Product Description
THE authoritative, comprehensive biography of the woman whose pin-up provided the inspiration for American soldiers to win World War II. (Oh, and she was a very talented dancer, actress & thespian as well.) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

good as far as informative...
But I had two problems with the book and could not ultimately finish it; the first came early, in the introduction, when author indicates that her family will be pleased with his efforts-which to me says that nothinhg negative about the subject will be told. I understand that to undertake the writing of a biography, which has to involve more work than possibly any other sort of book, the writer must be a little (or a lot) in love with the subject-but my 2nd problem, which actually proved so distracting for me at least, that i could not carry on, was the incessant use of exclamation points. I do not think the reader needs this added punctuation in order to realize when a sentence is of importance or is ironic...
But I am sure that for a fan of Betty Grable it is well-done and from other reviews, obviously enjoyable. I only started this book because I knew nothing of the subject, so cannot be counted as a fan-so if you are a fan, i am sure you will not mind the issues that bothered me.

Extended loving fan letter

Just as some biographies emphasise the negative qualities and scandals of some stars, this valentine to Betty Grable does the opposite.It is a detailed and loving tribute to the star.The author became a personal friend of Grable and was able to draw on talks with her over an extended period so we get many quotes from Grable herself.

The photos are excellent.If there is any criticism to make it, it is that the book does gloss over Grable's problems.It is a pity, as the author states, that her daughters did not participate.While she was obviously a warm, modest and funny woman, it would seem that while she may have wanted to be a good mother, she really wasn't equipped to be.Her own childhood was hardly normal since she began performing at age 12.Also, there is no doubt that her husband Harry James was a louse.Grable should have been financially secure, allowing her more time for her family but she was cleaned out supporting James's gambling habits, not that her own love of the horses etc did not have a bearing too.Whether she wanted to continue to work or not, she certainly had to.

The author captures what an excellent all round entertainer Grable was and there are plenty of personal details about her films, her exploitation by Darryl Zanuck, her eventual resistance to this exploitation and her own lack of ego.

An interesting and enjoyable read.

A vain testament to Ms. Grable
I have been a Betty Grable fan since I was small.It is odd for a kid today to rather watch old movies than new ones.I am now in my twenties and interested in bios.Betty and Ginger Rogers have always been my favorites.After reading this book, I do not like Betty Grable.It seems as if the author and Ms. Grable are both very stuck on HER.She seems VAIN from my understanding of the book.I could not finish it because the more I read, the more I disliked her, and I want to enjoy her movies.Ginger Rogers "Ginger: My story" and Ester Williams "Million Dollar Marmaid" autobiographies were much more interesting.I suggest those over this one any day.

Great book!
A wonderfully researched and well-written book about a trully magnificent woman.

A Personal Insight into Hollywood's Box Office Champ
Betty Grable was the star whose pinup photograph was the most popular among World War Two servicemen.The vibrant blonde star also set a record that has never come close to being equaled in reigning as Hollywood's female box office champ for an incredible ten years.What made movie fans throughout the world love Betty Grable?

Scottish author Tom McGee supplies the answer to that question in his entertaining biography of the popular film great.A personal friend of Grable's who had the opportunity to interview her at length on many occasions, McGee etches an enduring portrait of a wholesome, caring woman who always put warmth as a human being and loyalties to family and friends above star persona.Ego was never a problem with the popular superstar in an industry often overcome by it.When one sees such a warm and totally unaffected woman emerge in the pages of "The Girl With The Million Dollar Legs" it becomes obvious that people the world over loved Betty Grable because of the vibrance, warmth, and sweetness they saw in her.

McGee's book is also rich in photographs capturing Grable and the luminous era in which she starred.There is also a warmly affecting Foreword by fellow Twentieth Century Fox blonde glamour girl, Alice Faye.Grable and Faye became great friends with no animosity or jealousy ever emerging.

This book is a must for Grable fans and all those who love the exciting cinema era of the forties and fifties.It is so refreshing to read a movie biography devoid of trashy gossip and petty commentary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

What Tragedy?
I picked up this book in the hopes of learning about a cultural icon.Betty Grable's Pin-up from World War II was something every child of the 1950's and 1960's was familiar with. But who was the person behind the first Supermodel?

