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The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre,Used
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Often typecast as a menacing figure, Peter Lorre achieved Hollywood fame first as a featured player and later as a character actor, trademarking his screen performances with a delicately strung balance between good and evil. His portrayal of the child murderer in Fritz Lang's masterpiece M (1931) catapulted him to international fame. Lang said of Lorre: 'He gave one of the best performances in film history and certainly the best in his life.' Today, the Hungarianborn actor is also recognized for his riveting performances in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), The Maltese Falcon (1941), and Casablanca (1942). Lorre arrived in America in 1934 expecting to shed his screen image as a villain. He even tried to lose his signature accent, but Hollywood repeatedly cast him as an outsider who hinted at things better left unknown. Seeking greater control over his career, Lorre established his own production company. His unofficial 'graylisting' by the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities, however, left him with little work. He returned to Germany, where he coauthored, directed, and starred in the film Der Verlorene (The Lost One) in 1951. German audiences rejected Lorre's dark vision of their recent past, and the actor returned to America, wearily accepting roles that parodied his sinister movie personality.The first biography of this major actor, The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre draws upon more than three hundred interviews, including conversations with directors Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, John Huston, Frank Capra, and Rouben Mamoulian, who speak candidly about Lorre, both the man and the actor. Author Stephen D. Youngkin examines for the first time Lorre's pivotal relationship with German dramatist Bertolt Brecht, his experience as an migr from Hitler's Germany, his battle with drug addiction, and his struggle with the choice between celebrity and intellectual respectability.Separating the enigmatic person from the persona long associated with one of classic Hollywood's most recognizable faces, The Lost One is the definitive account of a life triumphant and yet tragically riddled with many failed possibilities.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is 'The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre' about? A: This biography explores the life and career of Peter Lorre, detailing his rise to fame as a character actor in Hollywood, his struggles with typecasting, and his complex relationships with notable directors. It also examines his personal battles and contributions to film.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Stephen D. Youngkin, who conducted extensive research and interviews to provide a comprehensive account of Peter Lorre's life.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'The Lost One'? A: The book was published on September 1, 2005.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 680 pages, providing a detailed exploration of Peter Lorre's life and career.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in hardcover binding, which is durable and suitable for long-term use.
- Q: Is this book in good condition? A: The listing indicates that it is a used book in good condition, meaning it has been previously owned but remains in acceptable shape for reading.
- Q: What notable films does Peter Lorre star in? A: Peter Lorre is recognized for his roles in classic films such as 'M' (1931), 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' (1934), 'The Maltese Falcon' (1941), and 'Casablanca' (1942).
- Q: Does the book include interviews with other filmmakers? A: Yes, the biography includes more than three hundred interviews with directors and contemporaries who discuss their experiences with Lorre.
- Q: What themes are explored in the biography? A: The book delves into themes such as Lorre's struggles with identity, his battles with addiction, and the conflict between celebrity and intellectual respectability.
- Q: Is this the first edition of the book? A: Yes, this listing is for the first edition of 'The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre'.