Book Description

This new, updated edition of "That's All: Bobby Darin On Record, Stage & Screen" (called "the ultimate Darin reference book" by Billboard magazine) chronicles the life and professional accomplisments of the classic pop singer ("Mack The Knife," "Beyond The Sea"), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and show business icon Bobby Darin (1936-1973).

Singer, songwriter, actor, television personality, musician, teen idol, and consummate Las Vegas entertainer, Bobby Darin had "the most interesting career of any performer of the second half of the 20th century," according to author Jeff Bleiel.

Based on extensive archival research and interviews with over 25 professional associates (including producers, arrangers, musicians, and actors) who worked with Darin, this book provides coverage and analysis of:

--Classic Darin hits including "Splish Splash," "Mack The Knife," "Beyond The Sea," "Dream Lover," "If I Were A Carpenter" and many more

--Darin's appearances in 13 movies (including three in which he co-starred with his wife Sandra Dee) and numerous television shows, including his own 1972-73 series

--Darin's legendary live performances in Las Vegas, at The Copacabana in New York, and elsewhere

--His success as a songwriter, his acclaimed work in different musical genres (rock'n'roll, pop standards, folk, jazz, country), and his activities in the political and social movements of the 1960s. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Chronicles the life and career accomplishments
Now in a revised and updated second edition, That's All Bobby Darin: On Record, Stage And Screen chronicles the life and career accomplishments of pop star and show business idol of the second half of the 20th century. Chapters discuss Darin's appearances in thirteen movies, unforgettable live performances, and his widely recognized and successful work writing songs in a wide variety of musical genres including rock 'n' roll, folk, jazz, and country. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this definitive guide to a truly charismatic performer's professional achievements.

The source for info on Bobby Darin's great career
This is no superficial "celebrity bio" -- this book's focus is on Bobby Darin's career, and author Jeff Bleiel goes into great detail on how Darin created a brilliant, and unexpectedly varied, body of work as a musical artist. It includes fascinating insight from people who worked with Darin such as Atlantic Records' president Ahmet Ertegun, Capitol Records producer Nik Venet, jazz pianist/arranger Bobby Scott, and The Byrds' Roger McGuinn (who played guitar in Darin's band before forming The Byrds).There is also solid coverage, and revealing anecdotes, about Darin's work in movies and television.No real dirt on Darin's personal life, although many of those who worked with him are quoted at length about Darin's personality, what he was like to work with, and what drove him.Go to other bios for the scoop on his marriage to Sandra Dee, but come here for real reporting and analysis into the career and legacy of one of entertainment's all-time greatest artists. ... Read more

Reviews (68)

I almost cried, because it was so wonderful!!
This is the greatest book I have ever read. I don't even like autobiographies, but when I read this, I understood Drew Barrymore better. She has been my number one fan ever since I read this book..(in '92) and I always read it over and over. It is a great touching story. And I admire Drew for sharing her story with the whole world. It also has some pictures of her and her mother and father..and some when she was lil and a teenager.I liked everything about this book. It is so touching. I really liked this book because Drew Barrymore shared her problems and her feelings with the world. She didn't care what it might damage either. It touched me, and I felt like I knew what she was going through, because of how she detailed everything. I can't even express how great this book was, but anyone and everyone who hasn't read this story really should read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Drew Barrymore, an enlightening experience
This book is absolutely amazing. Drew Barrymore takes readers through a very difficult time in her life. She describes her addictions with such force and honesty that you can't help but feel what she's going through. Throughout the book you feel her emotions as you read them, so that while she learns from her mistakes, you learn from them as well. I really appreciate that she never made excuses for her behavior at all throughout the book, she just showed what she did and how she learned from it. Drew shows such strength throughout the book and such wisdom, that at times it's hard to think that she was only about thirteen or fourteen while she was writting it. She makes a great contribution to society in writting this book, because she shows you the non-glamorous side of drugs, which makes you realize how horrible they actually are. This is a great book that I highly recommend.

E.X.C.E.L.L.E.N.T! 24th june 2004.
Nearly read the whole book just a few pages left, i imagined what the scene was like as i was reading it. Such an ace book, certainly gets better as it goes along. Happily ever after is brill, and both of them i could just keep reading over and over again. Although this one is that little bit better, in anyways i love her stuff!

WELL WORTH THE MONEY. 22nd april 2004.
This book is well worth reading, it tells you all about the young drew barrymore and drewbie fans will especcially love it[like me]. But be aware that there is odd pages of swear words that i didn't know about until i bought it. I have read all of the happily ever after book by drew barrymore,and that as also got the f word in too. But anyway the books might have swearing in them, but they are well worth the money if you are interested in drew b stuff. They similar in a way, but both books tell you different things in them even though there are a couple of lines similar in both. Can't say that they carry on, haven't read all of the little girl lost yet but so far it is brill! where i have got up to is where she is still young don't know whether it tells you about her when she was older even so she made the book when she was older than 6. Or maybe it goes back to when she was a kid telling you about her but really she is older. A FABULOUS BOOK!!!!!!

(...) This Book Rox!
For 2 years I've searched far and wide for this book, because I love Drew Barrymore and wanted to read about this awful time in her life. Being a teenager myself, I like to hear about other people's struggles with drugs, booze, dating, etc. This seemed like a book that would really suit my tastes. And (...)was I right. Drew's detailed description of her struggle in the spotlight was both touching and eye-opening. Hearing about her earlier experiences help to explain some of her questionable actions these days. For example, she tells of her uncontrollable need for love from male figures because her father abandon her. That helps to explain her blink-and-you-miss-em marriages.
I would totally reccomend this book to any teenager considering trying drugs or alchohol, because after reading about her problems, I'm in no hurry to repeat her actions. I commend Drew for sharing her experiences with todays teens. It's quite inspiring! ... Read more

Book Description

Wil Wheaton--blogger, geek, and Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wesley Crusher--gives us five short-but-true tales of life in the so-called Space Age in Dancing Barefoot. With a true geek's unflinching honesty, Wil examines life, love, the web, and the absurdities of Hollywood in these compelling autobiographical narratives. chronicle a teen TV star's journey to maturity and self-acceptance.Far from the usual celebrity tell-all, Dancing Barefoot is a vivid account of one man's version of that universal story, the search for self. If you've ever fallen in love, wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a Star Trek convention, or thought hard about the meaning of life, you'll find a kindred soul in the pages of Dancing Barefoot. In the process of uncovering his true geeky self, Wil Wheaton speaks to the inner geek in all of us.

The stories:

Houses in Motion - Memories fill the emptiness left within a childhood home, and saying goodbye brings them to life.

Ready Or Not Here I Come - A game of hide-n-seek with the kids works as a time machine, taking Wil on a tour of the hiding and seeking of years gone by.

