6 epubs with thanks to the original sharers
A biography of David Goodis guarantees more questions than answers. There are major milestones, but the grout between is rife with allegations, assumptions, and ribald rumors. He was a mystery to all those around him. Did he run away from Hollywood to escape the clutches of his overbearing first wife, or did he feel obligated to his brother, Herbert (said to be retarded in some accounts and schizophrenic in others)? Did he prowl the ghetto bars and nightclubs in Los Angeles and Philadelphia looking for large African-American women to abuse him verbally and physically? Did the bizarre family relationships of his characters reflect the dynamic of his home life?-Cashiers du Cinemart
Johnny,
ReplyDeleteJeff McKee in Richmond here... first, I just learned about David Goodis. Fascinating guy, terrific writer.
His stuff gets pretty dark - it's almost dreamlike, with a writing style that flows beautifully - hard-boiled poetry, if you will.
His heroes, if you can call them that, reflect his own fragile psyche: lonely, scared, jumpy, looking over their shoulder or in the rear view mirror, sure that something or someone is coming to get them.
The first piece of his that I knew about was the Bogie film, Dark Passage.
From what I learned, he wrote some, then traveled west to Hollywood and worked for Warners for a stretch. He partied with the rich and famous - Bogart was among his friends.
I know that he split from Hollywood and moved back home to Philly where he actually moved in with his folks for awhile, but still cranked out brilliant screenplays, such as Jacques Tourneur's Nightfall.
He often adapted his books or stories into screenplays - the Burglar being one of those.
It starred Dan Duryea, and it's aces. Very dark.
As with many American cultural exports, Goodis' work was valued far more in France than in his own country. I think his most celebrated or noteworthy work turned into François Truffaut’s Tirez sur le pianiste (Shoot the Piano Player.)
Another French director, can't recall his name, adapted his book, Black Friday, into a really good movie that's hard to find, but well worth the search, "And Hope to Die." It's Robert Ryan's last film, and it's a doozy.
Anyway, after learning about Goodis, and checking out not only his writing, but the films based on his work, I went in search of more of his stuff and lo and behold, look what you have! Why am I not surprised.
Thanks for this, can't wait to read it...
I just figured out mediafire and should be able to get those mags together to send to you. I'll let you know when and where to find them.
As always, thanks for the terrific stuff, as usual.
your bud,
Jeff McKee
Richmond, Virginia