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Secrets Beyond the Screen
How well does anyone know their family?Anita Jacoby AM is one of Australia’s most distinguished television producers. Now she uncovers one of the most extraordinary stories of all, long hidden within her own family.The father Anita knew had fled persecution in Nazi Germany to settle in Australia and become a pioneer of the Australian communications industry. He was known and respected in the entertainment, political and business worlds. But he also had a devastating secret life.In her quest to establish the truth, Anita combines being a loving daughter with her investigative journalist skills, determined to find everything concealed from her family for more than seventy years. But by turning the camera on her father she’s forced to question everything about him – and what she thought she knew about herself. And in discovering his secrets, she’s compelled to reveal her own. This very Australian story is one of tragedy and rebirth, resilience and change. It’s about love, grief, and the sacrifices parents make for their children. It’s a story that proves that children, no matter how old or wise they become, never truly know their parents. ‘Surprising and stunning’ - DI MORRISSEY AM‘Heartfelt, heart-stopping’ - HAMISH MACDONALD
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 30, 2022
This is essentially just a scant, light-touch biography of a TV producer with several gossipy chapters about her father’s more readable romantic entanglements.
Hamish McDonald described the book as ‘heart-stopping account’. Only for those with heart disease, surely.
Hamish McDonald described the book as ‘heart-stopping account’. Only for those with heart disease, surely.
May 25, 2022
By the time most people lose treasured and aged parents, their adult children intimately know their life stories, familiar with every anecdote and memory heard over decades of sharing. This was not the experience of Anita Jacoby, the much-respected television producer behind such shows as Andrew Denton’s Enough Rope, 60 Minutes and many other popular interview programs of investigative journalism.
It was at a dinner party years after her beloved father Phillip had died that a lawyer guest asked her if she knew about his infamous and long-running court case of the 1950’s. Anita looked blank. “What court case?”
So began the most personal project of investigation Anita had undertaken in her long, impressive career - uncovering the mystery of Phillip Jacoby. A supportive, ever-encouraging father, she’d spent hours on end with him discussing life and world events, yet he never revealed the trauma and tragedies of his own past.
Anita knew he had emigrated from Nazi Germany in 1934 and made a successful life in business, culminating in his heading Sony Australia. She had never known, however, that he’d been arrested by the Nazis in 1933 for his opposition to the regime, nor that Phillip’s father was Jewish. She was also in the dark about details of his internment as an ‘enemy alien’ in 1940 and subsequent release on appeal. Apparently, Phillip was ‘too Jewish’ for safety in Nazi Germany but ‘not Jewish enough’ for protection in wartime Australia.
As Anita had an older half-sister, she knew he had been previously married. She did not know that he had, in fact, been married four times in total and had also had a live-in relationship with Emmy Lewy, the woman for whom he’d left wife #1. As if that wasn’t surprise enough, she learned that Emmy as well as Phillip’s second wife, Phyllis, had taken their own lives. The aforementioned court case surrounded the controversy of his disastrous, short marriage to an alcoholic third wife, Bonnie.
How do such revelations affect one’s feelings for, and understanding of, a parent previously held on a pedestal, whose flaws and demons had never surfaced or been explained? As the subject of one of her interviews, President Bill Clinton said, “Sooner or later, every child learns that her (or his) parents aren’t perfect…and that’s a terrifying thing…”
The challenge for Anita was to uncomfortably turn the tables, making herself and her family the subject of investigation. After decades of professionally shining the spotlight only on others, this was not easy. The result of her perseverance is a compelling and touching family story of truth and acceptance.
It is, in fact, two books in one. Secrets Beyond the Screen provides behind-the-scenes insight into television news production and the work that goes into the delivery of our favourite programs. It outlines the battle of a young woman determined to succeed despite hitting ‘the glass ceiling’ in a profession which (at least then) was filled with bias against women, despite obvious ability equal to their male counterparts. The book is also a gripping true-life mystery filled with romance, family, history and overcoming adversity. Most of all, it’s a touching portrait of courage, compassion and family love, filled with welcome life lessons for us all.
It was at a dinner party years after her beloved father Phillip had died that a lawyer guest asked her if she knew about his infamous and long-running court case of the 1950’s. Anita looked blank. “What court case?”
So began the most personal project of investigation Anita had undertaken in her long, impressive career - uncovering the mystery of Phillip Jacoby. A supportive, ever-encouraging father, she’d spent hours on end with him discussing life and world events, yet he never revealed the trauma and tragedies of his own past.
Anita knew he had emigrated from Nazi Germany in 1934 and made a successful life in business, culminating in his heading Sony Australia. She had never known, however, that he’d been arrested by the Nazis in 1933 for his opposition to the regime, nor that Phillip’s father was Jewish. She was also in the dark about details of his internment as an ‘enemy alien’ in 1940 and subsequent release on appeal. Apparently, Phillip was ‘too Jewish’ for safety in Nazi Germany but ‘not Jewish enough’ for protection in wartime Australia.
