Customer Reviews

Veronica

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I am almost finished reading this book which I got from the library. It was the only one on Veronica Lake. Well, I chose to read it even though I was not alive during her hay-day, but my mother was. She had always been a fan and admired Veronica Lake. When I was younger, my mother would say at times my hair looked like Veronica Lake's (it's thick and wavy), whomever that was, and like Veronica says in her book 'can't do a darn thing with it.' All I knew later is that she was an actress.

I think the book clearly expresses her alcoholism. She turned to drinking EVERY time she had a rough spot in her life--one of her marriages going bad, being out of money. In fact, she hung out with the merchant marinemen while dating Andy Elickson--and they all would drink for many hours.

I don't remember about the age thing, but I really think she was honest. She surprised me. She sounds tough, sarcastic and not real nice many times. So, I think you get a clear-cut view of a woman trying to make it from living with an over-bearing mother pushing her to be something she wasn't--she didn't really care about being a 'star'(her real father dying when she was very young).

There were a lot of 'honest' type remarks in there about herself and others, but it's not a show and tell like many other stars or biographers write about. Veronica knows when to name names and when not to. It's sad actually, her story. Her deepest love, Andy--she never married. She was a survivor and I admire her for many things she did even though she was a 'star'. It didn't go to her head at all. She went through a lot. She was a waitress at one time just to make ends meet. Fans sent her money after learning of this, but she returned all their money. A pride thing she said.

I'd like to know the rest of the story--this was written by her 2 years after I was born. I think it's very informative if you are a fan. I was more curious than a fan since I didn't know much about her and don't think I saw any of her films. Apparently, she had a natural gift for acting, especially in comdy, surprisingly. She tells it like it sounds as it was, that's for sure. And don't get me wrong---she seems nice enough, but seems to have a negative view of most things. I think her honesty speaks through loud and clear. Just reading the first chaper will tell you that! And she wasn't a fake.

Being a Veronica Lake fan will help you get past this book's so-so writing and sometimes obvious exclusion of facts/details. Her alcoholism is mostly denied, the rumors of schizophrenia are not even mentioned, and she lists her birth date in 1922, although many say it's 1919.

The book is still a good read and offers a look at Hollywood as it was at the end of its golden era. Lots of behind the scenes stuff and interaction with other actors/directors/producers of the day.

Although listed as an "autobiography", the title page says "By Veronica Lake with Donald Bain".