This book attempts to answer this question, but falls short.We learn she is a contradiction to her wholesome image of the smiling girl next door.She was an abusive mother, had a predilection for bartenders, bikers and hard living men.She was a hard drinking, bawdy and tough edged woman.

She was also a star of the first magnitude, who took her career seriously.She was a hard working star who enjoyed her work and her celebrity status.

But this book never successfully explains her tragedy.she had unhappy marriages, but so have 51% of us in this country, and this does not qualify us as having tragic lives.She had a gambling addiction, but apparently could always support it.She lived hard and died too young, but this was a life choice she made.

Spero Pastos was not an experienced author when he wrote this biography, and although I learned about Ms. Grable's life, I would have liked a more balanced and complete treatment.

A tragedy Indeed
I found this book to tell many things of the famous star but left me seeing her as a train wreck other than a movie star. I am certain her daughters did give advise on this book, and sadly enough the children were the ones that were left to feel they were her heavy baggage of her sad and lonely life. I did not get all truths or facts from this book on her life, I felt so much was left ot not to make her seem as troubled and disliked as shewas. Very sad ending, yes indeed.

The book pulping was designed for
Betty Grable was an emotional cripple, a child abuser, and an all-around jerk to everyone who knew or worked with her. I had hoped that Spero Pastos's biography of her would show her in a true light. It doesn't, though; Pastos is so wrong-headedly and so nastily vituperative towards every woman he mentions that Grable's very real faults are lost in the muddle.

Simply put, Pastos's work reads as if it were written by a misogynist. Every woman Pastos refers to in this book is evil in some way, and every man's faults are caused by the women in their lives. To give one example: Grable's mother spent most of her adult life crippled due to an infected hip joint. This in and of itself was not unusual at the time; tuberculosis of the bone and staph infections of the joints crippled hundreds of thousands of men and women before antibiotics were discovered. In Pastos's mind, however, Mrs. Grable couldn't have had a medical condition: no, she was a woman, so she must have been making it up solely to hurt her poor, poor put-upon husband, and therefore his abuse of their children was totally her fault, not his!

Pastos does this over and over and over again with every woman in the book. Betty's mother is a neurotic malingerer. Betty's friends are enablers (unlike Betty's husband, Harry James, who is barely even slapped on the wrist for allowing his children to be beaten black and blue in his presence). Betty's co-stars are catty. Betty's female relatives are co-dependants. And so on and so on. This litany of All Women Are Crazy Neurotic Weirdos And Men Are Their Victims doesn't just raise the reader's ire, it also takes away from the very real story Pastos should be telling: Betty Grable's abuse and cruelty. Betty simply doesn't stand out among the myriad of nasty evil women Pastos presents. Worse, Pastos seems to be enamored of the idea that every problem in the world, or at least every problem caused by women (although in his mind they're the same thing), is caused by some psychological fault like neurosis or conversion syndrome or enabling or Munchausen's. None of these people could possibly have been unobservant or physically ill or even, horrors of horrors, a bad person. No, there must be some psychobabble behind everything.

This book made me very sad. Child abuse is often discounted or ignored, and it's important for former victims of abuse to speak up, especially if their parent is all but deified by a large proportion of the public. But this book doesn't paint Betty Grable as a child abuser: it portrays all women as evil just for existing as women, and Grable's very real faults are lost in the midst of a truckload of insultingly misogynistic psychobabble in which every woman is bad and every man is more of a poor, put-upon victim than the children who were abused.

I do not recommend this book in the least.

Betty Grable- The Girl With Millions of Problems!
After I read this book, I was hurt, because I saw Betty Grable in a different light, this book really shows the bad side of Betty, I don't know if this book is true, but if it wasn't, wouldn't the family sue. Even Betty Grable's daughters supposedly was interviewed for this book, and doesn't speak well of their mother. After I read it, no one could give me a good clear answer on this book, was it true or not? But for a while I couldn't watch or listen to Betty Grable, but then I noticed we all are human beings and we all make mistakes, and we shouldn't look at movie stars like their perfect, or have the perfect life, they make mistakes too, and they pay for it, just like all of us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A rather tawdry and incorrect biography
I bought this book because I'm a big fan of Betty Grable. Unfortunately, this book has many inaccurate facts and gives a tawdry view of one of most well liked and respected stars of early Hollywood. Perhaps some day someone will write an accurate biography with interviews from her family, friends and co-workers. ... Read more

