Cover Image: Starstruck

Starstruck

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Member Reviews

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I've have been blessed in my life by having close conversations / relations with famous people. People like talking to me probably because I'm just too casual, and I ask questions that not a lot of reporters ask. I treat them like normal people and don't try to 'fake' getting into their good graces.

I was thankful to know that Leonard Maltin is a lot like that too. Brought on a healthy dose of classic movies, Disney, and wanting questions to films he adored, he started out by pretty much finding people at stage doors, movie sets, every day places. He curtailed that into making a newsletter / magazine about classic films, which then morphed into movie reviews, which then morphed into teaching at a university in CA.

His life story while sparse is just enough to make you see that he is a fan first and foremost, and he loves what he does. He isn't bias, and while a couple times he has given tough reviews (Mel Brooks, Burt Reynolds), he still focuses on the minor bits in a film for what its worth.

If you're a fan of film, critics, or Hollywood, you should pick this up an give it a read.

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I have always liked hearing Leonard Martin's movie reviews and interviews.
With that glimmer in his eye, you can see the man enjoys his job because he loves movies, TV and great storytelling.
HIs book is no different.
With 50+ years of covering Hollywood, Mr. Maltin positively and eloquently tells great stories about his love for cinema and the people who make it happen in front of and behind the screen.
It's like I'm sitting there with him over a cup of coffee and he's sharing his journalist experience.
Great read for anyone who is a Hollywood junkie, like me.

*I appreciate the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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What is not to love with Leonard Maltin? His expertise, passion and knowledge about movies is second to none. His writing style is engaging and as entertaining as one of the great Hollywood movies he loves so much. This book is his story. It is a total pleasure to read. I miss his insight and reviews on shows like Entertainment Tonight or the Reelz cable channel.

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It took me a few days to realize who Mr. Maltin was. The name didn't hit me until a a bit into the book, I suddenly realized he had written book reviews of every movie ever made! I would often consult his books to look up synopsis of movies where I woked! Shame on me for not paying attention to nonfiction authors. I enjoyed this book. So many great stories of Mr. Maltin's experiences in Hollywood with the actors, actresses, and other folks in the movie business. Anyone interested in film will enjoy this book, Fun book to browse!

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Film 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 updated "Leonard 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.

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Starstruck is one of those memoirs that is informative and fun to read and it is amazing on how one man’s passion will guide him through life and help him succeed in every way possible.

Leonard Matlin is the King of Entertainment whether it was his yearly film guide which I would receive one every year or his film reviews or interviews, this was a man who loved his job and it showed. He lovingly put his heart and passion out for the world to see and out of all the entertainment journalism, I always found him the best. His face and eyes would light up with every newscast he was on.

His book, Starstruck is a fun and informative view of his life and his many encounters with show business giants of old and new. He gives us a history of his upbringing and he is able to engage the reader through his life with many delights. His achievements have given the entertainment world a look at how things have changed from the 60’s to present days but his enthusiasm is still very much alive. I love the old stories of classic actors he had met through the years, friendships he has forged through time and his loving family just as invested as he is himself.

The book never dips into boredom and although he does bounce around his life, he keeps the reader invested that they never lose track of where they are. Although it saddens me of his current medical condition, I am still highly encouraged to find a person who keeps his passions strongly flamed to carry him through his next chapter.

This is an excellent film about a man and his journey but also if you are a lover of Hollywood and films, this book will keep you highly entertained. Excellent and highly recommended. You rock Maltin and may your flame always burn bright.

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Leonard Maltin has graced my television screen for years...as a Disney film buff, I am very used to seeing Mr. Maltin on the Behind the Scenes specials, Making-Of features and other bonus material for my favorite Disney films. That is what piqued my interest in this title and I was not disappointed.

Maltin's passion is contagious! We quickly learn that his passion for film began as a child--and interestingly enough, his career did too! Leonard Maltin's story is truly one about following your bliss, only this inspirational story is filled with celebrity cameos, film trivia gems and so much more. As a matter of fact, I consistently found myself opening up my notepad to jot down a movie Maltin references, wanting to revisit it later.

Starstruck is not just a story of film but a story of passion. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to GoodKnight Books and NetGalley for a copy of Starstruck in exchange for my honest review.

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What a delightful book!! Leonard Maltin writes with the same enthusiasm he had as a boy when he first became enthralled with the movies and its stars. That enthusiasm is contagious, in no small part because of his conversational, easy-going style of writing. It's such fun reading of Maltin's interactions with famous people in the entertainment industry. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to see 'behind the scenes' and know what the stars are really like.

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Princess Fuzzypants here: Starstruck is both an apt and wonderful title for Leonard Maltin’s autobiography. The man has been a mainstay for film and tv lovers for forty years both in print, on television and now in podcasts. He spent 30 years on Entertainment Tonight and has been one of the go to guys for movie trivia and information.

Long before the internet or IMDB or Wikipedia, his movie guide was the bible for movie buffs. He was, from the time he spoke to his first star and remains today, a fan, first and foremost. You get the idea that he feels he has lived a charmed life being able to do what he loves. In his reviews, there is never a sense of “gotcha” or malice. He is never nasty or mean. And his interviews with stars of old and new are memorable for their depth and passion. He comes across, both to the people he interviews and his viewers or readers as a genuinely nice guy who is excited to be there to talk to the people who make the magic.

I enjoyed his trip down memory lane from his very early days writing for fanzines all the way to his podcasts. He is generous with his praise and comes across as sincerely interested in what people have to say. That is likely one of the secrets of his success, He approaches what he does as a fan and not as the centre of the universe. And it comes across in his book. What could have been name dropping in more egotistical hands, shines through with the pleasure he has derived from his profession and his eagerness to share it with us, the reader.

If you are a big movie/tv fan, especially if you enjoy older movies and shows, you must read this book. It was a delight from beginning to end. Thank you for the hours of entertainment and knowledge you have provided. Five stars and two paws up.

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I was interested in reading this book because I am a real film buff. I love Hollywood movies and I love the idea of traveling to film festivals. Maltin's book definitely delivered in both of these areas with his wonderful experiences and access to Hollywood stars and travel to festivals around the world. On the one hand, the book brought me a lot of joy as he shared about his encounters with big players in the film industry. He was able to share a "behind-the-scenes" of getting to know and interview them throughout his career. On the other hand, in the latter half of the book, I started to feel a bit like I was reading someone's annual holiday letter where everyone is so gifted, talented and kind (including many, many descriptions of his own daughter) and while I applaud him for being proud and definitely viewing everyone with rose-colored glasses (there is only one celebrity that he did not view that way), in the end it started to grate on me. I recommend this book if you love classic Hollywood and want to learn some really great history or if you are a huge Leonard Maltin fan.

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A great read if you absolutely LOVE old movies!! He talks about how he got interested in old movies, even 16 mm old films, how this love developed, and how it gave him a profession. It goes into a good bit of detail in all areas of his life, so it can get a little boring if you are not really crazy about the topics!

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One Lucky Man… Film critic, academic and self-confessed lifelong film nerd Leonard Maltin tells of his awesome life so far.

Leonard Maltin has eaten a soup made by Katharine Hepburn, watched films with Titanic (1997) star Gloria Stuart giving her personal commentary, swapped Buster Keaton anecdotes with Betty White and shared childhood cinematic memories with Martin Scorsese. He is loved, trusted and revered by the stars, those behind the camera and the public. His amiable sentiments of these stars are echoed in many of his personal anecdotes littered throughout his autobiographical book, Starstruck, My Unlikely Road to Hollywood.

It’s clear from Maltin’s enthusiastic writing, that this man is first and foremost a movie aficionado or as he puts it “an unabashed fan”. His intense passion for film is seen as a constant throughout his life of “happy accidents” that are shared in his heartwarming, affable and genuine autobiography. Dotted throughout his book, he relates prized memories of meeting those Hollywood names, how his career came to be in surprising ways and his never-ending love and support from his wife, Alice and daughter, Jessie.

Maltin’s affable, unpretentious and down to earth writing was as infectiously enthusiastic as a good musical. I polished off this 375 paged star-studded book over two awestruck mornings. This time vanished quickly, as this charming book was hard to put down thanks to Maltin’s contagious enthusiasm and his natural storytelling abilities.

His stories are told more from an avuncular manner, and names not named dropped but mentioned as welcome parts of his experiences. Maltin clearly loves those he’s met, and his genuine responses when meeting those Hollywood added to his stories, are those of a movie fan and a genuinely nice guy making this book a joy to read. His tales are accompanied by eight pages of wonderfully chosen personal photographs, pictures and cuttings. In these, you can feel his intense passion for his career and family radiating from every one of them.

In his book, Maltin mentions more headlining and supporting stars than those who appeared in The Towering Inferno, and his names are just as jaw-dropping. In his writing, Maltin tirelessly shares his continued awe and a deep appreciation for his lucky break into a dream career. And he believes that these stars responded to his “general enthusiasm”, pertinent questions, vast film knowledge and often told him the stories they don’t often share readily.

His love and respect for the stars and the movies they star in bursts out from every anecdote and description of his interviews with those Hollywood legends. Judging from their authentic and natural responses in Maltin’s company, these suggest he is an unpretentious and giving man who is himself in his rapport and his interactions with them. His honesty and sincerity are reflected in his writing.

Maltin adds to those memories by telling a wee bit about his personal life. Leonard Maltin was born in Manhattan and his family moved to New Jersey after his brother was born. His father was a judge for the Immigration and Naturalisation Service and his mother, a one time Broadway star who appeared in the original production of Carousel.

His love for movies started after a childhood “obsession” with silent comedy films, comic books and telly. This started after he got hooked on Laurel and Hardy and silent films. He remembers reading his father’s weekly read, Variety and soaking up the film and biographical sections.

As an adolescent, he moved onto films from the 30s and 40s, which he remembers watching on television in the wee small hours. He remembers trying not to fall asleep at school on these occasions. Maltin proudly tells how he met his first celebrity and idol, Buster Keaton at 13 years of age. As he recounts the story surrounding this event, you can feel his then childhood exuberance from this time has continued to this day.

During this time, he wanted to be a cartoonist and with his friends published two magazines – the Bergen Bulletin and Profile – where he included his cartoons and biographical entertainment-themed content. He states he wrote at this time with “youthful observations” and “facts” gleaned from “obsessive TV watching”. He later wrote about film history.

At this time he wrote to the stars of the day directly – rather than through PRs – and found this the most successful approach in getting a response. This was beautifully illustrated as Maltin recounts his early correspondence and meetings with names you will recognise, such as actor Dick Van Dyke, actress Carol Burnett, Snoopy cartoonist Charles M Schulz and director George Stevens. Maltin tells of his then more amateur mistakes and those lessons learned. As an entertainment blogger, these candid divulgences are valuable, for one who sometimes interviews the stars.

At 13, after reading an article in The Famous Monsters of Filmland, his life changed by chance after he sent a review to two publications. His reviews were praised with both publications showing interest in publishing them. He was given a regular column named Research Unlimited. In 1966, at 15 years of age, he was asked to helm Film Fan Monthly and he stayed in this role for nine years. At 16, it seemed all his out of school activities were film-related as he shares more wonderful memories of this time. He also remembers the aftermath after Kennedy’s shooting, when television was cancelled for four weeks and then watching Oswald shot on live TV.

He met his wife, Alice at a film history lecture. Shortly after this, their friendship became a whirlwind romance, and lead to a quick engagement months later. They married the following year. It’s clear from his passionate and affectionate writing about his wife, Alice, that she is his support and soulmate. This couple believe;

“they will never break up as we are the only people who get each other’s pop culture references”.

At 17, Maltin was asked to write a book about movies on television, and this book became an annual publication until 2014. At one time, his daughter Jessie was involved in this book and Jessie seems a chip off those old blocks. It’s clear from her father’s book that she has inherited her parents’ passion for movies. Her father’s remembrances of Jessie’s brushes with those famous names – such as Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins and Robert Wagner (who introduced himself to her by his personal nickname RJ) – illustrate that she is just as full of awe about her own personal entertainment-themed experiences as they are.

Maltin’s first appearance as a film reviewer on Entertainment Tonight was in 1982, reviewing Annie (1982) and Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982). This was followed by his big screen debut – playing himself – in Gremlins II (1990). The family moved to Los Angeles in 1983, and he recounts “days of movie related excitement” for himself and his family.

He writes enthusiastically – and with obvious awe – about his recollections of visiting and then moving to Hollywood, on attending numerous award ceremonies and festivals. In 1997, Maltin joined the world of film academia – also by chance – in a role arranging films and guest speakers for the University of California. Currently, he is a renowned film podcaster with Jessie by his side and he organises Maltinfest with his family.

As he writes about his life experiences and on meeting our film idols, Maltin does so in a grounded manner and embellishes these stories from a personable manner. These make his life so far more of an enjoyable trip and he tells it was one of chance. As he adds his experiences in the latter half of this book, you feel more of the awe and wonder he’s felt on meeting these big names, as he writes at a deeply personal level.

Like a good friend, Maltin happily writes many of his first meaningful entertainment themed experiences, and these are added to his unassuming way of writing. These memories were supported with his vivid writing, and these are then warmly imagined in your imagination.

The first of these was his first movie memory as he shares this was watching “Prince Charming leading Snow White towards a gleaming sun”, this description is not elaborated on any further but was enough for my mind to visualise just that. He also remembers Broderick Crawford his first star sighting and meeting a young Katherine Ross in a “rare moment of glamour” as he researched a book.

From a personal viewpoint, I noted we both shared a childhood love of Disney films, as I too remember collecting every book I could with a Disney theme. We were also both telly addicts in writing to the stars – which I did asking for signed photos – and with those attributes, we share with our life partners (regular readers will know Darlin Husband also my soulmate who gets those pop culture references!). Through these, I felt a connection with this author, and I felt a strong empathy with his unbridled happiness when he received mail from those stars, as a kid I had received signed photos of the Eastenders cast, Jeremy Irons and Terry Wogan to name a few!

As an entertainment blogger, I also like Maltin, prefer to approach my future interviewees directly or to tag those I’ve reviewed on social media. I can concur with this approach results in getting more unique replies. These including some Dallas and Dynasty stars and those I have interviewed for this blog. This book does not have an extensive index of references, quotes and instead relies on his warm and affectionate anecdotes, which I believe are accurate and trusted. And his book will certainly be referred to again, as I write relevant posts.

In writing his book, Maltin states that he never kept a journal but instead jotted down his thoughts after “special days”. And I for one hope, one day these notes may be shared in a book sharing his memories of the movies and those stars from this point of view. It is clear, that Maltin is a keen storyteller and he wants to share his experiences of these film stars as people, rather than with them.

This is beautifully illustrated in this book as he warmly recounts his meeting with Elizabeth Taylor. Maltin tells that when the camera’s stopped filming her, she relaxed and he was privileged to see her as a “saucy woman with a wicked sense of humour”.

This man as a writer and critic, I believe akin to a wee child, in a sweet shop with unlimited funds that he joyfully wants to share with the world, rather than keep them all to himself. And I am sure I write for many by saying that I am looking forward to seeing what treats he’ll be sharing next.



(All links will be added after I publish this review on the publication day for this book)

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Beloved Hollywood historian Leonard Maltin shares his always joyful anecdotes of film legends. But here, in a much anticipated memoir, readers see the sheer breadth and depth of his insight and unparalleled knowledge. It's a who's who of total fabulousness. Whether you grew up watching Maltin's segments on 'Entertainment Tonight', had his Movie Guide on your bookshelf next to your VHS player, discovered him through his collaborations with The Walt Disney Company, or currently listen to his podcast, readers will happily discover something or someone new. Pop culture fans of all generations will devour this in one sitting

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If you enjoy movies, TCM, jazz or old time radio, Starstruck is the book for you. In his long career Maltin has interviewed just about everybody. The book is loaded with anecdotes and tidbits that you will find nowhere else. This is the most enjoyable book I have read in 2021. With the holidays almost upon us, Starstuck would make a great gift for the reader in your life.

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Leonard Maltin has had the kind of career where several elements on their own are remarkable: the phenomenal success of his movie guides, a long run on Entertainment Tonight, and his work as a popular USC film professor among them. Add to that a wide array of fascinating side projects, including a long working relationship with Disney and Maltin on Movies, an interview podcast he co-hosts with his daughter Jessie Maltin. This self-described film nerd shares the story of his remarkable life in a memoir full of the enthusiasm and positive energy for which the critic is famous.

Maltin claims that luck has played a large factor in his success and while it is clear that has often been the case, even more so his “luck” has been showing up and doing the work. As a film-obsessed teen in New York City he was already writing articles about the movies, eventually publishing a movie magazine with a healthy subscription base. He rode the momentum of that early start to Hollywood where he countered the bad reputation of the town by approaching his work with honor and respect for others, something he managed to do while still getting scoops and keeping his employers happy.

One of the most amusing aspects of Maltin’s story is that he has spent his adult life in the unusual position of being both a fan and a celebrity. A part of him remains that young film obsessive, thrilled to meet the stars of Hollywood past, but his television career made him so recognizable that the famous considered him own of their own. The result: situations like Maltin and his wife befriending movie fan Hugh Hefner and regularly watching movies and awards shows at the Playboy Mansion, with the critic taking off later in the evening to do his Entertainment Tonight duties for the latter.

It is clear that Maltin’s wife Alice has been instrumental in his long-running success. His loving tribute to her is one of the most touching elements of the book. In addition to being an ideal mate for the critic, she has an instinct for business that kept him going in his early years and continues to be an important part of the Maltin enterprise that now also includes Jessie Maltin.

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.

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This book was pretty boring honestly, and was just Maltin jumping around at various points in time and discussing various run ins and interviews with celebrities in very minute detail. He has had an interesting life, but he didn't format this book in an interesting way, and it just amounts to a person who tells you about every time they've ever met a celebrity. I run into these times a lot when I'm on set, and it's extremely grating, so maybe I'm a little biased from that. Regardless, I would skip this one unless you're really interested in Hollywood in the 70s-80s or you're a Maltin superfan.

As always, thanks to Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Starstruck is a wonderful movie and celebrity lover's dive into the life of the author, Leonard Maltin. In one volume the reader is presented with what brought Maltin's love of the entertainment industry, how he got his foot in the door, and like a Hollywood Movie, became a name and personality synonymous with entertiainment.

What I love about his story, and this book, is the diversity in experiences. Whether enthralled with a section about silent comedian Buster Keaton, and his many fans, or Disney (which is not a topic that enthralls me as much as it does others, including the writer), there was so much in this work that if a part of Maltin's life does not resonate for some reason, there is probably a section coming that will.

This book is so delightful. I wanted to savor it, as I felt at times that the author was speaking through his words to me, and I so much wanted to enter into the conversation! Alas, as much as I tried to put it down to make it last, I found myself picking it up again for another dive. This is an autobiography that will be read by me again, no doubt. I look forward to diving back into other works by Leonard Maltin, as I learned so much about film, as well as his life, from this one.

Suffice it to say, as the title suggests about the life experience summarized by Leonard Maltin, the reader too my find his or herself..."Starstruck."

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STARSTRUCK: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood
The New Memoir From Legendary Film Critic Leonard Maltin
Published by GoodKnight Books

Leonard Maltin is a prolific world-famous film critic and celluloid master historian, openly passionate about the Hollywood Classic era and best known for his Movie Guide, which was published every year from 1969 to 2014. Now he can add being a ripper storyteller to his resume!

Starstruck comes festooned with 41 concise chapters, but don’t panic – each is a little chestnut that on its own is dinner party conversation for weeks. This new memoir starts at birth and tracks through to the tender age of 15 when he started publishing his own film fanzine and continues right up to the present day - where 50 years later film and family are still his number one priorities.

Leonard never had a plan B – it was always studying and writing about film, either as a freelance writer and bestselling author, TV critic on Entertainment Tonight, or tenure teacher of USC’s popular film course. His access to Hollywood classic and current-day stars, producers and directors will leave you gobsmacked. Pleasantly - Maltin’s writing style throughout is honest, clear and endearingly familiar – as though you were listening to an old friend.

The first film he remembers was Walt Disney’s Snow White at age 4, his favourite interview ever was with Katharine Hepburn and the one he always wanted was with Walt Disney. The reader will drift through enviable days spent with James Stewart, Bette Davis, a moral dilemma with Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Tarantino and the Jedi Master George Lucas. While his love of Jazz is probably a whole other book – this memoir is a must-own for film buffs.

Miranda Y, Reviewer 3.5 stars

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There are no surprises in Leonard Maltin’s pleasant and funny episodic retelling of his remarkable life, but the book is no worse for that. Refreshingly free of Hollywood sleaze this is a star-studded nostalgia-fest; Hollywood history seen through the eyes of one of its biggest fans and commentators.
Maltin always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, whether it was sneaking backstage to interview film stars or getting his first gig as a movie reviewer on the television show “Entertainment Tonight.
You might be tempted to think whilst reading this eminently enjoyable book that Maltin has written a very conceited and self-congratulatory work, but the fact is he’s such a nice guy that you can forgive him enjoying sharing his amazing career.

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Especially if you're a fan of old movies, no doubt you're familiar with the author, a long-time and well-respected Hollywood historian and film reviewer. At our house, one of his movie guides is always near the TV remote and opened frequently to check his rating of a movie we're watching or, more often, identify one of the actors whose face is familiar but the name just won't come.

This book, subtitled "My Unlikely Road to Hollywood," brings to light how Maltin came to be what and who he is, starting with his childhood - and clearly, while he certainly was the recipient of some good fortune along the way, he also took full advantage of every opportunity. For the most part, this memoir presents his experiences and impressions of the "stars" he's come to know and love as well as those he met only briefly. For someone my age (for the record, Maltin is seven years younger than I), that is, in and of itself, a treat; for instance, I relished reading about my cowboy hero Roy Rogers and his also-a-star wife, Dale Evans.

There's a lot of reminiscing about Walt Disney, and while I'm really not a fan of the Disney empire itself, I'll never forget coming home from school to watch my favorite Mickey Mouse Club episodes on our little black-and-white TV (a show that gets mentioned herein). The section on the Playboy Manson and its owner, Hugh Hefner, is a bit eye-opening as well. Still others he's met and interviewed who stood out in his mind (and mine) include Lena Horne, John Wayne, James Stewart and Jerry Lewis.

Overall, the book is very much an exercise in name-dropping; but again, if you love Hollywood old-time style, it's a real trip down memory lane (though I'll caution readers who may be looking for "dirt" on celebrities to look elsewhere). I also enjoyed learning about Maltin himself, his supportive wife Alice and their daughter Jessie. It was an enjoyable excursion for me as well, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

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