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Starstruck: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood Hardcover – October 12, 2021
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length400 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherGoodKnight Books
- Publication dateOctober 12, 2021
- Dimensions6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101735273813
- ISBN-13978-1735273815
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
"I have read it, as in every word, as in reading nothing else till it was finished, as in being sorry when it was finished, because I could as much have enjoyed 400 more pages of Hooked On Hollywood's delve into sagas of past film all new to me, indeed unknown to anyone before Maltin dug his customary deep to find lost lore regarding movies we all love." —John McElwee, Greenbriar Picture Shows
“The go-to choice for both film geeks and casual couch potatoes.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Distinctive, authoritative and personal. Its prose is so spare, rarely betraying biases or eccentricities, but the book lives so long precisely because ever page has Maltin’s unmistakable presence.” —NPR
"Film critic and historian Maltin offers a warmhearted, rambling memoir of his long romance with movies, which began when he was a child. Replete with anecdotes, the good-natured, rarely critical narrative features appreciative recollections of James Stewart, Buster Keaton, Robert Mitchum, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Lewis, Roy Rogers, Jackie Cooper, and Shirley Temple, among many more. A genial, entertaining memoir." —Kirkus Reviews
"His memoir is a delightful collection of relatively short and breezy chapters indulging some of his favorite stars (Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Lewis, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gloria Stuart, Harlan Ellison) and subjects (such as jazz). This is strictly G-rated and great fun." —Library Journal
"Leonard Maltin has earned his stellar reputation as a film historian, movie critic, author, and yes, even celebrity. His memoir invites all movie lovers to reminisce right along with him." —David Ferguson, Red Carpet Crash
"I’ve read a lot of books during the pandemic but Leonard Maltin’s memoir was one of my most anticipated books of 2021. ...But anyway, the book certainly lived up to my expectations–so much that I finished the ARC in less than a day. That speaks to how quick of a pace that this book has. Honestly, Maltin shares so many stories that a simple review cannot even do this book justice." —Danielle Solzman, Solzy at the Movies
"Maltin is a great storyteller. For that reason the chapters he writes in praise of his less famous friends are just as fascinating as his memories of meeting stars like Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, and Olivia de Havilland. His enthusiasm for interesting characters and people in general is contagious. It’s pleasant reading, light and easy, but full of interesting details of a busy life." —Watching Classic Movies
"There are some lovely parts dedicated to his friendships with people such as Harlan Ellison (who he met at a showing of The Terminator, which had plagiarised some of the writer’s work) and Freda Sandrich, widow of Mark Sandrich who had directed several Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers pictures. It’s an interesting book with some fun anecdotes." —Charlie Brigden, Set the Tape
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : GoodKnight Books (October 12, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1735273813
- ISBN-13 : 978-1735273815
- Item Weight : 1.4 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #516,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #270 in Theatre Biographies
- #4,584 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- #15,601 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Leonard Maltin is a respected film critic and historian, perhaps best known for his annual paperback reference Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, which was first published in 1969. He lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles and teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2022Leonard Maltin is one of my favorite people, although I have never met him. Through his writings, however, I have been friends with him for quite a long while, at least since he began producing his Movie Guide. I have depended on his reviews and his ratings to help me appreciate the films I watch. I get a kick out of trying to guess what his rating for a given film will be before I look it up in his Guide. I am often surprised, since my ratings tend to be higher than his, but then his review explains his position very well in just a few lines. I was unhappy when, with the 2015 edition, he gave up producing the printed Guide, so I now am left with that one on my shelf. Fortunately, before that last Guide appeared, he had decided to create a companion guide by pulling out all the films from the “classic” years. That guide has now been turned into a second edition.
Leonard Maltin’s interests and mine intersect most closely on the subject of Walt Disney. As a boy, I was a full-fledged Disney fanatic, so much so that my father was jealous of the affection I showed Mr. Disney during those early years. So, I was immensely pleased when Mr. Maltin published his wonderful book The Disney Films in 1973, which is now in its fourth edition. I also relished ownership of his monumental Movie Encyclopedia, which I consulted often to gain his take on a particular film star.
So, now I have the fantastic retrospective of Leonard Maltin’s life and times in the immensely charming, even addictive Starstruck. This wonderful book comprises largely a series of vignettes about Mr. Maltin’s remarkable life as a cinephile, among his other interests. Since I have come to know him largely through his writings, I was introduced in Starstruck to other sides of his multi-faceted life. After all, he spent 30 years working on Entertainment Tonight, which I have largely bypassed. I have had the chance, however, to see him every once in a while on Turner Classic Movies (TCM), especially when he has been called on to contribute to introductions to various presentations of Disney films. His “gigs” on Entertainment Tonight, as he likes to call them, which lasted for 30 years, however, have provided many wonderful stories of his interactions with people in the entertainment industry, if you will, the “stars” to which the title of his book refer.
