Customer Reviews

The moon's a balloon: reminiscences

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Published in 1972, THE MOON'S A BALLOON proved one of the great bestsellers of the decade--and if you read the first page you'll know why. You are immediate hooked by star David Niven's wild, wicked sense of humor. Whether it is his Dickensian childhood, his outrageous tour of duty with the British military, or his climb to unexpected stardom, this is truly Niven exactly as you imagine he would be.

Imagine, however, seems to be an operative word. Niven was less interested in relating the facts of his life than he was in telling a good story and in putting his best face to the public--something that is not entirely unexpected in an autobiography, particularly the autobiography of a Hollywood star. Later writers have noted that Niven played fast and loose with the facts in THE MOON'S A BALLOON, and that for all his charm he could be viciously despicable when the mood took him; it is also worth pointing out that he was never quite the "A List" star that he seems to be in his memoirs.

But all this is actually a little beside the point. Whether it is factually accurate and emotionally honest or not, THE MOON'S A BALLOON is simply a delightful read right from the first page, where we meet Nessie, the Picadilly hooker who introduced Niven to the joys of the flesh. Approximately half the book concerns Niven's life before he arrived in Hollywood as a would-be actor, and it is a riotous ride; once Niven hits the film industry, however, he begins to name drop with the best of them--offering memorable glimpses of such famous names as director William Wyler and stars Laurence Olivier and Vivian Leigh. It is all fascinating stuff.

It can also be quite startling. As just one example among many, when writing of his first wife's death Niven mentions that Joan Crawford stepped in to care for his children while he attempted to cope with his grief. Yikes! And although he was a great womanizer and cut a swath through Hollywood's beauties, Niven does no name dropping there; he does, however, describe an affair with a "Great Big Star" who was very likely Merle Oberon, the leading lady of WUTHERING HEIGHTS.

True enough, THE MOON'S A BALLOON will hardly stand a cold factual analysis--but it is a tremendously fun thing to read, a joyous and fun book, and while quite a lot of it is of the "tall tale" variety it certainly presents the star as he likely most wished to be seen and be remembered. Don't pick it for bedtime reading, because you'll never put it down! Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Prior to reading this book, my only knowledge of David Niven was as an actor in a few films I had seen. 'The Moon's A Balloon' was recommended to the highest level by an old aunt, and I must do likewise to anyone who enjoys superb writing, hugely entertaining and humorous stories, and dry wit of the highest calibre. David's writings are wonderfully descriptive and tinged in places with tragedy lest we forget he was apportioned his share. He led a most extraordinary life, met some of the most famous people from royalty to screen stars, and after reading his memoirs I defy anyone not to be endeared to the man. The book was no doubt initially made popular by David's popularity as an actor, but I guarantee that people who are not acquainted with him will enjoy his memoirs as much as those who are. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, nor adequately elucidate my surprise that it is no longer in print. After reading it I believe you will concur that the world lost a very unique person when David died in 1983. Please do yourself a favour and read this book, you will love it.

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend when I didn't really know who David Niven was apart from that he was some old actor. The best recomendation that I can give is that while reading the book I started to love David Niven. After I'd read it I decided to write him a letter, but then I thought of the possibility that he might be dead! I immediately searched the internet and found out that he died 10 years ago. I was completely devestated, but have managed to get on with my life since. READ THIS BOOK. David Niven deserves to be remembered. What I want to see is the legendary Michael Parkinson interview from which a doctor contacted Niven to tell him he had a motor neuron disease. If anyone can tell me where I can get hold of it please let me know!

Although this book is out of print, it is a must read! I wasn't at all familiar with David Niven's work (and actually, I still don't know much about his films) but I wanted to read the book just for his chapter on Fred Astaire. The chapter on Astaire is actually found in Niven's second book, "Bring On The Empty Horses", but I was lucky enough to get both books in one. So even though I knew nothing about Niven's career, I was enthralled with this book. Its the best movie star autobiography I've ever read. It reads as a sort of series of sketches connecting different parts of Niven's life. It is extremely funny and Niven's willingness to talk about all aspects of his life make some great stories. He doesn't shy away from personal details, everything, including a retelling of his first sexual experience, is included. Its a delightful read and because of Niven's lengthy career it is long, but its one of those where you wish he'd written three or four more books. I strongly recommend this to anyone with an interest in old Hollywood or anyone with a good sense of humor. It definitely does not appeal to Niven fans only! However, if you are interested in Niven, I suggest you read a brief biography on him beforehand. He rarely mentions dates or years and sometimes I got confused in the time period because I was unfamiliar with his work so I couldn't place a movie with a year. He is very witty, charming, and funny. I can see why he became a star.

