Customer Reviews

Burt Lancaster: An American Life

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After reading Kate Buford's tedious and somewhat salacious bio of Burt Lancaster, I read an earlier account of the actor's life: Against Type: The Biography of Burt Lancaster by Gary Fishgall (published in 1995, not long after Lancaster's death). Not only is Fishgall's version more interesting, but I felt a strong sense of deja vu as I read it, thinking that Buford obviously used Fishgall's book as a primary source for her own book. Entire sentences and passages mirrored many written by Fishgall--if not word for word, certainly in tone and sequence. If you want to see a photograph of Burt's bare behind and ponder unfounded speculations that the actor was gay or bisexual, buy Buford's book. If you want a more solid, well-documented biography of the man, choose Fishgall's.

I suppose Buford's book is a great one -- because it has made me fascinated by an actor I'd not thought much about before reading this biography. But I am left with so many questions and curiosities. Usually a bio. answers more questions than it raises. For all the fascinating film minutia provided did researcher Buford feel more comfotable with files than with people? Why isn't there more dialogue from friends, family and colleagues? Why is the arc of his life chronicled as he stepped from one film role to another with only the barest of personal information hung on that arc? For a child and young man described as having a beautiful voice why wasn't it heard in the movies? What films did BL appreciate? Which ones did he dismiss? I wanted much more info! On the other hand this bio has sent me on a quest to see every one of his films, to buy other bios and to discover more about this elusive, introverted, flawed man of great personal loyalties and ethical principles. I guess I'll just have to look to Burt Lancaster himself to give me clues to my questions. Somehow I think I hear his booming laughter at the appropriateness of that.

I jst finished reading this book and the only reason I don't give it 5 stars is Author Buford hints on more than a few occasions that Burt was Bi-sexual( personally I don't care) but, no proof is provided. There were a couple instances alluded too of him attending parties where homosexuals congregated. Big Deal! There was a certain NY Author who wrote several Bographies intimating beloved icons of the silver screen were bi-sexual. I think the Author should have left that out. The Book, written from a woman's point of view makes Run Silent Run Deep- one of the most exiting, acted and well-made films on WW 2.. sound ho-hum. She does do a good job of giving credit to lesser known films such as The Swimmer which is totally unique. Only Lncaster could have done the role. The film was made in late 66- and 67 then released in '68 as a total faiilure commercially. Lancaster who looks like a greek statue coming to life..is totally ageless in the picture( he was 54) and yet, just a few years later in Ulzana's Raid.released in '72 the Booze and smoking had taken their toll. What sounds like a bizrre idea for a movie..Burt decides to spontaneously swim all the pools of his friends or shall we say acquaintances...and he finds he can't relate to any of them. It's so sad-beautiful like a haunting dream that did or didn't exist. The Stories recited about the making of such classics as From Here To Eternity-Jim Thorpe & Elmer Gantry...will be of inerest to anyone.Call it a Burt Lancaster picture that's all you need to say_ The Train-Valdez Is Coming-Executive Action-Come Back Little Sheba-Rocket Gibralter-The Killers-Go Tell The Spartans-Sorry Wrong Number-Field Of Dreams-Criss Cross-BruteForce-Gunfight At TheOK Corral- The Crimson Pirate-Birdman Of Alcatraz-7 Days In May-The Professionals. Has any other Actor made more good-great films that were so varied, highly entertaining and also said something? What I loved about Lancaster was his sense of decency..he marched in the Civil Rights Protest in the 60's..he got the first JFK Pro-Conspiracy film made Executive Action when officialdom kept telling us Oswald acted alone. For this and many other reasons he was a great great star that can't be replaced.

I did not buy this book and am glad for it. Aside from the fact that I found the writing to be average, I was truly amazed that the information contained in this book is presented as fact rather than the gossip it is. In essence, this book is a National Enquirer article with a hard cover.

My friends and family are fighting over who gets to read this biography next. And each of us -- when we get it -- can't put it down. Buford writes such a compelling narrative, you are swept up in the 20th century tide of events Lancaster tried so hard to match in his movies. Yes, Lancaster is a mysterious character and there is never a definite answer to many of those mysteries. But that is the kind of person he was and Buford is right to leave it at that. IN any case, there is plenty of riveting and deeply moving stuff in here. A great American story, told at last, in a way Burt would probably have liked. Or at least respected. A great guy who lived life fully right to the very end.

