The Ragman's Son

I really enjoyed this candid memoir. Kirk recalls his movies (Paths to Glory, Lust for Life being among his faves) and striving for artistic success. Stage (playacting) seems to have been at his heart and beyond his reach. Promiscuity, poor business decisions (trusting the wrong accountant) and dysfunctional relationship with his father are among the personal details he reveals. Coming around through the interesting filming details (no fear in doing his own stunts, John Wayne's fragile masculinity) he lands where he long wanted: a better father than he had and proud of his sons he is on good terms with.

There is a lot hear about the McCarthy-era blacklisting "The Unfriendly Ten" and Dalton Trumbo. Reading of this red-baiting, feels show more similar to today's what, woke-baiting? Antifa-baiting?

This is one of the memoirs of this era that points out there was a Communist and non-Communist Left, generally at war with each other. show less

Pretty good biography. Very Jewish upbringing. He was into acrobatics or gymnastics as a young man.

He is one of my favorite actors & this is an autobiography. From his very modest roots to his climb to be one of the top Hollywood stars, he gives a great account of his life. He doesn't pull many punches about mistakes he made along the way, either.

Autobiografia slávneho amerického herca. Píše o svojich rodičoch ruských emigrantoch, svojej dráhe herca, o svojej rodine a americkom filme.

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