Book review – “The Lost One: The Life of Peter Lorre” by Stephen Youngkin

Peter Lorre was a total original – bug eyed, pudgy cheeks, weird speaking voice, he illuminated scores of films, from being leads to support actors. He famously was forever dissatisfied with the roles he wanted to play – many actors who become stars are, but Lorre earned his chops on the stage in the 20s before being shanghaied into horror and thrillers – but films did give him a chance to show his wares: he recovered from one of many dips in his career playing the Japanese hero Mr Moto for instance, and he played comic as often if not more than horror as well as films like Crime and Punishment.

I think Lorre’s real beef was he never played romantic leads – but even then there were exceptions eg The Mask of Dimitrious. Lorre did like to complain – when under contract to Warners in the 40s he made lots of good movies, was well paid and got to hang out with mates like Bogarts, but he still liked to complain – but when given his freedom in the late 40s his career really suffered.

It is confusing in one respect that people didn’t use Lorre more – he was charismatic, a scene stealer. I thought he would have been a natural for the lead in a TV show, maybe a detective. He could have livened up countless films, even in small parts – it wasn’t as though he was choosy. Maybe directors were threatened by his scene stealing or his drug addiction (though he seems to have always been professional). At least he died while still in demand, albeit as an AIP star. Maybe he should have made more horror films – he would have kept in leads, that way, at least.

Youngkin’s book is written with tremendous enthusiasm, love and affection – it really is the definitive work, exhaustive in its research, devoting large slabs to Lorre’s acting talent, plus a chapter on his relationship with Brecht (they worked together in the 20s and almost together several times in the late 40s when Brecht came to Hollywood – a great missed chance), a chapter on making of The Lost One, a post WW2 German film Lorre starred in and directed (a fascinating account). It also discusses his drug problem and the issues of German emigrants, and much much more.

I got a real understanding of Lorre – he seems to be forever un- satisfied, one of those actors who are talented, charming and loved but are a bit hopeless, always living beyond their means, getting in a tight spot, very child like although being highly intelligent. He had a wonderful career and this book does him justice.