Ramon Novarro: A Biography of the Silent Film Idol, 1899-1968; With a Filmography

Rating:
Summary: A very good read, but not a great read. I longed for more.
Review: Being a Ramon Novarro fan, I was elated that a biography was finally written on this legendary film star. I give a tremendous amount of credit to the author. His extensive research has paid off. The filmography at the end especially stands out; very detailed. The only drawback that I saw with the book, is that the sentence structure was simplistic for the most part. It read more like a news report than a story. I did notice that the last few chapters, beginning with the Murder, were especially riveting. I couldn't put the book down. His writing style changed (not sure if his editor had anything to do with it)for the better. Once completed, I felt I wanted more. More of what? Personality content as well as understanding his family dynamics. What was it like having a famous brother? How was it living with Ramon for so many years? It missed a "personal touch." Which I am amazed at, because the author did interview several family members. All in all, it was a good read but not a great read but essential (compliation of the material in one book) for any Ramon Novarro fan.

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Summary: I now know the career, but who was the man.
Review: Having recently read the biography of William Haines, another MGM silent superstar, I became very interested in the story of Ramon Novarro.This biography however reads like a school report. We are given names and dates, reviews and grosses of Novarro's films.But no insight to who the man was.The book is great as a reference guidebut not as a study of an actor, and certainly nota study of the man.

Rating:
Summary: depth was lacking
Review: I was disapointed in reading this bio.It left so many things unanswered, in my opinion.Mr.Novarro deserved something more than a thumbnail sketch of his life.I felt that the author skimmed the reader through Mr.Novarros' life.I came away knowing mostly that he was Gay, and had a drinking problem.Not much of a legacy,not much of anything else.The author might read Marie Dresslers' recent bio, or William Haines' bio, or "Charles Chaplin, the man and his times" to understand how details add so much to the overall read, itself.

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Summary: At last a biography of a one time great silent star
Review: It is truly a shame that it has taken so long for a biography on Ramon Novarro to be written. After more than 30 years after his death, this book not only sets the record straight about his gruesome death, but also enlightens the reader about his turbulent life. Unlike another reviewer, I feel that the author has told us about who Novarro was. We are not only told about his great career, but also about his loves, his fears,and his weaknesses. If you a lover of film history or have any interest at all in Novarro, read this book.

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Summary: Ramon Novarro: A Biography of the Silent Film Idol
Review: Ramon Novarro said shortly before his death, "As far as private lives go, there was just as much intrigue in Hollywood then, as now." Little did he know the amount of intrigue that would be generated just a few months later by his tragic death at the hands of a pair of hustlers. For many people today, that is the extent of their knowledge of Ramon Novarro, one of the most successful actors of the silent screen. For several years his career rivaled no other in Hollywood. It was these facts that I wanted to convey in my book, "Ramon Novarro." In the late 20s Ramon Novarro became a household name when he starred in "Ben-Hur" the biggest and most expensive silent film ever made. For over five years he was MGM's top male attraction under the guidance of studio moguls Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg. During the decade he spent at MGM, he costarred with such film legends as Greta Garbo, Myrna Loy and Helen Hayes. His bright and varied career spanned silent films, talkies, the concert stage, theater and television. In the book I detail Novarro's early days in Mexico during the Huerta Revolution, as well as his reign as one of Hollywood's leading romantic actors. Also covered is his descent into alcoholism and despair over his homosexuality and his waning career, which culminated in a grisly murder that has caused Novarro to be remembered more as a victim than as a star. I spent years researching Ramon Novarro's life, including interviews with family members, friends, costars and a former lover. Novarro lived during a unique time in film history and his life should be remembered. The text includes a complete filmography, notes and photographs from Novarro's life and work.

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Summary: Finally, a biography on Ramon Novarro.
Review: The author has written the definitive book on one of the greatest actors of the silent screen. This book is written with much sensitivity and consideration. The author has taken an exhaustive approach in combining both the personal life and career of Ramon Novarro. This book is totally engrossing, from beginning to end. The author describes in detail how Mr. Novarro fled his native country of Mexico during the Huerta revolution in 1915 to journey to Los Angeles, and of his meteoric rise to stardom in the American silent film. Much attention is focused on his great years in MGM, the greatest of all movie studios. Mr. Novarro was plagued with many personal problems and unfortunately his life had a tragic ending. Looking forward to reading more books by this wonderful author.

Rating:
Summary: A long awaited biography of a great star
Review: This is the first serious biography of Ramon Novarro that I am aware of. The book succeeds very well in detailing the acting career of Mr. Novarro. The author has obviously done an incredible amount of research and presents his information here in a very pleasant readable format. The book is less revealing of Mr. Novarro's personal struggles beyond detaling they existed as illustrated by certain public events in the actor's life. It is surprising that of the close family and friends of Mr. Novarro, who are still alive and spoke with the author, none were able to reveal more of Mr. Novarro's own feelings.