I would give this an almost four. With sharp wit and a perceptive eye, Mr. Langella takes us with him into the private worlds and privileged lives of movie stars, presidents, royalty, literary lions, the social elite, and the … He's a guy you'll do your best to be careful around. I really enjoyed this. With clarity, insight, and an unflinching truthfulness and candor, Langella provides the reader with penetrating and well-crafted vignettes throughout his 50-year acting career of the many notable people of the last half of the 20th century (e.g. When I tried to read more than that at one time, I was overwhelmed and skipping around isn't a great idea either since the memories/anecdotes lead often to one later on. This is by design. by Frank Langella ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012 Stage and screen stalwart Langella recalls his encounters with celebrity, both in and out of the spotlight. AKA Frank A. Langella, Jr. Born: 1-Jan-1938 Birthplace: Bayonne, NJ. If Frank Langella’s memoir simply did what its title promises, it would be deep-dish gossip. But Langella is not meanspirited, only an honest observer or participant, and through combinations of luck and timing, has spanned generations in his lifetime. I happen to think he does it quite well--check out the 1979 version of Dracula, or The Ninth Gate, where he stood out well against Johnny Depp's scenery chewing performance if you don't know what I'm talking about. Each famous person has a few pages as remembered by Frank Langella who reveals as much about himself as he does those whose names he drops. Please note that this item is not for sale to people under the age of 18. Frank Langella chilled audiences by playing the vampiric Count Dracula on stage and screen. His first book, Frank Langella’s Cyrano: An Adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac was published in 1999. He tells more than a few stories of great S.O.B.s he has known, but even the people he liked and loved come off as hugely flawed and deeply unhappy, even cruel people. Welcome back. A rattling good read for those who are not above a bit of gossip about celebrity and those affected by it. Irons is a more appropriate Humbert for the 21st Century; the actor somehow managing to create a tortured but slightly sympathetic character. Langella rarely holds back his true feelings, but more so than his crafty and sometimes biting opinions on these people, it's the book's legendary scope of Langella's extraordinary life that mark it as something special. Frank Langella's Dropped Names: Famous Men and Women As I Knew Them offers shrewd and often poignant observations that linger in the mind long after each chapter ends--and there are 66 vignettes to savor. The film is a triumph of performance, art direction and mood over materials that can lend themselves so easily to self-satire. Fall Challenge 2012: Completed Tasks - DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS TOPIC. Most of the book is about famous dead people, so there is no mention of Whoopi Goldberg, whom Langella dated from 1996 to 2001. 4.0 out of 5 stars 62 ratings. . I found this repetitive and therefore boring. They have two children. But of course, that was not his intention. The estimated speaking fee range to book Frank Langella for your event is available upon request. Rita Hayworth dancing by candlelight in a small Mexican village; Elizabeth Taylor devouring homemade pasta and tenderly wrapping him in her pashmina scarf; streaking for Sir Laurence Olivier in a drafty English castle; terrifying a dozing Jackie Onassis; carrying an unconscious Montgomery Clift to safety on a dark New York City street. What is the best book you've read this year? Frank Langella--a dark and menacing Quilty--will leave you feeling a … Los Angeles Times. He doesn’t spare himself from our potential criticism but he also keeps a lot hidden. Not many of his peers could write such an eloquently dishy book. As the subtitle says and as Langella has pointed out in interviews, these are famous people as he experienced them, not necessarily as they actually were. Frank A. Langella Jr. (/ l æ n ˈ dʒ ɛ l ə /; born January 1, 1938) is an American stage and film actor. ... Frank Langella. Probably Oldman at number three on the list. He tells more than a few stories of great S.O.B.s he has known, but even the people he liked and loved come off as hugely flawed and deeply unhappy. By placing an order for this product, … Taylor Branch, the author of "Pillar of Fire." We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. From the linked article: “Langella’s Dracula is pointedly less scary than Skeletor [another role played by Frank Langella], and indeed, less scary than most dramatic Draculas. He has played Dracula and Nixon, as well as Skeletor and Dog the Bad Pirate. 