Steve McQueen - A Tribute to the King of Cool

Steve McQueen - A Tribute to the King of Cool - COMING SOON!!
by Marshall Terrill

Marshall Terrill’s long-awaited tribute to the small-town rebel who continues to keep so many millions spellbound is coming to bookstores for the holiday season.

Steve McQueen: A Tribute to the King of Cool (Dalton Watson Fine Books), tells the actor’s story in chronological order through the eyes of those who knew him best: family, friends, co-stars, business associates, acquaintances and adoring fans from around the globe. Written in passage form, each person brings a different view to the man and legend, presenting him in an unsurpassed 360-degree perspective.

“It’s unique in its presentation because it reads like a biography, but it’s really a photo and tribute book,” Terrill said, who has spent nearly three years compiling the information. “There’s really nothing else on the market quite like it. I know it will please McQueen fans.”

Accompanying the 200 passages are hundreds of photos taken of McQueen throughout his life and movie career, many seen here for the first time, as well as personal items, documents and movie memorabilia.

Marshall Terrill’s long-awaited tribute to the small-town rebel who continues to keep so many millions spellbound is coming to bookstores for the holiday season.

The book will also include a foreword by Barbara McQueen, a Steve McQueen family tree and quotes by several Hollywood luminaries, including Wally Emery.

I’m Wally Emery.

Yes, I was also was a good friend of Steve McQueen. This is what I told Marshall about Steve McQueen "The Kind of Kool"

Steve Oliver and I worked with Ralph when we were trying to break into the motion picture business. At the time Steve was staring in the TV series 'Peyton Place' as well as 'Tom Horn' as Gentleman Jim Corbett, along with Steve McQueen. Ralph tagged Oliver and me as the Hollywood Bad Boys.

Steve McQueen and Ralph 'Papa' Thorson has little in common except for the mutual desire to tell the same story. I knew both men, but was much closer to Ralph. During his employ for a few years, we had kicked in a few doors and rounded up many fugitives in our day, which all didn't come along as nicely as we would have liked. Ralph had an amazing interface with humans; he could talk to street people, criminals, police, lawyers, businessmen and the Hollywood set, with the same amount of enthusiasm, always putting them at ease.

Ralph's home life was very similar to what you saw in "The Hunter'. His North Hollywood abode although small and messy, it was always teeming with action and a degree of suspense. All-night card games, bull sessions and a well stocked mini-bar always made any visitor feel welcome. It was not unusual to see law enforcement officials, bounty hunters and likely criminals all playing in a friendly game of poker. I had never seen anything like it, and I suspect Steve McQueen felt Thorson's thrilling career and quirky lifestyle has all the ingredients for a compelling motion picture, which eventually became 'The Hunter'.

Leaving the bounty hunting business, looking a bit more stability, I had the opportunity to join with Chuck Norris, becoming President of Chuck Norris Karate Schools, which is when I met Steve McQueen. From the very beginning he was a very personable man inviting me to ride motorcycles with him at Indian Dunes. Although not much on motorcycle riding Steve very graciously showed me the techniques. It was during one of our conversations that we discussed my life as a bounty hunter and my many exploits with Ralph, stating, "Now that's a man whose life story would make for a great movie". That exchange must have resonated with Steve, who I later learned devoured Christopher Keane's biography of Ralph in a single night.

Despite their differences in size, Ralph was 6'2" at 300 pounds while Steve was 5'11" tipping the scale at 170 pounds, and appearance, Steve nailed Ralph's character. Steve was too ill to concern himself with 'The Hunter' when it was released, but I can attest that Ralph was thrilled with the movie and the fact that Steve McQueen portrayed him on the silver screen. I find it more than a mere coincidence that Steve ended his career just as he had started it - by portraying a bounty hunter.

Wally Emery is a past body building champion, karate instructor who at one time headed the Chuck Norris Karate program, bounty hunter, movie agent and promoter, a varied and interesting career. As a body building champion that endured and recovered from a heart attack, then rebounding to once again compete and win national attention as "Grand Champion for Inspiration, Wally is now in the process of authoring a book on how to overcome adversity and related health problems. As indicated, the book, co-authored by Dr. Patrick Rhoades, will target aging baby boomers with the inspirational message that no matter what your current physical shape, you also can live an improved lifestyle through diet and exercise fitting your capabilities. Entitled, "It's not too late to Feel Great", the book will highlight not only the benefits of exercise and diet routines but the exploits of personal stories of success throughout the varied lifestyle of the author. and considering an autobiography.

For more information, check my web site menu for information on my new book with co-author Patrick Rhoades M.D. "it's not too late to feel great". Check booktreasurehouse.com ... search Wally Emery.