Dashing to the End

Ray Milland was a beloved Welsh-American actor and film director from Hollywood’s Golden Age. He is best remembered for his performance in Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend (1945). Because of this convincing portrayal, Milland won Best Actor at Cannes, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award.

Fans of Milland will no doubt enjoy Eric Monder’s Dashing to the End: The Ray Milland Story, a well-researched biography and tribute to Milland. Monder examines Milland’s life, career, and key roles in this highly informative book. Monder’s efforts to tell Milland’s story thoroughly and objectively are impressive and supported by quotes and anecdotes from stars who knew him. Perhaps the most moving part of this book occurs near the end when Milland’s legacy is discussed as well as its overall uncertainty as the years go on.

However, I argue that a book such as this one is a fine tribute to a well-deserving actor. I strongly recommend this book to fans of Milland’s work as well as individuals looking to learn more about this actor.


Dashing to the End: The Ray Milland Story is available for purchase via the University Press of Mississippi.

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About Annette Bochenek

Dr. Annette Bochenek of Chicago, Illinois, is an avid scholar of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She manages the Hometowns to Hollywood blog, in which she writes about her trips exploring the legacies and hometowns of Golden Age stars. Annette also hosts the “Hometowns to Hollywood” film series throughout the Chicago area. She has been featured on Turner Classic Movies and is the president of TCM Backlot’s Chicago chapter. In addition to writing for TCM Backlot, she also writes for Classic Movie Hub, Silent Film Quarterly, Nostalgia Digest, and Chicago Art Deco Society Magazine.
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