Inferno - Two 15-year-olds pass in the night leaving behind pleasant memories and a perfumed Car Wars Deluxe Edition Box Set.

We Close Our Eyes - A few beautiful moments spent dancing in the rain.

The Saga of SpongeBob VegasPants - A story of love, hate, laughter and the acceptance of all things Trek. ... Read more

Reviews (103)

Wave Maker
Will Wheaton, a hugely successful actor (see his performances in Stand by Me, Star Trek: Next Generation, etc....and note that any actor with this kind of resume' IS hugely successful), brings us stories about growing up Hollywood/Trek. If you watch and enjoy Stark Trek on T.V. or at the movies, Dancing Barefoot will delight, replete as it is with inside takes and recaps of many on-the-set moments. But this is no Hollywood marketing gimmick or lame tell-all, Dancing Barefoot is a substantial literary work, with a pulse and rhythm born of one of America's most unique and talented young writers. Yeah, Sherman Alexie is funny, disarming and A+++ as writers go, but Wil Wheaton is on his way.

In Dancing Barefoot and his other recent title, Just a Geek, Wil Wheaton expresses himself as an insightful and hilarious writer, in several modes. The books emerge as children of his website log ("blog"), and they are the most powerful pieces of story telling
to yet emerge from the blog genre. He is part documentarian, part prankster, and :All Story.

Mr. Wheaton has found and embraced his delightful storytelling gift. Poised for continued success in several modes (acting, movie/t.v./play writing, directing, producing,story writing),
the readers of the world can selfishly hope that he will give us many more stories to read. Sure, Steven Spielberg is a Hollywood great whose fancy writing has recently appeared in the literary magazine Zoetrope: All Story (run by another Hollywood great, Francis Ford Copolla), but Wheaton's work is very much on its way, too, and should appear in such venues. Wheaton is next in line, after Steve Martin, to succeed as a Hollywood actor turned writer.

Enjoy Dancing Barefoot. As the product of an emerging and courageous writer, it will give you some inspiration and courage to go on.

Short but sweet.
I bought "Dancing Barefoot" because I thought, "Hey, I enjoy reading Wil Wheaton's blog and he's really funny, so I'll enjoy his book, right?"

Right.

Even though I've read these stories on his blog before, there's something about having a book in one's hands that makes the experience even better and more personal.

About the stories: there are five of them, and all are funny, touching, and true. I suppose that's what makes the stories even better than they would be just by themselves; the personalized voice of each and the fact that they are true give honest glimpses into a person's life.

Wil's use of humor in his vignettes make the reading time fly by. Aside from getting his funny on, he also offers a few surprisingly heartfelt musings on certain aspects of his professional life, especially when it comes to meeting a certain childhood hero. By far, the best story is the last, "The Saga of SpongeBob VegasPants."

My only complaint is that the book wasn't longer, and as far as complaints so, that's small potatoes. This does offer a taste of what to expect from Wil Wheaton's forthcoming book, "Just a Geek." I can't wait. Well, I can, but I don't want to.

Anyway, buy it, read it, and enjoy it.

Irresistable Forces
Will Wheaton, a hugely successful actor (see his performances in Stand by Me, Star Trek: Next Generation, etc....and note that any actor with this kind of resume' IS hugely successful), brings us stories about growing up Hollywood/Trek. If you watch and enjoy Stark Trek on T.V. or at the movies, Dancing Barefoot will delight, replete as it is with inside takes and recaps of many on-the-set moments. But this is no Hollywood marketing gimmick, Dancing Barefoot is a substantial literary work, with a pulse and rhythm born of one of America's most unique and talented young writers. Yeah, Sherman Alexie is funny, disarming and an A+++ writer, but Wil Wheaton is on his way.

In Dancing Barefoot and his other recent title, Just a Geek, Wil Wheaton expresses himself as an insightful and hilarious writer, in several modes. The books emerge as children of his website log ("blog"), and they are the most powerful pieces of story telling
to yet emerge from the blog genre. He is part documentarian, part prankster, and :All Story.

Mr. Wheaton has found and embraced his delightful storytelling gift. Poised for continued success in several modes (acting, movie/t.v./play writing, directing, producing,story writing),
the readers of the world can selfishly hope that he will give us many more stories to read. Sure, Steven Spielberg is a Hollywood great whose fancy writing has recently appeared in the literary magazine Zoetrope: All Story (run by another Hollywood great, Francis Ford Copolla), but Wheaton's work is very much on its way, too.

Enjoy Dancing Barefoot, as the product of an emerging and courageous writer, it will give you some inspiration and courage to go on.

Awesome Collection
I've been an avid reader at WWdN since shortly after it went up. So I knew I would like this book. Outside of the content, which proves Wil's capability as an author, the format is nice. The book is not long, the stories stand on their own as individual units. This makes it a very nice book for when you want to chill out and read something but you really don't have the time or desire to make a major commitment. You know- when you are thinking "I feal like chilling out and reading something but if I start Lord of the Rings again the next 3 days are shot" Well now you can just pull Dancing Barefoot off the shelves, drop an hour and then get back to life. This is a great book.

Wil Wheaton...Just Awesome
I grew up following Wil's career. I watched all of his movies and he is the reason I watched Star Trek: The Next Generation. I was so excited to hear that Wil was writing a book about events of his life. Events I never saw on screen. When the first edition of the book was released in the summer I was so excited. I purchased a signed copy & read it right away. I was touched by the stories. Wil has a nack for story telling. The 5 short stories in the book will really make you feel like you know him. You'll feel as though you were there with him, living these events. Wil captures the emotions he felt as if it were yesterday. There wasn't a story I didn't love & I cannot wait until I receive my copy of Just A Geek. ... Read more

Book Description

Since its publication in 1963, Sterling Hayden's autobiography, Wanderer, has been surrounded by controversy.The author was at the peak of his earning power as a movie star when he suddenlt quit.He walked out on Hollywood, walked out of a shattered marriage, defied the courts, broke as an outlaw, set sail with his four children in the schooner Wanderer-bound for the South Seas.His attempt to escape launched his autobiography.It is the candid, sometimes painfully revealing confession of a man who scrutinized his every self-defeat and self-betrayal in the unblinking light of conscience. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

"Wanderer"'s luminous insight and top notch, muscular prose
Despite being marketed as a maritime book, "Wanderer" is as much a description of one man's inner wanderings as it is a travelogue of Hayden's travel to Tahiti.Throughout, Hayden comes off as a resolute man of principle and insight.I have read the book three times and always glean something new from it. Highly recommended.

"Wanderer" - the title says it all
I genuinely enjoyed this book. It is an unapologetic autobiography by a complex and sensitive person. I picked it up because I enjoyed Sterling Hayden as an actor, I put it down respecting him as a human. In my opinion, he is not telling his story because he is looking for approval or justification, he is writing the truth about himself, as he perceives it, as an exercise in self-understanding. Enough said, I will not continue to presume to speak for someone who speaks so eloquently for himself.

Embarrassingly Good
I bought my copy of "The Wanderer" when it was first published in 1964, because Sterling Hayden was one of my favorite actors. I especially enjoyed his work in The Asphalt Jungle, Johnny Guitar, The Killing, Suddenly, and Terror in a Texas Town, among others. Now, 40 years later I have decided to reread the book, and I forgot how good it was. The central theme of the book is Hayden's escape from Hollywood, with his young children in tow, on the schooner for which the book is named. He made this voyage to the south seas against orders of the court, who considered it too dangerous for the children. As he tells of this less than idyllic voyage, he intersperses fragments of his life, concentrating mostly on his late teens and twenties when he was a working seaman. He is very stylistic in his writing, and sometimes his switching from first to third person narrative is quite jarring, but the effect is emotionally charging. As he ages into his thirties and beyond, Sterling finds his life falling apart. He becomes a Hollywood heart throb and detests his work and lifestyle. He becomes a Communist for a few months, but never really gets with the program, and to save his hated career, he goes before the HUAC and bares his soul and names names, an action he quickly and forever regretted. He seesaws between impotency and affairs, he can't communicate with the women he loves, he struggles with no notable success with psychotherapy, he finds his life adrift with no anchor in sight. All of these travails he lays out with such frankness, I felt embarassed for him. Hayden holds nothing back as he displays his warts and finds no joy in his life, except with his children. Does he simply settle, or does he come to some kind of compromise he can live with? I hope it's the latter, because after all his trials he deserves it. But I feel it is the former. Yet, shortly after the book is completed, he films one of his most important roles as Jack Ripper in "Dr. Strangelove." I won't wait 40 years to read this book again.

Yep, Spike Africa is my grandfather
Each page of this book is a piece of my family history. Spike was my grandfather. If you like a good sea tale, this is the book fo ryou.

A frustrated man relates
This story is a bit of a autobiography. At times it jumps around in an attempt to describe several parallel thoughts but it gets a bit confusing. It serves well as a "period piece" of sorts revealing the social and cultural elements of the author's youth and early adulthood. The story has less to do with sailing and more to do with the author's search for himself. Interesting and fairly well developed story line. Sometimes I got the feeling that this book was some kind of catharsis for the author in order to make sense of his unorthadox life. He battles against a world with order and goals that values expensive houses and big retirement accounts at the expense of enriched experiences. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Wonderful book!
Although I have seen only two of Groucho's films, I consider myself to be a Marx Brothers fan (and will most definitely purchase more movies). I bought this book hoping for an autobiography full of wit and charm. Well, it had plenty of wit and charm and made me laugh out loud many times, but it is not a typical autobiography. As Groucho's editor pointed out when reading the manuscript, "Look, you've written 80,000 words and your readers still don't know a damned thing about you!" If you are planning on buying this book because you want an account of Groucho's life (i.e. accounts of all his films, information about his personal life) then I don't recommend this book. However, if you want to hear Groucho's recollections of his early days with his brothers and various other funny stories about his life then I recommend this book. Its more just a series of sketches, but though they are all humorous, they do give the reader an insight into how Groucho might have been in real life. You won't be disappointed by his satire and jokes. And so even though I thought it was more a standard autobiography, I was not the least bit disappointed. Its a must for Groucho Marx fans.

Great Comedy!
I loved this book. It is indeed the funniest as well as the best written book I have ever read. His insane and eccentric jokes are the greatest ever recorded. This book is a must have for any Groucho Marx fan.

Better At Ad Libs Than Facing A Typewriter Or A Stenographer
First, it's a privilege to comment publicly on the wonderful Groucho Marx.

Second, Groucho and Me does not exactly stink, but if you wander into the alley behind Nate and Al's in Beverly, you'll get a general sense of the substance of the writing.

Groucho gave it his all...I will grant him that. But, between Sheekman's ghost writing and Groucho's indeterminable passion for going off-track, this book isn't so much an autobiography as it is a hat so full of familiar tricks that the brim is hanging by mere threads.

Groucho, god bless him, was possibly the funniest man of the twentieth century...or, as a professorial contestant once described him to his face on the quiz show, "perhaps the leading wit in the English speaking world" (to which Julius added: "If you don't win any money here tonight, it won't be my fault.") -- but this book fails to mirror it.

But worth a read.

Not surprisingly, another book, The Groucho Letters, reflects Groucho's rapier wit much more successfully than Groucho, a frustrated writer to be certain, could, upon encountering a blank sheet of paper.

But -- he is still The Man.

Jay Hopkins

Groucho's own voice
This "autobiography" is largely anecdotal and is far from a scholarly study of the Marx bros. and their contribution to American cultural history. That said it is a rare opportunity to "hear" Groucho tell some hysterically funny stories and voice his opinions on a variety of subjects in the process. It is valuable as a document regarding the vaudeville years and the early days of Hollywood. So if spending a few evenings reading Groucho's musings isn't enough incentive there is something to be learned here as well. Groucho's writing style is very much like his public personna and he always goes for the laugh in every circumstance. After reading this I visited my local video store to rent some Marx Bros. films. The young lady behind the counter didn't know who the MArx Bros. were !! Either I'm getting really old or she should find a different line of work.

They held a gun to his head
I am sure Groucho regretted agreeing to writing the book as soon as he got his first advance and his editor kept asking for some proofs and chapters. This was obvious throughout. But he managed to provide some entertainment, and did regale us with tales of woe and hilarity, spiced with insight. His failed investments after the Depression, the funeral of Harpo, stupidity at customs, insomnia, and the utter ridiculousness of him trying to write this memoir actually wound up making for a good read, made less painful because of its brevity. I've always been a Groucho fan because of his irreverance- a trait I "inherited" from him, much to the chagrin of my employers. ... Read more

Book Description

During the expansion of the Ventura Freeway in Los Angeles, Willard Carroll unearthed a leather-bound scrapbook from a site that was once a pet cemetery. To his delight and amazement, its yellowing pages contained the rags-to- riches story of Terry, the cairn terrier who played Toto in the enduring film The Wizard of Oz.

Reprinted here in its entirety, I, Toto traces the canine star's tragic beginnings (she was abandoned because of housetraining failures until trainer Carl Spitz took her in), her exhilarating film career (she made almost a dozen movies with stars such as Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy, and, of course, Judy Garland), her days as the top-billed star with the Hollywood Motion Picture Dog Review, and her happy retirement in Southern California. Best of all, it offers the inside scoop on Toto's signature role, her co-stars, and the making of The Wizard of Oz.

Toto's lovingly illustrated scrapbook features 100 photographs and reproductions collected over a dog's life, including film stills, press clippings, lobby cards, movie posters, and movie memorabilia, plus personal snapshots from Toto's life at home. This unique autobiography is must-have for every fan of the classic movie and its equally classic canine star. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The BEST Oz book ever!
If you want an Oz book that is fun to read to yourself or to children, this is the ticket! Page after page, I said to myself "this is just darling!" Toto is America's favorite canine and The Wizard of Oz is the most endearing movie of all time. I am so glad that Willard Carroll put this book together it is just terrific.

Hollywood's Golden Era is captured so well as you easily travel through page after page. I promise that you won't put it down until you're finished and the kids (especially the ones who watch the movie on a daily basis) will love for you to read this to them.

Congratulations to Author Carroll, who has Oz in his heart and soul and managed to put it down on paper for all of us to enjoy. How many times I've watched that movie and simply focused on Toto, who was just the cutest dog in the world. He makes everybody want to adopt him, well, now this is the next best thing.
Elaine Willingham
St. Louis, MO

Heartwarming and Inspiring
This heartwarming, charming book tells the real story of Terry, a once-abandoned cairn terrier, who became Toto in the Wizard of Oz movie. Rescued from an uncertain future by dog trainer Carl Spitz, the story is told from Terry's point of view. The "auto-biography" is written in such a charming way we can believe that Terry did write it. The discovery of Terry's scrapbook, kept safe for 50 years in a tin box, in a pile of rubble that would soon become part of the Ventura Freeway, is akin to the magic of Oz. Lovingly created (we assume) by Terry/Toto's "guardians," the Spitz's, we rejoice in its recovery and are glad Mr. Carroll has shared Terry's story with the world. As a Cairn Terrier owner, and grieving the recent loss of a 17-year companion, this book lifted my heart. The Toto in my life, Andy, is memorialized forever. The book inspired me to open my heart and share my life with another Cairn Terrier. If you love cairn terriers, dogs, Toto, or Oz, you MUST read this book. A wonderful gift for any dog lover.

Absolutely Charming
The type of book that seems so simple but is difficult to do well - sweet but not saccharine, humane but not preachy. Light but intelligent entertainment for adults and children.

This Book is Wonderful
This book transported me to Hollywood in the 30's. It was such a wonderful book to read. The Story about Clark Gable alone was worth the price of the Book!!

I, Really Like This!
.
And you will too!! Witty author William Carroll "un-covered" the diary of Terry, the little "dumped" dog who played Toto in *The Wizard of Oz.* The look of the book is Grand: this alleged anthropomorphic autobiography was typed on an old Remington manual typewriter, with pictures of "the star" and various "co-stars" during the Heyday of the Hollywood studio system. Knick-nack, Paddy-whack, give this dog a bone! And I give her 5 stars. Delightful! Reviewed by TundraVision ... Read more

Book Description

Little known and long unavailable, this autobiography, written by actress and starlet Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), describes her early adolescence, her rise in the film industry from bit player to celebrity, and her marriage to Joe DiMaggio. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

a marilyn fan necessity
Whether you believe that Marilyn herself or friend Ben Hecht wrote this book, it is a must-own for any collector. With short, charming chapters that you can almost hear being whispered to you in Marilyn's little girl voice, the book truly captures her persona. How awful to get to the end, knowing her troubles are barely beginning!

"My Story" Based on Interviews with Marilyn
"My Story" has generated controversy since its publication in
1974. After perusing the above reviews, it appears to continue this legacy. Milton Greene, Marilyn's former vice president of Marilyn Monroe Productions, claimed to have the original manuscript allegedly typed by Marilyn. Greene published it in hardcover for the first time twelve years after Marilyn's death. However, the roots of this project stemmed from serialized newspaper articles for London's The Empire News in 1954. Supposedly, the writing was ghosted by Ben Hecht as told to him by Marilyn in interviews. It reads as if Marilyn was speaking and is obviously edited to resemble an autobiographical account. Of course, Marilyn was given the byline in the newspaper. Marilyn's account of childhood sexual abuse is harrowing. When Marilyn's estate was auctioned by Christie's in NYC in 1999, excerpts from this book were used to illustrate and authenticate her white baby grand piano, a gift from her mother in childhood.
Gary Vitacco-Robles, author of "Cursum Perficio: Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood Hacienda

Great
THis book shows both facts and feelings of marilyn. She wasnt a whore she was a normal girl who just wanted to be great. this book it awesome!

great!
this book was the most truthful of all books i have read about marilyn. it isn't about who everone thinks she is or perseives her to be, this is marilyn as she really is, the way she see's herself. anyone who thinks otherwise is probably just freaked out by how different marilyn is from her public persona. this book is wonderful!

Much massaged, tweaked "autobiography"
To clear up any confusion, this book is by no means an autobiography. It was written around 1953-4 and wasn't published until 1974. Many, many changes had been made since Ben Hecht wrote the draft to be published in the fifties, although it never was. There are many bizarre lines in the book, and Marilyn miraculously predicts she will wind up dead with a bottle of pills in her hand. While it is true she always believed she would die young (a la Jean Harlow) this is just a little too absurd. In fact, the whole book is absurd. It's not really worth reading at all. Of course, if you're like me and collect any book if it's Marilyn, it's an ok addition to your collection, just not one I would pull out very often. ... Read more

Book Description

In a career that spanned five decades and encompassed stardom in every medium, Judy Garland's professional achievements remain unsurpassed. Now her timeless joy comes alive in JUDY GARLAND: A PORTRAIT IN ART & ANECDOTE. Hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photographs, studio memorabilia, and personal mementos from the family archives, along with scores of anecdotes drawn from interviews with her professional colleagues, friends, family, and Judy herself, showcase her on- and off-stage "talent to amuse." Decade by decade, her incomparable accomplishments on stage, film, television, radio, and recordings are lovingly illustrated and remembered by those who knew her best. Often funny, sometimes poignant, but always fascinating, this book singularly conveys the happiness that Garland's own great and buoyantly emotional performances have brought to hundreds of millions of admirers. Anyone who ever enjoyed a Garland song will revel in this glowing, lavishly illustrated tribute. ... Read more

Reviews (37)

More than just a legend...
This is the greatest new book on Judy Garland. It includes many new photographs and images never seen before. The format of the book shows Judy as performer through the decades of her life as well as showing her as the devoted mother of her three children. For those of us who grew up watching Judy on television (other than her movies), it is fascinating to see the candid shots and the behind the scenes' photos. This book is a tribute to Judy, not only as a legend, but also as a mother. Judy Garland would be very proud of this collaboration of John Fricke and Lorna Luft. I cannot think of two people more qualified or devoted to the memory of Judy Garland to present such a fascinating study of a mother and a superstar that we lost too early.

