Starring... John Dillinger

by Bill Walker

Everyone's out to get him. When he hits it big on the silver screen, will it make him immortal... or a bigger target?

Chicago, 1934. John Dillinger is weary of life as an outlaw. So when the FBI surrounds him at the Biograph Theater, the notorious thief surprises everyone and surrenders. And desperate to prove to the world he's gone straight, he makes a newsreel film from prison encouraging youngsters not to choose crime. John Dillinger in front of a camera proves as deadly as a Thompson submachine gun. Handsome and charismatic, Dillinger lights up the screen, and his little newsreel catapults him to stardom.

Pardoned due to the success of the picture, Dillinger finds himself deep in the cutthroat world of Hollywood. And with J. Edgar Hoover furious and actors like Clark Gable jealous, the criminal-turned-movie-star may find Tinseltown deadlier than robbing banks.

Can Dillinger survive his newfound fame, or will he die on the cutting room floor?

Starring... John Dillinger is a wild and light-hearted alternative history novel. If you like guns, girls and gangsters, all mixed in a potent cocktail of wicked humor and imaginative what-if's, then you'll love Walker and Anthony's speculative story.

352 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2021

About the author

A graduate of Emerson College's prestigious film school, Bill wrote and directed his first feature film, Pawn, while still a student. After graduation, he co-founded Newbury Filmworks, Inc., an award-winning production company renowned for making high-quality corporate films and commercials.

In 1990, Bill relocated to Los Angeles, and began a freelance story analysis career for various studios and independent production companies, while devoting his spare time to the writing of novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is also a highly-respected graphic designer, specializing in book and dust jacket design. He has worked on books by such luminaries as: Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. In addition, Bill is a member of the Authors Guild.

He has won awards for his screenwriting, his two short story collections for Mid-Graders, Five-Minute Frights and Five-Minute Chillers, are perennial Halloween favorites, and his first novel, Titanic 2012 was enthusiastically received by readers. His second novel, Camp Stalag was released in 2001. Bill lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Debbie, and their sons, Jeffrey and Brian.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1934, John Dillinger was the FBI’s public enemy number one. There wasn’t a bank 🏦 he couldn’t rob and not a cell which could hold him. They finally caught up with him one night in front of the Biograph Theater 🎭 in Chicago, ending his short but colorful life.

But what if things had worked out differently? What if Dillinger took a chance and surrendered to the FBI? And more importantly to our narrative, what if Jack Warner saw something special in the charismatic bank robber and pleaded with FDR to pardon him? What if the red carpet were rolled out and Dillinger with his Cary Grant mustache became the latest star of silver screen making more in a month than he ever got from the banks?

Capturing the grandeur of old Hollywood with Dillinger dining with Jean Harlow and William Powell at the Brown Derby, fist fighting with James Cagney, having affairs with the top stars of his day, this narrative really feels authentic — as if it really happened this way.

Of course, J. Edgar wouldn’t have just let Dillinger go no matter how much dirt was on him and the spying and surveillance of the movie star Dillinger rings true.

The narrative is best for the first two thirds , but tails off a bit as the story draws to a close. All in all, though, a unique and exciting glimpse of history as it could’ve been.

M

[Jeff Gudzune, M.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 10:40 p.m. on the night of July 22, 1934, John Dillinger was shot and killed by federal agents outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago, Illinois. His violent death at the hands of law enforcement personal ended an 18-month crime spree that garnered national attention and earned Dillinger enough recognition to be immortalized on film by Clark Gable. But… what if things had turned out differently? What if, instead of going out in a hail of bullets, the savvy Dillinger had elected to surrender himself and accept the consequences of his actions. This is the premise of Starring… John Dillinger, an alternate history novel by Bill Walker and Brian Anthony.

Through to auspices of the writer Robert Butler, Dillinger gives himself up to the police, owns up to his criminal activities, and begins a new lease on life in Hollywood. The authors present a clever and intriguing narrative of the seemingly reformed Dillinger amid the glitz and glitter of show business. The story moves along easily, with prose that is not too complicated but perfect for presenting such an intricate alternative history. Dillinger comes to life in a life that might have been had he elected to take a different path. As an antagonistic zeitgeist, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover fits in very well and provides some mild comic relief—if only in his vexation at being upstaged by a man he obsessed over.

