TOTAL RECOIL

by Kyle Crichton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 23, 1960

A long history as a journalist automatically adds up to a long litany of famous names interviewed, tasty (or testy --depending on ""Bogey's mood) remarks recorded, and anecdotes hopefully memorized. Since Kyle Crichton, who also wrote ""The Happiest Millionaire"" for Broadway, spent most of his career on the editorial staffs of Scribner's and Collier's and a lot of time peeking out his bungalow windows in Hollywood's Garden of Allah, this random view is seen from the glittering top. He jots down his encounters with such people as Sinclair Lewis, Maxwell Perkins, Ernest Hemingway and Bronson Cutting. There are sketches of the Marx Brothers, Eugene O'Neill, Chaplin; a naive impression of Huey Long; friendships with John O'Hara, Faulkner and Tom Wolfe. It will satiate readers who longer for inside knowledge of the drinking habits of the lofty and the vernacular of the movie stars. There are some sharply penetrating letters from D.H. Lawrence to the author which are the only enlightened passages in the book. Otherwise it's a rather pretentious cocktail party. Would it were beyond recoil.

Pub Date: Sept. 23, 1960

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1960

Categories: NONFICTION