Also highly recommended is "Bring On The Empty Horses". Its not an autobiographical continuation of "The Moon's A Balloon". Its a series of chapters about Niven's acquaintances. Everyone from Bogart to Cary Grant to Errol Flynn are represented. Its just as good as the first book.

Witty, urbane, occasionally insightful, 'The Moon's a Balloon' is a marvellous reminiscence of Hollywood's Golden Age, and is as delightfully unpretentious as it's author, Academy Award-winning actor David Niven.

Niven must have been a welcome addition to any party, as his writing has a chatty, 'have you heard the story about...' quality that makes each experience a topper to the one before! You'll follow his early life, and introduction into Hollywood, where he shared a cottage with legendary hell-raiser Errol Flynn (who would bed an endless stream of stars and starlets, while avoiding jealous husbands and boyfriends by the narrowest of margins), to his involvement with Samuel Goldwyn and the British acting community (including a hilarious tale involving Nigel Bruce and a rare plant), to a horrible yet hysterical Broadway stint, to his recollections about the production of 'Around the World in Eighty Days'.

Niven was not one to 'blow his own horn', and he tends to downplay his own adventures (he was a decorated officer in WWII, who survived D-Day; he only lightly touches upon it, and says he was only 'doing his part'), and the book ends on a slightly jarring note, as he acknowledges his complete confusion over current tastes in lifestyles and music (using James Taylor, of all people, as a reference to what was incomprehensible!), but all in all, the book is a delight, and was such a commercial hit that it spawned a sequel, 'Bring On the Empty Horses'.

If there is ANY book that deserves to be back in print, it's 'The Moon's a Balloon'. When that happy day arrives, run, do NOT walk, to buy it! You WON'T be disappointed!

I am still reading this book and find it to be very descriptive of his early life and so many sad and funny stories. Never knew David Niven was so witty, but he really comes out with some "lulu's" in describing situations he found himself in. Buy it, you'll like it.

I just want to quickly add to all these other five-star reviews that this is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. David Niven candidly bares his vulnerabilities and lets us in on the obstacles and hurts he endured. I read this at a time that I felt I was drifting and this made me feel much better. There are amusing stories about Hollywood and the rest of the world in the old days. Blessings to David Niven. It's a breeze of a read and I envy those of you who have it yet to enjoy for the first time!

Are you looking for an excellent read which will make you or someone in your life laugh? Then look no further. The Moon's a Balloon (and "Bring on the Empty Horses!") are two of the funniest and most satisfying book I have ever read.

David Niven was not always a star. He had to go away and learn his trade in "B" movies before being allowed to enter the big time. He learnt that trade so well he eventually won an Oscar. Unlike some who were destined to become greats of Hollywood, he also put his entire acting career on hold whilst he served as an officer in a fighting unit throughout WW2. This book tells the first half of his life's story and what a story it is. Like every biography ever written, the best bits are not found at the beginning, so some readers, therefore, might find it slow going at first - though most will not. Then we meet the rich and famous stars of Hollywood from another era and learn a little about each of these people and their various relationships as we move from one to another and sometimes back again.

Written in David Niven's own hilarious style, there is so much humour here that you "will" find yourself insisting others read this book. In fact, it is so funny - especially his descriptions of the wrong use of English words by foreign movie directors, one finishes the book in the knowledge that had David Niven not become an Oscar-winning movie star, he would easily have achieved great success as a writer.

Refreshingly, Niven writes about his fellow personalities from that golden age of the Hollywood of yester-year with charming frankness. Where others might expose drunkenness or sordid behaviour, Niven simply makes us laugh and, in so doing you really do get the feeling that those of whom he speaks would approve.

The underlying theme, of course, is David Niven's life and, as one reviewer has said elsewhere, this book leaves you wishing you had met this man. Me too.

NM

This book and the one following ("Bring on the Empty Horses") just might be my two favorite books, EVER. I practically insist every friend I make read them. Niven had a very unique life, and had a rare gift for story-telling that makes these books real treasures. They are laugh-out-loud, effortlessly funny stories that tell us of his entry into Hollywood (an unusual career path, it involved prohibition, fish and polo) as well as his checkered career in the military in England. I guarantee you'll read these two books over and over again. I just wish he'd written more of them!

This is the personal history of one of those amazing 20th century lives. Made better when read by the author. (For all the Hollywood dirt you've got to hear "Bring On The Empty Horses!")