The Kid Stays in the Picture [Audio Cassette]

Robert Evans (Author, Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002

From his marriage to Ali McGraw, his cocaine bust, the accusations of murder, the friendships with the likes of Jack Nicholson and Dustin Hoffman, to his legendary court case and bust up with Francis Ford Coppola, this is the tell-all autobiography from Robert Evans, the legendary Hollywood producer (The Godfather, Rosemary's Baby, and Chinatown) who's lived the Hollywood dream.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Major movie producer Evans, self-described "bad boy of Hollywood," sums up his lifelong personal style succinctly in his memoir's last line: "Resolve: Fuck 'em, fuck 'em all..." Chronicling his high-drama life, Evans paints a riveting, self-promoting picture of his 30-year career in the film industry, from his 1956 debut in Man of a Thousand Faces to his lengthy stint, beginning in 1967, as the head of Paramount Pictures, where he oversaw the production of such cinematic hits as Barefoot in the Park; The Odd Couple; Goodbye, Columbus; Harold and Maude; Rosemary's Baby; The Godfather; Love Story; and Chinatown. In a predictably confident, often feisty tone, Evans describes his rise, fall and what he calls his recent return to the upper echelons of Tinseltown power, as he recalls personal encounters with, and memories of, such show-biz brand names as Errol Flynn, James Cagney, Jack Nicolson, Mia Farrow, Mike Todd, Francis Ford Coppola and two of his wives, Ali MacGraw and Phyllis George. Offering a real insider's view of Hollywood, Evans's memoir is easily worth the price of admission.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

The Kid Stays in the Picture is now a major motion picture. Adapted from this autobiography, the documentary is narrated by Mr. Evans in his distinctive voice and trademark staccato delivery. This incredible story is brought to life using visual effects, archival footage, clips from classic films and 35mm photography. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is scheduled for nationwide release in summer 2002. This legendary autobiography is guaranteed to become on of the most talked about books of the year.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: New Millennium Audio (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590071824
• ISBN-13: 978-1590071823
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,770,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much more entertaining than it has a right to be!, May 29, 2001

By 

Robert Wellen (CHICAGO, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kid Stays in the Picture (Paperback)

Bob Evans. What a guy. I must admit I loved this book. It is pure gossip and not exactly Dickens. But, Evans is completely honest and his own harshest critic. He tells fantastic stories (was there a woman in Hollywood he did not date between 1950 and 1980?). He takes responsiblity for the many, many mistakes in his life and spins fantastic yarns. Toward the end, it can be a bit annoying reading about how once again, he made the right choice and get railroaded by justice, but at the same time, you care about him. Those amazingly honest stories (particularly about his destruction of his marriages--the story on Phyllis George is a hoot) make the book even more interesting. A must read for film fans and anyone interested in one of our more fascinating Americans. Who else would tell stories about Jack, Warren, and Henry Kissinger? It ends in 1994, before his stroke and bizarre 10 day marriage to Catherine Oxenberg (and his highly medicore movies of the last 7 years or so); but that is nomatter. You'll want to hang at Woodland with Evans by the end. You might even be using "the kid stays in the picture" as your own mantra. Then again, maybe not. Just find a copy and read it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Roller-Coaster Life of a Legendary Hollywood Producer., June 22, 2004

By 

mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Kid Stays in the Picture (Paperback)

In "The Kid Stays in the Picture", legendary movie producer Robert Evans tells the story of his tumultuous but undeniably exciting life. The son of a Harlem dentist, a teenaged playboy, Evans was the man who put women in pants -Evan Piccone pants- before he ever set foot in Hollywood. A chance meeting by the pool at the Beverly Hill Hotel in 1956 made him a hot young actor. 10 years later, the failed actor without even a high school diploma was head of production at Paramount Pictures. Under Evans' reign, Paramount went from dead last number nine to the top studio in Hollywood, producing some of the 1970s most memorable films: "Rosemary's Baby", "Chinatown", and "The Godfather", and "The Odd Couple". Then things got bad. Then things got worse. But Robert Evans remains in the picture in Hollywood.

Robert Evans' account of his personal and professional up and downs strikes me as an honest one. He certainly doesn't spare himself criticism or hide his faults. He was a good producer and a terrible businessman. He was blessed with extraordinary luck, a lot of talent, and a gambler's lack of discipline. Like most autobiographers, Evans takes this opportunity to blast his enemies and praise his friends. Francis Ford Coppola is on the receiving end of Evans' wrath. Considering that Evans knew everybody who was anybody in Hollywood at one time, and considering the length of this book, I'm surprised he doesn't blast more people. -Well, he does, but not as thoroughly. The only criticism I have of Evans' writing style is that he doesn't include many dates. Evans doesn't tell his life story in chronological order. It reads well and is easy to understand. But trying to place the events in order in one's mind can be difficult. If he mentioned the year every time he changed subjects, it would have been helpful. As he states in the book's preface, "There are three sides to every story: yours...mine...and the truth." "The Kid Stays in the Picture" is Robert Evans' life as he experienced it. It's entertaining, enlightening, and a must-read for anyone interested in Hollywood of the 1970s.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Brilliant Accomplishments of the Best Hollywood Madman, November 26, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kid Stays in the Picture (Hardcover)

Evans tells it all, and it is all true about the inner workings of Hollywood, and his rise, fall, and plateau within the film industry. Evans, a man with virtually no production or business experience, along with the help of Peter Bart, then a New York Times Columnist, saved the Paramount Studio from becoming extinct. Their work persuaded Gulf and Western to keep the studio alive. Under their tenure, such films as Love Story, The Godfather, Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown, and the Odd Couple helped to bring Paramount back in business. Evans' account is a great historical romp on his superhero excess and success in Hollywood. As a 'Renaissance Man', he describes how he also started the Evan Picone fashion company with his brother. His life will teach many lessons to youngsters who are 'wet-behind the ears' and desire to work in the film business. Evans doesn't crucify people in his book like Julia Phillips does in hers. Evans tells the truth on how Hollywood can make you a hero for a year, and a vagrant the next. Evans' text indirectly warns readers of the dangers of excess.