Ian Hendry: "... a ruined genius,"

Revealing biography of a misunderstood talent

   Ian Hendry was an outstanding actor of his generation who until now has not been given his due. Send in the Clowns: The Yo-Yo Life of Ian Hendry elevates him to his rightful position. It is a warm and revealing portrait of a great but mis-understood talent who was self-destructive but was also saddled with bad luck and an almost moribund British film industry.

   There were many surprises in this fascinating biography, not least the sheer volume of Hendry's work on television. He starred in the first series of The Avengers which should have made his name. Unfortunately, as the author reveals, that series was never sold to the US, and most episodes were wiped. On the big screen, he showed to great effect in Live Now, Pay Later and The Beauty Jungle. He gave his finest film performance as the sadistic Staff Sergeant in Sidney Lumet's powerful drama The Hill (1965) which ought to have at least brought him an Oscar nomination. Thereafter he was often cast as a heavy but he was an actor of wide range who displayed a penchant for comedy in such films as the thoroughly enjoyable Grand Guignol Theatre of Blood (1973) opposite Vincent Price. Hendry's earliest ambition was to be a clown and one can see definite parallels with such tortured comedians as Tony Hancock.

   Hendry was unlucky to miss out on the role of Bromhead in Zulu, which was handed to Michael Caine, giving him the kick-start to international stardom. Caine also netted the title role in Get Carter (1971) which was intended for Hendry. Although he was brilliant as the sinister chauffeur what wouldn't we give to have seen his interpretation of Carter?

   Hershman writes with great honesty and perception about Hendry's often chaotic private life, his chronic alcoholism and his marriages, especially that to Janet Munro which was volatile. There are many insights from his family, friends and colleagues and evocative photographs throughout. This entertaining and thoroughly researched book should be required reading for all those interested in classic British film, television and the art of acting.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Send-Clowns-Life-Ian-Hendry/dp/1291270973/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529929059&sr=8-2&keywords=ian+hendry

Gale Storm: Texas Rose

   I first encountered Gale Storm as a singer when I heard her evocative song "Dark Moon" on the radio one rainy Sunday. Shortly afterwards I realized that she was an actress when I caught her in an Audie Murphy film. As David C. Tucker's entertaining new book about her proves she was all this and more - a versatile performer who not only had a fulfilling career as an actress and singer but balanced it with a happy home life as wife and mother.

   Blessed with a strong work ethic and a sunny disposition, the Texas-born Josephine Cottle won a talent contest and, after a name change, landed a contract with RKO. Although often cast in B-movies she proved her worth in different genres and found perhaps her greatest success on television in such fondly-remembered shows as My Little Margie. Tucker's fascinating and brilliantly-researched book reveals Gale to have been a thoroughly grounded person who seemed to be able to turn her hand to anything. In acting alone she could be effortlessly charming in such fluff as Let's Go Collegiate, or suffer with Dan Duryea in film noir The Underworld Story. As her career faded she managed to rise above the alcoholism that blighted her life and helped many others by talking about it.

   Gale's heartening story is well-told by the author who writes with great balance and humour. There is extensive coverage of her work across the mediums, including an episode guide to all her TV shows which must have taken a prodigious amount of research to compile and will prove invaluable. Highly recommended for libraries and for anyone and everyone interested in classic film, television, singers of the 1950s, or indeed of a life well lived.

Gale Storm: A Biography and Career Record by David C. Tucker is published by McFarland & Co, Inc. See link below:

https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/gale-storm/

Claire Trevor

"As cute as lace pants..." Claire Trevor (1910–2000) is best remembered as the alluring blonde femme fatale in such iconic noir films as Murder, My Sweet (1944) and Raw Deal (1948). Yet she was a versatile performer who brought rare emotional depth to her craft. She was effective in a range of diverse roles, from Dallas, the social outcast, in John Ford’s classic Stagecoach (1939) to the ambitious tennis mother in Hard, Fast and Beautiful (1951) to the embittered wife of a landowner in William Wellman’s overlooked gem My Man and I (1952). Nominated for three Oscars, she deservedly won Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Gaye Dawn, a gangster’s broken-down moll in Key Largo (1948). I hope my book stands as a fitting tribute to one of the finest but overlooked actresses of her generation.

Claire Trevor: The Life and Career of the Queen of Noir is published by McFarland & Co, Inc. 

https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/claire-trevor/