My Side of the Road

by Dick McInnes Dorothy Lamour, Dick McInnes (Collaborator)

With this eye-opening autobiography, one of Hollywood's most durable personalities reveals a surprisingly dramatic private life that's scarcely suggested by her glamorous screen image. The exotic costumes of the Road pictures hid a woman of extraordinary versatility: beauty contest winner, comedienne, radio star, fashion model, nightclub singer, vaudeville trouper, war bond saleswoman, dramatic actress, musical comedy star, divorcee, stuntwoman--and dedicated wife and mother. Few movie buffs know that Dorothy Lambour was voted Miss New Orleans only after a successful tour on the Fanchon and Marco circuit--only to wind up running an elevator for a living. She sang with Rudy Vallee and Herbie Kay (who became her first husband)--and was one of the most reluctant stars Hollywood ever created. She never accepted Louis B. Mayer's offer of a screen test. Cast as star of her first film, The Jungle Princess, she was mortified by her sarong costume, her appearance in the rushes, and by the outrageous publicity Paramount created to launch her career. She hit her stride during Hollywood's heyday, when off-camera events often eclipsed what the public saw on screen. Here she reveals her experiences with co-workers like Betty Grable, John Wayne, Jack Oakie, Fred MacMurray, Anthony Quinn, Ray Milland, Alan Ladd, Mae West, Cecil B. DeMille, Carole Lombard, John Ford and Robert Preston. Why The Hurricane's crew held a grudge against Jon Hall, and how they exacted their revenge; how love scenes with William Holden and Tyrone Power were ruined by an appendectomy and a whoopee cushion, respectively; the violent and oft-censored behavior of her chimpanzee co-stars; how she doffed her sarong for serious dramatic roles in Wild Harvest, Manhandled, and A Medal for Benny; the inspired wisecrackery on Bing, Bob, and Dorothy's first Road to Singapore, the bitter wrangles over the final Road to Hong Kong--and the name of the woman identified as Dorothy Lamour at Crosby's funeral. After her wartime marriage to Air Corps Lieutenant William Howard, she raised two sons while expanding her career into personal appearances, nightclubs, and the legitimate theater. Even as her film career seemed to dim, she appeared at the London Palladium and later undertook a grueling national tour in the title role of Hello, Dolly! Now, she shares the tragic story of her husband's final illness, and her resolve to keep on fulfilling her duties to her public, her family--and ultimately, to herself. Illustrated with photographs from her personal collection, this is the self-portrait of an artist whose rare honesty and character, warmth and courage have, until now, been known only to a privileged few.

Genres: Biography

244 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Ann-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy Lamour is one of my favorite classic Hollywood movie stars, so this book was an enjoyable read for me. In it she talks about how she got into movies and who she met and became good friends with over the years. She knew so many people, it was fun reading about some of her encounters with celebrities like Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Howard Hughes, and Carole Lombard. In addition, one of my favorite funny ladies, Carol Burnett, gets a mention in this book. Turns out she's a Lamour fan as well.

Dorothy also talks about some of the movies that she starred in like "The Hurricane" and "My Favorite Brunette", two of my favorite films of hers. As the title suggests, she tells her side of the "Road" movies that she starred in with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, what happened behind the scenes, and the bitter end that it had. It was frustrating to read how she was treated, not just with that series but also how good roles were getting harder to come by as she got older. Speaking of that sad experience in Hollywood, she said, "Sometimes show business associates can be very cruel." A couple of things that I noticed throughout the book about Dorothy was that she didn't seem to hold a grudge for very long, she moved on, and she had a good sense of humor which I think helped her through her trials.

It was touching to read about her second marriage and her relationship with her mother. It was good to know she was a woman who valued her family, not just her career. It was refreshing to read a book about a favorite movie star who lived a full life without all the sex, scandal, drugs, and tragedy.

If I had one minor issue with this book though, it would be that I thought it could've been better written. Dorothy tells her story to friend Dick McInnes, so I was expecting it to be more polished than it was. That's why you have a ghost writer. Other than that though, it's a good read. If you're a Lamour fan, read it. If you're a classic Hollywood fan, read it.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anothe fun, fluffy memoir from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was delightful, and touching, and I really learned a lot about early Hollywood. Dorothy Lamour is one of my favorites so I loved learning more about her, and reading about all these adventures she had all around where I currently live and grew up. She worked really hard and truly had a wonderful life. The years pass so quickly for all of us. You really see just how fast when you read about such a full life in such a short period of time. A lovely memoir. I'll carry it with me.

[Deanna Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a memoir filled with juicy drama, you won’t find that here. Bad mouthing wasn’t Dottie’s style. Don’t let that stop you from reading! She tells her rags to riches story quite humbly; her natural charm and wit is shown in the way she shares details with Dick McInnes. Dottie was a star and her memoir is a great look into her dazzling life!

[Nickie Cleaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was good. Didn't know much at all about her, didn't realize how funny she was!