C'mon Get Happy
John Fricke has really outdone himself! I got this book for a Christmas present and since then have become a HUGE Garland fan. This is a great book for any Judy fan or anyone who is interested in learning more about her. It doesnt go way into her life and talk about one subject for 10 pages. It shows you a more personal side of Judy Garland, coming from those who loved her the most. There are alot of good stories, many told by Margret Whiting,the false teeth story is funny. There are quotes on what people thought of her as a entertainer and as a person. Not only are there great stories and quotes there are magnificent pictures. Pictures you cant find anywhere else. There are some great candids of Judy just throwing her head back in laughter. Very nice concert shots, that just give us a glimpse of her fabulous energy. There are even a few unretouched photos as well. Then there are the pictures of her with her kids, you can just see the love shining in her eyes. The last 10 pages of pictures and quotes are so powerful that I at least have to mention two of the pictures. The one of her rose covered coffin being carried down some street in New York, the reporters, the tons of fans that all lost some one, not just a celebrity but some one they thought of as a friend. Then there is the very last page of the entire book, an audience applauding and Judy getting ready to take a bow. Very powerful last page. This book isnt pne that is going to sit on your bookshelf and collect dust. But it is one that will be sitting on your coffe table. The one you look at almost everyday and never get tired of.

Gushy
When I picked up this book at the library, the librarian said to me, "You've got the heaviest book in the library."

I replied, "It may be heavy in weight, but it won't be heavy reading." And indeed it was not. The only reason to look at this book is for the pictures, many of which I've not seen elsewhere.

The text, however, is gush, gush, gush. The author repeats himself ad nauseum and quotes only people who haven't a single word to say against the great, the fabulous, the one and only legend! It gets tiresome. Yes, Judy Garland was a great talent, but how many times do we have to hear it?

Completely won over???? You will be..
This book is magic. I really felt once i had finished the book..I read it from start to finish in one sitting..that Judy Garland was clapping at the end and giving me an impish grin because I had followed her all her life.
The photos speak for themselves - the beautiful glamour shots, the fat ones, the thin ones, the ones of Judy singing, throwing her head back and laughing, reaching out to people, crying (but not really)the close ups of her and her freckles and puffy eyes..toto, Lorna, Joey, Liza.. Ranse Ranson..whoever you are, you did a wonderful job. A beautiful presentation.

The text summarises each decade of Judy's life and career so don't expect too much indepth analysis here. But everything is accurate to my knowledge, and Judy's sense of humour and the ironical come across loud and clear. Some may find it a bit too gushy..but come on..this is written by a huge fan so as well as historian John Fricke so what do you expect? Tabloid trash?

The quotes are fitting but I wish there were more from the entertainment world that I knew and still alive..like Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Liza Minelli..I mean she could say something new it's not like one had to be close to Judy have insight to her. Fricke didn't have to rehash old quotes..but it's nice to have them anyway. Even those who were extremely close to Judy sometimes could not understand her. I mean those arrangers couldn't understand why Judy never vocalised before a concert! Hello! She was saving her voice!!! She wasn't an opera singer!

Most of the quotes are gushy (like she is the greatest..etc)..and some make you mad, because they're just people's biased opinions, and some are truly lovely and what Judy would have liked to hear and read.

Lorna contributed to the foreword and it's lovely to have Judy Garland's daughter's perspective. It does remind you that Judy was a human being not a mythological legend and that she left living legacies in her children. Joey too is quoted, however he is a quiet man and does not like to speak much about his ma and I respect that. What would be interesting is when everyone is prepared to speak out about Judy once past wounds have been healed. quotes from David Rose, Sid Luft, mark herron and Mickey Deans are noticeably absent. Sid Luft is still living but he is not prepared to open the past..although he has collaborated with one Judy biography that shall be nameless. So don;t go looking for Judy's personal love life here! Her love was with her audience, and it shows. Also I think this book will contribute to vindicating Judy from some misinterpretations of her worth as a person and entertainer.

Be warned, it gets sad towards the end....

This is a fascinating book,even if you buy it for the pictures alone..it's worth the money!!!!! It will become a collectors item I think and will give pleasure for generations to come. Keep it for the treasury.

Brilliant
I read all the other reviews posted here prior to purchasing this book, and was curious as to how I would respond to this book. I have read everything that has been written or done on Garland, and this far outshines all the others. This is not a tired rehashing of the same old stories. It is a loving tribute that allows Garland's genius to shine through. My partner has always patiently tolerated my love of Judy--after looking through this book, he said that he finally could see what the hubbub is all about. Now THAT's an achievement. ... Read more

Book Description

The death of a celebrity is often as fascinating as--and sometimes more fascinating than--a star's actual life. From the grisly end of Sharon Tate at the hands of the Manson family and the mysterious demise of Bob Crane to the peaceful passings of Lucille Ball and George Burns, The Hollywood Book of Death is a captivating and appealingly packaged volume of more than 125 television and movie stars' final curtain calls.

Arranged in an encyclopedic approach by manner of death, these well-researched accounts include details of celebrities' colorful lives and unusual deaths, their funerals, and the intriguing aftermath. With more than 100 rare photographs and a special "necrology" index of more than 6,000 stars and directors, along with a section revealing where Hollywood personalities are resting in eternal sleep, this enthralling reference promises to be on every film and television buff's "Top 10" gift list.

Reviews (25)

It's About Their Lives & Deaths
For film buffs or those into the Hollywood/movie industry, or the casual observer who grew up with a television set in their home. Providing 100 years of Hollywood/LA and the actresses and actors that used to be.

As people have many ways of departing this world, the author broke chapters into the way in which they exited: natural, homicide, drugs & alcohol, puzzling (unexplained), suicide, and accidents i.e. This is not about death per se but even moreso of the life and career of these people. In addition to 125 people, hundreds of movie titles are listed. It's not gloomy or morose. One can learn more about recent and long-past actors/actresses and their works here. It's an easy informative read.

Those into movies are aware of likes of Jane Mansfield and Sal Mineo, but additional coverage into a hundred of others tie old and new Hollywood together back to the beginning of the 1900s. Strait-to-the-point insights into their professional and private lives, and street addresses of Hollywood and Los Angeles are presented where the end came for these folks. You can find where they are buried as well. From this book you can take a ride or stroll through the Hollywood area and know more of what happened and where in the past.

What became of Alfalfa from "The Little Rascals" and hundreds of others you've heard of. You can find out here.

Lurid tales of the passing of the famous and not so famous
If you're interested in the lives and deaths of TV and movie celebrities, this is the book for you. It provides an account of each featured celeb's life and (of course) death no matter how tawdry either the former or latter may be. Suicides, murders, old age, disease, and every other imaginable way the Grim Reaper takes his harvest is here. One will be saddened over the suicides of Freddie Prinz and River Phoenix as well as feel pride over how a real-life cowboy and hero like Buck Jones went to his final roundup rescuing people in real life as he did so many times on film. My only recommendation is that the reader should read only a few pages at a time since the book can prove rather depressing what with seeing the often sad end of so many bright stars.

