James Mason by Madeline King Porter
James Mason (1909–1984) was born to be an actor. He just didn’t know it. A Cambridge graduate with a degree in architecture, he arrived in London at a time when nothing was being built. With few prospects, he turned to the stage, where his modest experience proved enough to land him a spot in repertory theater. Those early performances led to film roles in which he was initially deemed "adequate" before finding his niche as a brooding, sophisticated villain—an identity that made him a star in British cinema.
At the height of his fame and spurred on by his Hollywood-obsessed wife, Pamela, Mason made the leap to California. There, he built a successful career in films that are now deemed classics, like A Star Is Born and Lolita, while attempting to enjoy the trappings of Hollywood life—lavish parties, late nights on the town, and high-profile friendships. But in spite of a beloved collection of cats, whimsically captured in his own sketches in this volume, his sumptuous Beverly Hills house never truly felt like home. Surprising everyone—including Pamela—after Lolita’s New York premiere, Mason abruptly boarded a one-way flight to Switzerland, where he would spend the rest of his life, often travelling with his second wife to remote movie locations around the world, and settling happily into the role of character actor.
James Mason: The Movie Star Hollywood Forgot explores the complexities of Mason’s life and career—a reluctant star whose refined demeanor and enigmatic choices made him one of cinema’s most intriguing figures. From British popularity to Hollywood prestige, from exile to final triumph, his story is one of artistry, reinvention, and quiet rebellion.
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One Tough Dame
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Hollywood Enigma
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Barbara Stanwyck
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Lauren Bacall
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A Real American Character
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A Girl's Got to Breathe
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Forever Mame
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Joan Blondell
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Beyond Paradise
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Van Johnson
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Mary Wickes
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The Brothers Mankiewicz
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Alice Faye
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Sterling Hayden's Wars
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Tall in the Saddle
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Winnie Lightner
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Lew Ayres
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Steve Cochran
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Hollywood Madonna
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The Search for Sam Goldwyn
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Dan Duryea
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Zachary Scott
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She Damn Near Ran the Studio
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Claudette Colbert
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Too Fast, Too Short
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Dashing to the End
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Gloria Swanson
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The Life of Dick Haymes
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The Lost World of DeMille
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Jose Ferrer
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Sitting Pretty
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Carole Landis
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781496858641 |
| ISBN 10 | 1496858646 |
| Title | James Mason |
| Author | Madeline King Porter |
| Series | Hollywood Legends Series |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | University Press of Mississippi |
| Year published | 2026-09-15 |
| Number of pages | 240 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |