BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES

by David Niven ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 29, 1975

More pink bubbly--less centered around his own career than The Moon's a Balloon (1972) though equally tight and easy to swallow. The book (whose title refers to Michael Curtiz' command on the set of The Charge of the Light Brigade) consists primarily of Niven's dapper observations as a part of the Golden Age of Hollywood between 1935-60. Foremost among the many vignettes are scenes of the actor-author fishing with Gable, houseguesting with W. R. Hearst and Marion Davies at San Simeon, or else asking Garbo why she opted for such an early retirement (""I had made enough faces""). The camaraderie between Niven and his cronies Flynn, Colman, Bogart, Astaire et al. takes some of the edge off the low opinion he holds of the industry--""a hotbed of false values. . . a wondrous structure of corruption, fear, talent, and triumphs."" The montage was vintage and that's about it. It is expected to do exceedingly well and is off and running with its dual Literary Guild selection for December.

Pub Date: Sept. 29, 1975

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1975

Categories: NONFICTION