In 2005, Anna Massey was awarded a CBE for services to drama. Daughter of the Canadian actor, Raymond Massey (perhaps best-known for his role as Dr Gillespie in the TV series Dr Killdare ), and Adrianne Allen (also a very successful stage actress), drama was in her blood. Her brother, Daniel, was a much-acclaimed actor. And even her godfather was one of the great film directors of all time - John Ford. Anna's first marriage was to Jeremy Brett, famous in his later years for his elegantly febrile performance on television ...
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In 2005, Anna Massey was awarded a CBE for services to drama. Daughter of the Canadian actor, Raymond Massey (perhaps best-known for his role as Dr Gillespie in the TV series Dr Killdare ), and Adrianne Allen (also a very successful stage actress), drama was in her blood. Her brother, Daniel, was a much-acclaimed actor. And even her godfather was one of the great film directors of all time - John Ford. Anna's first marriage was to Jeremy Brett, famous in his later years for his elegantly febrile performance on television as Sherlock Holmes. They had a son, David, together. But it was not a happy relationship and ended in divorce. In fact, family life was never easy or straightforward. Raymond fled the roost for the United States when Anna was very little, and married again. Adrianne was the most marvellous hostess who filled the house with an exotic mixture of guests, but, as a child, crucial emotional support was supplied by Nanny, who remained with Anna until her death. From her stage debut in The Reluctant Debutante to her performance in Michael Powell's notorious film, Peeping Tom , on through TV successes like The Pallisers and Hotel du Lac to a range of work in radio, Anna Massey has enjoyed the most remarkable career. And a whole host of extraordinary, often highly eccentric characters make their entrances and exits during its course. On and off set or stage, there are encounters with the theatrical knights, Olivier, Redgrave, Richardson and Gielgud. Noel Coward takes more than one bow. Great friendships are formed with fellow actors like Alan Rickman, Alec McCowen, Dame Judi Dench, and the playwright, David Hare. And there are inevitable difficulties with directors like Otto Preminger. Anna also has to play the part of hostess to the Duke of Edinburgh - in real life. After all the inevitable vicissitudes and upsets, Anna Massey ends her book with the story of personal happiness, achieved without make-up, lighting or script. Telling Some Tales does not kiss and tell, or tell tales out of school. It is the candid, wry, funny and emotional account of a life intensely lived.
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Good. Size: 19 to 25 cm tall, Octavo, (8vo); Paperback. Posted within 1 working day. 1st class tracked post to the UK, Airmail tracked worldwide. Robust recyclable packaging.
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First Edition. Hardback. Dust Jacket. 8vo. pp x, 259. Original publisher's black boards lettered gilt at spine. Illustrations. Signed by the author. ISBN: 0091796458 Fine in fine dust jacket.
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Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
A delightful read, sometimes funny, sometimes quite sad. I particularly enjoy hearing about the private lives of famous people in show business and other, and Anna Massey certainly knew many. She has always been a favorite of mine and I was interested to hear more about her relationship with her famous father and her first husband, Jeremy Brett. Even though she was quite candid and pulled no punches in describing her life with them, she was never vindictive - I admire her for that.
I passed this book on to a friend who is enjoying it as much as I did.
ochrelab
Jul 5, 2007
What a disappointment.
I ordered this book the week it was published and paid both top dollar for it and postage from UK. I was so looking forward to reading it. My favourite actress, whom I have followed since 1966 delivered a very coy version of her life leading us halfway down paths and abandoning us to our own devices when she either got distracted, bored or too uncomfortable to continue. Granted she had a very famous but unusual family including a brutal father, married a heartthrob who turned out to be both gay and bi-polar and angry gay brother and appalling stagefright. She knew this when she began the book and so should have left well alone if she couldn't deal with it honestly. I don't know who her editor was or even if she had one but the book is a mess and her publishers should be ashamed of themselves.