I am especially enamored of the loving way he describes his lengthy married life with Alice and his relationship with his daughter Jessie, both of whom are his long-time collaborators and coworkers on this and that “gig.” In an industry well known for the shortness of marital relationships, especially of those who appear in front of the camera, it is heartwarming to know that Leonard and Alice have remained together for many long decades. The length of their relationship likely is at least in part due to the commonality of their interests and pursuits.
Leonard Maltin appears as though he has met and interviewed a huge number of people over the length of his career, which, after all, extends back to the time that he was a teenager involved with producing his “fanzine.” A surprising number of these people are described as “friends” and even “good friends.” Such people include the five current hosts at TCM and the previous host, Robert Osbourne, who I wish could find a way to return from the beyond to take up hosting duties again. I fully agree with Mr. Maltin, who describes TCM as his “go-to station.” It is mine, as well. After all, what’s not to like about TCM? For movie buffs, especially those enamored of the classic age of Hollywood, It is the ultimate viewing pleasure. The films are played in their entirety, right to the last of the credits on a round-the-clock basis, with informative introduction and summaries provided by the various hosts. So much for the plug for TCM.
This wonderful book is highly recommended for anyone who claims to be a movie buff, anyone who has one of Leonard Maltin’s other books on the shelf, anyone who is interested in how a film critic goes about his work, or just anyone who is charmed by his winning smile and pleasant voice. Upon reading this fascinating picture of his life, you, too, will become “starstruck.”
- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021Keeps your attention and makes you wish the book were longer. Hope there is a sequel. He seems to met most of the big stars
- Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2024What a great read! Loved all the stories would recommend this book to anyone!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2022Starstruck is a book that you can read in one sitting. The book is like visiting with a friend that I have known for years. ( I subscribed to his magazine Film Fan Monthly when I was in high school.) Maltin is very knowledgeable about old movies, new movies and movie stars. This book talks about all of these topics with warmth and comfort. He seasoned his book with many personal stories about his family and his close friends. The book was so enjoyable , I did not want the book to end. Note : Just like him, TCM is my favorite TV station.
Highly recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023I enjoyed this Book of reminisce from Leonard Maltin. Fun stories, backstage into and an inside look at film festivals and the business of Show. He is kind to his subjects, this isn't a dishing the dirt kind of book, which is nice. I'm sure he could have but chose not to our of respect for the movies.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2021Film critic Leonard Maltin's STARSTRUCK is an amiable and anecdotal combination of memoir and starry-eyed tales of celebrities, gathered from Maltin's decades of working on Entertainment Tonight and attending film-related parties, fund-raisers and premieres. Maltin has loved movies since childhood. "I remain an unabashed fan," he writes. "This seems to hold me in good stead with the people I encounter." He's as thrilled to interview cinematographers, music editors and veteran character actors as he is superstars. With the possible exceptions of Burt Reynolds and Celeste Holm, his boyish enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the film industry usually won over even the most cynical performers. Readers will be equally beguiled.
Movie buffs who used his annually updatedLEONARD MALTIN'S MOVIE GUIDE for more than four decades may be surprised to learn Maltin was only 18 when his first edition came out in 1969. One of the most fascinating stories in STARSTRUCK is the origin tale of his film guide and the laborious task of updating it. "I'm a lucky film buff who stumbled into careers in publishing, television, and academia, all of them unplanned," he writes. But he's being modest. He was well-prepared for every opportunity that fell in his path.
There are full chapters devoted to Katharine Hepburn, Jerry Lewis, Bette Davis, Mel Brooks, Lena Horne, Robert Mitchum, Shirley Temple and others. Another star-studded chapter chronicles how Maltin and his wife found themselves on a permanent guest list to Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion for weekend Old Movie Nights. STARSTRUCK is a delightful and convivial pleasure cruise through Old Hollywood.
Film buff and critic Leonard Maltin's beguiling memoir is jam-packed with starry-eyed tales of celebrity encounters, and is bound to leave readers smiling.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2021A fun ride through Mr. Martin's career. I especially enjoyed the stories about some of the classic stars and movers and shakers of Hollywood. I learned many new things about silent movies,and surprisingly Hugh Hefner.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2021Leonard Maltin’s memoir is not filled with earthshaking revelations; but it’s filled with fun anecdotes and it’s important personal history by a significant figure.