Virginia Mayo [Paperback]

Virginia Mayo (Author), L.C. Van Savage (Narrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1888725532 | ISBN-13: 978-1888725537 | Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Virginia Clara Jones, born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1920, never wanted to play the usual childhood games with her chums; she only wanted to "play show." And indeed as a child, she did appear in many shows in and around St. Louis. As Virginia grew into her teen years, she began to dream of dancing and singing at the "Muny Opera" in St. Louis, and eventually she achieved that. From there, the beautiful teenager joined a Vaudeville troupe in a very successful act called "Pansy the Horse," and it was then that Virginia Jones became Virginia Mayo. Virginia went from the Muny, to Vaudeville, to films and the stage, but it was in films where the world saw and learned to love her the most. Equally talented in all acting genres, Virginia's musicals are her most memorable and were the ones she loved, and loved to perform in, above all others. Her talent and beauty were so dazzling, the Sultan of Morocco was prompted to send a letter to the studio heads of Warner Brothers saying "Virginia Mayo is tangible proof of the existence of God." "I just put my head down and did the work. All I ever wanted in my life was to do the work." This became her show business credo. Virginia Mayo "played show," did the work and did it well. Numerous photos.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Virginia Clara Jones, born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1920, never wanted to play the usual childhood games with her chums; she only wanted to "play show." And indeed as a child, she did appear in many shows in and around St. Louis. As Virginia grew into her teen years, she began to dream of dancing and singing at the "Muny Opera" in St. Louis, and eventually she achieved that. From there, the beautiful teenager joined a Vaudeville troupe in a very successful act called "Pansy the Horse," and it was then that Virginia Jones became Virginia Mayo. Virginia went from the Muny, to Vaudeville, to films and the stage, but it was in films where the world saw and learned to love her the most. Equally talented in all acting genres, Virginia's musicals are her most memorable and were the ones she loved, and loved to perform in, above all others. Her talent and beauty were so dazzling, the Sultan of Morocco was prompted to send a letter to the studio heads of Warner Brothers saying "Virginia Mayo is tangible proof of the existence of God." "I just put my head down and did the work. All I ever wanted in my life was to do the work." This became her show business credo. Virginia Mayo "played show," did the work and did it well.

Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: Beachhouse Books (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888725532
• ISBN-13: 978-1888725537
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,353,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, February 8, 2003

By 

Rosella Ann Myles - See all my reviews

This review is from: Virginia Mayo (Paperback)

This is a wonderful auto-biography, that Virginia Mayo has written. She tells about her life on Hollyood and at home with her family. She tells about her beloved husband, Michael O'Shea, who passed away. Also about her daughter Mary whom she adores, and who feels the same way about her mom.

The work as well as the rewards and joys of working in Hollywood during the Golden years. Also her book contains many wonderful photos of her. Such a large and generous selection of them. I am a big fan of hers, and she is a beautiful and talented actress. She is also very kind and gracious and has written an enjoyable and delightful book. I very highly recommend it to anyone. Also Virginia provides insight into other Hollywood stars and what they were like to work with, and the ones that she got to meet. Very informative and interesting. She is truly a lovely and kind lady.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, May 29, 2007

By 

Art Fan "Artfan" (Los Angeles Ca.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Virginia Mayo (Paperback)

As a long time fan of this Lady, I was just very disappointed in her cynicism. For an actress who was so powerful and wonderful on the screen, it distressed me to read so much dessension in her book. She certainly is opinionated and that's good, but disparaging of fellow actors, I believe makes her seem simply petty. I have to say, she admitted to things that would make her unpopular, but she deserves credit for being brave enough to expose her foibles. Also, because the writer is not objective, we're missing information, such as; the details of the filming process. While she may have taken the process lightly, we the reader didn't get the opportunity to enjoy her view on the filming of her movies. Personally, I would loved to have read some behind the scenes documentation of my favorite film of all time, "The Best Years of Our Lives" That movie will always stand alone. It captures the post war era better than any film ever. And like the writer, I wished she had continued acting. Finally, just as Angela Lansbury, Virginia would have been fabulous to watch later in life.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Also on Kindle, February 4, 2011

By 

Dr. Robert J. Banis "Dr. Bud Banis" (Manchester, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Virginia Mayo (Paperback)

Virginia Mayo - The Best Years of My Life
Virginia Mayo
book is available in paperback and on kindle (with some pictures omitted)
these should be linked. thanks