From Publishers Weekly
Marx, author of Life with Groucho and Goldwyn, writes with a sympathy that doesn't preclude mention of Rooney's faults, in this biography of his boyhood friend. Born Joe Yule Jr. to a couple in a burlesque troupe, the future actor made his first hit a scant 15 months later, singing a solo on stage. From then on, his life has been a roller-coaster ride, personally and professionally. Divorcing Yule Sr., little Joe's mother took him to Hollywood, where he arrived at prominence and his new name. Critical and popular success came to Rooney with his performances as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, in the Andy Hardy series and in the musicals co-starring Judy Garland. At 21, Rooney wed the even younger Ava Gardner, who divorced him within a year. Since then he has had seven more wives, made fortunes andthrough drinking and gamblinglost them; he was considered a Hollywood has-been at age 30. Recently, however, the onetime bad boy rose to the heights again in the stage hit Sugar Babies and as an actor in serious drama. Photos.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Rooney has lived such a flamboyant life that one can empathize with the biographer in his attempt to bring some order to his story. Marx manages to write objectively, being both critical and sympathetic, as he catalogs the ups and downs of Rooney's career. His subject has been on stage since he was 15 months old, first in burlesque, later as a star of the immensely popular Andy Hardy movies and as a Broadway and Hollywood personality. There is perhaps to much emphasis on the squalid details of Rooney's eight marriages and not enough analysis of his stature as an entertainer. Still, this is for most public libraries. Samuel Simons, Memorial Hall Lib., Andover, Mass.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
