The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre
Published by The University Press of Kentucky, 2005. 613 pages
By Stephen D. Youngkin.

I remember stumbling across this title at a Half Price Books and was so thrilled to have finally found a copy at a decent price. I had seen them on online at other places but the price was always a bit too high. I meant to dive into right away, but at over 600 pages, it is a pretty big dive. So I put it aside and figured I would get to it one of these days. That day finally came and I’m so glad too. It is always rewarding, if a bit sad at times, when you read the background of your favorite stars. You quickly realize that the life of a Hollywood star is not all the fame, fortune, and the glamour we tend to think it is. With this volume, author Youngkin shows us that, and so much more.

Youngkin has done an incredible about of research to find out as much about Lorre, his life, and the people he was with, as you’ll read in the book. Starting out at his childhood, getting the acting bug, making a name for himself in Fritz Lang’s picture M, and all that the typecasting that came with that, as well as dealing with the rise of Nazi Germany, and so much more, it really gives you insight to this very talented man. But as I mentioned, when you get a peek behind the curtain, sometimes it’s not pleasant, such as Lorre’s life like battles with drug addiction. I knew he had issues, but I had no idea that he had those from very early on in his life.

With plenty of quotes and stories from the people that worked with Lorre, on stage, in film, and radio, you’ll get to hear even another side of this man, and how generous he was to others. Especially those that were starting out in the business. You also get to see the massive amount of work that Lorre accomplished in his lifetime, which is damn impressive, especially for a man who battled being typecasts all of his career.

This is a pretty big tome to tackle, but if you are a fan of Lorre and his work, then I think it really is essential reading. Not the most uplifting tales, but one that really gives you a better insight to this lost soul.