James Curtis


Works in Progress


"William Cameron Menzies: The Shape of Films to Come"
This will be the first book devoted exclusively to the life and work of one of the screen's greatest art directors, incorporating images from the Menzies family archive and tracing the evolution of production design from its inception.

"Spencer Tracy"
A biography of one of the 20th Century's finest actors.


My Works

W. C. Fields
This new biography of the legendary comedian reveals the man behind the myth, showing the passion and intellect that fueled his creative drive, and the broken family that gave such a bitter edge to his comedy.

James Whale: A New World of Gods and Monsters
A thorough re-working and expansion of the groundbreaking 1982 biography that inspired Christopher Bram's "Father of Frankenstein."

Between Flops: A Biography of Preston Sturges
The first major biography of the great humorist, who wrote and directed some of the best comedies of the sound era, including "Sullivan's Travels", "The Lady Eve", and "Unfaithfully Yours".

Featured Player
The oral autobiography of actress Mae Clarke. Edited with an introduction by James Curtis.

The Creative Producer
The autobiography of producer David Lewis. Edited with an introduction by James Curtis.

September Song: A Biography of Walter Huston
The authorized biography of actor Walter Huston, begun by John Weld in 1937 and finally completed in 1998. Edited by James Curtis.

James Whale's "The Old Dark House"
The digitally-restored version, originally produced for laserdisc from an archival print, with commentaries from Gloria Stuart and James Curtis.



Selected Works

Back in print!
Between Flops: A Biography of Preston Sturges
"One of the most entertaining and engrossing film biographies I've encountered." - Judith Crist
New edition!
James Whale: A New World of Gods and Monsters
"Essential for all who care about the cinema." - Kevin Brownlow
Now in softcover!
W. C. Fields
"The definitive book about America's most profound comedian." - John Cleese
Now on DVD!
James Whale's "The Old Dark House"
With commentaries by Gloria Stuart and James Curtis.



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