Quite Good...
I picked this up on a whim while browsing in my local bookstore one day, and I am glad I made that purchase. I read one or two entries every night, so it took me a while to get through it, but it was very interesting and informative, if a bit depressing at times. It was easy to read, and I was able to read each entry quickly, which is not usually the case for most Hollywood "biographies" that I've read.

I do have one complaint with the book, however. Even though I am not usually the one to need pictures in the books I read, it would have been MUCH nicer to have included at least one photo for each of the stars here. There were several featured people that either: 1.) I did not know of or 2.) I could not recall the face of. It would have been nice to have a convenient reference of these people. Looking back, many of the entries were without pictures.

Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

Grave Matters
Celebrities. There has always been an incredible fascination with the ins and outs of a celebrity and everything that goes with it. It's been that way for decades and decades. While some may be interested in what they do or spend, nothing is more interesting and fascinating than the tale of a star who's time has come and gone and are no longer with this. This decent sized book tells the tale of over 125 celebrities who have passed on to that big silver screen in the sky. Some big names, some you have probably never heard of before in your life. The big name stars that are featured in this book like Mary Pickford, W.C. Fields, River Phoenix, Bela Lugosi, Marlene Dietrich, Carole Lombard, and a ton of others, are always interesting to read about. But it is the people you are not familiar with that comes across as more intriguing. The book is divided into a couple of different categories dealing with the way of death. There is the first section, "Accidental Deaths", which is pretty much self explanatory. People in this section include Sonny Bono, Grace Kelly, Brandon Lee, and a dozen others. Then there is the "Alcohol And Drugs" section, where such celebs as Belushi, Barrymore, Farley, and Holden among others will be found. There is "In Obscurity", a section with lesser known performers, although Martha Raye is in here along with Clara Bow and Hedy Lamarr. This section deals with entertainrs who, well, went into obscurity. The book rounds out with "Murders", "Natural Causes", which does have a lot of people in it but does not fill up the book at all like an earlier review said. Plus, there is "Puzzling Deaths" and "Suicides". Some entertainers get a lenghty enough tribute, while some others don't. But I found each one to be appropriate to the level of star they were talking about and gave as good enough of information as there needed to be. There were definitley some doozies in here in regards to the person themself and their demise. Their is definitley bizarre and sordid stories in here as the title of the book says. While some may of died of old age or some other kind of natural cause, there is still usually enough interesting things and facts written about them that still makes it worthwhile, even when the ones that died normally, well, died normally. Plus you get fun little tall tales about people like John Barrymore. As legend has it, his body was borrowed from the morgue and taken back to Errol Flynn's house by his buddies and propped up making it look as though he didn't die. This, of course, sent Errol running out of the house. There are a few odds and ends like that here and there, and it's part of the fun that this book has between it's pages. The author, James Parrish, put together a nice and interesting book that is sure to be eaten up by any fan intrigued by the subject. I know I was.

Book of Death For Dummies... ...
I found this book to be written in a very basic, generic writing
style. Much better books have been written on this subject in a
much more interesting way. No new information here I have'nt read elsewhere. This book should have been titled "Hollywood
Book of Death For Dummies" or something. I highly recommend this
book for the Hollywood graveyard beginner. Enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

not for sale
I read this book because I ordered it from an inter library loan. It is not for sale through Amazon much to my disappointment. The book is a good overview of Mr.Bean's work in films. It does not offer anything else.

Interesting read but...
Laura Jackson does get some of the details wrong, like stating that Sean Bean divorced his first wife after moving to London to attend at RADA. In reality, they split before. However, she provides an overall well-rounded portrait of the actor, which makes for an interesting if rather quick read. There are several pages of colour photos as well, an added point of interest, and fascinating details about several of Sean Bean's projects. How many people know that several of the cast of Sharpe got very ill from the Ukraine catering?

If you're looking for a book to fill in the gaps on your knowledge of this actor, or just something to while away a lazy summer afternoon, this one will do quite nicely. And the cover alone is gorgeous - surely Sean Bean should get an award for Best Smile of the Year?

Great title no content
I have been a fan of Sean Bean for some time - from the first time I saw the Sharpe series through the Robert Lovelace/Clarissa role and the odd villainous appearances. I don't generally read biographies of actors but thought since he'd portrayed such an interesting variety of characters that there would be an interesting person behind them. However, I wouldn't know if there was or not. He seems to have led an interesting life but there really isn't a shred of the man himself in this book.

Maybe it's too much to expect - I wasn't looking for dirt but I was certainly looking for substance and found nothing. "Everyone likes him, he's a man's man, he's a great actor". The book leads you to believe that he had about as much depth as a cereal bowl and I tend to think that there's more to this actor than that. I found it very vacuous.

Great for Fans who are new to the world of Sean Bean
As I am a relatively new devotee to the works of Sean Bean (FOTR), I found this a wonderful guide to his past roles. Although it does not delve very deeply into Sean as a person, it is a very useful travel guide to the World Of Bean. Also very nice to know that there are some actors who like "real" women & not skeletons!

An Interesting and Informative Biography
Born in Sheffield of working-class stock, Sean Bean has risen to become one of Britain's most popular and respected actors, while always remaining true to his roots. Biographer Laura Jackson does a splendid job of covering the life and career of this charismatic yet enigmatic individual.

Sean Bean is a very private individual, and apart from the first dozen pages which deal with his youth, and tidbits here and there pertaining to his personal life and relationships, the focus of the book is on his career. Commencing with his first acting job at the age of 21 in a 1980 production of "Cabaret," through his subsequent (and impressive) enrolment in London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and culminating with his role in 2001's "Fellowship of the Ring," Jackson takes us year by year through Bean's extensive and varied career. She presents a brief summary of each project Bean was involved in, as well as background information such as how the particular project came about, how or why Bean was chosen, and so on.

The project given the most attention in the book is the tremendously popular "Sharpe" series. With five series filmed over as many years, much of the latter half of the book is devoted to a behind-the-scenes look at this series. There are plenty of anecdotes from many involved in the production (including author Bernard Cornwell himself!), and it is the part of the book that I personally enjoyed the most.

Bean's character, personality and professional ability are revealed primarily through interviews with former tutors and teachers, as well as professional colleagues (such as directors, producers, and fellow actors). Being human, Bean is not without his flaws, and some of his opinions are sure to cause many a cringe. Overall, however, the portrait that is painted is of a man who, though naturally shy and reserved, is kind, thoughtful and considerate of others and whose unpretentious and down-to-earth nature belies his hard-earned status as an international celebrity.

As for the book itself, it is 231 pages and includes an index and a list of all Bean's appearances in film, television and theatre. There are 19 photos (mostly colour) on eight pages. Most of the photos are of Bean in his professional capacity; only three are of his family, and they are public shots rather than from any personal collection. There are (somewhat surprisingly) no photos of Bean growing up; the earliest photo of him is at age 21.

All in all, this was an interesting and informative book focusing on the career of a very talented and versatile actor. Recommended to fans of the "Sharpe" series or of Sean Bean's work in general. ... Read more

Book Description

"Authoritative . . . highly nuanced . . . gives the reader a palpable sense of Mr. Eastwood's career."
--The New York Times

From the moment The Man With No Name first fixed the screen with his murderous squint, from the first time audiences heard Dirty Harry Callahan growl "Make my day," Clint Eastwood has been an icon of American manhood in all its coolness and ferocity. But that icon is also an actor of surprising subtlety, a filmmaker of vast intelligence and originality--and an intensely private man who eludes the stereotypes with which his fans and critics try to label him.

In this in-depth biography, the distinguished film critic Richard Schickel talks with Eastwood's family, friends, and colleagues--and, above all, with his notoriously reticent subject--to produce a portrait more astute and revealing than any we have ever had.

Following Eastwood from his unstable childhood through his turbulent love affairs, assessing films from A Fistful of Dollars to the Oscar-winning The Unforgiven, and locating the subversive streak of rage and solitude that runs through all his work, Clint Eastwood is candid and endlessly fascinating, an unerring closeup of one of our brightest stars.

"Exhilarating . . . substantial, insightful, and right."
--Newsday ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Sufficient overview of Eastwood's career
With few biographies of Clint Eastwood available, Richard Schickel's 1996 effort fills a void. Unfortunately, the void, though smaller, still exists since this is far from an objective look at either Eastwood the man, the star, or the filmmaker. It's certainly not a surprise. Schickel wrote a 1992 TV special promoting "Unforgiven," and also compiled the film clips for the tribute preceding Eastwood's reciept of the Irving Thalberg Award at the 1995 Oscars. Eastwood cooperated with the author for this biography and even did some interviews in tandem with Schickel to promote the book. And when informing us that the critic for Life magazine praised 1968's "Hang 'Em High," Schickel neglects to point out the name of that critic who just so happened to be...duh, Richard Schickel. When biographer and subject are such good buddies, well, you just have to wonder if you're getting anything closely resembling the truth. But...

As an overview of Eastwood's career, particularly his transformation from a superstar in genre movies to respected auteur, it is sufficient, even though some easily detected errors go undetected ("Unforgiven" recieved 9 Oscar nominations, not 8 as Schickel says - doesn't anybody bother to check these things?).

Enjoyable read, very informative.
This is an excellent book about the life and work of a legend. Richard Schickel gives us a close look at the free spirited man that's living inside of the veteran actor. Very detail work about Mr. Eastwood's movie making process and his no bulls**t attitude toward the studio execs and anyone who stands on his way. Ms. Pauline Kael should just say it out loud that she's begging for the legend's attention or just shut the hell up. Any Eastwood fan will really appreciate the author's work.

A mixed bag biography
Being a huge fan of Eastwood as well as a close personal friend creates quite the conflict in TIME film critic Richard Schickel as he attempts to write a biography about an artist who closely guards his privacy. This obstacle results in a hap-hazard biography that provides few surprises or insights into the laconic, silent man who has become on of America's true unique artists.

Schickel also drives a stake through the pacing of his writing by providing scene by scene recounts of each of Eastwood's key films. He is overlooking the fact that the majority of his intended audience already has each film memorized. This causes the book to often languish in molasses and cause the reader to skim- never a good thing.

Where Schickel does succeed is in the all-too brief insights into Eastwood's technique and artistic philosophy. Had Schickel chosen to focus in this area, his work would have provided more depth and sustained interest.

As is CLINT EASTWOOD: A BIOGRAPHY is a mixed bag read. Worthwhile only if one is willing to skim.

A very good informative biography
Richard Schickel's biography of Clint Eastwood is very informative and immensely readable, though Schickel's critical distance may be marred by his closeness to Eastwood. (This book is sort of an authorized biography and had Eastwood's cooperation.) An interesting look at the last great icon of American cinema.

A Book For Insomnia
If you have trouble going to sleep, read this book. It's really dull.

This is no biography. It's a compilation of reviews from the author and a bunch of incidents in Eastwood's life that sounds like a copy-and-paste from press releases. As far as the reviews go, Eastwood does not star in bad movies. So, just rent the movies, and don't buy the book. I didn't buy it. I borrowed it from the library.

I read his Disney biography and some people say that is garbage. The Disney biography was interesting. This isn't. ... Read more

Book Description

Her father and her uncle were U.S. congressmen. Her grandfather was a U. S. senator. Although born to privilege in Alabama and groomed in a convent school, Tallulah Bankhead resolved not to be just another Southern belle.

Quickly she rose to the top and became an acclaimed actress of London's West End and on the Broadway stage. Her performances in many plays of the 1920s brought her to the notice of Hollywood. She starred in such Paramount films as My Sin, Faithless, The Devil and the Deep, and Thunder Below. Even though she won a New York Film Critics Circle Award for her leading role in Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat (1944), she never achieved the prominence in movies that she enjoyed in the theater and on radio. On the New York stage she originated the starring roles of Regina Giddens in Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes and of Sabina in Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth.

Tallulah, like Eudora, Flannery, and Coretta, was a southern woman identifiable by her first name. Her flamboyant public personality may be the most fully realized and memorable character Bankhead ever played. She became famous for her snappy repartee, candid quotes, and scandalous lifestyle. She was disposed to remove her clothes and chat in the nude. Overfond of Kentucky bourbon and wild parties, she was a lady baritone who called everybody "Dahling."

In Tallulah, first published in 1952 and a New York Times bestseller for twenty-six weeks, Bankhead's literary voice is as lively and forthright as her public persona. She details her childhood and adolescence, discusses her dedication to the theater, and presents amusing anecdotes about her life in Hollywood, New York, and London. Along with a searing defense of her lifestyle and rambunctious habits, she provides a fiercely opinionated, wildly funny account of American stage at a time when the movies were beginning to cast theater into eclipse. This is not only a memoir of an independent woman but also an insider look at American entertainment during a golden age. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Photos Alone Make This an Excellent Book to Own!
Mary Anne Cassata has compiled a true fan's book about one of America's most interesting and endearing popular culture icon: Cher. It contains more than 200 pages of Cher images over the years and that in itself is a trip down memory lane. From the early days to the release of "Living Proof" the book is a plethora of information and fun tidbits. My only gripe is the factual errors, or opinions stated as fact that appear in the book. However, let's not quibble. All is well-intentioned, and overall it is a Cher fan MUST HAVE!

