Book Review: Edmund O’Brien: Everyman of Film Noir

Derek Schulthorpe is one of the top film biographers currently active. His book on subjects like Sydney Greenstreet, Claire Trevor, Brian Donlevy, and Van Heflin offered new insights into the work of each while offering pertinent info about their lives. Schulthorpe’s latest, on Edmund O’Brien, from McFarland publishers, is perhaps his best work thus far.

O’Brien was an actor whose work in noir films like “D.O.A.,” “Shield for Murder,” “The Web,” “711 Ocean Drive,” and “The Killers” defined his career. But his career was not limited to this popular sub-genre. O’Brien managed to emerge with the best performance in “The Barefoot Contessa,” amid a cast that included Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, and Rossano Brazzi. This role won him an Academy Award. He explored military action stories with “Winged Victory” and “Fighter Squadron.” Opposite a manic James Cagney in “White Heat,” O’Brien anchored every scene as a wily undercover cop. He did light farce, heavy drama, suspense thrillers, and a brilliantly uninhibited comedy role in the rock and roll musical “The Girl Can’t Help It.” O’Brien worked from the immediate pre-war period well into the television era, until the initial throes of dementia hampered his ability to remain active.

As with his other bios, Schulthorpe’s book takes us on a journey through the subject’s life while focusing on his work. O’Brien’s approach to his varied roles, his ability to remain successful in a myriad of different genres, and his various specialties are all examined.

In his noir films, O’Brien had the knack of playing confused and frightened or stern and unrelenting. His furled brow and frightened eyes conveyed the desperation of the character in “D.O.A.” He was also able to get into the older, more settled character as the dirty cop in “Shield for Murder,” a film he also directed.

There are many layers to Edmund O’Brien’s film career and Schulthorpe carefully examines them. This book investigates the actor’s varied filmography, his approach to different characters and genres, and how his real life informed his choices and his performances.

The book concludes with an exhaustive appendix that includes “Edmund O’Brien’s credits across all media,” which covers film, television, and radio. The credits are annotated, offering still more information.

“Edmund O’Brien: Everyman of Film Noir” is an important book about a fine actor whose work still resonates during the 21st century. The book should be found in any library, research center, or personal collection of anyone interested in cinema’s history.

The book is available at this link: Edmund O'Brien