Spotlights & Shadows: The Albert Salmi Story

Rating:
Summary: A Bittersweet Life
Review: If you want to read a well-written. well-researched, and interesting biography about one of the most talented and versatile actors of the 20th Century, then this book is for you.

Right from the start, a particularly appealing aspect of the format is the interweaving of Ms.Grabman's narrative with Mr. Salmi's autobiographical notes (discovered after his untimely death), thus allowing the reader to hear the subject speak in his own voice while his biographer provides relevant comments and background for his recollections. This alternation of author's text with subject's memoirs is beautifully executed, and even after his notes run out, Ms. Grabman has gathered enough material on her own to continue the story of Mr. Salmi's life journey, including interviews containing revealing and insightful reminiscences by many who traveled the road with him for a while along the way, both personally and professionally.

What emerges is a picture of a complex but deceptively simple man,dedicated to the quest for, and often achieving, excellence in his craft, whose personal life was largely devoted to enjoying family and friends while shunning the ostentatious trappings of fame. He comes across as an extremely likeable human being, warm, gentle and generous in both his professional and personal relationships. That is why, in sharp contrast to this characterization, Mr. Salmi's sudden and violent death becomes all the more incongruous and hard to comprehend, but if you're looking for lurid details and wild speculations, you won't find them in these pages. Instead, Ms.Grabman has chosen to treat the circumstances surrounding the tragic event with sensitivity and restraint, while at the same time by no means diminishing the facts of the matter nor the search for meaning behind Mr. Salmi's desperate final act.

It goes without saying that this book is a must-read for Albert Salmi fans, some of whom might be as surprised as I was to learn of his Brooklyn upbringing and early years of study with Lee Strasberg at the legendary Actors Studio. I also highly recommend it to readers in general, to biography buffs in particular, and to drama students specifically as there is quite a bit of interesting film and theater history to be found here. You also won't want to miss the selection of great photos.

Buy this book! You won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful tribute to a forgotten actor
Review: Sandra Grabman has written a perceptive, well-researched tribute to one of the most talented if ultimately undervalued Hollywood character actors.

Although Albert Salmi's tragic death may well take precedence over his vast and varied body of cinematic achievements, his contribution to film and, most particularly, the early days of television must not be overlooked, and this is where Sandra excels with her book. She details both the professional and personal peaks and valleys of an essentially kind man beset by many demons. Yet she refuses to present an easy rendering of sensationalized tabloid material, instead offering a fair overview of the man, supplemented by unbiased reminisces from many of Salmi's friends and co-workers.

Even if one is not familiar with the professional achievements of Albert Salmi, Sandra's book is a highly-recommended read for any entertainment enthusiast, as it details many fascinating insights into the show biz world Salmi entered and the (often losing) struggles he endured to remain within its sphere. Sandra's prose is crisp, easy-to-read, and thoroughly entertaining. An added bonus is a generous supply of rare photographs that illustrate both the performer and the private man. This along with an exhaustive listing of Salmi's film/stage/and television appearances make The Albert Salmi Story a must read.

Finally, kudos to BearManor Media for publishing another handsomely-packaged trade paperback devoted to a celebrity lesser light of yesteryear. BearManor's contribution to keeping these memories alive remains both invaluable resource material to the serious scholar and fun reading for fans who don't want to forget.