‘Raoul Walsh: The True Adventures of Hollywood’s Legendary Director’ Picked as One of the Best Film Books of 2011

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Best Film Books of 2011 Are Biographies

 
Here are 10 compelling film books published this year, listed alphabetically by title. Admittedly, I love old movies and classic Hollywood — and this list reflects that preference.
By 
arts & entertainment writer / pop culture archeologist

Published on December 12, 2011 11:22AM EST
Updated on February 11, 2012 05:12AM EST

Looking over some of the film books released in 2011, it’s striking how many of the best of them — or at least the most compelling and interesting of them — are biographies, memoirs, or biographical career studies. If you have an interest in film or film history, there is something about the life story of an actor or director that makes for good reading — especially if that story is well told or even groundbreaking.

Here are 10 compelling film books published this year, listed alphabetically by title. Admittedly, I love old movies and classic Hollywood — and this list reflects that preference. One might ask, “Are these the best film books of the year?” I think so. The annotated slide show which accompanies this piece also includes five additional titles — including a couple of books which are not strictly film biographies. Each is also recommended and makes for great reading for those who love the movies.

Harlow in Hollywood: The Blonde Bombshell in the Glamour Capital, 1928-1937, by Darrell Rooney and Mark A. Vieira (Angel City Press)

John Huston: Courage and Art, by Jeffrey Meyers (Crown Archetype)

Myrna Loy: The Only Good Girl in Hollywood, by Emily W. Leider (University of California Press)

Pauline Kael: A Life in the Dark, by Brian Kellow (Viking)

Raoul Walsh: The True Adventures of Hollywood’s Legendary Director, by Marilyn Ann Moss (University Press of Kentucky)

The Rise and Fall of Lou-Tellegen, by David W. Menefee (Menefee Publishing)

Spencer Tracy: A Biography, by James Curtis (Knopf)

Syd Chaplin: A Biography, by Lisa K. Stein (McFarland)

Thomas Ince: Hollywood’s Independent Pioneer, by Brian Taves (University Press of Kentucky)

Wally: The True Wallace Reid Story, by David W. Menefee (BearManor Media)