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Barbara Stanwyck
The untold story of Barbara Stanwyck recounts the actress's early life, theatrical, film, and television career, marriage to Robert Taylor, romances, and reclusive retirement
- GenresBiographyFilmNonfiction
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 28, 2013
Of course, true star of "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers " is sensational Barbara Stanwyck and after watching the movie again, I gulped her paperback biography written by certain Al DiOrio.
It is typical movie celebrity biography, very well researched, with tons of informations about every single step Stanwyck made in Hollywood, however actress was a famously protective about her private life so we don't really get a glimpse of the person behind the screen. If written today, author would probably engage a little bit more into this aspect but back in 1984. apparently this kind of fan publication was good enough - not that Stanwyck was a boring subject, far from it. She never was a great beauty of classic Holywood type, never won an "Oscar" (except decades later, honorary) and mostly appeared as Bette Davis clone who somehow successfully made a transition on TV but she was a great screen presence, according to the book was hard working and ambitious and at the end was the only actress ever who came from silent era and was working as late as in 1980s ("Dynasty").
Watching her again last night, I was mesmerized as always with her acting - Stanwyck was a great natural actress though her schtick were always "tough broads" with a heart of gold, audience could somehow always feel there is a human protected somewhere inside. The book is very informative about the huge scope of her acting work (comedy, musicals, dancing, film noir, western, TV soaps) though it quickly glosses over what made her such a person. Surely there must have been more to tell, judging from her hard climb from growing like an orphan in Brooklyn to a position of highest paid actress of 1940s but author is more focused on her professional life and who knows, maybe this was all there was for Stanwyck who found her life purpose in constant work, long after financially she was secured for life.
It is typical movie celebrity biography, very well researched, with tons of informations about every single step Stanwyck made in Hollywood, however actress was a famously protective about her private life so we don't really get a glimpse of the person behind the screen. If written today, author would probably engage a little bit more into this aspect but back in 1984. apparently this kind of fan publication was good enough - not that Stanwyck was a boring subject, far from it. She never was a great beauty of classic Holywood type, never won an "Oscar" (except decades later, honorary) and mostly appeared as Bette Davis clone who somehow successfully made a transition on TV but she was a great screen presence, according to the book was hard working and ambitious and at the end was the only actress ever who came from silent era and was working as late as in 1980s ("Dynasty").
Watching her again last night, I was mesmerized as always with her acting - Stanwyck was a great natural actress though her schtick were always "tough broads" with a heart of gold, audience could somehow always feel there is a human protected somewhere inside. The book is very informative about the huge scope of her acting work (comedy, musicals, dancing, film noir, western, TV soaps) though it quickly glosses over what made her such a person. Surely there must have been more to tell, judging from her hard climb from growing like an orphan in Brooklyn to a position of highest paid actress of 1940s but author is more focused on her professional life and who knows, maybe this was all there was for Stanwyck who found her life purpose in constant work, long after financially she was secured for life.
September 5, 2016
I knew little about Stanwyck's personal life when I picked this up, so it was informative ... FOR ME. If you are a fan, I'm sure there's nothing here that's new or groundbreaking. Mr. Diorio's sources seem to be other authors and newsclippings.
Two things bothered me. One: the book rather vehemently denies that Stanwyck and the much-younger Robert Wagner had an affair. This is because they both denied it in real time, but since both admitted it. In fact, Wagner writes rather movingly about her in his autobiography Pieces of My Heart: A Life.
The other thing is Stanwyck's son. Mr. Diorio is such a fan of hers that he seems to blame the child for their estrangement, when the kid had little or no power in the relationship. As a child, little Ruby Stevens was abandoned and bounced from foster home to foster home, so perhaps she simply didn't know how to be a mother. Then she adopted a baby and sent him first to boarding school, and then for school holidays with employees and in-laws. Understandable, but very sad and not excusable. Yet Diorio gives her a pass.
Here's a woman known to one generation as the self-sacrificing mother "Stella Dallas" and to another as TVs Barkley family matriarch, so her own parenting style is a relevant topic. And if you're a person who cares about children and families, an exploration of how patterns repeat is always important. Yet this part of her story is completely glossed over here.
Two things bothered me. One: the book rather vehemently denies that Stanwyck and the much-younger Robert Wagner had an affair. This is because they both denied it in real time, but since both admitted it. In fact, Wagner writes rather movingly about her in his autobiography Pieces of My Heart: A Life.
The other thing is Stanwyck's son. Mr. Diorio is such a fan of hers that he seems to blame the child for their estrangement, when the kid had little or no power in the relationship. As a child, little Ruby Stevens was abandoned and bounced from foster home to foster home, so perhaps she simply didn't know how to be a mother. Then she adopted a baby and sent him first to boarding school, and then for school holidays with employees and in-laws. Understandable, but very sad and not excusable. Yet Diorio gives her a pass.
Here's a woman known to one generation as the self-sacrificing mother "Stella Dallas" and to another as TVs Barkley family matriarch, so her own parenting style is a relevant topic. And if you're a person who cares about children and families, an exploration of how patterns repeat is always important. Yet this part of her story is completely glossed over here.
March 28, 2016
I totally enjoyed this book about Barbara Stanwyck. It is very comprehensive concerning her career and her public life! Very little information about Miss Stanwyck's private life. Very well written and highly recommended by me to others!
March 7, 2008
There are better Bios of Stanwyck.
June 30, 2009
SO not as juicy as I had hoped for!
May 8, 2016
Miss Barbara Stanwyck, the Queen of old Hollywood. Always strong willed and a lady no matter what situation she was put in. Wish there were more women like her in the world today!
October 31, 2020
This is a superb biography detailing the life of a very private lady. I'm not a typical lover of biography, as I feel that only an individual can tell their own story. But this author did a great job reporting sourced facts without bias. In this rags to riches story, I learned that Ms. Stanwyck was the hardest worker in the room. The highest paid woman in the United States in 1943, she was glamorous and private and kind. She worked fiercely and loved fiercely. A patriot, she believed in saluting the American flag; and her longtime friend Ronald Reagan saluted Ms. Stanwyck long after he entered into politics, as governor and as president. I shall forevermore view films starring Barbara Stanwyck with a heightened sense of appreciation. Thank you for this book!
January 18, 2025
Having read many Hollywood biographies, (this one dates back to 1983) it ends before Barbara died. Unfortunately they aren’t many stars left who were truly movie stars. Stanwyck was a great, natural actress. She wasn’t much of a mother to her adopted son Dion (he’s sent off to military school at age 8 ) so she falls into the Joan Crawford/Bette Davis/Lana Turner category of bad moms of the 40’s.
There a very brief descriptions of her finest movies, so merit only a paragraph. She herself turned down several offers to write her autobiography which is a shame. Watch her movies, she’s splendid.
There a very brief descriptions of her finest movies, so merit only a paragraph. She herself turned down several offers to write her autobiography which is a shame. Watch her movies, she’s splendid.
February 2, 2021
If you want a list of the films Stanwyck made, with some info about directors and co-stars, this book will do. There are no great insights, and the author gets at least a couple of facts wrong: he mentions the 15th anniversary of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences when he means the 50th, and he refers to Kathy Lennon when he means Peggy. If you're really interested in Stanwyck's life and are going to read only one book, I wouldn't choose this one.
January 29, 2024
Recounts the actress's early life, theatrical, film, and television career, marriage to Robert Taylor, romances, and reclusive retirement. She was well respected by her peers as well as the workers who made films possible and developed a reputation as a consummate professional and exceptional actress.
September 5, 2016
I knew little about Stanwyck's personal life when I picked this up, so it was informative ... FOR ME. If you are a fan, I'm sure there's nothing here that's new or groundbreaking. Mr. Diorio's sources seem to be other authors and newsclippings.
Two things bothered me. One: the book rather vehemently denies that Stanwyck and the much-younger Robert Wagner had an affair. This is because they both denied it in real time, but since both admitted it. In fact, Wagner writes rather movingly about her in his autobiography Pieces of My Heart: A Life.
The other thing is Stanwyck's son. Mr. Diorio is such a fan of hers that he seems to blame the child for their estrangement, when the kid had little or no power in the relationship. As a child, little Ruby Stevens was abandoned and bounced from foster home to foster home, so perhaps she simply didn't know how to be a mother. Then she adopted a baby and sent him first to boarding school, and then for school holidays with employees and in-laws. Understandable, but very sad and not excusable. Yet Diorio gives her a pass.
Here's a woman known to one generation as the self-sacrificing mother "Stella Dallas" and to another as TVs Barkley family matriarch, so her own parenting style is a relevant topic. And if you're a person who cares about children and families, an exploration of how patterns repeat is always important. Yet this part of her story is completely glossed over here.
Two things bothered me. One: the book rather vehemently denies that Stanwyck and the much-younger Robert Wagner had an affair. This is because they both denied it in real time, but since both admitted it. In fact, Wagner writes rather movingly about her in his autobiography Pieces of My Heart: A Life.
The other thing is Stanwyck's son. Mr. Diorio is such a fan of hers that he seems to blame the child for their estrangement, when the kid had little or no power in the relationship. As a child, little Ruby Stevens was abandoned and bounced from foster home to foster home, so perhaps she simply didn't know how to be a mother. Then she adopted a baby and sent him first to boarding school, and then for school holidays with employees and in-laws. Understandable, but very sad and not excusable. Yet Diorio gives her a pass.
Here's a woman known to one generation as the self-sacrificing mother "Stella Dallas" and to another as TVs Barkley family matriarch, so her own parenting style is a relevant topic. And if you're a person who cares about children and families, an exploration of how patterns repeat is always important. Yet this part of her story is completely glossed over here.
May 9, 2016
I enjoyed this book. it was easy to follow and I learned about Barbra. it was very through about her movies
August 3, 2017
Quick read...not too bad
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews