Liz Smith has just published Dishing: Great Dish—and Dishes—From America’s Most Beloved Gossip Columnist. Here, she chooses her six favorite Hollywood memoirs.
Mr. S: My Life With Frank Sinatra by George Jacobs and William Stadiem (Perennial, $15). I somehow think that even in heaven, Sinatra must be enjoying this bombastic and hilarious version of his legend, as recalled by his valet of 15 years. Buy it at Amazon.com
Been There, Done That by Eddie Fisher and David Fisher (out of print). Of all her ex-husbands, Elizabeth Taylor hates Eddie Fisher the most—and not for nothing. In this totally tasteless and ungentlemanly account of their marriage, Eddie trashes the reputations of Liz and many of her famous friends. But though Been There, Done That is egocentric and disgusting, it also has the ring of truth.
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Detour by Cheryl Crane and Cliff Jahr (Avon, $5). Growing up as the daughter of screen legend Lana Turner, Cheryl Crane was abused by her mother’s many lovers, was cycled through detention centers and mental institutions, and ultimately took the rap for the murder of mobster Johnny Stampanato, one of Lana’s boyfriends. Cheryl’s a trooper, and she’d never tell all. But she does show how unsuited for parenthood her mother was.
Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford (Seven Springs, $17). This memoir has been excoriated by fans of Joan Crawford, but with it, Crawford’s daughter Christina scored big and paid her mother back for a most unusual Hollywood childhood. The book pretty much destroyed the reputation of one of Hollywood’s greatest stars, but I, for one, have always been on Christina’s side.
Debbie: My Life by Debbie Reynolds and David Patrick Columbia (out of print). This is a fabulous tale of rags to riches and back again, too much too soon, and all the rest. It’s more of an autobiography than a kiss-and-tell, as Debbie, with characteristic spunk, chronicles two bad marriages and a long career. But Eddie Fisher stars in this book, too, and comes off just as badly as in his own.
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