Dan Duryea
Heel with a Heart
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- اطلاعات
- نقد و بررسی
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نقد و بررسی
October 24, 2016
Dan Duryea (1907â1968), yeoman character actor of classic-era Hollywood, receives his first book-length biographical treatment from debut author Peros. Peros focuses mainly on Duryea's artistic output, moving the reader through each credit from the actor's Hollywood debut, The Little Foxes, through his final major role, on the prime-time soap Peyton Place. Peros writes with the informal enthusiasm of a fan, gifting the reader an exhaustive review of the complete works of Duryeaâincluding true Hollywood classics (Ball of Fire, The Pride of the Yankees), forgotten flops (Chicago Calling), and guest spots on early television shows (December Bride, Wagon Train). The downside of this approach is that Peros inflates Duryea's accomplishments with statements such as "no one could play it so entertainingly nasty as Duryea," which will feel overblown to readers conversant with the breadth of Hollywood history. The book dwells on extensive plot synopses of Duryea's work, with too little analysis of his professional choices and private life. This affectionate look at a longtime favorite of classic film fans would be strengthened by a greater sense of the context in which Duryea lived and worked.
October 15, 2016
Many actors see their legacies defined by the parts they played, rather than the lives they actually lived. Case in point: Dan Duryea (1907-68). Duryea was a classic villain type, playing supporting--but often key--roles in over 70 films and television shows from the 1940s through the 1960s, including The Little Foxes, Scarlet Street, and Winchester '73. Yet what Duryea truly sought, and never found, was the chance to play characters closer to his own true nature. The dichotomy of his life, and the thrust of teacher and film blogger Peros's biography, was that he was a loving and considerate family man who reveled in the simple joys of home life, while portraying dark, often misogynistic figures on screen. He had considerable success both personally and professionally, but his desire and his talent was seemingly not enough to overcome the kind of typecasting so common in his day. VERDICT With thorough research and the assistance of Duryea's son Richard, Peros crafts a well-intentioned biography best suited to film noir completists.--Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA
Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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