Tyrone Power: The Last Idol

by Fred Lawrence Guiles

TYRONE POWER WAS AS VERSATILE IN LIFE AS HE WAS ON THE SCREEN. HE WAS A MULTIFACETED MAN AND WAS THE LAST IDOL CREATED BY THE VAST STAR-MAKING MACHINE 20TH CENTURY FOX.

Coming from a family of multi-generational actors, Tyrone Power broke the proverbial mold. His on-screen charisma in the 30s and 40s propelled him to the forefront of must-have actors. His on-screen accomplishments were many, yet he did not hesitate to enter the military when his country went to war.

After the war, he continued in his career, but the years took their toll. This look into the actor's life by one of the most renowned Hollywood biographers of all time is a must-have for everyone interested in film, old Hollywood, or acting.



*PLEASE NOTE*: A supplemental PDF is included with this audiobook

RUNNING TIME ⇒ 9hrs. and 32mins.

1979 Fred Lawrence Guilles (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film

380 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published October 1, 1980

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there is some interesting material in this 'biography' it never seems to make up its mind as to whether it is a serious exploration of Power as an actor and movie star or a gossipy expose of his marriages and affairs, never fully satisfying on either level. Disappointingly, for this reader, while calling itself 'The Last Idol' it fails to really explore his time in the so called 'light weight' roles that in many ways made his stardom and kept his fans turning up ... whether this was driven by Power's own dismissal of these roles or a snobbish view of these drivers of the film industry it is hard to tell.

I found the early structure of the book annoying as it slid backwards and forewards in time. At time the commentary is repetitive and could easily have done with some serious editing. There are some interesting photos in the book though the printing in the edition I have (published 1979) was poor and their placement at times illogical (possibly driven by printing costs rather than being placed to help drive/support the narrative).

The filmography at the end of the book is interesting but slight and reminds us how well we are now served by the internet and sites such as imdb.

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a solid introduction to all things related to Tyrone Power, but my main complaint was about how rushed the chapters about his life with his second and third wife were. The chapters about his life with Annabella felt way more detailed. I assumed this is because Annabella was willing to talk to the biographer more? I also wish there was more mention of other films he was starring in at the time because I felt a lot was left out. More behind the scenes stories would have been nice too. Anyways, this is a biography that will make you appreciate Tyrone more as both an actor and person. What a wonderful man!

[Rena Searles · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this story of Tyrone Power's life was interesting, it was more like a book report for school. I did not care overly much for the author's writing style. There seemed to be little heart or passion in it. The subject of the book has always been one of my favorite actors and I did feel that knowing the facts of his life helped me to understand him better and to forgive his human flaws.

[Rick Burin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Irish-French-American Power was the heir to a great acting dynasty yet struggled to extricate himself from life as Hollywood's greatest pin-up.

In its early chapters, this biog is deft, evocative and strikingly-structured, but despite some impressive access, including a wealth of insights from Power's first wife (French actress Annabella) and best friend (cutter Watson Webb), it degenerates into a disjointed and facile mess, hampered by erratic research and increasingly lazy writing. Often Guiles will suddenly inform you that (apparently contrary to everything you've just been reading), Power had been either bereft or delirious with happiness for quite some time.

Taken in totality, the book does give you a fair picture of its good-natured, weak-willed and capricious subject, if slightly skimping on the screen work, as it devotes vastly more time to Power's romances (three marriages; torrid affairs with Judy Garland and Lana Turner) and social obligations than to his films.

Near the close, Annabella's unposted letter to her ex-husband is employed at just the right moment, equipping the book with a quite unexpected emotional sucker-punch.

[Chrissy Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strangely dry read, which I found myself ploughing through without much enthusiasm. Tyrone Power was born into an acting dynasty and became the most famous and successful Power of all. The book portrays a genuinely nice man, well-liked by work colleagues at every level. Devilishly handsome, he left a trail of broken hearts in his wake, as he was unable to resist the ladies - regardless of his marital status. His soul-mate seems to have been his first wife, the French Anabella. Adopting a French indifference to his fleeting affairs, Anabella understood him best. While the book dutifully charts his life, his marriages, his affairs, the trajectory of his acting career, it is a rather unexpectedly dull book. The photographs in the edition I read were scant and of poor quality. If you are interested in learning about the life of Tyrone Power, the facts are here. But I cannot recommend it as an engaging read.

[Mrs.Lady]

Ah, he was so handsome. My favorite movie was The Black Swan. I just loved his swashbuckling pirate Jaime. Being teamed with Maureen O'Hara made it perfect. SWOON! Swell book, I read it ages ago.

[Mer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Find a better biographer.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

An alright bio that linked the generations of the male Powers very well but seemed lacking.

[Cata Flores Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

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