Please permit me to straighten out a few allegations promulgated in this rather prurient (because it sells) book. One, B.L. was NOT an abusive man toward women (or anyone else)at all. One isolated incident do not a misogynist, or history of violence, make. One of his later relationships involved a hot-tempered lady who broke a champagne bottle over his head, so that rather belies his abuse with females...and no, he did not retaliate.
Also, another allegation, and one clearly designed to mislead the reader in addition to pumping up sales: B.L., at NO time, was EVER, in ANY way homosexual or bi-sexual...ever.
As to what his sons did or didn't do in a neighbor's pool, is another allegation and a rather cheap shot; even if it IS true or has ANY basis in fact, who among us has led a perfect childhood? Who among us has never behaved in a childish way when we were children?
This is tawdry writing at it's zenith, an unnecessary "factoid" thrown in for sensation rather than edification. If it is true, who cares? Why put it in? Does it MATTER what B.L.'s sons did when they were kids?
Ms. Buford has done some research, for what that is worth, but did not bother to either verify or confirm any of her allegations, so they must remain just that, allegations...however, the cat is already out of the bag and her inclusion of unsubstantiated "facts" helped the sale of her book, so she got what she wanted in the first place.
B.L. was a consummate actor, a loving, generous untamed man who changed careers in his mid forties from that of a trapeze artist in the circus to acting...and he took care of 17 of his circus friends for life after he began his acting career. Of course he had his faults; ALL of us do, but few of us have them the focus of a book slanted to sell no matter what, much as the tabloids do in the checkout line in the supermarket...
He made friends and enemies on the way, and carved a unique niche for himself in the most competitive profession in the world. His personal relationships were intense, close and very very strong; however, it must be noted again, that he was NOT homosexual OR bi-sexual; this is a craven, distasteful and rather cheap ploy on the part of Ms. Buford to spice up her book. Sex sells and scandal sells even better...and there isn't an author alive who doesn't want to make money, but many refrain from outright lies, libel and slander of someone they never met or knew personally.
As for B.L. fuming in his car over Shelley Winters and Brando, Winters was more likely to spend time "fuming", as she was the aggressive partner in that relationship, admitting in her own book how she resented him for wanting to be with his wife for the birth of one of their sons...
There was a book about Errol Flynn some years back that alleged he was not only bi-sexual (again, not true) but also a NAZI SPY.
The point is, anyone can say anything about a celebrity once they're dead.
He did not engage in violence with all his relationships and he did not have sex with men and he was not parodied in Bill Lancaster's movie "Bad News Bears"; he was light years away from Matthau's persona, and certainly never "gruff."
BUT: People believe exactly what they WANT to believe and some enjoy believing anything bad or off color about famous people because it makes their own lives a little exciting for a time...so, that is the truth, and it is up to those who read this book whether they choose to take it as gospel or merely a semi-informative read.
B.L. was a business genius; he OWNED his movies and formed a production company with Ben Hecht to retain control over all his work, and in addition to Hecht-Lancaster he also founded Norlan Productions, named for Norma, his wife.
He kept his mystery and movie star image all of his life and was a very generous, loving man with a great sense of humor.
So, read it with a grain of salt and remember, it is easy to play hard and fast with the truth when the subject is no longer alive to refute it.
The real B.L. can be seen in any one of his movies, and IMO, Sweet Smell of Success is his best work, alongside Atlantic City. Those who knew this fascinating man personally know the truth, and hopefully, people will remember him more for his art than for the smarmy words of someone wanting to make money off a true artist.
Those who can, do; those who can't write smutty biographies...

I would give this biography 3 1/2 stars if possible. I was fascinated by the life story of this charismatic, one-of-a-kind star. I can't give the book an A+ because I think the author went into too much detail sometimes on Lancaster's role as an independent film producer. Page after page of details of film financing, contracts with various studios, dollar amounts, and loan-out deals, etc. We need some of this to get the gist of Lancaster's abilities as a businessman and fore-runner of today's star/producers, but this was chapter after chapter of byzantine business deals. I got bored and skimmed parts of this stuff. I was more interested in the stories of his personal life and his creation of his marvelous film performances. I also got a little tired of the author's repeated teasing about his possible bisexuality. If all she can offer is that it's been rumored about in the past, and that he felt comfortable and nondiscriminatory towards gays, big deal! On the one hand, she repeatedly says he was not overly concerned with his appearance. On the other hand, she believes his tendency toward "narcissism" regarding his beauty could be a hint that he was gay or bisexual. Oh my, I think that's a little silly. Maybe he was just staying in good physical shape because he made his living as an actor. The point is to just leave it out if you're only repeating pure speculation. Other than those two objections, I really liked the book, and would recommend it to any fans of Burt Lancaster.

Burt Lancaster's charisma and physical agility was almost toopowerful to be be confined within the boundary of a movie screen. Hewas a bona fide movie star on day one of his first film appearance and later had the smarts to capitalize on this nascent power to start his own independent production company. It appears that Lancaster was sincere in his mission to develop serious projects though his partners Hecht and later Hill were more interested in the high and wide lifestyle enjoyed by Hollywood power brokers.Not that Lancaster was a party pooper. A lot of wild living surrounds the Lancaster entourage with not much of it contributing to the happiness of Lancaster's besieged wife Norma and their brood of five children. But Lanacster had a mind-blowing reserve of energy and an enviable self-discipline that enabled him to keep living on the fast track while generating some noteworthy films and tantalizing performances. The author takes a revisionist look at macho Burt's sexuality, ("women chased him with mattresses on their backs...), and the possibility of his bisexuality. The general consensus on this issue seems to be a resounding MAYBE. And this book still leaves much about Lancaster the public and private man open to speculation.It is interesting that Kate Buford seemed to have pieced this book together through a mammoth effort of research, a meticulous combing through past printed material and interviews. Aside from actor Tony Curtis and Joel Douglas (son of Kirk), who are featured throughout, not many recent voices are heard from.Didn't anyone want to talk about Burt Lancaster? Still because of all of the above, I found this book good reading, more so because to me Lancaster appeared to be an exceptional man and in this aspect the book does not disappoint. END

A flawed, vulgar, talented person. Remarkable range. Took a lot of risks.

Many of his under appreciated roles are now highly regarded.

First actor to form a highly successful production company. Positive influence on a lot of people who worked on both sides of the camera. A lot of people hated him too -- must have been an interesting guy.

Great book!

Burt Lancaster was an American original in every sense of the term. Born and raised in the melting pot atmosphere of New York City's East Harlem, Lancaster initially wins the respect of peers with his athletic prowess. He plays basketball in high school and college, then becomes a professional acrobat. He experiences tough times during the Depression as he seeks work in a series of faceless small towns as an acrobat. It was to his ultimate career benefit that World War Two came along, giving Lancaster a steady job as well as a launching pad to the career which would make him a fortune and an international celebrity. He becomes a USO performer and, upon his discharge, lands a part in a New York play. The play closed early, but Lancaster attracted a Hollywood talent scout's interest and was signed to a contract by Hal Wallis of Paramount.

Lancaster became one of the fortunate few actors to become a full-fledged star in his first film. While his first film officially was the quickly forgotten "Desert Sun" at Paramount with Lizabeth Scott and John Hodiak, he was fortunate that his first ever released film was the much better received "The Killers," an adaptation of a famous Ernest Hemingway short story. Director Robert Siodmak knew that he had immediately struck gold with the explosive dynamism of leading man Lancaster and his high voltage leading lady, the sizzling Ava Gardner. Siodmak would work with Lancaster later in the noir thriller "Crisscross" opposite brunette bombshell Yvonne DeCarlo and in the sea adventure "The Crimson Pirate."

Author Buford has heavily researched Lancaster's busy life, chronicling the fact that the actor's expensive lifestyle fored him into an exhausting cinema workload that would have killed a less powerful man. Interesting insights are provided into the creative process leading up to Lancaster's Oscar-winning performance in the 1960 adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' powerful novel about a basically sincere while profoundly debauched clergyman, "Elmer Gantry." Lancaster and the film's director, Richard Brooks, were equally combustible types. They spent a lot of time shouting at each other, but eventually hammered out a winning screenplay, for which Brooks received an Oscar.

Another fascinating segment of the book deals with Lancaster's efforts in the producing field. As a partner in Hecht-Hill-Lancaster he shared in the triumph of a Hollywood first, a "Best Picture" Oscar for an independent production, removed from Tinseltown's then solidly dominant studio system. The film was "Marty" and it made its Oscar-winning star, Ernest Borgnine, into a major international leading man after an earlier seasoning period as a villain. Another ultimate triumph for the independent team was "Sweet Smell of Success." It is now renowned as one of the most biting and brilliantly original film noir efforts ever made, but, like so many classics, such as Hitchcock's "Vertigo," it took awhile for the film public to warm up to its greatness.

Buford also explores Lancaster's life as a generous contributor to liberal causes. Unlike other more fair weather celebrity types, Lancaster always responded if he believed in the cause without once asking who else would be appearing with him.

A man of staggering talent, imagination, and intelligence, the gifted Lancaster is fully explored, as well as his more troubled side, complexities befitting a sensitive artistic genius. Lancaster maintained a burning presence both on and off the screen.

William Hare