Frank Langella

Frank Langella, the lanky, dark actor known for Dracula and his shaking eyes, has written a fun, gossipy though respectful memoir dropping names from Marilyn Monroe to Jackie O. Sometimes there was a brief encounter, sometimes he met them working on a picture or play, sometimes they were a friend of a friend, sometimes he got to know their widow (Charles Laughton). He soaked in every detail of every encounter: some brief, some intense (he implies he climbed into bed with a few aging actresses), some scandalous. But only in a classy way. He didn't mind flirting with men either. And they flirted back. Be prepared for the tone to shift from witty to heartbreaking: the most touching sections regard his long friendship with the actor Raul Julia. The book is available through San Diego Public Library, call or order online. The ebook and audiobook are available via the library webpage in Cloud Library. Download the free app in your app store.… (mere)

I like reading about celebrities but not necessarily gossip. Langella threads the needle between outright gossip with his own memories of the "names" he drops. He has met each and every celebrity on his list and tells his own impression of each of them. Some are people who are universally loved and others a universally disliked. His take on each is not their public persona or a brief overview of their careers. He talks about what they said to him, what they did to him and how he reacted. He likes people I'm not fond of and dislikes some of my favorites. However, he met them in person and the only thing I can go on is their movies. Fascinating reading and gives an insiders view of life in and around Hollywood and theatre.… (mere)