MADCAP: The Life of Preston Sturges

by Donald Spoto

From Publishers Weekly
One of our most influential filmmakers, Sturges (1898-1959) paved the way for the likes of Orson Welles, Billy Wilder and Woody Allen, among others, not only in terms of cinematic style but as a screenwriter who earned the privilege of sole control over his projects. The first writer in cinema to direct his own work ( The Great McGinty , which earned Sturgis an Academy Award for best original screenplay in 1941), he also added the title of producer to his credits, most notably for his comedic masterpiece, Sullivan's Travels (1942), a quasi-autobiographical story about the need for laughter in the midst of adversity, considered by cultists to be one of the best films ever made. Spoto ( The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock ) has done his homework; the detail-filled book makes a major contribution to the study of American film. Insight and narrative flair, however, are where this effort falls short. Sturges, who was raised in Europe by an eccentric mother (and her even more flamboyant friend, Isadora Duncan), led a life more emotionally complicated and colorful than most characters found in fiction.

Genres: Biography

439 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1990

About the author

A prolific and respected biographer and theologian, Donald Spoto is the author of twenty published books, among them bestselling biographies of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, and Ingrid Bergman. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Donald Spoto earned his Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University. After years as a theology professor, he turned to fulltime writing. The Hidden Jesus: A New Life, published in 1999, was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "offering a mature faith fit for the new millennium." His successful biography of Saint Francis was published in 2002.

Reviews

[Patrick Wensink · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite directors lived a life crazier than his movies. From being shipped back and forth across the atlantic with his mom, to her dating Alister Crowley for a time, to his rise from lipstick salesman, to famed playwright, to failed playwright, to the world's first writer/director of film.

[Malcolm Frawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific biog of a one-of-a-kind film maker. An extraordinary life (his mother was best friends with Isadora Duncan & had an affair with Aleister Crowley!) he taught himself to write plays, then screenplays, & then became the first Hollywood author to direct his own scripts. Highly recommended.

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully funny and sad biography of one of Hollywood's greatest directors.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

This biography of the brilliant writer/director of many great 1940s comedy films was very disappointing. So disappointing that I have declined to purchase other books by this prolific author AND so disappointing that I seem to have gotten rid of my copy. And THAT doesn't happen often, so take a hint. The writing wasn't anything to write home about, to coin a cliche (with an accent acute). I'm aware of newer biographies and have one on my to-read list. So take a hint again.