I Love the Illusion: The Life and Career of Agnes Moorehead, 2nd edition (Paperback)

~ (Author), Herbie J. Pilato (Epilogue)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Selected as one of the BEST BOOKS of 2006 by reviewer Laura Wagner in her Book Notes column. -- CLASSIC IMAGES, January, 2007

Product Description

This is the second edition of I LOVE THE ILLUSION: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF AGNES MOOREHEAD. More than three years of research went into this book. The author had access to the Agnes Moorehead papers (159 boxes) at the Wisconsin State Historical Society in Madison. The author interviewed more than three dozen Moorehead friends and associates including Jane Wyman (JOHNNY BELINDA, MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION) Debbie Reynolds (HOW THE WEST WAS WON, THE SINGING NUN) and Karl Malden (POLLYANNA). He also interviewed radio pioneers Himan Brown (who gave Agnes one of her first important parts on radio), Norman Corwin and Arthur Anderson (one of Orson Welles' great stock players) on the actress widely considered as one of the great radio performers of her time. Paul Gregory, Miss Moorehead's theatrical manager and promoter of her acclaimed One-Woman show, provided much spice about this complicated woman. BEWITCHED alumni like producer-director Bill Asher, Kasey (Louise Tate) Rogers, Bernard (Dr. Bombay)Fox and Mrs. Dick York recalled the woman behind the iconic role of "Endora." This is the first full length biography of one of the great actresses of her time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 436 pages
• Publisher: BearManor Media; 2 edition (August 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159393095X
• ISBN-13: 978-1593930950
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #636,913 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love the Illusion, Ed. 2!, October 13, 2007

By	Melanie's Reviews (IL) - See all my reviews

I am thrilled to see this definitive biography on Agnes Moorehead in print again. I enjoy having both editions since the covers are different. There is also new material in the back of the book. I especially liked Tranberg's lecture material being added to the book. This is a must-have collectible for fans of radio, TV, and any of Agnes's film projects.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New and Improved, September 21, 2007

By	J. Devlin "Jone" (Marion, IA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For those who didn't think Tranberg could improve on the perfection of the first edition - guess again! There are even more tidbits of information contained in these pages, including an amazing epilogue by premiere Bewitched historian Herbie J. Pilato Bewitched Forever: 40th Anniversary Edition. A great addition to the collections of both those who have read/own the first one as well as those who haven't gotten around to buying one yet.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should Become a Classic Star Biography, November 27, 2008

By	"Tee" (LA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I really enjoyed this thoroughly researched book that covers all of Ms. Moorehead's career in theater, films, television, and radio as well as getting intimate details on her private life aided by interviews from scores of her friends and associates. Her triumphs, her disappointments, her great capacity for friendship, her gallant last days - it's all here.

Agnes Moorehead was always one of the most private stars and truth be told, being a character actress, the media wasn't that interested in her as opposed to the more high profile, headline seeking actresses from her time, thus after her death there has been a lot of speculation about her most of which seems to have been completely misguided and no basis in fact. Agnes was pretty hard to peg down - a Bible-thumping woman best known for starring in a supernatural TV series, a prude who knew how to have a good time, and a loving woman who had a terrible relationship with her only child. This is certainly one of the best star biographies in many years and refreshingly written without exploitation or axe to grind.