Sitting Pretty: The Life and Times of Clifton Webb (Hollywood Legends Series)

Webb, Clifton

ISBN 10: 1604739967 / ISBN 13: 9781604739961

Published by University Press of Mississippi, 2011

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Synopsis:

More than any other male movie star, the refined Clifton Webb (1889-1966) caused the movie-going public to change its image of a leading man. In a day when leading men were supposed to be strong, virile, and brave, Clifton Webb projected an image of flip, acerbic arrogance. He was able to play everything from a decadent columnist (Laura) to a fertile father (Cheaper by the Dozen and The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker), delivering lines in an urbanely clipped, acidly dry manner with impeccable timing. Sitting Pretty is his remarkable story.

Long before his film career began, Webb was a child actor and later a suavely effete song-and-dance man in numerous Broadway musicals and revues. The turning point in his career came in 1941 when his good friend Noël Coward cast him in Blithe Spirit. Director Otto Preminger saw Webb's performance and cast him in Laura in 1944.

Webb began to write his autobiography, but he said that he eventually had gotten ""bogged down"" in the process. However, he did complete six chapters and left a hefty collection of notes that he intended to use in the proposed book. His writing is as witty and sophisticated as his onscreen persona. Those six chapters, information and voluminous notes, and personal research by the coauthor provide an intimate view of an amazingly talented man's life and times.

About the Author: Clifton Webb (1889-1966) was a Hollywood star who caused the movie-going public to change its image of a leading man. In a day when leading men were supposed to be strong, virile, and brave, he projected an image of flip, acerbic arrogance. He was able to play everything from a decadent columnist (Laura) to a fertile father (Cheaper by the Dozen and The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker).|David L. Smith is professor emeritus at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Prior to his academic career, he labored a number of years in the Indianapolis television market as a producer/director, production manager, and program manager. He created, wrote, and hosted a weekly thematic movie series entitled When Movies Were Movies, which had a very successful run of ten years. He also has served as executive producer for several nationally syndicated television programs. His writings about the movie industry have been widely published. His first book, Hoosiers in Hollywood, was published in 2006. Visit his website at www.whenmoviesweremovies.com.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Sitting Pretty: The Life and Times of ...
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Publication Date: 2011
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good