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David Niven Memoirs
Bring on the Empty Horses
David Niven recalls his time in Hollywood during its heyday. He recounts stories and anecdotes of the stars, producers, directors, tycoons and oddballs, many of whom were his friends.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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About the author
David Niven
21 books75 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. This is David^^Niven.
James David Graham Niven, known as David Niven, was an Oscar winning English actor and novelist. Niven wrote four books. The first, Round the Rugged Rocks, was a novel which appeared in 1951 and was forgotten almost at once. In 1971, he published his autobiography, The Moon's a Balloon, which was well-received, selling over five million copies. He followed this with Bring On the Empty Horses in 1975, a collection of highly entertaining reminiscences from Hollywood's "Golden Age" in the 1940s. It now appears that Niven recounted many incidents from a first person perspective which actually happened to other people, and which he borrowed and embroidered. In 1981, Niven published a second and much more successful novel, Go Slowly, Come Back Quickly, which was set during and after World War II, and drew on his experiences during the war and in Hollywood. He was working on a third novel when his health failed in 1983.
Aming his many movies he appeared in A Matter of Life and Death (1946), The Bishop's Wife (1947), and Enchantment (1948), all of which received critical acclaim. Niven later appeared in The Elusive Pimpernel (1950), The Toast of New Orleans (1950), Happy Go Lovely (1951), Happy Ever After (1954) and Carrington V.C. (1955) before scoring a big success as Phileas Fogg in Michael Todd's production of Around the World in 80 Days (1956). He won the 1958 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Major Pollock in Separate Tables, his only nomination for an Oscar. Niven appeared in nearly a hundred films, and many shows for television.With an Academy Award to his credit, Niven's career continued to thrive. In 1959, he became the host of his own TV drama series, The David Niven Show, which ran for 13 episodes that summer. He subsequently appeared in another 30 films, including The Guns of Navarone (1961) The Pink Panther (1963), Murder by Death (1976), Death on the Nile (1978), and The Sea Wolves (1980). He died at his home from ALS ( "Lou Gehrig's disease" in the US and motor neuron disease (MND) in the UK) on 29 July 1983 at age 73
James David Graham Niven, known as David Niven, was an Oscar winning English actor and novelist. Niven wrote four books. The first, Round the Rugged Rocks, was a novel which appeared in 1951 and was forgotten almost at once. In 1971, he published his autobiography, The Moon's a Balloon, which was well-received, selling over five million copies. He followed this with Bring On the Empty Horses in 1975, a collection of highly entertaining reminiscences from Hollywood's "Golden Age" in the 1940s. It now appears that Niven recounted many incidents from a first person perspective which actually happened to other people, and which he borrowed and embroidered. In 1981, Niven published a second and much more successful novel, Go Slowly, Come Back Quickly, which was set during and after World War II, and drew on his experiences during the war and in Hollywood. He was working on a third novel when his health failed in 1983.
Aming his many movies he appeared in A Matter of Life and Death (1946), The Bishop's Wife (1947), and Enchantment (1948), all of which received critical acclaim. Niven later appeared in The Elusive Pimpernel (1950), The Toast of New Orleans (1950), Happy Go Lovely (1951), Happy Ever After (1954) and Carrington V.C. (1955) before scoring a big success as Phileas Fogg in Michael Todd's production of Around the World in 80 Days (1956). He won the 1958 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Major Pollock in Separate Tables, his only nomination for an Oscar. Niven appeared in nearly a hundred films, and many shows for television.With an Academy Award to his credit, Niven's career continued to thrive. In 1959, he became the host of his own TV drama series, The David Niven Show, which ran for 13 episodes that summer. He subsequently appeared in another 30 films, including The Guns of Navarone (1961) The Pink Panther (1963), Murder by Death (1976), Death on the Nile (1978), and The Sea Wolves (1980). He died at his home from ALS ( "Lou Gehrig's disease" in the US and motor neuron disease (MND) in the UK) on 29 July 1983 at age 73
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
September 10, 2020
Firstly, with working from home I was able to work and listen to David Niven read his own book to you, adding a great personal touch to his autobiography.
He and Errol Flynn were filming The Charge of the Light Brigade for a director, Michael Curtiz, 'whose Hungarian-orientated English was a joy to us all'. High on the rostrum he decided the moment had come to order the arrival on the scene of a hundred riderless chargers. "Okay," he yelled into a megaphone, "Bring on the empty horses!"
'BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES is the second part of David Niven's internationally bestselling autobiography, following the superbly entertaining THE MOON'S A BALLOON. Both books were highly acclaimed by the critics and remain as wonderful reminders of a much-loved actor who epitomised, for many, the essential British gent, even when surrounded by the stars of Hollywood
A great actor, but also a great storyteller with great humour and honesty.
