by Peter Joseph Swanson
Member since:
April 13, 2007

Who has read a movie star autobiography ???

October 19, 2008 01:13 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 37

I've read so many that it's no wonder that I wrote a novel that reads like one (my novel Bad Movies).  What movie star biography have you read, and did you like it?  Did you believe it?   Did you find it interesting?

One of the biggest problem with biographies is so many of the people writing them say sensational things they couldn't possibly know anything about, just to make the book fun fun fun.  And gossip is often presented as fact.

One of the biggest problems with autobiographies is the star doesn't lie so much as commit the sin of omission - making it all a bit dull.

And then there's the Diana Ross/Faye Dunaway autobiography style, mostly just spending too much time trying to explain away old criticisms.   

 

 

Comments: 37

Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:14pm UTC
Bette Davis spent a whole autobiography just telling her brat daughter "I HAVE THE LAST WORD ON ME !!"
The closest thing I've ever read to the autobiography of a movie star was from Ronald Reagan's autobiography, and I've only read parts of it.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:21pm UTC
Ron was SO MUCH MORE than a movie star. I bet he couldn't devote that much of the book to Hollywood.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:23pm UTC
It's like Shirley Temple: She wrote one book just for Hollywood and then a second book for the adult part of her like. Sometimes a life doesn't fit in one book. Shirley McClain and Shelly Winters have also done more than one.
It's a 5 volume series, Peter, from his diaries, and I'm sure he did, but I didn't read that part.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:29pm UTC
5 parts - well then he outdoes everybody !!!!
Is it pretty dead on this site today, or is it just that I'm not interested in anything?
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:39pm UTC
I thought it was just me.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:39pm UTC
(I'm bored AND I don't know if it's me ... or if it's really dead)
Well, that makes at least two of us then. Maybe I should write one of my spinning pieces just to see if anyone's alive. :)
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:45pm UTC
I'm trying to pretend I'm not really really really tired of politics !!!
I never thought I'd really be sick of it because it's almost always been my most avid interest, but even I am SICK OF IT.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Oct 19, 2008, 1:47pm UTC
As for activity on the site, I think the three of us are it today. So, Peter, I have read "Mommie Dearest." I know that doesn't count but I thought I should go ahead and confess and get it over with. If you want to disconnect, I'll understand.

I have read "Sweet Life," Barry Manilow's autobiography. That's the only celebrity autobiography I've read. I don't believe it, but it made for good reading. launched some good daydreams...
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:52pm UTC
Ha ha I read Mommy Dearest, too.

I didn't know Barry had a book out. I bet it's interesting - he's had SUCH a HUGE music career.

My favorite "music career" book was written by Boy George. That was juicy !!!
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 1:53pm UTC
Marlene Dietrich's daughter wrote a book, too, where she mocks her Mom so many times in ways that she didn't need to - and I thought it made her a brat in the end. Not as bratty as Christina, but in the running.
Netty B. Oct 19, 2008, 2:11pm UTC
I read an autobiography by Carol Channing. I it was funy and interesting. and sad parts too.
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Oct 19, 2008, 2:24pm UTC
I have read many and love them! It also doesn't hurt that I like to read the National Enquirer from time to time to keep me abreast of what is going on in Hollywood.
Dawn S. Oct 19, 2008, 2:40pm UTC
I read Tori Spelling's book it was great!
CyberGwen ! Oct 19, 2008, 3:16pm UTC
My favorite is the John Barrymore bio, Good Night, Sweet Prince (1944) by Gene Fowler. I have a thing for classic movies and especially the older generation of Barrymores. At one point, I had quite a collection of bios, books, and even artwork from the classic movie stars.

I read one about Valentino once. Oh my god, the 200 or so pages on his funeral alone were murder. The rest was good, just too much on his funeral.

Lauren Bacall's books are always a good read.
CyberGwen ! Oct 19, 2008, 3:18pm UTC
Sorry, I just read your title again. You were referring to just autobiographies...oops sorry.

