Tyrone Powers: The Last Idol: Fred Lawrence Guiles Hollywood Collection

I enjoyed this biography a lot. It covers Power's career, talks about his childhood, his three marriages and many love affairs. Guiles has an easy writing style which makes for a fast read. I read it quickly but now am re-reading it as there are many facets of him covered, to revisit later and think about. For those things to ponder, (as well as his favorite books, foods, and love of animals) it makes a good reference. There is also a useful filmography at the back listing all his movies and entire cast lists, as well as brief plot summary and some critique for each film.Power was complex in his personal life, while trying to make it simple; and I think Guile's biography handles this aspect of him in a manner which leaves the final judgement open. The actor's thoughtfulness toward people and life come through in anecdotes, excerpts from letters and his own attempt at fiction which is included in the book.I can't quite figure Power out, even from reading all this; I guess he was somewhat elusive. He certainly could play many roles and Guiles makes the observation that he was always "standing to the side, observing the action." It's Powers' seeming intelligence in that way and his allure that make his acting so different from other stars of his era and his work such a welcome discovery.

Fairly good book. Interesting to read.

I'm a fan of Tyrone Power & really enjoyed his book. However, one of Powers' main complaints in life was not being respected as an actor and this is blamed, almost entirely, on 20th Century Fox and I don't agree with it.Fox was the only studio willing to give Power a chance, even if it was based purely on his looks and not his acting talent. Over the years, his acting skills would develop, but not enough to convince the studios to cast him in more substantial, non-glamour boy roles. To change this glamour boy image, he pursued such masculine activites as joining the marines, riding motorcyles and flying planes. To prove he could act, he took every opportunity perform on the stage. But to no avail... the studios weren't convinced in the end.Perhaps it is because they knew he wouldn't leave because no other studios were all that bothered with him in the beginning and and in later years his reckless off screen lifestyle meant that he had to stay with Fox & take whatever roles he was given just to make ends meet.Tyrone Power owed his career to 20th Century Fox. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be writing this review because I wouldn't know who he was.

I love everything about Tyrone Power, he was such a beautiful, sweet man, with a kind spirit, seemed to love everyone, and everyone loved him. The book was so well written and easy to comprehend and the pictures were fabulous, the book depicted that loving spirit, and his kind and gentleness with everyone who was near him. He will always be young and beautiful.

I RETURNED IT BECAUSE ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE IN BLACK & WHITE // TOO SMALL & OF POOR QUALITY //

very sad

Enjoyed reading this book. Even though Tyrone Power died when I was 9. I just started getting interested in hismovies and I REALLY enjoy them. I just wish there were more of them, and that Amazon had more of them tosee on Amazon Prime.

Excellent biography. A fascinating story of a fascinating man. I wish the book were longer with even more details about this complex man who died so young. This book has definitely increased my appreciation for Ty Power's acting ability as well as for the large number of films he made in a career that was much too short.

Great condition for an old book. Full of interesting information about the golden days of film and Hollywood.

Far too many 'typos' or spelling errors.For example, 'Hitler' spelt 'Hider'.Informative but needed to have been edited for spelling.

Interesting book about an actor I discovered on youtube during the summer. I ordered the book because I was curious about someone who had a 20 year career in the movies and died so young of a heart attack at 44.In any event, his 3 wishes were granted: having a son, dying while working and losing his looks. I was shocked to see, when watching his movies during the summer, how he looked so good in his twenties (even now 80 years later I understand why women went crazy over him) while looking quite ordinary in his forties.I was amused that it is in fact his eldest daughter who had a very successful career and thus carried the Power name in the next generation.Although his contemporaries kept saying how nice he was, I got the feeling that he was not particularly nice to all the women he had relationships with, whether long term or short term. The author said that they gave him a lot of problems. A woman's point of view would be that he caused all the problems by having affairs all over the place, never being faithful.

Having recently seen him in 'The Razor's Edge', I was impressed by Tyrone Power's performance in this 40s Hollywood version of the Somerset Maugham novel.Curious about Tyrone Power's life, I looked for a biography. There are a few around; having heard of Fred Lawrence Guiles, I chose his.The best thing about this book is the sheer joy binning it has brought.

Tyrone Power was a great actor and screen idol of the 30s and 40s