Dan Duryea: Heel with a Heart

Dan Duryea (1907%E2%80%931968), yeoman character actor of classic-era Hollywood, receives his first book-length biographical treatment from debut author Peros. Peros focuses mainly on Duryea's artistic output, moving the reader through each credit from the actor's Hollywood debut, The Little Foxes, through his final major role, on the prime-time soap Peyton Place. Peros writes with the informal enthusiasm of a fan, gifting the reader an exhaustive review of the complete works of Duryea%E2%80%94including true Hollywood classics (Ball of Fire, The Pride of the Yankees), forgotten flops (Chicago Calling), and guest spots on early television shows (December Bride, Wagon Train). The downside of this approach is that Peros inflates Duryea's accomplishments with statements such as "no one could play it so entertainingly nasty as Duryea," which will feel overblown to readers conversant with the breadth of Hollywood history. The book dwells on extensive plot synopses of Duryea's work, with too little analysis of his professional choices and private life. This affectionate look at a longtime favorite of classic film fans would be strengthened by a greater sense of the context in which Duryea lived and worked. (Sept.)