<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: An Extraordinary Life !
Review: I know I can't do this book justice, but with only one other review, I'll take my best shot.I have read several celebrity autobiographies, but this one is by far the best. What a life! His father was half Irish and half Mexican. His mother was illegitimate and half Mexican and half Indian. He was conceived while "both" of his parents were fighting with Pancho Villa. He lived in a dirt-floor shed. His father became a migrant farm worker in the U.S. and later got a job at a studio. Quinn's father's arm was nearly torn off by a panther that Quinn had befriended. These are only some of the highlights in just the first 39 pages. Quinn was originally planning on becoming an architect, but Frank Lloyd Wright sets into motion a serendipitous chain of circumstances, which leads to Quinn becoming an actor instead of an architect. This book is much more than the story of Quinn, or even the film industry. Through out his life, Quinn seemed to come into contact, or into bed, with everyone that was anyone: anywhere. While still an unknown-unknown, he was in the frequent company and advice of such people as John Barrymore, Error Flynn, W. C. Fields, John Steinbeck, William Saroyan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner. During this time, he married Cecil B. De Mille's adopted daughter, which resulted in a 20-year-conflict between Quinn and De Mille. Having De Mille as a father-in-law actually harmed Quinn's career. Quinn tells of a clandestine meeting with Howard Hughes at 2:30 AM on Mulholland Drive and Hughes arrives with 3 cars. Quinn discusses his 3-year-old son drowning in W. C. Fields' swimming pool. Time and space cause me to only try to wet your appetite. After reading this book, it's hard to tell if Quinn was playing Zorba, or if Zorba was playing Quinn. By the way, even the dance Quinn does at the end of this movie is a very interesting story. As with all great books, it unfortunately didn't last long enough.
Rating:
Summary: One Man Tango
Review: I really enjoyed this book by Anthony Quinn. At first, I was put off by the way his thoughts jumped around, but in retrospect, I realize that this was just his way of getting his point across, and I became mesmerized by his thoughts and the disparity of his early years. Mr. Quinn did not flower his book with how great he was, or even sound like a celebrity, in the description of his life. In his early years he was very poor, and really let the reader feel his thoughts on his poverty, and how he fought to stay alive. It is a great example of coming from a life of nothing, with seldom having food to eat, to become a great actor, artist, lover, and family man. Although he would never receive accolades as a husband, he truly loved his family. He mentioned several times, his grief at the death of his son and the loss of father. He made many friends along the way, and treasured every one. Not caring whether they were paupers or kings. In 1983, we had the pleasure of seeing and meeting Mr. Quinn on Broadway, in Zorba the Greek. We had invested in several of his paintings and sculptures, and was invited to a party for him at the Helmsley Palace in New York City. We were really impressed with his ability to encompass a room with his presence, while giving every person a piece of his persona. This book is excellent reading, which keeps the reader waiting for his next thought. The world will truly miss this great man.
Rating:
Summary: One Man Tango
Review: I really enjoyed this book by Anthony Quinn. At first, I was put off by the way his thoughts jumped around, but in retrospect, I realize that this was just his way of getting his point across, and I became mesmerized by his thoughts and the disparity of his early years. Mr. Quinn did not flower his book with how great he was, or even sound like a celebrity, in the description of his life. In his early years he was very poor, and really let the reader feel his thoughts on his poverty, and how he fought to stay alive. It is a great example of coming from a life of nothing, with seldom having food to eat, to become a great actor, artist, lover, and family man. Although he would never receive accolades as a husband, he truly loved his family. He mentioned several times, his grief at the death of his son and the loss of father. He made many friends along the way, and treasured every one. Not caring whether they were paupers or kings. In 1983, we had the pleasure of seeing and meeting Mr. Quinn on Broadway, in Zorba the Greek. We had invested in several of his paintings and sculptures, and was invited to a party for him at the Helmsley Palace in New York City. We were really impressed with his ability to encompass a room with his presence, while giving every person a piece of his persona. This book is excellent reading, which keeps the reader waiting for his next thought. The world will truly miss this great man.
<< 1 >>
| 
