Customer Reviews

Actors Life

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For many Heston will be always be considered a "thinking man's" actor, taking on roles not just economically expedient, but were a challenge for the actor to portray professionally. In this fascinating book, the actor's thoughts from 1956-1976 are open for all of us to share: his respect and conversations with DeMille, reflections about relationships fellow actors, his irritation with costly delays, his admiration for the stuntmen who made him look so good and, of course, the love for his family who he took on many of his shoots including "Ben Hur," "The Agony and the Ecstacy," and "El Cid."

What emerges from this book is not just a fascinating insider account of the movie business from one of its greatest stars, but a protrait of a man devoutly devoted to his wife and family despite his demanding career. Entries abound with comments about his son, Fraser, who would follow with a career in directing and producing movies of his own; his daughter, Holly, a mere teenager and Heston's rumblings about feeling overprotective, and lastly, his sincere love for his wife, Lydia.

In is interesting to note that the Heston that emerges from the 70's is one that is apparently more cynical and disappointed with the roles given to him, "Airport 75," "Earthquake," and "Two Minute Warning" (one of his more lackluster performances--Heston plays against type and it doesn't work with John Cassavettes stealing much of his thunder). At his time, the actor was looking to return to the stage and achieved this with some success--a production of O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night" with Deborah Kerr was fairly well received.

The book also contains a section of candid family photos; many taken on location in Rome and Spain.

Just finished it. Probably my favorite "bathroom book" of all time. (Right up there with Tony Randall's "Which Reminds Me.") (All the entries are very short. Hard to "lose the thread" while reading this one.) Includes some very interesting comments about acting, developing projects, promoting films, squeezing in stage work in between, and tending to family. Most of the comments are on his professional life. Some personal/familial comments are included. If you hate Heston, don't bother, but if you sort of like Chuck, then like I say, it's a great W/C companion.