Lionel Atwill: The Exquisite Villain

revealing account of the life of one of movieland's greatest and maddest villains/doctors ! Very prompt service and for a good price.

great book ! fast shipping ! thanx !

It seems strange that many of Lionel Atwill films roles placed in the position of supporting actor, yet for most of his early stage work he was a star. In this hugely detailed book, Neil Pettigrew has made the point that this was an actor of immense talent, yet like so many stars of New York's Broadway, although beginning well, the Hollywood system eventually slotted him into the role of movie villain. Personally, I believe he was the finest of the screen Moriarty's and is mesmerizing in Mystery of the Wax Museum, so maybe I agree with their assessment. Pettigrew argues there is much more to the actor and so I urge anyone who also loves tales of the Golden Age of Hollywood to seek out this book.

Like Colin Clive and George Zucco, Lionel Atwill was British and enjoyed a successful stage career before launching into movies. Building his reputation in plays by such as Ibsen and Shaw, Atwill became one of the 1920’s most acclaimed, and richest, actors on Broadway. Author Neil Pettigrew meticulously details this period of his life with photos and press reviews.Although he initially put movies to one side, he quickly became established in major studio productions like Warner Bros’ “Captain Blood” and “Mystery Of The Wax Museum”, and Universal’s “Son of Frankenstein”, building his reputation in both mainstream and horror productions. But major studio performances halted when, following alleged involvement in an orgy, he was convicted of perjury and subsequent roles came from the less prestigious Poverty Row. The second part of the book covers his film work (1918-46) with informative synopsis’, ensuring the book provides the most comprehensive biography of an actor now best known as a horror icon.

The author clearly is inspired by his topic, as he should be! A meticulously researched bio on one of Hollywood's greatest character actors.

Lionel Atwill:The Exquisite Villain written by Neil Pettigrew published by Midnight Marquee pages 324 the actor you don't know you know his face has graced many a horror film fanzine including Filmfax,Scary Monsters ,Castle of Frankenstein and Famous Monsters of Filmland (I used to wander to WAB Drugstore in Rochester NY with my allowance hands trembling with excitement for the next copy and that is where Idiscovered Forry Ackerrman editor in chief and with in those pages Lionel Atwill ..a blood curdling performance in Murders in the Zoo) .... I was hooked from the moment I read the forward written by none other then Lionel A Atwill the son of Lionel Atwill .... a father he never new because he passed away when Loinel was only 6 months old and in helping the author in whatever he could Lionel also learned of relatives he has never met and more about his father as well .. Atwill was an amazing character actor who could make you cry ,have you laughing the next or with a menacing stare with his icy cold eyes send shivers down your spine ...a star of stage,screen and radio .. spent over 20 years as stage actor ,writer and director before moving into film and in the course of his last 15 years made over movies and several serials...appearing in the Charlie Chan series red herring and all ..Captain Blood ...alongside Errol Flynn..The Ghost Of Frankenstein/Son of Frankenstein ..with Basil Rathbone as the cool and calculating Moriarty ..literally bleeding Holmes one drop at a time dry of blood..talk about chilling and 3 films with Fay Wray(King Kong).. or check out Dcotor X on vudu at 9.99 or on Roku the Reel Classic channel at 1.99 monthly with Murders in the Zoo/Man Made Monster .. The book covers the 1st 20 years on stage ..in Britain,arriving in America,Broadway and he Hollywood years and a film analysis and 2 appendix remember long before Vincent Price became the King of Horror gave us a most lasting iconic impression in wax ..that sinister fiend from The Mystery Of The Wax Museum so I invite you to discover one of the greatest character actors you didn't know you knew...and one of my all time favorites and be prepared to be chilled ...chilled to the boneBy Chris NersingerReviews on the Edge

This was a gift for a friend. He loved it.

The best thing about this book is the part about Lionel's stage career. I knew that he was popular in the theater, but had no idea that he was as big as he was. While the rest of the book is good, I felt that Mr Mank's book let me know the man better, plus this book doesn't deal with the scandal that blighted Atwill's life and career, referring us to Kenneth Anger's book even tho he admits and Anger is not trustworthy. Odd. But all Atwill fans will need this book.

Hubby is a great fan & loved the book - said very well researched