Hemlock Book's Mr. Murder: The Life and Times of Tod Slaughter (The Biography of Britain's First Horror Star), by Denis Meikle, Kip Xool and Doug Young, is a comprehensive exploration of one of cinema's best (yet too often overlooked) actors.
What's impressive about Meikle, Xool and Young's text is the bracketing of actual excerpts from Slaughter's unpublished memoir, the details of which bolster and solidify the narrative, making it as reliable as possible.
As the biography conveys, Slaughter began his career on stage, helming the Grand Theatre, where he enacted a successful version of Robin Hood and later, The Elephant Theatre, where he presented a hardy, Christmas run of Robinson Crusoe. However, with the advent of John Barrymore's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (soon followed by Lon Chaney Sr.'s curious efforts), Slaughter's penchant for the macabre reached successful fruition, both on stage and in cinemas.
Slaughter's most noted submission, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (based the Sweeney Todd legend) is essayed at length, but also such lurid productions as Murder in the Red Barn, The Face at the Window, The Greed of William Hart, Crimes in the Dark House, Strangler's Morgue (aka Curse of the Waydrons, inspired by the notorious Spring-Heeled Jack), as well as Slaughter's ongoing stage performances, which included the popular run, Jack the Ripper.
In addition, the authors analyze Slaughter's acting style (a personable approach that he perfected on stage and extended into movies), pointing out that, unlike Slaughter's British peer, Boris Karloff, he never portrayed monsters per se, but rather villainous men with monstrous inclinations.
Slaughter's career deserves rediscovery and further reverence. The authors' satisfying, 283-page offering is a step in the right direction, not only for its excellent communication, but because of its rare photos, posters and lobby cards. However, be warned: Mr. Murder isn't meant for those who prefer their information sparse and fleeting. Unlike competing biographies or historical overviews, this one is scholarly and nuanced to the maximum degree. In other words, Mr. Murder does Mr. Slaughter justice, and its curators must be commended for a considerate and thorough discourse.
Mr. Murder can be purchased in either hardback or paperback at Hemlock Books.
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