Customer Reviews

Jeannie Out of the Bottle

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Who doesn't love Barbara Eden? She's one of the classiest stars in show business and her biography is a breezy, fun read. There's no nastiness here, but Barbara still includes lots of stories from "I Dream of Jeannie" and beyond. Barbara has been inspirational in many ways; her dignity in personal tragedy, her loyalty to her "Jeannie" fans, and her willingness to embrace her pop-icon image. She also shares some candid and deep feelings here and it's all very touching. Her autobiography is sweet and to the point. I couldn't put the book down. We all dreamed of Jeannie, but you'll love Barbara.

Baby boomers with fond memories of the deliciously escapist 1960s sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie" will thoroughly enjoy this charming memoir by its star, Barbara Eden. Looking back on a career spanning more than 50 years, the classy and unassuming star has some great stories to share. As an up-and-coming young actress, she met a number of Hollywood notables, and her recollections about Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Groucho Marx, and Lucille Ball are fascinating. Before earning her own sitcom stardom, she played small roles in various popular shows of the 1950s, and the comparison she draws between Lucy and Ann Sothern, who reacted to the pretty newcomer in quite different ways, makes for interesting reading. Though she's never vindictive or insulting, there's a bit of spice to Eden's stories about life with the "Jeannie" company, notably the volatile and peculiar behavior of co-star Larry Hagman. Fans will also enjoy her reminiscences about other members of the "Jeannie" cast including Hayden Rorke and Emmaline Henry. Naturally, no one's real life could be as sunny and unblemished as a "Jeannie" episode, and Eden writes honestly and movingly about some of her unhappiest times, notably her son's drug addiction and death at a young age. Those who enjoy her work as a performer will welcome the opportunity to know her better through this endearing and entertaining autobiography.

I really like Barbara Edens' writing style. This book is a very entertaining read. One follows Barbara Eden from her days at 20th Century Fox, to her "gig" at Ciro's, and ultimately "I Dream of Jeannie" ( the TV show I grew up with!). The stories/anecdotes of Larry Hagman and I Dream of Jeannie is not to be missed. Anyone who grew up with this show, and/or just loves books on celebrity biographies, should get a copy of this book. Enjoy!

I have met Barbara Eden on 4 occasions, but even before I met her, I knew in my heart that she would be the kind hearted person we saw on Jeannie and I was not disappointed. She is a class act all the way. Even if you never meet her in person, believe me, this book is the next best thing. Barbara never resorts to name calling, nasty comments or vulgarity in any way, yet she is very easily able to vividly paint pictures of all the people and experiences in her life both good and bad. The stories about her Hollywood experiences and rubbing shoulders with the stars is a lot of fun, but I am so grateful that she chose to open her heart and soul to us about her personal life, as well. I only wish the book had been longer. I felt like she probably had so many more stories to tell and those of us who've loved her since we were tiny children would sit mesmerized by her, even if the book was the size of "War and Peace".

In an era when the "casting couch" was probably the easiest way for a woman to rise in the ranks and get noticed, Barbara Eden resisted and did just what her mother always told her and "rose above it". She managed to carve out a fairly steady living in an industry where people go long stints without jobs. She managed to land a show that would render her immortal, and she managed to create a career that is as much based on her acting and singing talent as her eternal beauty. Few women can say that and though Barbara confesses to her fascination with Marilyn Monroe, where as Marilyn was a vulnerable victim of Hollywood, Barbara triumphed over it without succumbing to drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity or any of the other usual vices associated with fame and Hollywood.

Truly a magical being, (though Barbara denies that Jeannie is her alter-ego), I think she is so genuine a person that her beautiful aura radiated through the TV and when I was only 3 years old, I saw it. When I was 25 and met her in real life for the first time, I saw it then too and the times after that. So whether she is in her chiffon or out of her bottle, what you see is what you get - a radiant, beautiful soul and through her words, you can feel it in her book, too.

It is always fascinating to read about some of the people we saw on the television and Jeannie was one of the best. The book is very revealing and well written. It was worth it and would be to anyone who loved the show.

Excellent book about my favorite actress. I learned things about her I didn't know and got details about some things I knew about but had few details.

Interesting stuff about her life with both sorrow and joyful stuff. Could not put the book down til done reading, however was expecting a lot more, in-dept detail of certain periods in her life instead of a skim through... still a great book that told a lot of her life

I just finished the book. It was a quick read, not much substance, not much dirt or scandal, fairly forgettable......Ms. Eden is not, as some are calling her, an egomaniac. When she says plenty of guys came on to her, I accept that as truth. Remember, she was a beautiful young woman in the 1950s-60s, a period where Hollywood men were fairly chauvinistic and predatory.

Eden doesn't seem a deep thinker, but she isn't shallow either. Were Ms. Eden truly shallow, it's highly unlikely she would have fell in love with and married Michael Ansara, a bald, stern-looking, terse Lebanese actor with no great prospects ahead of him. She could have married any number of "all-American" light-haired, blue-eyed actors and made the tabloids every wk, but she saw something in Ansara (and in fact, he turned out to be a gentle man of great character.)

Eden didn't write enough about her son. I really don't think she saw him much and she was naively unaware of his drug problems. But as she repeatedly noted, she was the primary breadwinner and she had to work constantly. But there's no indication that she neglected him.

Did she write enough about her show? Hard to say. That show was what it was: a half-hour frolic with the same plotline every wk. (Jeannie does silly things, Nelson stutters and stammers "J--J-J-Jeeee-Neee!" and trips and stumbles in front of Dr. Bellows, then it all resolves itself with a magical bob of her head.) Hagman's conduct was dreadful and even disgusting. Honestly, the guy did vile things on that set that even a typical dog wouldn't do. But that's not Hollywood "dirt", that's just grime....

An OK book, good enough for a bus trip or day at the beach but you won't go back to it. Let's just say if you forget it somewhere, it's not something you'll drive back looking for....

Barbara Eden's infectious charm comes through in print almost as vividly as it does when she is in front of a camera. This book is filled with fun and jucy anecdotes, as well as a look at the darker aspects of Ms. Eden's life. Though she's had more than her share of suffering, she has somehow seemed to retain a positive attitude and an indomitable spirit, which is very inspiring. I was also impressed by the kindess and diplomacy she displays when discussing even her most difficult collegues. Barbara Eden is truly a class act. I highly recommend this book for any fan of Barbara Eden or classic tv.

Jennifer K. Lafferty
Author of Offbeat Love Stories and More

Barbara Eden comes across as a very sweet and loving person in this book and the stories that she tells. She certainly doesn't tell all, she has the class to stop before letting all be known. I was surprised at how long Barbara has been in show business, and all the names with which she has worked.