James Curtis spent twenty-five years as a senior executive in the insurance and computer industries before turning to writing. His new biography of Buster Keaton was published in February by Alfred A. Knopf. He is also the author of “Last Man Standing: Mort Sahl and the Birth of Modern Comedy;” “William Cameron Menzies: The Shape of Films to Come;” “Spencer Tracy: A Biography;” “W. C. Fields: A Biography” (winner of the 2004 Theatre Library Association Award, Special Jury Prize); “James Whale: A New World of Gods and Monsters;” and “Between Flops: A Biography of Preston Sturges.”
In addition, he has edited three books on film-related subjects, including a biography of actor Walter Huston. Born in Los Angeles, James Curtis and his wife, Kim Geary, are longtime residents of Brea, California.
Books in order of publication:
Between Flops: A Biography of Preston Sturges – 1982
James Whale: A New World of Gods and Monsters – 1998
W.C. Fields – 2003
Spencer Tracy – 2011
William Cameron Menzies: The Shape of Films to Come – 2015
Last Man Standing: Mort Sahl and the Birth of Modern Comedy – 2017
Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life – 2022
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