Product Description
This reference work provides a comprehensive record of the life and career of Betty Grable. The book begins with a biography that presents and discusses the most significant events in Grable's life. The chronology that follows summarizes her career in capsule form. The succeeding chapters provide a detailed account of Grable's performances in various media, including films, television, radio, stage, nightclubs, videos, and records. The entries in these sections succinctly present the facts concerning each of Grable's performances and offer insightful commentary. The volume concludes with a list of Grable memorabilia, a section of miscellaneous information, and an annotated bibliography of books and articles containing extensive or unique material about Grable and her career. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great for the fan, or researcher
I happened to find this book in a library while I was looking for other references to Betty Grable. I had previously seen the book listed on Amazon, but had balked at the high price hoping it might come out in paperback edition.

It really is quite a book.I was actually amazed at such a comprehensive list of all of the output of Betty's career, including film appearances, radio, TV, night club acts, summer theater, broadway shows, etc.,. The author was also able to catalogue the numerous references to Betty in books, magazines, newspapers, 20thCentury-Fox press releases, etc.,. It must have taken quite a bit of effort and time to complete this book.

The author, Mr Billman,includes his own commentary occasionally to elucidate or corroborate the contents of an entry. I found this commentary quite interesting and relevant. In one commentary, for the entry on the biography "The Tragedy of Betty Grable", Mr. Billmanstates that the author of that book had interviewed one of Betty's daughters, her sister, and some close friends.However, Mr. Billman comments that his research had discovered that several of these people had felt they were substantially misquoted by the author of that book. (This might be why the Grable daughters have consistently refused to give interviews or quotes since that time).

Please be aware of the format of this book. It is exactly as the title states: it is in a bibliography format; this is not a standard biography; there are no color pictures from Grable's films.

If you are a fan and want to know everything Betty Grable ever did as a performer this book is for you. Likewise, if you are researching Betty Grable, her films, or even the 1940's musical film genre, this book is indispensable.

Complete
Don't let the price of this book scare you. It is worth every penny. If you love, like or just want to find out the facts of this star's life this is the book to own. I mean own because you will refer to it time and timeagain. I will admit when I first receiverd the book I was disappointed. Forthat price I thought it would be a big book full of color photographs. Allone has to do is read that lovely dedication and you know you are in for atreat. The only thing Mr. Billman left out was how to request to have BettyGrable put on a U.S. Postage Stamp. I don't think he will mind if I giveyou that information. All you have to do is write your request and send itto: The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room5670 Washington, DC 20260 ... Read more

Product Description
This book recounts the fascinating life of one of Hollywood's dearest entertainers and well know cable talk show hosts, Skip E. Lowe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

The Man Who Was Artie
Okay, I'll admit it. I bought Skip E. Lowe's memoir with the idea that it would be a horrendous hack-job full of celebrity groveler and rampant name-dropping. Needless to say, I was floored when The Boy with the Betty Grable Legs turned out to be a compelling autobiography written with panache and a good deal of humility.

Lowe's book is difficult to put down. Lowe does well to balance his personal tragedies (Lowe seemed to attract molestation the way flowers attract bees) with his career as an entertainer. While his brief mention of his part in BLACK SHAMPOO is akin to Orson Welles skipping over CITIZEN KANE, Lowe's book manages to stand tall on its own shapely legs. (ISBN: 0964963582)

HOLLYWOOD GREATS.
HE TELLS WHAT HOLLYWOOD IS ALLBOUT. HE WRITES GREAT AND TELLS WHAT HIS LIFES ALBOUT.

Great read, great life, great legs!
This book is a great journey of someone's life.Skip E. Lowe is a true show business character--as much a part of the town as the Holllywood Sign and the billboards of Angelyne.His life is filled with pathos and happiness. From cover to cover the book is a pure joy.You'll find yourself wondering who could possibly play Mr. Lowe in the movie that undoubtedly will come from this fabulous life memoir.

the man who is a real boy
LOVE THIS BOOK IT TAKES YOU EVERY ALL OVER THE WORLD AND FEEL LIKE IWAS THERE.ITS SO GOOD LOVE IT THANKS FOR THE JOURNEY .. WHAT A LIFE.

