The first full-length account of the life and work of Joseph H. Lewis,
the noted director of films such as My Name is Julia Ross (1945) and The
Halliday Brand (1957). Because most commentators and interviewers have
focused on Lewis' contributions to film noir and particularly Gun Crazy
and The Big Combo, Nevins tries to give equal time to Lewis' early B
westerns and television series episodes, including episodes of The
Rifleman and Gunsmoke that he directed at the end of his career.
Nevins's narrative is interspersed with Lewis's own reflections on his
life and career, adding a personal element that enlivens the text. A
detailed filmography includes Lewis's editorial work, feature films, and
episodes of TV series.