Thanks for this! I discovered “The Moon’s a Balloon” and “Bring on the Empty Horses” when I was probably a bit too young to be reading them (12… maybe 13… anything in the bi-monthly pile of literary booty mom brought home from the library in our household was encouraged reading if it appealed), and I LOVED them. They arrived in the same pile as Jean Shepherd’s then-newly-published “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” memoir (the book that the “A Christmas Story” film was later culled from). That was a great week of reading for a bored bookish kid who loves a little bawdy/irreverent humor - I laughed through the lot. If Rupert has a penchant for reading biographies (especially Hollywood-related ones), may I suggest Joseph Egan’s book on Mary Astor, “The Purple Diaries”? I randomly stumbled upon the audio version of it, and (despite not necessarily being a particularly avid Astor devotee before that point) walked away from it absolutely fascinated with her. So much so that I immediately sought out the print version of her autobiography, “My Story” (I think reading them in that order worked well), and then a few months later I read her other one, “Life on Film”. Usually after reading a famous-folk bio, at some point I realize that I’m not really interested any longer and that I’ve had entirely TOO much of that unremarkable or annoying person’s life in my head… skimming ensues somewhere around the halfway point to just get through, and am ultimately relieved to escape their twaddle… not so with Astor, much to my surprise. Her writing voice was, for me, satisfying enough that I plan to delve into the fiction novels that she went on to write later in life (which were received very well when released, and purportedly stand on their own independent of her status as a celebrity). Thanks again, and be well!
Superb, I especially love your filmed outings, of course. Rupert's readings are beyond excellent - please bring him back for a Valley of the Dolls episode.
Thank you for sharing this absolutely delightful discussion. Niven is well worth a read and I look forward to seeing which other dusty tomes you resurrect.
Read Moons a Balloon early seventies and have kept it by me since. Niven was the image of my father and vice versa. Pun intended. I enjoyed this podcast. Nice one.
We know now that "Missy" was Vivien Leigh, although Niven included enough red herrings in writing about the incident to obscure her identity. It was a very sad episode and reflects the impossible demands the Studios imposed on their stars.
Such a great an entertaining conversation. Rupert is full of insight and clear thinking. This is how I want the world to be.
Both Niven's bios, including Bring on The Empty Horses, are wonderful. He had an insanely full and interesting life.
Thanks for this!
I discovered “The Moon’s a Balloon” and “Bring on the Empty Horses” when I was probably a bit too young to be reading them (12… maybe 13… anything in the bi-monthly pile of literary booty mom brought home from the library in our household was encouraged reading if it appealed), and I LOVED them. They arrived in the same pile as Jean Shepherd’s then-newly-published “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” memoir (the book that the “A Christmas Story” film was later culled from).
That was a great week of reading for a bored bookish kid who loves a little bawdy/irreverent humor - I laughed through the lot.
If Rupert has a penchant for reading biographies (especially Hollywood-related ones), may I suggest Joseph Egan’s book on Mary Astor, “The Purple Diaries”?
I randomly stumbled upon the audio version of it, and (despite not necessarily being a particularly avid Astor devotee before that point) walked away from it absolutely fascinated with her. So much so that I immediately sought out the print version of her autobiography, “My Story” (I think reading them in that order worked well), and then a few months later I read her other one, “Life on Film”.
Usually after reading a famous-folk bio, at some point I realize that I’m not really interested any longer and that I’ve had entirely TOO much of that unremarkable or annoying person’s life in my head… skimming ensues somewhere around the halfway point to just get through, and am ultimately relieved to escape their twaddle… not so with Astor, much to my surprise.
Her writing voice was, for me, satisfying enough that I plan to delve into the fiction novels that she went on to write later in life (which were received very well when released, and purportedly stand on their own independent of her status as a celebrity).
Thanks again, and be well!
Superb, I especially love your filmed outings, of course. Rupert's readings are beyond excellent - please bring him back for a Valley of the Dolls episode.
Thank you for sharing this absolutely delightful discussion. Niven is well worth a read and I look forward to seeing which other dusty tomes you resurrect.
Fabulous stuff!
Read Moons a Balloon early seventies and have kept it by me since. Niven was the image of my father and vice versa. Pun intended. I enjoyed this podcast. Nice one.
Super discussion. Thank you!
Spencer Tracy and Dorothy Lamour were one of the 2 best biographies I read. Tracy was riddled by catholic guilt and Lamour was very down to earth.
Excellent! Thank you!
The Bad and The Beautiful is a brilliant film about the Studio System - Kirk Douglas on top form.
There he was, galumping along behind the conga line to nirvana :D. Rupert with his turn of phrase is cut from the same cloth as Niven.
Eeeeeeek! They have faces! (Okay, I knew Rupert did.)
Rupert is fabulous ❤❤❤
We know now that "Missy" was Vivien Leigh, although Niven included enough red herrings in writing about the incident to obscure her identity. It was a very sad episode and reflects the impossible demands the Studios imposed on their stars.
As you probably know, Vivien Leigh's last years were dogged by her worsening bipolar disorder. Such beauty, such tragedy.
@Robutube1 It's a terrible affliction and one that unfortunately I have some experience of within my own family.
@@jamesrowe3606 I'm sorry to learn that James, it is indeed a most dreadful condition.
The eye of the Devil. What a movie.. david Niven ,Sharron Tate. Debra Kerr