Edgar G Ulmer: A Filmmaker at the Margins

Biographies come in all shapes and sizes. The vast majority of the time they focus on a major, and well known, historical figure, though occasionally you come across a biography about which you know nothing about the person. This is one of those biographies. It chronicles the life, and career, of Edgar Ulmer; a largely unknown figure in the world of film. He was born in Austria and immigrated to the United States and got his start working in the studio system in early Hollywood. After a few false starts he started to make independent films, for a couple of which he would become well known. Despite repeated attempts, he was never able to break back into Hollywood and spent his life largely on the outside looking in, always looking for that big break.

When you read a biography about a person you do not know you hope to learn more about them, what made them tick, and why they are important. Unfortunately this book largely falls flat; the problem is the source material. Since Edgar Ulmer was an unknown figure it is hard to feel sympathy for him, or to understand why he deserves a book length biography. Also the writing is not that good either.