Cheap The films of Ronald Colman (Book) (Lawrence J Quirk) Price

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Customer Reviews of The films of Ronald Colman

Born in 1891 in Richmond from a cultivated background, he initially wanted to become an engineer. But his father died suddenly when he was only 16 and he had to leave school and get a job as clerk with the british steamship company, where he stayed for 5 years and helped support his mother and his sisters. He was an avid reader and also took part in amateur theatricals. He also joined the London Scotts Regionals: they were mobilized in 1914 and he took part with his unit in the first battle of Ypres: Nights in the open field, his clothes lice-ridden, inadequate nutrition and the shelling was endless. At Messines, his leg was hit by a shrapnel. He was decorated for valor and mustered out. This experience made a life-long pacifist out of him and must have influenced his performances in THE DARK ANGEL, RANDOM HARVEST and LOST HORIZON. "I loathe war. I'm inclined to be bitter about the politics of munitions and real estate which are the reasons for war" he once said. An uncle at the foreign office promised to secure him a consulate post, but this time he opted for the stage.

His performance in DAMAGED GOODS became a success because of its scandalous subject: He played a syphilic who came to the doctor for advice. He was discovered by a british film pioneer, sadly, his early films were destroyed during the 1941 London Blitz. In the early twenties, he tried to make a career in New York, but often doors were shut in his face. When he played supporting parts on Broadway, he was discovered again, and played Lillian Gish's leading man in THE WHITE SISTER. He became one of the most popular Hollywood stars of the twenties, and was considered as equal to Douglas Fairbanks in the swashbuckler genre. He was also hilarious in comedies like KIKI, and touching in ultra-romantic dramas like THE DARK ANGEL where he played a blinded war veteran, one of his famous self-sacrificial roles. He and Vilma Banky became a famous screen couple.

Sound films profited from his magnificent, finely modulated voice. After his split with Sam Goldwyn (Please read my comment on the Colman biography by R. Dixon Smith for the details) he started a successful career as free-lancer, and gave some of the finest performances on screen in A TALE OF TWO CITIES, THE PRISONER OF ZENDA and THE LIGHT THAT FAILED (as blind painter). Other films include THE TALK OF THE TOWN and the unforgettable amnesia drama RANDOM HARVEST. He won an oscar for his brilliant portrayal of a psychotic actor in A DOUBLE LIFE and made the witty quiz-show-comedy CHAMPAGNE FOR CAESAR.

His first marriage dragged for 15 alienated bitter years. His wife embarrassed him by showing up on sets and berating him in front of others. But bis second marriage, to actress Benita Hume was one of the happiest in Hollywood, and brought him, at the age of 53 his only daughter, who memorialized him lovingly in a biography. Lawrence Quirk's excellent biography will hopefully contribute to the rediscovery of a wonderful actor who deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest stars.

Fabulous book for collector or lover of older era films.
This is a collector book for anyone interested in movies from the silent era through the 40's-50's. This book represents a sampling of Ronald Colman's career, I believe it, also, represents a value of morality, non offensive movies, when movies meant something and were movies with a real story, touching, moving. This book has many numerous black and white photos of Colman's films and pictures of support actors/actresses and leading ladies. A real collector's item.