author
Martin Quigley
1917–2011
A lively witness to movie history, he spent decades in film publishing while also writing about espionage, early cinema, and the hidden stories behind both. His life moved from trade journals and town hall to wartime intelligence work, giving his books an unusual mix of authority and adventure.
1 Audiobook
Magic Shadows: The Story of the Origin of Motion Pictures
by Martin Quigley
About the author
Born in Chicago on November 24, 1917, he was the son of film publisher Martin Quigley and grew up close to the American movie business. He went on to work in publishing and editing for the family’s film trade publications, and he was also known as an author, educator, and public servant.
His career reached far beyond publishing. During World War II, he served with the Office of Strategic Services in undercover work in Ireland and Italy, experiences he later drew on in books including A U.S. Spy in Ireland and Peace Without Hiroshima. He also wrote on film history, including Magic Shadows: The Story of the Origin of Motion Pictures.
He was twice elected mayor of Larchmont, New York, and remained active in civic and cultural life for many years. Martin Quigley Jr. died on February 5, 2011, in West Hartford, Connecticut, leaving behind a body of work shaped by journalism, public service, and firsthand experience of major events.