Scott Allen Nollen

Scott Allen Nollen is a historian, musician and occasional filmmaker who has written and edited over 40 books on the history of the cinema, popular music and literature. He received his BA in Film and Honors History and MA in United States and Modern European History from the University of Iowa. His two books on Hollywood icon Boris Karloff are considered definitive: "Boris Karloff" (McFarland, 1991) was written with the participation of Karloff's widow, Evelyn, while "Boris Karloff: A Gentleman's Life" (Midnight Marquee, 1999), is an authorized biography written with the full collaboration of Karloff's daughter, Sara Jane. Nollen's other books include studies of Laurel and Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart, and the Robin Hood Legends. He also has co-written books on Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Peter Cushing. His 2001 book, "Jethro Tull" (McFarland), written with the participation of the band, was nominated as Best Rock/R&B book by the Association for Recorded Sound. His book "Paul Robeson: Film Pioneer" (McFarland)is the first book-length study of the groundbreaking cinema work of this famed Renaissance Man. Nollen's most recent books are "Three Bad Men: John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond" (McFarland, 2013) and "Glenda Farrell: Hollywood's Hardboiled Dame" (Midnight Marquee; forthcoming in 2014). Nollen began making amateur films in 1976, at the age of 13. In 2005, he co-starred, wrote, produced and directed the feature film "Lofty" with Ryan C. Baumbach. Among the cast are L.A. actors Larry Laverty and Amelia Beaugard. Nollen's continued interest in Boris Karloff is reflected in "Kreating Karloff" (2006), starring and directed by actor Conor Timmis, whose documentary film, "Finnigan's War" (2013) features another screenplay co-written by Nollen. Nollen's main interests are Hollywood film, classical, jazz, blues, folk and classic rock music, United States and British History, and the Civil Rights era.