Yup. Get ready for 5,000 excerpts. While in Cape Cod, I found a second-hand (or, more likely, a 5th hand copy) of her autobiography Life Is a Banquet
She wasn’t a glamour girl. She was a leading lady. A take no prisoners leading lady. She’s an inspiration to any actress who might not have the bombshell looks but who has a GIFT for this thing called acting.
God bless Rosalind Russell. It’s a great book. I came away from it feeling like: “damn, she was such a nice person.” Such a funny and nice and warm and fearless person.
Like I said: she’s one of my idols. If I could achieve 1/15 of what she achieved, I could be happy.
She was a true trailblazer – without making a big deal about it. It just happened that way. She couldn’t be anyone but herself (and, obviously, the studios tried to change her – unimaginative people are always trying to change those who are truly original) – and she got a couple lucky breaks (which she fought like tooth and nail for) – and voila. We have this image of strong funny womanhood to guide us … Actresses who are not beautiful have someone to show us the way. Just be yourself. Don’t try to fit into the mold they give you because IT WILL NEVER WORK. Maybe it worked for Jean Harlow, but you know why it did??? Because she was Jean feckin’ Harlow and it WORKED – for HER. If you’re Rosalind Russell, you must find your own way. She did … and because she did … so can the rest of us.
Whoa Mama
Lauren Bacall will turn 81 in a few weeks, and still looks AMAZING. Oh yeah, and she rips Tom “My Thetans are on Ritalin” Cruise a new one. Sheila’s having a Rosalind Russell Appreciation Day today. I, for one, think…
Oh, Sheila, I’m so glad you found this book! It was high on my list of favorite Golden-Age-of-Hollywood books I recommended to you months ago, and it’s been a book I pick up and reread about once every couple of years. She tells stories from her life so vividly, and we romp along with her as a child, as a very young woman just starting out in pictures, and as a professional actor, a kind, loving, generously sparkling person.
I LOVE Rosiland Russell the person as she reveals herself in this book. From her youth to her valiant struggle with arthritis and cancer, she was formidable, smart, funny, grown-up, talented, and the epitome of vivacious charm. She truly deserves a place at the “dream dinner party” table, full of life and joy.
Thank you for bringing the book to the attention of your faithful readers. Another outstanding public service by Sheila O’Malley!
Stevie –
There I was – standing in the dusty messy second-hand bookstore on Cape Cod – scanning the theatre and movie books – My eye fell on her book immediately – and yes!! I immediately thought of you – I rememeber you recommending it to me.
The story of the party she put together (while she was pregnant) for the soldiers at Camp Bowie kills me – like: she acts like such behavior is par for the course, but really, she was an extraordinary woman!
Thanks for telling me to read the book – I might not have picked it up if you hadn’t recommended it.