Ava Gardner, "My Story"

I have a confession to make -- I am in love with Ava Gardner.

I have read many autobiographies in my time, especially movie star ones, being the devoted cinema scholar that I am. Ava's story tops it all, rivaled only by Rosalind Russell's.

This book of average length is literally a breeze. People say some books have them flipping pages because they're so engrossed. This is one of them. You don't even need a great concentrating ability. I mean, I woke up this morning and the first thing I did was to finish reading this gem. On one occasion, I was flipping through with great enthusiasm and found myself absolutely absorbing in her account of a fight with Frank Sinatra, when this experience came to an abrupt end due to the picture pages in the middle of the book. I nearly found myself cursing. That's how interesting her stories are. I have to add, though, that the pictures were so beautiful to look at and the captions so full of Ava's voice that I soon forgot my previous complaint. The story was resumed after a number of breathtaking photos, and I was put in an overall marveling mood.

The thing that surprised me the most was the amazingly fresh candor she displays. It is by far the most down-to-earth book that I have ever read in my entire life. She is so honest throughout the entire book, about the goods and the bads. She is not above admitting her faults, and in fact, clearly shows tremendous understanding of herself as well as of others. As her friend Franka says, she never badmouths anybody. She loved people in spite of their down sides, or perhaps even because of them. And when she couldn't stand somebody, she simply didn't bother. Her vocabulary is equally as frank and varied, making for hilarious lines and extremely touching passages. This book was the first that made me laugh and cry, which is one hell of an achievement for a book.

Aside from the delightful words from Miss G. herself, there are a few pages filled by some of her friends, including Gregory Peck and Arlene Dahl. These portions more-or-less corroborate the image of Ava Gardner you get by reading her story, and then some. Truth be told, I've always liked Ava, but had admittedly identified her with the roles she has played on-screen. Frank and funny -- which she is -- but also assertive and dominating. That would have been a fine character, but instead who I found was completely fresh. A lovely, honest Southern girl with a robust appetite for life. I don't think I know anyone like that, but if I did, I would be the first to be an appreciative friend. And the beauty of this book is that for a few hours in your life, you are. Because she is right there with you in the room, talking to you. All you have to do is provide an attentive ear... or eye!
RATING: 5/5

Ginger Rogers, "My Story"

The first to honor this as-yet desolate little place on the web is Ginger Rogers' 450-pages-long autobiography, simply called "My Story". Now, Ingrid Bergman's book is also called "My Story". Ava Gardner's book? Also "My Story". Despite its outer simplicity, the popular title is infinitely interesting, considering the fact that it takes on a different tone depending on who is doing the storytelling.

For actress Ginger Rogers, it is more like a selection of little stories that make up the one long story of her life. The book itself is lengthy, choppy, and perhaps even random at times. Interesting anecdotes are sprinkled throughout and appear most unexpectedly in the midst of rather uninteresting details, such as a list of the cast in a given film. (She does this often, in fact, listing all the actors in a movie before informing us about her particular experience.) While she may have a lot to say, the organization is not so appealing with its obstruction of a smooth reading. General comments about this actor being "nice" and that actor also "nice," struggle hard to stay in one's memory, whereas the abundance of words describing the astonishingly ungentlemanly conduct of Bill Holden on the set, or the shocking monstrosity called bullfighting do rather well to remain in the brain. It seems that the negatives outweigh the positives in this particular story.

While Ginger Rogers' outlook on life is made perfectly clear, accomplishing the remarkable goal of any autobiography, it is slightly regretful that the tone merely comes across as that of a girl rather than of a woman. Optimistic, simple, cheerful, romantic, Ginger Rogers fails to analyze herself, her friends, or reasons for events that occurred in her life -- such as her marriages or divorces. Nonetheless, from this fact one can understand that all her stories and comments on the people in her life, whether positive or negative, have been told entirely in good humor, like an enthusiastic child. There is no bitterness, just small wounds and offenses that have hurt her cheerful, simple self who only wants to be happy and in love.

*A Christian Scientist -- which I am not, by the way -- may find the events of this book intriguing. Incidents of healing and otherwise religious faith (i.e. miracles) are outlined from time to time, also assisted by clearly Republican views. I must admit that, as a fiercely anti-Christian as well as anti-Republican individual, I found such portions of the book distasteful. But it is her story, and I for one am certainly not going to object to her telling us her own religious and political views in a book about herself.

Not the best story in the world, but a must for fans of the talented actress, dancer, singer and artist who did indeed excel in many of her creative endeavors.
RATING: 3/5