Life Is Too Short [Hardcover]

Mickey Rooney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 1991

He soared form the wrong side of Brooklyn to the top of the world. And he's still hot six decades later. Now, with crackling wisdom and great humor, Mickey takes us back and tells us about: The early days, the wild parties, and squandered fortunes . . . The dark days on the downside of
fame . . . The fabled friendships, torrid romances, and legendary marriages . . . The blockbuster films and head-busting moguls . . . Inside stories about Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin, Spencer Tracy, and a host of others.
Mickey Rooney opens a wide window into an extraordinary life, one of startling adventure, tremendous excess, flagrant hedonism, heart-wrenching love, and an immense and giving talent that looms larger than life itself.
"LIFE IS TOO SHORT is a little masterpiece . . . . Fascinating." --Los Angeles Daily News


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At age two in 1922, Joe Yule Jr. joined his parents on the vaudeville circuit in an act that was disbanded when Joe Sr. decamped. On their own, mother and son went looking for work in Hollywood, where little Joe metamorphosed into Mickey Rooney. His racy, comic, poignant autobiography recalls the highs and lows during the years he made more than 200 films, including the hugely popular Andy Hardy series and musicals with Judy Garland. Rooney is candid on the subjects of his eight marriages (the first to the late Ava Gardner) as well as the drinking and gambling that scarred many of his relationships. Dropped by MGM, where he was paid a "pittance" for performing in films which earned billions, Rooney established new careers, winning awards for his TV roles and achieving a triumph in the long-running Broadway musical Sugar Babies . Fans will be cheered to read that in his aging years Rooney still explodes with ideas and plans, such as starting a studio to produce "clean, wonderful" films--and outclassing the 94-year-old George Burns. "Since actuaries have proven that married men live longer," the much-wed Rooney figures to surpass Burns, who married just once, and still be entertaining us in the year 2672. Photos not seen by PW. 150,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

From title to the last line, "I'll have a short bier," Rooney's self-deprecating humor powers this book. He's not a brutal kiss-and-teller, and he's more of a connoisseur of stories and observations than of finely matched facts. Rooney is frank, however, about his lifelong battles with pills, gambling, horses, and inability to handle finances. His boundless energy, drives to both work and seek applause, optimism, and now Christianity have carried him through the roller coaster ride of his 70 years. Though other books chronicle the heyday of Hollywood and the blatant exploitation of its productive stars, this will appeal to fans who have enjoyed his work over the years. Not without flaws, but it works. Recommended for popular collections. Literary Guild alternate.
- Rebecca Sturm Kelm, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 374 pages
• Publisher: Villard Books; 1st edition (March 20, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679401954
• ISBN-13: 978-0679401957
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #680,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We're Still Applauding, July 8, 2006

By 

Samantha Glasser "Maliejandra" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Life is Too Short (Hardcover)

Mickey Rooney is a force to be reckoned with. He began his career on the stage; both of his parents were performers. As a toddler, he looked more like a midget than a baby, so he was cast in various roles as such. Hal Roach's Little Rascals series' popularity gave reason for Rooney to star in his own series as a kid as Mickey McGuire. Later, he moved his way into the "in" crowd, rubbing elbows with some of the most famous names in classic Hollywood. A B-picture that took America by storm, however, cemented his fame as the mischievious son of a judge with a heart of gold. Mickey Rooney became Andy Hardy in the hearts and minds of millions and also began his long companionship with Judy Garland. When WWII came, Rooney joined up to entertain the troops. Afterward, he juggled his way through eight wives and a downward spiral that left him struggling to revive his career.

This book has certain elements that make it seem like a tell-all biography, but it is also good at covering the areas that most readers are interested in. Rooney's vibrant personality shines through the entire book and really helps it flow. The chapters are short too.

It is obvious that Rooney is a conflicted person, but also that he truly loves performing and the people he was associated with through his life. His love for Garland shines brightly and makes one wonder if she was the love of his life only he didn't notice until it was too late. Rooney is not bitter about his many wives; he never says anything to tarnish their names and he accepts blame for the failure of the relationships.

Overall, this is an honest, entertaining, and enjoyable book.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Truth or ...... ?, December 17, 2005

By 

Thomas R. Fasulo (Gainesville, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life Is Too Short (Hardcover)

I always admired Mickey Rooney as a performer. He had tremendous talent. What a shame he lived his personal life the way he did. Even though I wasn't born until 1947, I grew up watching his movies on TV. I obtained a copy of the book recently and it is a quick and easy read. Yet I was astounded to read about his sexual exploits written in such a way that they belonged more in in a porn manner than in a book about his life. Obviously, Mickey isn't a gentleman and yet this book was supposedly written *after* he found God. About halfway through the book, when he related another startling episode about his life, I said to myself, "He's making that up." While most of the book is probably based on truth, I think Mickey also created some events out of his wise-cracking mind and then came to believe them himself, especially since those who could call him on them are now dead. While disappointed in him I will still watch his movies whenever I get the chance.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "I never grew up.", November 4, 2008

By 

Kona (Emerald City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Life is Too Short (Hardcover)

Mickey Rooney's 1993 autobiography is equally divided between his show biz memories and tales of his romantic exploits. He love of performing began when he first performed in vaudeville at the age of two. On to Hollywood, where he found steady work in silent pictures and became a box-office hit with the Andy Hardy movies and his musicals with Judy Garland. In the fifties, his star dimmed, but he has kept working and says he'll never retire.

Rooney writes with surprisingly little hubris and is honest about his addictions to drugs, gambling, and women. He married eight times but also romanced just about every beautiful woman he met. The book is chatty and energetic and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. There are many movie and personal photos. Fans of Mickey and those interested in the golden age of Hollywood will enjoy this upbeat memoir.