Milton Berle: An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Milton Berle (Author), Haskel Frankel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1974

When Milton Berle died in the Spring of 2002, THE NEW YORK TIMES declared that the legendary comic "may have had a more profound influence on our way of life than some presidents or Nobel Prize winners." This landmark memoir, as startling today as it was when it was first published, reveals the life and times of the man known affectionately to millions as Uncle Miltie. Told with unflinching candor, here is one of the most fabled and influential show business careers of all time: from performing as a child in Vaudeville and making silent movies with Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, to nightclub performances for Al Capone, working on radio during World War II, performing in Broadway musicals, and, finally, superstardom on television. Perhaps even more fascinating is Berle's scandal-ridden private life: his star-crossed love affair with a 1930's movie queen and the child they had out of wedlock, his numerous affairs with women ranging from evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson to Marilyn Monroe, and his stormy relationship with beautiful showgirl Joyce Mathews, whom Berle married twice. It is Berle's unsparing account of his life and his determination to show the world his real face that led Frank Sinatra, at the time, to call this "the gutsiest book I've read in years." Told with equal amounts of comedy and pathos, and featuring colorful appearancesby all the major stars of his day, MILTON BERLE is simply one of the best show business memoirs ever written.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 337 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1ST edition (October 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440056098
• ISBN-13: 978-0440056096
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,761,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and fuzzy, December 7, 2003

By 

tzefirah "tzefirah" (Media, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milton Berle: An Autobiography (Paperback)

Although the publishers try to pump up this book as being extremely racy, I found Berle's descriptions of his sexual exploits hilarious. I'm not justifying having children out of wedlock, but the man was very funny.
But the story of Milton Berle's life is also touching and full of real affection for his family and friends. He either lived with or was in close contact with his mother (the original stage mother!) on a daily basis, and even made it into a record book for doing just that. His description of his mystical visits with her after her death was charming.

Eventually, Berle settled down with a down-to-earth woman, to whom he stayed married until his death. He was very proud of her. While he and many other entertainers were either 4F or doing entertainment duties during the war, she was a veteran.

This book is also insightful into the history of stand-up comedy. Theft of material was rampant, and Berle was famous for being one of the most thieving. He was proud of it, but justifies it by proving that lots of others did it, too, and that his material was also stolen.

This was a fun autobiography, and I recommend it. I also recommend A Dreadful Man, which is a biography of George Sanders based on letters from his last wife.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a story!, January 19, 2000

By 

Christine A. Lehman "stoogeswoman" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milton Berle: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

Lemme tell ya, this book deserves 5 stars just for Uncle Miltie's graphic depiction of his steamy affair with evangelist Aimee Semple MacPherson ... not to mention a ton of other raunchy Hollywood gossip. Way to go, Milt! Let me know when you're available ...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent For Its Day, October 12, 2008

By 

Reader/NY/LA (NYC/LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milton Berle: An Autobiography (Paperback)

This bio was actually written years ago. It is entertaining and expresses the wishes of its subject and the style that was most accepted at the time for publishing purposes. If you are interested in a biography of legend Milton Berle from another perspective, his son Billy's, pick up a copy of My Father, Uncle Miltie. You will be treated to an insider's view of Milton's life as well as the entertainment industry. However, the Frankel book is nonetheless a good read, but My Father, Uncle Miltie shows more of the man.