Wagner's book
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Diosprometheus — 10 years ago(April 08, 2015 11:41 AM)
Right William Bast has been saying that, at least, since 1975 when he produced and scripted his James Dean: Portrait of a Friend for an NBC TV movie. And more recently Bast wrote a second biography on Jimmy which had new materials not in his first biography on him.
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luganoswiss — 16 years ago(April 23, 2009 01:26 PM)
No, ROBERT WAGNER'S BOOK IS BRILLIANT, ENTERTAINING, CANDID, AND INSPIRATIONAL. I spent alot of time in L.A. trying to "make it" and his emphasis on pursuing other interests outside of the movie industry was right on. I also think he values friendships, and the fact that he keeps friendships must mean he is one heck of a good person. I saw him and Jill do "Love Letters" in Chicago, and he spent time with the audience afterwards and talked with us - such a warm man.
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Lysandra_Yaxley — 16 years ago(April 23, 2009 03:30 PM)
I don't know about the rest of your post but the story about Tracy was included in the book by Frank Westmore called The Westmores of Hollywood. Westmore was the make up artist who treated and covered up with make up the cuts that Wagner got from the incident. The event happened.
I expect that Wagner's book is quite accurate and, obviously, very heart felt. -
Lysandra_Yaxley — 16 years ago(April 23, 2009 06:02 PM)
You said that the Tracy story was "previously published and recanted". To recant means 'to withdraw or repudiate'. And, of course, that story has never been claimed to be untrue. I think what you are trying to say is that the only stories that Wagner told in his book, also appeared elsewhere. That doesn't make them less true. Wagner said he rarely saw Tracy drinking and I expect that is true. Tracy was a binge drinker who didn't drink most of the time. The glass throwing story was one instance during the filming of The Mountain in which Tracy got upset (because of the cable car incident) and briefly went off the wagon. I'm sure it did make an impression on Wagner.
As for Stephanie Powers, I gather there i16d0s a fan contingent who seem to think there was something going on between Wagner and Powers which, from all appearances, didn't happen. -
wowcharlie3 — 16 years ago(April 24, 2009 02:59 PM)
If I loved someone that much and there was a "paperwork" mix-up, and I wasn't going to be buried next to him, i would have raised a hell of a lot of Cain. They would never have heard the end of it until they did SOMETHING to rectify it. He just doesn't care.
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Noir-It-All — 16 years ago(March 02, 2010 07:52 PM)
I am reading the book, too. As far as his being clingy, you have to remember what his parents were like. His father was very tough and you could understand why RJ sought father figures. I can't say he was very close to his mother, either. RJ does say he was closer to the old stars than those of his generation like Marlon, Monty Clift and others.
As far as RJ pointing out gay men, I imagine someone as attractive as he was drew both men and women.
"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne -
Noir-It-All — 15 years ago(April 21, 2010 05:05 PM)
Here it is:
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointment in you RJ, April 18, 2010
By A. Sheldon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Pieces of My Heart: A Life (Hardcover)
RJ,
Knowing you since 1981, I was so saddened and surprised and deeply hurt about all of the fiction in your book. The part that hurt the most is what you said about my husband Sidney Sheldon. I have a copy of his original script "Double Twist" and an orginal copy of the "Hart to Hart" script. Basically, the changes in the script are the names of the characters and adding the delightful dog, Freeway. In Sidney's "Double Twist", the story takes place at the Golden whatever spa just as it does in Hart to Hart the character of Sylvia is still the same. The man going over the cliff is the same. The car chase scene between "Jonathan" and "Jennifer" only in "Twist" their names are "Alex" and "Penelope". The character of Max is called Taylor in "Double Twist". The story is almost identical. For you to say it was trash and say it was about two men living together with a bed coming down in the living room is outrageous and extremely hurtful not only to me but to Sidney's daughter Mary, and his two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Sidney had the idea of the Thin Man series in Double Twist .. I have the original script, as I said, and will gladly print it for all to see alongside the original script of "Hart to Hart for everyone to see how identical they are."
I thought we were friends. You have been nearly lifelong friends with my brother in law, Roderick Mann and friends with my sister Anastasia for over 30 years. You were extremely wonderful to my daughter, Kimberly, who was in 26 "Hart to Harts", before she was killed by a drunk driver. Natalie and I were childhood friends and she used to parade me around at the studio and say she was my sister, since we looked so much alike.
I have always had so much respect as an actor for your craft and as a friend, but for you to so unfairly demean Sidney, a man who was your friend, and who did not write what you claimed he did, and for you to put it in the spin you did in your book which you also have so many other partial truths which I shan't go into here, out of kindness to you, since they do not deal directly with me or my family. As stated, I am angry, hurt and ashamed of you. Sidney is not on this Earth anymore to defend himself against your untruths, but as his wife I am Shame on you RJ you should re-title your book "Pieces of the Truth" instead of "Pieces of my Heart". You have deeply offended and hurt a number of Sidney's friends, family and fans that do know the truth in this matter.
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Sidney Sheldon
"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne