Overview

British-born actress, singer, director, and producer Ida Lupino (1918-1995) cut one of the most alluring profiles of any Hollywood persona during the forties and fifties. The star of classic films such as They Drive by Night (1940), High Sierra (1941), and Road House (1948), she was a stalwart of the screen throughout her early career and frequently received top billing ahead of stars such as Humphrey Bogart. While her talent was undeniable, her insistence on taking only roles she felt would challenge her professionally often put her at odds with the demands of studio executives.     It was in those periods of frustration and suspension as an actor that Lupino fostered a talent for the filmmaking process. In a decision relatively unprecedented for women in her era, she founded her own independent production company where she became widely regarded as one of the most prolific filmmakers working at the height of the Hollywood studio system. She has been described by fellow directors such as Martin Scorsese as ""resilient, with a remarkable empathy for the fragile and heartbroken.""   William Donati's Ida Lupino: A Biography chronicles the dramatic life of one of Hollywood's most substantive and innovative artists who lived her life unapologetically both behind and in front of the camera.

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9780813196480

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A feminist filmmaker long before the modern feminist movement. -- American Bookseller A tough-gal actress. -- Newsweek A true pioneer.... Her work is resilient, with a remarkable empathy for the fragile and heartbroken. -- Martin Scorsese, New York Times Magazine An appreciative account of her life. -- Utne Reader Donati adores his subject but doesn't shrink from showing blemishes. -- Publishers Weekly Lets an icon of women's filmmaking emerge as a full-fledged human being, social crusader, and artist. -- Kirkus Reviews Like one of Lupino's own films (and Lupino's own performances), Donati's book packs much into a small space. It is a gripping read. -- Audience Magazine Lupino is doubtless the most prolific woman director ever to have worked in Hollywood. -- Barbara Sharres, The Film Center of the Art Institute of Chicago The first major biography of this great dame who helped make 'hard-boiled' an adjective not so readily affixed to an egg. -- Vanity Fair

"""A feminist filmmaker long before the modern feminist movement."" -- American Bookseller ""A tough-gal actress."" -- Newsweek ""A true pioneer.... Her work is resilient, with a remarkable empathy for the fragile and heartbroken."" -- Martin Scorsese, New York Times Magazine ""An appreciative account of her life."" -- Utne Reader ""Donati adores his subject but doesn't shrink from showing blemishes."" -- Publishers Weekly ""Lets an icon of women's filmmaking emerge as a full-fledged human being, social crusader, and artist."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Like one of Lupino's own films (and Lupino's own performances), Donati's book packs much into a small space. It is a gripping read."" -- Audience Magazine ""Lupino is doubtless the most prolific woman director ever to have worked in Hollywood."" -- Barbara Sharres, The Film Center of the Art Institute of Chicago ""The first major biography of this great dame who helped make 'hard-boiled' an adjective not so readily affixed to an egg."" -- Vanity Fair"

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