Peter Ustinov: The Gift of Laughter
by John Miller
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Actor, playwright, director, novelist, wit, and raconteur, Peter Ustinov is a show business polymath. He wrote his first play before he was 20, and has since had more than a dozen produced, three of which were later filmed. As an actor his films include Spartacus and Topkapi, for which he won an Academy Award, and he has more recently directed operas in every major opera house in Europe. His one-man show, An Evening with Peter Ustinov was hit in London and on Broadway.Tags
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Member Reviews
That most perfect gift – laughter. ”Which has always seemed to me” says Ustinov,” that most civilized of music”. And what a lot he gave us. An international figure and face that I met in most of my travels from video-presentations on cognac barrels in France to posters and books and photos in Latin America, Australia, and Indonesia … never failing to bring forth an affectionate smile wherever Peter Ustinov was found.
More of a joint-collaboration on an Autobiography rather than a ‘life’, this book echoes and rings with Ustinov’s own laughter. A truly gifted artist in authorship, reportage, acting, script and play writing, comedian, “the world’s best after dinner speaker”, raconteur, mimic and philanthropist Sir show more Peter Ustinov passed away in his eighty-first yearly (2004) reluctant to stop the performance being given in any of his multiple languages or disciplines.
A tremendous life and talent portrayed in a book (written by a carefully chosen biographer) that Ustinov very actively participated in creating – with his usual enormous enjoyment and mischief – that is a thoroughly recommended read. show less
More of a joint-collaboration on an Autobiography rather than a ‘life’, this book echoes and rings with Ustinov’s own laughter. A truly gifted artist in authorship, reportage, acting, script and play writing, comedian, “the world’s best after dinner speaker”, raconteur, mimic and philanthropist Sir show more Peter Ustinov passed away in his eighty-first yearly (2004) reluctant to stop the performance being given in any of his multiple languages or disciplines.
A tremendous life and talent portrayed in a book (written by a carefully chosen biographer) that Ustinov very actively participated in creating – with his usual enormous enjoyment and mischief – that is a thoroughly recommended read. show less
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A convivial man who likes fast cars and tennis, Ustinov is also a great comic and mimic. Miller briefly notes his three marriages, the third now in its fourth decade, and the existence of three daughters and a son. Despite many appreciative testimonies and anecdotes from colleagues, Ustinov remains elusive under his many hats.
More a résumé than a life. For diehard fans only.
More a résumé than a life. For diehard fans only.
added by John_Vaughan
Author Information
5+ Works 283 Members
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2002
Classifications
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 792.028092 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Theater: Plays, Ballet, Opera modified standard subdivisions Techniques, procedures, apparatus, equipment, materials, miscellany Acting and Performance History, geographic treatment, biography Biography
- LCC
- PR6041 .S73 .Z75 — Language and Literature English English Literature 1900-1960
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 41
- Popularity
- 714,005
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.33)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 2
