Rudolph Grey

This book was not what I was expecting. Which I probably should have expected given the subject.

Instead of a standard biography that follows chronologically through the live of Edward D. Wood, Jr, we are instead presented with a series of interviews from the people who knew him best. These interviews from friends and family are put in a rough order, but more based on the subject matter of the moment instead of any distinct timeline of events. This can throw the reader for a loop, as it did me, when the speaker mentions something that tangentially relates to the subject at hand, but happened either long before or long after the event being discussed in the moment. It got a little confusing at points.

The whole book reads more like a documentary film would, with the interviews set to footage and images from Wood's life. It's like Grey planned this as a film, couldn't get the proper funding, so just published the interviews in book form instead. How very Ed Wood of him.

Still, this is a fascinating look into the life of Ed Wood, king of schlock. Not only are there in depth, very frank moments from his friends and family, but Grey also includes a full bibliography and filmography of all of Ed Wood's work. Because, hey, if you really want to get into the head of a creative, just absorb their content.… (meer)