The Authorized Biography of Dudley Moore [Hardcover]

Barbra Paskin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Written with Dudley Moore's full co-operation, this illustrated biography examines every side of this complex man. Proving that there is more to Moore than the diminutive sex Symbol of "10" and the charming clown of "Arthur", Paskin explores Moore's personality and paradoxes with intelligence and compassion.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

An overlong but insightful account of an extraordinarily gifted entertainer who has never quite found his proper niche. Actor, comedian, musician, composer--at age 62, Moore is one of the most protean talents in showbiz today. Yet despite the occasional signal successes, such as the films 10 and Arthur, he has seemingly never tapped his full potential, at least in his own eyes: ``You could say I'm a Jack of all trades, master of none. I guess the incentive isn't there and I feel it's too late to do anything.'' From childhood, he was openly ambitious for fame and for the approval and adoration that usually go with it. As his longtime comic partner and occasional friend Peter Cook once acidly joked: ``If I'd been a club-footed dwarf from Dagenham, then I'd be that ambitious too.'' Moore's club foot (and his short stature) loom large as Rosebud for Paskin, explaining everything from the actor's comedy to his ceaseless womanizing. Through his considerable musical talents, Moore was able to surmount both his handicap and his working-class background, winning a scholarship to Oxford, where he studied classical music but lived for jazz. On graduation he was cast in the groundbreaking comedy revue Beyond the Fringe. From there it was on to Hollywood, some successes, some flops, four wives, and relative fame and fortune. Paskin, the BBC's Hollywood correspondent, has had extraordinary access to all aspects of Moore's life, including his diaries and even his psychiatrists. This allows her to create a fully realized portrait but does make her account seem, at times, too official and adoring. She also tends to tell rather than show, for example, prating on at length about how funny Moore is, but she includes less than a dozen examples of his humor. Like Moore's career, this biography promises much but never quite delivers. (65 b&w photos) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Trans-Atlantic Pubns (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0283062649
• ISBN-13: 978-0283062643
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,330,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars dudely's book, November 23, 2002

By 

MARIA (norfolk , va) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dudley Moore: The Authorized Biography (Hardcover)

this book is so great & filled with things about dudely moore.
in it you will see that he had good times & bad. You will learn about his life story & how so great he was. As a person &
actor as well . you get to learn about his two son's & his wifes too. In all i think it book is the best of dudely moore that i have ever read. He was so wonderful in his music & movies . Now you will get to learn about his early childhood & about mr moore himself. Buy this lovely book. Dudely will thank you for it. we miss you dudely :)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book was one of the better books that I have read., April 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Authorized Biography of Dudley Moore (Hardcover)

Mr. Moore is a very talented person, and reading about him in this biography was most interesting. When learning of the many hardships he faced, the reader must possess a stone heart to not be filled with compassion. I highly recommend reading this excellent book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, September 11, 2007

By 

Margaret Anne (SC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dudley Moore: The Authorized Biography (Hardcover)

When I ordered this book, I don't know what I expected. I absolutely despise reading, and this book is not small by any standards. However, it is an excellent (and quite interesting, I might add) perspective on the life of the "melancholy clown," and I assure you that you will learn more about him than you ever wanted to know! If you're thinking of ordering this book, go for it!