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A Cast of Killers (1986)

door Sidney D. Kirkpatrick

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301886,388 (3.93)10
"In 1967, King Vidor, the esteemed director of such classic films as 'Duel in the Sun' and 'War and Peace' took on his toughest assignment ever: to solve the mystery behind the scandalous 1922 murder of flamboyant director William Desmond Taylor. Despite an intensive investigation, no killer was ever found, although the cast of suspects was impressive indeed. Was it the beautiful drug-addicted actress? An up-an-coming young starlet? The starlet's mother? Could it have been the homosexual houseboy? Or a secretary bearing an uncanny resemblance to Taylor's elusive brother? What Vidor discovered was so explosive, he never revealed the identity of the killer. Now, this mesmerizing account reconstructs the full shocking truth of the murder that was too scandalous even for Hollywood ..."--Cover… (meer)
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    The Honeycomb door Adela Rogers St. Johns (marginalprophet)
    marginalprophet: Adela knew the killer before King Vidor.
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King Vidor was a legendary film director largely forgotten by Hollywood at the time of his death. Sydney Kirkpatrick came to Vidor's home after his death to research a well deserved biography, but instead discovered a buried box full of virtual dynamite. In the box were notes for a planned project which was to be the director's comeback film. But the explosive nature of his findings had prompted Vidor to bury it - literally.

This book is based on what Kirkpatrick found in that box. It is full of mystery and murder, love and lust and, in the end, sadness at the solving of one of the most famous and sensational scandels in the history of tinsletown. It is a mesmerizing journey into the early days of Hollywood and the lengths it would go to to cover up its secrets.

In 1922 the murder of director William Desmond Taylor was so filled with scandel it ruined careers, and nearly destroyed Hollywood. If the absolute truth had been known, it might have. King Vidor had been a part of this Hollywood in its formative years and planned to make his comeback film by telling the story of it. Kirkpatrick could have turned this into a pulp type expose but instead, and to his credit, takes a respectful and nostalgic tone, both for Vidor and a time gone by. He uses Vidor's notes and findings to let this murder mystery unfold just as it did for Vidor.

For every film buff with a fascination for old Hollywood this is a book you can't put down. It is juicy but never tawdry, Vidor sifting through the misinformation of Hollywood, and the alleged corruption of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office of the period to slowly paint a picture of the truth. He eventually decided not to tell the story, because some of the players were still alive. The Taylor homicide and its aftermath is filled with names like Mabel Normand, Alan Dwan, James Kirkwood, Gloria Swanson, Claire Windsor, and Charolette Shelby and her lovely waif-like daughter Mary Miles Minter, an early rival of Mary Pickford.

Vidor's reputation and the fact he had been a part of this Hollywood way back when gave him gravitas, and would prompt many to open up and talk to Vidor in a way in which they might not have to someone else. He would even get to look at police files that would contradict nearly all of what was reported at the time, raising even more questions.

As Vidor plays detective in order to write the screenplay that he hoped would put him back on top, Kirkpatrick cast a spotlight on a man who was once a vital part of the film industry, struggling to be remembered. During his investigation Vidor would come into contact with old flame Coleen Moore, a lovely silent star with a fine career of her own. It was a happy coincidence, yet it would force Vidor to make decisions affecting the rest of his life, and does not whitewash his failings.

A Cast of Killers is a fast, fun read tinged with sadness. King Vidor somehow knew it would be. Before beginning his investigation, the legendary director likened the famous case to an old bottle of wine. If you love a good mystery, and/or Hollywood, this is one you have to read.

"I realized it was vintage stuff-the rarest vintage of all: a murder that has never been solved. One opens such a bottle at his own peril."
King Vidor, 1967 ( )
  Matt_Ransom | Oct 6, 2023 |
"A Cast of Killers" is an enjoyable true crime story focused on the murder of a prominent director/producer from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The murder received years of media speculation that impacted the careers of many early female film stars. Yet, for decades, no progress was made on the official law enforcement investigation. The author chronicles the work of the famous director King Vidor in unraveling the complex and conflicting facts. The book starts in a somewhat slow and confusing fashion but, by the end, the author arrives at a fascinating and sad conclusion. A very easy yet rewarding read. ( )
  colligan | Oct 10, 2022 |
3.5 stars

In 1967, movie director King Vidal decided he wanted to make a movie about the 1922 murder of a silent film director William Desmond Taylor. The murder was never solved. So, Vidal started doing his own investigating. Prime suspects, at least in the media, included actresses Mabel Normand and Mary Miles Minter, as well as Minter’s mother, Charlotte Shelby. Vidal looked at media, police reports, and did many interviews (of people involved who were still alive). Vidal never made his movie, so Sydney Kirkpatrick took a look at Vidal’s notes to write this book.

It was mostly interesting, but there were still dry parts in the book, so I did lose focus occasionally – although that may also be, in part, due to plenty of things on my mind. The book also includes biographical information on many of the main “players”. I’ve only read one other book that included info about this murder – have to admit, I don’t recall if there were any theories in that book, but this one certainly sounds quite plausible to me. ( )
  LibraryCin | Apr 13, 2020 |
At first, I thought that this was a "Dan Brown-ish" made up thriller. After reading the end notes, I am not sure. Instead of just presenting the murder and clues, we are instead lead through the murder investigation by a long-dead movie director - - including what this director, King Vidor, was thinking. And, if these were indeed his thoughts, what a pedestrian man he was! It's hard to believe that a man who directed such great movies was such a dolt. In short, a twisted and plodding retelling (and maybe solution in the final chapters) of an unsolved murder mystery from the 1920s Hollywood. ( )
  jimcintosh | May 11, 2016 |
I found it quite engrossing. Having it written as King Vidor researching the murder 20+ years before was entertaining as well as informative and although it was fairly easy to see where it was headed, you had to keep reading to sew up all the loose ends. EXCELLENT! ( )
  violmando | Jul 21, 2011 |
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"In 1967, King Vidor, the esteemed director of such classic films as 'Duel in the Sun' and 'War and Peace' took on his toughest assignment ever: to solve the mystery behind the scandalous 1922 murder of flamboyant director William Desmond Taylor. Despite an intensive investigation, no killer was ever found, although the cast of suspects was impressive indeed. Was it the beautiful drug-addicted actress? An up-an-coming young starlet? The starlet's mother? Could it have been the homosexual houseboy? Or a secretary bearing an uncanny resemblance to Taylor's elusive brother? What Vidor discovered was so explosive, he never revealed the identity of the killer. Now, this mesmerizing account reconstructs the full shocking truth of the murder that was too scandalous even for Hollywood ..."--Cover

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