As Anita had an older half-sister, she knew he had been previously married. She did not know that he had, in fact, been married four times in total and had also had a live-in relationship with Emmy Lewy, the woman for whom he’d left wife #1. As if that wasn’t surprise enough, she learned that Emmy as well as Phillip’s second wife, Phyllis, had taken their own lives. The aforementioned court case surrounded the controversy of his disastrous, short marriage to an alcoholic third wife, Bonnie.
How do such revelations affect one’s feelings for, and understanding of, a parent previously held on a pedestal, whose flaws and demons had never surfaced or been explained? As the subject of one of her interviews, President Bill Clinton said, “Sooner or later, every child learns that her (or his) parents aren’t perfect…and that’s a terrifying thing…”
The challenge for Anita was to uncomfortably turn the tables, making herself and her family the subject of investigation. After decades of professionally shining the spotlight only on others, this was not easy. The result of her perseverance is a compelling and touching family story of truth and acceptance.
It is, in fact, two books in one. Secrets Beyond the Screen provides behind-the-scenes insight into television news production and the work that goes into the delivery of our favourite programs. It outlines the battle of a young woman determined to succeed despite hitting ‘the glass ceiling’ in a profession which (at least then) was filled with bias against women, despite obvious ability equal to their male counterparts. The book is also a gripping true-life mystery filled with romance, family, history and overcoming adversity. Most of all, it’s a touching portrait of courage, compassion and family love, filled with welcome life lessons for us all.
Want to Read
July 13, 2022So enjoyed reading this!
It was a delight to be swept into Anita Jacoby’s story and her family life. I grew up in an Anglo family in the 60s when sleepy Sydney was changing for the better with influx of migrants from all over Europe. Meeting the families of friends with migrant backgrounds I started to discover a lovely sense of celebration, inclusion, fun, great food and wine at parties and gathering. This was well reflected in Anita’s story, the highs and lows of integrating into and influencing Australian society.
Anita carefully unravels the intriguing mystery behind her father and his life and relationships. I could hear his voice being spoken through her … she truly is a master of narrative and this being such a personal story allows the reader into situations that would have had a traumatic impact on her. It’s written with such intelligence and honesty, giving the reader ready access to the story of a great but flawed man but still giving space to react and analyse, and to learn.
I also devoured the stories of Anita’s media career, she is an inspiration for young women who are prepared to do it the hard way. She built a career based on talent, flair and bloody hard work, paving the way for other women to achieve success by working hard and grasping opportunities.
The whole story was enthralling – wow! Can well understand why she says this was the hardest thing she has ever done.
Thank you Anita for such a great story that gave me a welcome insight into you and your family’s life. I hope people all over the world will pick up this book and enjoy this great read.
Sarah V
It was a delight to be swept into Anita Jacoby’s story and her family life. I grew up in an Anglo family in the 60s when sleepy Sydney was changing for the better with influx of migrants from all over Europe. Meeting the families of friends with migrant backgrounds I started to discover a lovely sense of celebration, inclusion, fun, great food and wine at parties and gathering. This was well reflected in Anita’s story, the highs and lows of integrating into and influencing Australian society.
Anita carefully unravels the intriguing mystery behind her father and his life and relationships. I could hear his voice being spoken through her … she truly is a master of narrative and this being such a personal story allows the reader into situations that would have had a traumatic impact on her. It’s written with such intelligence and honesty, giving the reader ready access to the story of a great but flawed man but still giving space to react and analyse, and to learn.
I also devoured the stories of Anita’s media career, she is an inspiration for young women who are prepared to do it the hard way. She built a career based on talent, flair and bloody hard work, paving the way for other women to achieve success by working hard and grasping opportunities.
The whole story was enthralling – wow! Can well understand why she says this was the hardest thing she has ever done.
Thank you Anita for such a great story that gave me a welcome insight into you and your family’s life. I hope people all over the world will pick up this book and enjoy this great read.
Sarah V
July 4, 2022
This is a memoir where truth is far more fascinating and intriguing than fiction.
.
It’s a brave, captivating investigation that uncovers the hidden depths and extraordinary (private) life of a beloved father who lived several lives in one. At times also a historical journey through the uncomfortable reality of Australia’s post war society and treatment of its immigrants, it is also a love story to a suburban upbringing full of intellectual rigour, entrepreneurialism, and the development of an enquiring mind.
Incredibly, this story is also interwoven with Anita Jacoby first hand account of being a young talented female in the male jungle of commercial television in the 1980s.
Simultaneously a homage and a deep dive investigation, this book is unputdownable. An exceptional read that is uncompromising in its dedication to the truth, and is all the more compelling for it.
. It’s a brave, captivating investigation that uncovers the hidden depths and extraordinary (private) life of a beloved father who lived several lives in one. At times also a historical journey through the uncomfortable reality of Australia’s post war society and treatment of its immigrants, it is also a love story to a suburban upbringing full of intellectual rigour, entrepreneurialism, and the development of an enquiring mind.