I still say that Lauren Bacall's were good. LOL!
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 19, 2008, 3:26pm UTC
Cybergwen, any bio' - autobio' chat is fun ...
William Dotani Oct 19, 2008, 3:52pm UTC
I agree that some of these stories are probably sensational.
William Dotani Oct 19, 2008, 4:05pm UTC
I remember reading one about Gloria Swanson. She had a husband named Peter who always showed up at parties wearing a red coat and often nothing else. He also went to Gloria's movie sets with bags of Burger King Freedom Fries, which he gave to the casting crew, but not Gloria, which made him quite popular with everyone but Gloria. There were report that Gloria poured chicken or beef broth over his head, according to the entree of the day. As rocky as their marriage was, they somehow kept it together by having banquet meals together. However, when Gloria found Peter was using her Poise pads to make a coat, she filed for divorce and goons from the Gilligan's Island crew banished Peter to an island in Minnesota. I might have a couple of details skewed.
Cori Anders Oct 19, 2008, 4:29pm UTC
Hmm... let me think. I read Judy Collins' book. That was pretty good. I have Rosie O's, and Hillary's on my shelf waiting. Oh, Frank Zappa's was great! I think I'm forgetting someone... I think I have a bio of Ingrid Bergman waiting, too. And I really want to read the one on Ethel Merman.
CyberGwen ! Oct 19, 2008, 4:34pm UTC
Whenever I think of Errol Flynn and crew stealing John Barrymore's body from the mortuary for one more poker game, I just laugh my rear off.

The others that are standing out in my mind are Orson Welles and Gary Cooper. They were good, but I will be darned if I can remember which actual ones that I have read. (which author/title, since there are many out there)
William Dotani Oct 19, 2008, 4:37pm UTC
Oh! My son bought me Frank Zappa's AB. I like his music, but the book sucked.
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 19, 2008, 5:39pm UTC
I don't know Peter...I probably have, but off hand can't think of any.
I think most of the ones I've read have been biographies rather than autobiographies.
donna h. Oct 19, 2008, 7:36pm UTC
I never have
ann c. Oct 20, 2008, 11:08am UTC
I've read many, biographies and autobiographies. I see you just asked for "movie stars" not musicians. Can't list any right now but I've read many, many. I am even surrounded with them (I'm at work). I'll go look at some titles and leave them in another comment. I'm wanting to read a bio of Chanel but we don't have one here at the library so gotta Inter-Library Loan one.
ann c. Oct 20, 2008, 11:17am UTC
Ok, here's some of the ones I've read, I didn't distinguish between autobiography and biography; Candice Bergen, Groucho, Brando, Shirley MaClaine, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Natalie Wood and Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis and of course Mommie Dearest!!! I'll probably read the new Robert Wagner one when we get it!!!
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 20, 2008, 11:18am UTC
I've read too many to remember, too - autobiography AND biography ...
ann c. Oct 20, 2008, 11:21am UTC
These were just the ones I've read on our library shelves. I've read others that we don't have here, but can't remember right now!!!
ann c. Oct 20, 2008, 11:22am UTC
The Brando one is HUGE as was he!!! Ha,ha, ha!!!
Chana M. Oct 20, 2008, 1:21pm UTC
Sorry I was gone yesterday Peter. I needed a break from the world. I am not sure if I have read any autobiographies. I have read books of Humphrey Bogart, John Garfield, Goldie Hawn (ok that one was an autobiography), Marilyn Monroe (In fact I have the Strasberg book out of the library right now), yes I did read Mommie Dearest. Hmmm. I am sure there are more. Oh The Beatles! I have read a bunch of books on them. I have one out about Lennon right now and read Cynthia Lennon's book. There are others but I can't think of then right now. Thank you for sharing this @ All About Film, Movies And Actors!
Angela A. Oct 20, 2008, 10:04pm UTC
I don't read nonfiction. So, the answer is no.
Adina P. Oct 26, 2008, 7:01am UTC
Does Pavarotti qualify as a movie star ? That's the closest i came to reading about a movie star.
i love biographies but i tend to gravitate towards personalities like Eisenhower , Einstein , Rockefeller to name just a few books on my shelf .

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