Episode 20: James Curtis (Author)

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.