Incredibly, this story is also interwoven with Anita Jacoby first hand account of being a young talented female in the male jungle of commercial television in the 1980s.
Simultaneously a homage and a deep dive investigation, this book is unputdownable. An exceptional read that is uncompromising in its dedication to the truth, and is all the more compelling for it.
July 21, 2022
A labour of love that chronicles a daughter’s journey to reveal the truth behind an off the cuff comment at a dinner party nine years ago. The unknown pieces of her fathers past include his imprisonment and self exile as a defiant objector of Hitlers Germany to tragic personal loss and further persecution in his chosen new southern land.
His struggle to provide for his family while forging a name as a founding presence in the Australian communication industry, takes the reader on an enlightening pilgrimage into another era. Anita then parallels her own personal struggles in her ambition to succeed in the male dominated television industry and the very private details of a near fatal farm accident that would leave her many challenges in its wake. This is truly a page turner as the unknown layers of her fathers life are painstakingly researched and revealed and her own personal experiences are bravely bared for all.
A Very Good Read!
His struggle to provide for his family while forging a name as a founding presence in the Australian communication industry, takes the reader on an enlightening pilgrimage into another era. Anita then parallels her own personal struggles in her ambition to succeed in the male dominated television industry and the very private details of a near fatal farm accident that would leave her many challenges in its wake. This is truly a page turner as the unknown layers of her fathers life are painstakingly researched and revealed and her own personal experiences are bravely bared for all.
A Very Good Read!
May 29, 2022
A sensational read for so many reasons.
Anita Jacoby offers readers a very candid and honest, warts and all insight into her intriguing family history and the challenges they faced as WWII refugess in Australia: the impact of mental health issues in the bygone era when they weren't recognised; the inspiration she took from her father's struggles and success; and the heartbreak of having dementia diminish then take her parents.
Jacoby interweaves her father's story with her own including the battles she faced after a life-changing accident and gives readers a back-stage pass to her stellar career in the Australian media and the colourful cast of characters that she meets along the way.
The book kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish; I recommend it highly.
Anita Jacoby offers readers a very candid and honest, warts and all insight into her intriguing family history and the challenges they faced as WWII refugess in Australia: the impact of mental health issues in the bygone era when they weren't recognised; the inspiration she took from her father's struggles and success; and the heartbreak of having dementia diminish then take her parents.
Jacoby interweaves her father's story with her own including the battles she faced after a life-changing accident and gives readers a back-stage pass to her stellar career in the Australian media and the colourful cast of characters that she meets along the way.
The book kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish; I recommend it highly.
July 21, 2022
This story was fascinating and I expect that Anita would have had to dig deep to expose not only her findings relating not her father and family but also her own situation and feelings. This certainly covered all aspects of Anita’s and her father’s past. Anita’s journalistic capabilities and experiences must have assisted in the discovery of the materials used in covering her fathers background and certainly enabled her to deliver her own personal experiences that were woven through the story.
Certainly made me think about my own background with parents and maternal grandparents coming to Australia during the late 1950’s with many stories of their own that will never be available to be discovered and told.
Certainly made me think about my own background with parents and maternal grandparents coming to Australia during the late 1950’s with many stories of their own that will never be available to be discovered and told.
January 21, 2023
Touted as a ‘compelling search for the truth’, I was a little frustrated at times when the author appeared to be making excuses for her father after unearthing facts. I get that she had difficulty aligning the father she knew and the one she uncovered and I certainly understand it would be difficult to not try to put things in a more favourable light, but it seemed to occur a little too often in my view … hence the frustration. Another slightly jarring trend was the author’s description of their working life that sort of read like a CV rather than a warts and all account of what seemed to be an interesting and at times exciting career.
Otherwise an interesting read covering some varied topics.
Otherwise an interesting read covering some varied topics.
July 15, 2022
This is such an incredible story, I can see it becoming a great movie or limited series. Anita writes such a fascinating story of a man who was incredibly interesting and innovative, whilst living in a time that was not supportive of refugees or migrants.
I can imagine finding out these truths was not easy for the author, along with disclosing her own personal story whilst working in a very sexist industry that did not support a strong intelligent and talented women as a leader.
Great read Anita
I can imagine finding out these truths was not easy for the author, along with disclosing her own personal story whilst working in a very sexist industry that did not support a strong intelligent and talented women as a leader.
Great read Anita
April 26, 2025
What an incredible read - I found it hard to put this down. Anita’s career is fascinating enough, but she has masterfully interwoven parts of her own story with that of her beloved, resilient & accomplished father. I really enjoyed this book, which inspired as well as intrigued me.
August 18, 2022
Fascinating story of Anita’s father and the secrets he kept about his life.
June 22, 2023
Very interesting and thought provoking.
February 26, 2024
Every family has a story, and I was thoroughly engaged with Anita's delve into her father's past, as well as her parallel journey trying to succeed in the television business in Australia.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews