NONFICTION

Maureen O'Hara: The Biography

by Aubrey Malone
Univ. Pr. of Kentucky. Nov. 2013. 288p. illus. notes. index. ISBN 9780813142388. $29.95; ebk. ISBN 9780813142395. FILM
COPY ISBN
An admirably thorough—if workmanlike—chronicle of Maureen O'Hara's life (b. 1920), this book is most valuable in that it fills in many gaps, especially regarding her first marriage, left by the actress in her 2004 autobiography, 'Tis Herself. If the intent of film critic Malone (Hemingway: The Grace and the Pressure) was to rekindle interest in a figure who may have been slipping off of the public's radar, this title is definitely a success—the reader feels a constant urge to turn on the classic movie cable station as the work covers O'Hara's life film by film. Unfortunately, Malone's style is not very writerly, and owing to regular discordant notes such as the use of the adjective "oleaginous" twice within the first two chapters, as well as swipes at fellow celebrity biographer Darwin Porter, one never gets properly lost in the story.
VERDICT O'Hara fans will enjoy this account despite its issues, as will nostalgists with a specific interest in the Golden Age of the Hollywood studio system.
Reviewed by Jenny Brewer, Helen Hall Lib., League City, TX , Nov 01, 2013
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

Blue Remembered Hills
by Sutcliff, Rosemary

To the Linksland (30th Anniversary Edition)
by Bamberger, Michael
NONFICTION

Zora Neale Hurston
by Hopson, Cheryl R
NONFICTION

Alfred Hitchcock, All the Films: The Story Behind Every Movie, Episode, and Short
by Benoliel, Bernard & others
NONFICTION

Sturge Town: Poems
by Dawes, Kwame
NONFICTION

What a Fool Believes: A Memoir
by McDonald, Michael
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?