Kudos to a job well done and now everyone should rush to order it.

- Thomas

A must have for all Cher fans !
I admit that I was a bit skeptical when I bought this book but to my surprise this was a fantastic book. It is filled with tons of pictures and information about Cher's life and career. I have been a fan since the Sonny and Cher show, collecting all kinds of memorbelia and this had information in it that I never knew before. It is a true must have for any Cher fan !

A great Testamony
A Great Testamony to Chers Awesome Career! A must have.

Great Photos, Great Stories, and CHER GREAT OVERALL
This book was great. Going over the life of one of world's favorite people...CHER. The collection of photos and stories of the icon was awesome. I love the book and I can't put it down, cause it's so good.

"Cant Put It Down" !!!
Finally die hard Cher fans can now own a book with all the answers to the questions that have always been on your mind.Each page is filled with interesting info on the Diva herself.The pictures(and there are many of them) are beautiful,and some can even be removed and framed for display! The book is easy reading...but interesting reading.It touches on everything from Chers personal life to her life as a celebrity.The stories themselves are very detailed,and not vague as would be in rag magazines.The info is from Cher herself.I recomend this book to all.It promises to be informative and extremely enjoyable! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

I COULDN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN
Chris Costello does an amazing job of letting you know who Lou Costello the person was. I very much enjoyed the family man attributes of Lou Costello, always going out of his way to entertain people, especially children. Many people can write books about Bud and Lou, but with Chris' book you can an inside the house look at a man we all know and love. After reading the book I felt like I knew Chris and her family personally. Bravo Chris on a job well done.

Chris Costello tells the true story of her father's life.
In this bio.Chris Costello(Lou's Costello's third daughter)tells the true story of her father's life.And gives us all real insight into who Lou Costello really was.She covers his life from his humble beginnings in Patterson,New Jersey to his cross country trek to Los Angeles,Cal. to try and be a movie star.To his difficult days as a studio laborer(Studio set designer)and stuntman to his early days as a Burlesque clown working with several partners and the true story of how Lou Costello first met Bud Abbott and how they really teamed up.She also tells what caused the problems between the two men and the actual events that lead to the untimely death of the little brother that she never really knew(Lou Costello Jr."Little Butch")and the real cause of the team's second and final breakup.There are also insights into Lou's family.His relationship with his Wife Ann(Which was not as bad as what was depicted in Mr.Bob Thomas'book:Bud & Lou)and his three daughters.And the problems that were instigaited by Lou's mother:Mrs.Helen(Lolly)Cristillo and the team's manager:Eddie Sherman.Both Mrs.Cristillo and Mr.Sherman made an effort to destroy Poor Lou's career and personal life.This is one of the few bios on a famous performer that shows us a more three dimenstional look at this talented but troubled clown.Without the book turning into an ugly scathology.A book worth having.Bravo Chris! Kevin S.Butler.

It is a warm look at a very funny and warm man
I bought this book back in 1979 and I have not put it down since. It is the true story of a clown that had his heart broken more than once but always had a smile and a warm heart for those he loved and those he never knew. I live one town over from Paterson NJ where Lou was from and I had the pleasure to meet his daughter Chris at a fan club gathering and if Lou were with us today he would be very proud of his little girl. God bless Lou and Bud and God Bless Chris for sharing her very special story with us.

A loving portrait of one of our best comics!
Chris Costello's bio of her Dad is a charming, funny and more often than not, touching memoir. Lou and Bud were terrific men and wonderful comedians and this book is a warm salute to them, not only as comics, but as men, husbands and fathers!

A Deeply Touching And Heart Warming Account
I have been a devoted fan my entire life. This is a must read for any Lou Costello lover. A gripping account of the professional and personal life of the greatest comic of the Twentieth Century. This was clearly an extrodinary man with no more or less imperfections than the next. He possessed an exceptional desire for generosity, charity, and good will, that is clearly and warmly recounted by his daughter. Despite the tragic loss of his son, of which he never truly recoved, he continued to bring a smile to the face of millions, which continues to this very day. ... Read more

Book Description

A noted biographer tells the story of the life of the enigmatic daughter of Eugene O'Neill and wife of Charlie Chaplin, encompassing Oona's intriguing family members and circle of friends.

Her father, the only American playwright to receive a Nobel Prize, was a chronic alcoholic. When she was a child, her father deserted her; when she turned 18, he disinherited her. Her older half-brother, a Pulitzer Prize-winning classical scholar, and her younger brother, a drug addict, each committed suicide. A product of New York society, she was accepted at Vassar, but chose instead to seek an acting career in Hollywood. There she met her future -and only- husband. He was a comic genius of motion pictures and 36 years her senior. She was America's darling. Why did she give up everything to marry a much older man? Did she "stifle" herself? Were her children good to her? Were there other men? And, most crucial, how did she escape the family curse of alcoholism and mental illness? This in-depth biography sheds light on a truly fascinating woman and the many extraordinary people whose lives touched upon hers. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

In the shadows of this book as well...
Being very interested in the life of cinematic genius Charlie Chaplin, and knowing what a difficult person he could be, I became interested in the one woman who stuck by him and adored him until his death, then mourned him for years after. However, this book was a disappointment and lacked a great deal of information about it's subject, Oona. Scovell also made too many assumptions, and forced her own opinion under the guise of psychology and lacked the objectivity which one expects in a well written biography.
The book opened with droning on and on about her family geneology, which bored me to tears, but I read on, expecting to soon read about Oona, which never happened. With the exception of brief information about Oona here and there, the book focused on Eugene O'Neil, and Chaplin himself (even worse, some of the "facts" written about Chaplin were false). Sadly, Oona was left out of her own biography.
This book was somewhat of a painful read and lacked professionalism from it's author.

Oona?
This supposed biography of Oona O'Neill Chaplin spends much of its time discussing Eugene O'Neill and Charlie Chaplin. Certainly Oona lived in the shadow of Charlie, but she doesn't emerge as a person in this biography. The book is poorly written. Too much repetition of points made, some really silly sentences of superficial statement. And no depth. Nonetheless, it's an interesting read because of the people and the lives narrated.

Very interesting subject, really bad writing
The subject matter is, needless to say, very interesting. But the book reads like it is written by someone whose entire literary education centered on cheap romance novels. The author doesn't seem to have any access to any of Oona's friends or family while researching this book. Almost all of her historical data seem to have been hearsay and 2nd hand. Remarkable and unfortunate on the author's part.

The Mystery That Wasn't
Oona O'Neill Chaplain was an occasional interest to me. Her name (which, I believe is pronounced Owna), her playwright father, Eugene; and her startling marriage to Charlie Chaplin, 38-years her senior made a curiously exotic package. Once that marriage took place, it seemed like she had fallen o