Christopher Lee, Tall, Dark and Gruesome [Paperback]

Christopher Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 1999

International film actor Christopher Lee details his childhood, war years, friendships with Peter Cushing, Vincent Price, Robert Bloch and Boris Karloff, and, of course, his varied and interesting film career. Mr. Lee first published his autobiography in Britian in 1977. The Midnight Marquee edition is updated, Americanized and includes many new and rare photos personally selected by Mr. Lee A must for all film fans.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christopher Lee has appeared in films of all genres throughout his varied career, from comedy to drama. But Christopher Lee will always be remembered as the bloodthirsty Count Dracula in Hammer Films' Dracula (U.S. title Horror of Dracula).

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Midnight Marquee Press (August 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887664254
• ISBN-13: 978-1887664257
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,276,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pearl from one of the cinema's finest journeymen, September 23, 1999

By 

John Farrell (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Lee, Tall, Dark and Gruesome (Paperback)

It's hard to describe what a wonderful story Lee's entire life makes. In these days when movie stars are bred out of cheesy sitcoms or marketed by agencies looking for the right package, Lee's story reminds us why the best actors and the best stars are the ones who happened along out of life's trials and tribulations. Just home from the war in which he served with distinction, Lee took the advice of his uncle, the Italian ambassador in London, to try his hand at acting. He little knew how much hard work it would be, slogging his way for years through movies as stand-ins, stunt doubles, etc., before Hammer discovered him.

Perhaps the most poignant thing about this memoir is its author's forthright admission that he started out in the acting business "with no innate talent" but found over the years how good he could become by studying and studying the craft. The humor with which he recalls his films and the friends he met working in them ("But just think of the appalling people you'll meet!" his mother warned) is priceless. As a writer and producer, I can't help but appreciate the influence his films had on me in school and in my work. I recommend this book even for cinema buffs who don't like the films that made Lee famous. Should be required reading for every film-acting class in the country.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christopher Lee -- Nobleman, Gentleman, and Regular Guy, October 19, 2001

By 

Lori A. Mello (Ferndale, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Lee, Tall, Dark and Gruesome (Paperback)

Written in a style that is easy to read and genuinely fun to follow, this autobiographical account of Christopher Lee's "life and times" is delightful. Mr. Lee's own account of his childhood, early adulthood, film career, and genuine love for his wife and daughter often brought me to tears, made me laugh, and inspired me. This was, clearly, someone who made the most of what was given to him in life.

After reading his autobiography, I can honestly say that this is a man worth knowing. He has had a phenomenal life, accomplished more than most, and appears to be a genuine "good guy" trying to make it through life, just like the rest of us! Hats off to you, Mr. Lee! You are superb.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Continually Interesting, January 9, 2000

By 

Rory Coker (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Lee, Tall, Dark and Gruesome (Paperback)

Reading this book gave me the feeling that Mr. Lee and I were sitting comfortably one winter evening beside a roaring fire in an old English manor house, and I was listening raptly to a long series of fascinating anecdotes about his life and times. One caution, the book is VEDDY British--- the vocabulary will be somewhat incomprehensible to readers unfamiliar with 20th Century British slang, although for this edition the editors have had Mr. Lee add some explanations of terms in square brackets. Also disappointing is Lee's reticence toward his old friend Peter Cushing. One longs to hear the great stories of their friendship, such as their love for Warner Brothers cartoons, and Lee's gift for mimicking the voices of these cartoon characters, which he used to amuse the housebound Cushing, via telephone.

Lee's film career, and life, have been varied and exciting, to say the least, and all the variety and excitement is here. Recommended highly!