The use of the omniscient narrator to tell the tale gives a classic feel to the story. The characters are fleshed out nicely rather than simple stereotypical Film Noir archetypes. The narrative is fast-paced and keeps the reader enmeshed in the story. There is a great deal of artistic license, which is understandable, but it is also believable. It is a fun read and a worth offering. While I am far from a fan of the genre, I found myself loving almost every minute of this book. The authors tell a compelling story and paint a vivid and believable world for the reader to enjoy.

[Don Gorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2 1/2). This is a fun, pulp fiction kind of story. Interesting that it reads like a screenplay when so much of it is based around the movie business. We certainly are driven to think of Dillinger as an all around solid citizen, a concept that is pretty far fetched, but he certainly comes off as Harrison Ford/Leonardo Di Caprio kind of good/bad guy. Very entertaining, very fluffy and after a slow start, a reasonably paced read. OK stuff.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made it about halfway before I head to give up. The writing is good and the story is appealing, however I just couldn’t get into it.

I do recommend this story to those of you who like true crime or stories based off real life.

It could be I wasn’t ready to read it. I do plan on trying it again.

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

In the last few years, I've discovered a new (to me) genre of fictionalized books about classic film & the industry. I've really enjoyed the genre (especially Martin Turnbull's work).

Generally, the books take a time period from Hollywood, or an actor/actress & build a novel around fictionalized versions of things that happened or within the realm of possibility that could have happened could have happened as relates to the subject of the book.

This one goes a bit farther, though: What MIGHT have happened if John Dillinger had surrendered rather than been murdered by the FBI?

I found the first few chapters a bit slow, then it picked up. I read the entire book in a little over 1 evening & found it enjoyable.

Without spoilers or giving away more of the plot, there is a surprise at the end. I also really liked that it was publically stated & shown just how EVIL J Edgar Hoover was. I rank Hoover, along with Donald Trump, John Wilkes Booth, Senator Joe McCarthy (50's Hollywood Blacklist), Mitch McConnell & others as the most evil American politicians ever. I will say along with the above, that the ending put a smile on my face, even though it was totally fictional.

On the other hand, my main exposure to Dillinger was through Hollywood movies, & I wasn't under the impression that he was a nice person as he is painted here. I'm not an expert, so I could be wrong.

While enjoying this book requires a major suspension of belief, I was able to do so, & I enjoyed it quite a bit.

[Maisie Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starring… John Dillinger is everything you expect from a solid movie: good characters with emotion and felt, a story that pushes forward, with a few twists and turns, and of course, a great setting! As an alternative to the history of John Dillinger, this really goes feel believable, with his interactions with familiar people, and spaces.

The chapters are short, and it's an easy read, without needing too much brain power. I thought I'd called the ending, but what I assumed was going to happen didn't. You do wonder where the story is going to go, as it does feel like it plateaus a little about midway through, but then it picks up again, and let's just say that in true LA style, not everything goes to plan.

This book is full of old Hollywood charm, and is believable as far as the story goes, throwing you into that world!

I did receive a free advance copy of this book, and this review is my own thoughts, and voluntary.

[Linda Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I absolutely love this alternative history book on John Dillinger!! Imagine the famous 1930's public enemy #1 as a famous movie star! Can a long time career bank robber really go straight in the end?

Dillinger decides to give himself up, and is sent to prison for bank robbery. He decided to make a news reel (public service announcement) warning kids not to do the things that he has done. To be good children and listen to their parents, because they don't want to end up in prison like he did.

The news reel attracted a lot of positive attention with the heads of movie companies.

Read all the the adventures he has in Hollywood.

You will enjoy this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a real page turner. I have read 2 other books by the authors, one of which (Abe Lincoln, Public Enemy No 1) made me want to read this book.
I have been a fan of 1920s and 1930s gangster stories, so the fact that the book starts off with Dillinger's surrender made me all the more interested in where the author was planning on going with the book.
The book sucks you in from the beginning, making you not want to put it down, and there were several times that I literally didn't want to, but had to do to other obligations.
I would definitely recommend the book for anyone who wants to escape from the world for several hours, or for anyone who is a fan of gangster films and movies.

[Iamemjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being totally ignorant of the real John Dillinger story before reading this book. So after so familiarising myself I was totally captivated by the author's take on his adventures. All I can say is "Thankyou for a totally enjoyable ride!" … and isn't that what reading for pleasure is all about?

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't realise that this was a work of fiction till I got past the date he was shot.Couldn't be bothered to read any more of no interest.
The author should clearly label the book as fiction.