4.6 out of 5 stars 225 ratings. He was a young Italian boy who had grown up in New Jersey and was working at the Cape Playhouse when he became friends with Bunny Melon's daughter. A quick, enjoyable read, but not as much fun as I expected from the Times review. In fact, it provides a good entry point to this book, which is filled with his memories of time spent with other well-known folks in theatre, movi. A little too much "Chapter one: I am born" for me. But the polar opposite of the warrior count is Frank Langella in the 1979 version of Dracula. for the most part he has nice things to say.Some are his friends, co workers etc. Not many of his peers could write such an eloquently dishy book. This year, he's won kudos - and an Oscar nomination - for his portrayal of a President. The sexual tidbits weren't all that salacious or interesting - I thought the subject of who and when presented rather boorishly. With sharp wit and a perceptive eye, Mr. Langella takes us with him into the… Frank Langella generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Director: Roman Polanski | Stars: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner. See if your friends have read any of Frank Langella's books. This is his first book. Unfortunately, the book suffers, IMHO, from dwelling on his intimate relations with so many of the people profiled or mentioned. Langella was a sex symbol. Johnny Depp (Actor), Frank Langella (Actor), Roman Polanski (Director) & Rated: A (Adults Only) Format: DVD. We learn something, too, of Mr. Langella’s personal journey from … Frank Langella’s “Dropped Names” is a different kind of memoir. All of those qualities make this such a delightful book. With clarity, insight, and an unflinching truthfulness and candor, Langella provides the reader with penetrating and well-crafted vignettes throughout his 50-year acting career of the many notable people of the last half of the 20th century (e.g. I read the book. Langella has written two books. (I could go on.) Frank used his sex appeal to make friends with Bunny Mellon (who also couldn't resist John Edwards) and several of the chapters refer to her as being a great "teacher" in the ways of the rich. With Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner. Bah. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Langella agreed to sign onto director John Badham's only Horror film, 1979's Dracula.His stipulations were that he wouldn't have to wear fangs, and he'd allowed to explore Dracula's soulfulness. While the actor did a campy take in the stage production that featured Edward Gorey set designs, the Dracula in … Frank Langella has been a professional actor for over five decades and hopes to carry on for several more. Langella is a bit of a sly fox, opening the curtain to reveal the truth about so many actors and theatrical luminaries he has known, all of them dead. He has his favorites, too, like Raul Julia with whom he shared a long bromance, Jo Van Fleet, whom he admired and felt sorry for, and Maureen Stapleton, about whom I've never heard a bad word from anybody. Currently unavailable. I don't usually read auto-biographies, and I have never before read anything autobiographical by any actor. They are by turn funny, sad, inspiring, horrifying and salacious - but for me, always entertaining. The premise -- each chapter about his relationship/interaction with another famous person (mostly actors) -- is intriguing. Only 1 left in stock. Frank Langella as Julius Hoffman in "The Trial of the Chicago 7." Welcome back. I looked forward to getting into my car and listen to Frank Langella read his own book and tell wonderful stories about celebrities he's known: he can demystify celebrity while engaging the reader in a treasure of life's lessons. Rita Hayworth dancing by candlelight in a small Mexican village; Elizabeth Taylor devouring homemade pasta and tenderly wrapping him in her pashmina scarf; streaking for Sir Laurence Olivier in a drafty English castle; terrifying a dozing Jackie Onassis; carrying an unconscious Montgomery Clift to safety on a dark New York City street. Wow, this was an unexpected surprise. Frank Langella is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. He hints at affairs he's had in very high places--I'll leave that for you to discover--and never mentions the name of Whoopi Goldberg. He is downright mean at times. His first book, ‘Frank Langella’s Cyrano: An Adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac,’ was published in 1999. Langella Oozed Sexuality. Refresh and try again. A quick, enjoyable read, but not as much fun as I expected from the Times review. ), I came to this book not as die-hard "fan" of Mr. Langella's work--I have liked some of his performances, and others not so much, he was never "the deciding factor" for me in seeing a film or play. We’d love your help. Langella's huge ego gets in the way of this guarded book, which tells stories about dead famous people he supposedly knew. . This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Return Policy on this item. Title is accurate - you don't learn much about Frank except that he has a way of ingratiating himself with people and he likes to screw. This may have been a strategy to avoid awkwardness at future Hollywood cocktail parties — or any future libel lawsuits. 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