On the Other Hand: A Life Story [Hardcover]

Fay Wray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1989

Autobiography of Fay Wray, famous for her appearances in the King Kong. movies.

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

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The former actress disarms readers at once with her fond letter to King Kong that opens this well-written, engrossing autobiography. She confesses that when told that her leading man in the 1933 Kong epic was Hollywood's "tallest, darkest," she happily anticipated Cary Grant, not the great ape who "had a pretty strong hold on me." Wray, born in Canada in 1908, was 17 when she first appeared in silent films; she made the transition to talkies and, ultimately, performed in some 75 movies between 1925 and 1958. Among her reminiscences of co-workers like Lillian Gish and Gary Cooper, her recollection of working with Erich von Stroheim in The Wedding March is the most vivid. Wray's personal life evokes sympathy. Her marriage to unstable screen writer John Monk Saunders ended badly. There are accounts of the actress's unfulfilling relationships with other menplaywright Clifford Odets, for onebefore her 1942 marriage to late screenwriter Robert Riskin. Photos not seen by PW .
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Although she has made over 75 movies, Wray will always be identified with the classic film King Kong . Here she tells the rest of the story. Her autobiography is well written in a bright, anecdotal style fueled by her vivid recollections. Sent to California at age 13, she eventually secured a movie contract that initiated a lifetime of theater and film work. Wray recounts the good and bad times and her encounters with many famous personalities. She also sheds light on the early days of filmmaking, including, of course, her role in King Kong . Enjoyable reading and the most detailed account of Wray's life and career available, this is worthwhile for any film collection. Arthur Bargar, Milford P.L., Ct.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 270 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1 edition (February 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312022654
• ISBN-13: 978-0312022655
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,540,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opener, April 3, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Other Hand: A Life Story (Hardcover)

A curious feature of the cinema is its ability to create stars retroactively. Fay Wray is a case in point. In her prime - during the 20s and 30s - she was considered a serviceable actress, but she never attained the front rank of stardom. Posterity had different ideas however. Her featured role in "King Kong" has kept her name before the public, and the advent of video has made much of her output more accessible than ever before.

Perhaps because one's expectations are not high Miss Wray turns out to be a compelling and insightful story teller. As an eye witness to Hollywood's Golden Era she speaks with authority but without a trace of bitterness or condescension. Her stormy marriage to writer John Monk Saunders is related in a matter of fact fashion, compassionate but not overly sentimental. Her assessment of her own work is exemplary; she is scrupulous in placing her achievement into context and throughout the book is clearly aware of the broader issues that have shaped her life and times.

Above all she shows an astonishing objectivity about the Hollywood she knew, which is a rare virtue in a book of this type.

Wray emerges as a woman of intelligence, wit - her open letter to King Kong that opens the book must be a model of self effacement - and above all humanity. Her account of the sad illness that claimed the life of her second husband Robert Riskin is almost unbearably poignant.

A revelation and a lovely book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, June 16, 2007

By 

Tragiclaura "Tragiclaura" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Other Hand: A Life Story (The Autobiography of Fay Wray) (Paperback)

This is a very good, very readable autobiography from Fay Wray that makes you feel like you come away really knowing her. Fascinating tales from old old Hollywood that really make that time and place come alive. Fay comes off like a warm wonderful person that you would like to call a friend. What a nightmare of a first marriage! Who knew? Highly recommended.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very personal story, May 7, 2009

By 

Markku Ojanen (Lempäälä Finland) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Other Hand: A Life Story (The Autobiography of Fay Wray) (Paperback)

An enjoyable personal history, but I expected more descriptions about how her films were made. Most of the book tells about her relationships with men. The first husband was a difficult person, but she tried to understand him until the very end. She seemed to be a person with a good heart which makes the book pleasant to read. Beside King Kong she did not act in very many films. I recommend this book for those who want to know the person and are not that much interested in the films she made.