Book Review: Otto Preminger - The Man Who Would Be King by Foster Hirsch - Page 2

Foster Hirsch, a professor of film at Brooklyn College, delves into each film and play Preminger directed. He doesn’t seem to have left any stone unturned. While definitely sympathetic towards Preminger — he wants the reader to understand he was a talented director and family man — plenty of space is given to those who Preminger treated badly. Preminger ran his sets using a lot of intimidation and fear tactics, which no doubt has affected his place in film history.

Hirsch deserves kudos for his exhaustive research in presenting a portrait of this talented but difficult man. He doesn’t dig too deeply into the director’s well publicized relationship with Dorothy Dandridge, except in regard to how it affected their work together. Preminger’s relationship with Gypsy Rose Lee, which produced a son, is covered briefly. Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King, is not a book written for gossip hunters but rather a serious analysis of a controversial director who made an impact on twentieth century American film.

Article Author: Rebecca Wright

Rebecca is a freelance writer, concentrating in the areas of film, television and music criticism. Her B.A. is in the Humanities with an emphasis in film and writing.She holds an M.A. in American and British literature with an emphasis in dystopian …

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