The Heart, Soul, Guts and Humor of a Worldly Entertainer!
Skip E. Lowe has traveled the world, and his offbeat yet captivating bio details with heart, soul, guts and humor the life of the entertainer in all its glory!

Honesty, sincerity and a strong dose of wacky humor enliven
Mr. Lowe's show biz odyssey through Hollywood, New York, Europe, Asia and back to Hollywood.This is a travelog, a Who's-doing- Who, a tell-all, and a loving bio all in one.

As you turn the page, you are drawn closer and closer to this amazing master showman.It is a must-read.

Skip E. Lowe makes you proud to be a homo-sapien! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

need more
i had forgotten justhow wonderful it was to read a book without swearing, sex, explicit murder scenes, etc.this type of book was given to me in the fifties by my grandmother and created the desire for me to read constantly.the story is very good, gentle, yet interesting, even at my age of 64.easy reading and i recommend it for all ages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Long overdue tribute to Grable's input to the cinema
I was very happy to purchase this tribute to the film career on one of Hollywood's most durable musical comedy actresses. Long overdue, but wellworth the wait. Masses of photographs, some of which I had never seenbefore, and a well catalogued screen career - including long-forgottenshorts she made under the name of Frances Dean. The reviews on her manyfilms provided an insight into the golden years of Hollywood.An excellentaddition to the "Films of..." series. ... Read more

Product Description
John Wilcox has written seven novels of historical adventure and two books of non-fiction. Now, however, he tells the story of how he grew up as a maths-hating boy in the back streets of Birmingham during the war, dodging the German bombs but pledging his undying love for an iconic Betty Grable, and then succeeding as a journalist and businessman before surviving the greatest tragedy of his life. It's a tale that gives insight to the war years and to the growth of a great industrial city - but it is also one of love, humour and of personal struggle. Wilcox still can't do sums, but he can write. This is not so much a memoir, more a warm, personal retrospective of an eventful period in Britain's history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

America I Love You From "Tin Pan Alley"
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R273P1B67030Z "America I Love You" from the motion picture, "Tin Pan Alley". This 1931 vintage sheet music is a complete arrangement for voice (lyrics) with piano accompaniment and guitar symbols in the key of C-major. Ornate movie cover features the cast of "Tin Pan Alley".

Sheet Music arrangements featuring motion picture themes:
In Love in Vain (Centennial Summer)
Mahogany (Theme From Mohogany)
Sing me a "Song of the Islands"
One Day When We Were Young (The Great John L.)
The More I See You
The Continental (You Kiss While You're Dancing) "The Gay Divorcee"

Laura - Sheet Music
Serenade: From The Musical Romance- The Student Prince
Baby Doll (The Warner Bros. Motion Picture)
Where Is Your Heart(The Song from Moulin Rouge) ... Read more

Product Description
This 1931 vintage sheet music is a complete arrangement for voice (lyrics) with piano accompaniment and guitar symbols in the key of C-Major. The ornate movie cover features the cast of "Tin Pan Alley". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

America I Love You From "Tin Pan Alley"
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1FJZYA7L0QUGD "America I Love You" from the motion picture, "Tin Pan Alley" (special thanks to teemb on youtube) This 1931 vintage sheet music is a complete arrangement for voice (lyrics) with piano accompaniment and guitar symbols in the key of C-Major. The ornate movie cover features the cast of "Tin Pan Alley".

Sheet Music single arrangements and collections, Themes from The movies:
Cuanto Le Gusta (A Date With Judy)
In Love in Vain (Centennial Summer)
Sing me a "Song of the Islands"
One Day When We Were Young (The Great John L.)
The More I See You
The Continental, You Kiss While You're Dancing (The Gay Divorcee)

My Shining Hour
Laura - Sheet Music
Baby Doll (The Warner Bros. Motion Picture)
Great Piano Hits (Themes from the Movies)
... Read more

Product Description
Hand signed publicity photo of actress Betty Grable. Very Good, heavy photo stock with autograph in red pen ink. The signature is clearly visible in the upper left quadrant of the photo. It reads: "Best Wished Alwas to John Oliver From Betty".It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from North American Rarities. ... Read more