"I never enjoyed my work more than when I worked with William Powell. He was a brilliant actor, a delightful companion, a great friend, and above all, a true gentleman." — Myrna Loy


Whether it’s because of the Thin Man films, My Man Godfrey, or Life With Father, nearly everyone has affection for William Powell. One of my all-time favorite films happens to be One Way Passage, starring Powell and Kay Francis. Powell, though he had failings like everybody, really was much like the beloved characters he portrayed. Richard Barthlemess and Ronald Colman were good pals, making up a sophisticated Three Musketeers in old Hollywood.

This coffee table size book by Lawrence J. Quirk from Citadel Press is a really nice blend, giving readers an overview of the man himself, and his films. Each film is given photos, cast listing and description, and a short essay regarding it. Documenting Powell’s films is no easy feat, since his career began in 1922, during the silent film era. He often portrayed villains in those early days, but when sound came along, his voice transformed him into the suave hero rather than the bad guy. Once he made Interference, starring Evelyn Brent, there was no looking back. There was a roadblock, however, when two separate studios — the one he’d just come from, and the one who had him — thought he was washed up. Then came Manhattan Melodrama, opposite Loy and Clark Gable, and he was a star again. Woody Van Dyke requested Powell and Loy be paired up once again, for The Thin Man, and the rest, as they say, is history.

You get a lot of films here, and because Powell starred opposite just about every great actress, there are some wonderful photos. Yes, it would have been nice if they were glossy, photo paper quality rather than just paper, but they’re clear, detailed, and some are startlingly lovely. In that one respect, though the Alan Ladd one is a favorite of mine, I think this one edges it out. You don’t just get Powell here, you get all his lovely co-stars, both on the set and off, as they play monopoly or clown around, have a drink, or laugh over dinner. For any film fan, it’s heartwarming heaven.

Narratively, before we get to the films, we get the overview of Powell the man. We learn of his failures in marriage — it wasn’t just Lombard — and his almost debilitating grief and guilt over the death of Jean Harlow. We see how kind he was, helping Evelyn Brent when her star was waning, and practically handing the film Escapade to Luise Ranier, so that she could become a star. And of course, there was the long friendship between Powell and Loy. Harlow was not the only tragedy to befall Powell, however, as we discover once he finally retires to Palm Springs with his wife, Diana Lewis, known as Mousie. The final days of this man’s life will make you shed a tear.

This is over 250 pages of background, films, and wonderful photos. For any Powell fan, it’s invaluable. Definitely worth tracking down a copy, if only for the photos. But there’s more here, much more. A bio it isn’t, but a perfect blend of information and filmography it is. A treasure for any William Powell fan. ( )