biography, but more a study of Powell's career with some biographical data included to put things into context. It is kind of a cross between Charles Francisco's 1985 Powell biography and Lawrence Quirk's Citadel "Films Of..." effort; less a biography than the former and with fewer photos than the latter.All told, this well-written, intensely researched volume is right up there with the very best of the genre and definitely worth it's rather hefty cover price.

In reality it is not so much a biography as the title implies, as it is an analysis of Powell's career with its emphasis placed on his films (both existing and the early lost films). While the book delved into Powell's early life and education (primarily in Kansas City), it really didn't say much about his first marriage to Eileen Wilson, his second short lived marriage to screen beauty Carole Lombard, his relationship with actress/comedienne Jean Harlow, or his relationship with his only child David.The thrust of this book is Powell's film career and the author goes into great detail regarding the films plots, Powell's performances, critical opinions, and how they all fit into the mosaic of Powell's success as a film actor.If I hadn't recently picked up a copy of the out-of-print FILMS OF WILLIAM POWELL, I probably would have enjoyed this book more. However, it was apparent that both books covered essentially the same territory. After I finished this book, I realized that I really didn't walk away with much new information re: Powell.If you know little about Powell's film career, this is a nice book. However, it really isn't a biography. There was much about Powell's personal life that wasn't included in this book, and there is much information that is readily available which was passed over or just minimally looked at.

As a big William Powell fan, I read this with interest. It was somewhat insightful into the making of the "Thin Man" movies, and it did have some details concerning his relationship with Jean Harlow, but a lot of the material has already been provided elsewhere. Still, it does round out the story with some interesting new details for "true believers" like me. I wonder if Bill Powell's life was of sufficient interest to merit a full-scale, in-depth biography? I read the best out there on Fred Astaire, and was surprised to see what a general normal and pretty ordinary life he led until he courted and married Robyn Smith. For Powell the Harlow and Loy relationships were complex; and his bout with cancer and his son's suicide....Maybe there's a real book in there somewhere. But do we care anymore?

William Powell is my favorite actor and this book is great!

As a big William Powell fan, I found this book okay. I didn't really learn anything new. There is another William Powell book from the 1980's that I think is a bit better but really, someone needs to come along and do a good bio on him because there isn't a really good one out there. I was excited to get this but found it somewhat lacking once I got it. For new William Powell fans, you may like it better than me. I'm a long time fan and just found it repetitive.

I had hoped there would be more personal info, but there is some, and the content about the films is interesting, especially the words of the reviewers.

Really enjoyed reading about this great actor. Someone should do an in-depth biography of him.

A+ speedy delivery. Super book. Just as described. Very pleased. Thank you.

This is about his films. There is a little about him but not much. It isn't a biography really, more a filmography. However, if you can accept that, it's very good. It goes into all the detail you'd want concerning his films.