S. Michael Wilson, author of Performed by Lugosi (Nov 15-22)

Please welcome S. Michael Wilson, author of Performed by Lugosi (Volume 0). S. Michael will be chatting on LibraryThing until November 22nd.

Hello! I'd like to give a quick thanks to Dan and all of the others behind the scenes at LibraryThing for giving me this opportunity to talk about my work with other book and movie lovers in the LibraryThing community.

My latest book, Performed by Lugosi, is a rather eclectic compilation of subject matter. While it is primarily an examination of a specific cross-section of Bela Lugosi's career, it also takes a broader look at classic horror film, the classic works of literature they were adapted from, a critical comparison between the stories and the big-screen interpretations, and the historical relevance of some of those films, both to Lugosi and the audiences of that time period. On top of all of this, I take the time to express my own thoughts (or Musings, as they are referred to in the book) on the films and Lugosi's performances in them.

Considering that the book is such a hodgepodge of subject matter, I'm hoping that this Author Chat will take a similar form. Feel free to ask anything on your mind, or even just weigh in on some of the book's related films, books, authors or directors. I'm sure I will end up asking a few questions myself.

Good luck with your Lugosi book--who's your publisher and were you happy with the job they did? Are they doing anything special to publicize the book?

Thanks, Cliff. I've been dealing with Idea Men Productions (aka IMP) for a year or so now (since I edited and contributed to their horror film anthology Monster Rally), and I've been extremely happy with the job they've done with the book, especially when it comes to the layout and design. The cover, for example, stands out far more than the typical photo still that most books on Lugosi use for their cover graphics, and has a classical, artistic feel that I think effectively communicates the tone of the book.

As far as publicity for the book, I have been working closely with them regarding appearances and promotional events. While their reach as a small independent publisher is not very wide, they are extremely supportive and receptive when it comes to working with me. It was my suggestion to give away copies through LT's Early Reviewer Giveaways, for example, an idea that they immediately picked up and ran with.

First off I'd like to start by giving my review on Monster Rally:
"From invading UFOs in Earth vs the Flying Saucers to Corman's It Conquered the World , then from Grave of the Vampire to Jason... Zombies and Freaks this book is a great read. Filled with all kinds of horror movie trivia and facts Monster Rally delivers! S. Michael Wilson's, "What Would Jason do?" gives a whole new meaning to the moral compass.If you ever wondered about those old campy/cult favorites, this book will definitely make you want to revisit..... Enjoy I know I did!

That being said, I've become somewhat acquainted with your writing style and delivery. In Performed By Lugosi, your musings bring a refreshing look at one of horror picture's greatest icons. On a few occasions I even snickered with delight. Your behind the scenes look at how/or why Lugosi chose certain roles combined with a brief history brought me a new perspective on "Dracula"himself.
I suppose what I would like to know is how you decided which films you'd discuss in your book. Along with "Dracula" I'm rather partial to "The Ape Man" an "Scared to Death".

Thanks for the compliments, and your Monster Rally review! I'm hoping to do a follow up in the near future, possibly a solo compilation instead of another anthology.

Deciding what films to write about is what really shaped the scope and tone of Performed by Lugosi. I didn't want to attempt an exhaustive and detailed look at Bela Lugosi's career as a whole; other authors have already done so with spectacular results, several of which are actually cited as references in my book. So the question came down to which films to examine, and I definitely wanted to stray from the ones that usually get all of the attention from film journalists, such as Dracula and White Zombie. I wanted a selection of Lugosi films that were linked somehow, but were a little more eclectic and off the beaten path.

Instead, I want to pick a small selection of his films that shared a similar theme beyond the typical Mad Scientist or Main Villain role, and examine both the films and his career through them. Being an avid reader as well as a film fanatic, the fact that several of his films were based on the works of such famous authors as Edgar Allen Poe and Robert Louis Stevenson became an obvious draw. The more I looked into the connections between the stories and the films, as well as the parallels between the Lugosi's roles and his own career and life, the more I wanted to write about it.

I wondered if the lure of Poe and Stevenson were part of the equation and you've validated what I speculated as I read your book. Thanks for sharing that bit of insight, most enlightning, a definite unique approach that was well received by this reader. I really enjoyed Performed by Lugosi.
You mentioned a possible follow up to Monster Rally? Yes please!