My first ever audible book, with a personal touch.
My favourite biographies are always the ones that give good stories on their co-stars, their friends, the great gossip of the real Hollywood in the heyday of Hollywood.
David Niven was in Hollywood from the 30's, mixing with the stars in heyday, lived and shared a home with Errol Flynn, parties all the time, playing tennis, go fishing with Clark Gable.
The big stars like Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Vivien Leigh, Greta Garbo, Laurence Olivier, Marlene Dietrich, and Humphrey Bogart are all mentioned; the film directors and producers like Samuel Goldwyn, John Huston, Michael Curtiz, William Wellman, and all the other inhabitants that made Hollywood the magical place it was - while gossip columnists Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper intimidated many personalities with their "items" publicised in the scandal sheets.
Great reading
He and Errol Flynn were filming The Charge of the Light Brigade for a director, Michael Curtiz, 'whose Hungarian-orientated English was a joy to us all'. High on the rostrum he decided the moment had come to order the arrival on the scene of a hundred riderless chargers. "Okay," he yelled into a megaphone, "Bring on the empty horses!"
'BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES is the second part of David Niven's internationally bestselling autobiography, following the superbly entertaining THE MOON'S A BALLOON. Both books were highly acclaimed by the critics and remain as wonderful reminders of a much-loved actor who epitomised, for many, the essential British gent, even when surrounded by the stars of Hollywood
A great actor, but also a great storyteller with great humour and honesty.
My first ever audible book, with a personal touch.
My favourite biographies are always the ones that give good stories on their co-stars, their friends, the great gossip of the real Hollywood in the heyday of Hollywood.
David Niven was in Hollywood from the 30's, mixing with the stars in heyday, lived and shared a home with Errol Flynn, parties all the time, playing tennis, go fishing with Clark Gable.
The big stars like Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Vivien Leigh, Greta Garbo, Laurence Olivier, Marlene Dietrich, and Humphrey Bogart are all mentioned; the film directors and producers like Samuel Goldwyn, John Huston, Michael Curtiz, William Wellman, and all the other inhabitants that made Hollywood the magical place it was - while gossip columnists Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper intimidated many personalities with their "items" publicised in the scandal sheets.
Great reading
May 6, 2015
Niven must have been the ideal guest. He was a naturally-gifted storyteller with a wonderful, often self-deprecating, sense of humour.
August 5, 2025
Mike Curtiz was the director of The Charge of the Light Brigade and his Hungarian-oriented English was a source of joy to us all.
High on a rostrum he decided that the right moment had come to order the arrival on the scene of a hundred head of riderless chargers. “Okay!” he yelled into a megaphone. “Bring on the empty horses!”
[Errol] Flynn and I doubled up with laughter. “You lousy bums,” Curtiz shouted, “you and your stinking language…you think I know fuck nothing…well, let me tell you – I know FUCK ALL!”.
High on a rostrum he decided that the right moment had come to order the arrival on the scene of a hundred head of riderless chargers. “Okay!” he yelled into a megaphone. “Bring on the empty horses!”
[Errol] Flynn and I doubled up with laughter. “You lousy bums,” Curtiz shouted, “you and your stinking language…you think I know fuck nothing…well, let me tell you – I know FUCK ALL!”.
June 24, 2025
This is the follow-up to David Niven's first memoir (The Moon's a Balloon), but this book is centered on the stories of Niven's friends and co-stars and directors. In other words, it's a wonderful recollection of the Golden Age of Hollywood but told in a gentlemanly fashion.
Niven was part of the Hollywood Raj, that group of ex-pat Englishmen who played cricket at the park off Sunset Boulevard and ate roast beef on Sundays, regardless of the California heat. There are hundreds of books about the cinema during the studio system, but somehow Mr. Niven's tales are the best.
The crash of falling Selznicks was frequently heard around midnight in Hollywood high society.
His zingers are classy, not the TMZ trash currently expounded. You can tell he holds back or changes some details to be fair to his subjects, but the reading is still fun. His "Missy" revelation is startling, as it details the mental breakdown of Vivien Leigh (though he never mentions her name) and illustrates the high level of stress and expectations placed upon the studio stars of that era.
I rarely read a book more than once, but I couldn't resist picking this up again when the sun was blazing, the pool was calling, and I had just finished a long walk past some of the glorious desert abodes of the folks who had faces back then.
Book Season = Summer (find some shade)
Niven was part of the Hollywood Raj, that group of ex-pat Englishmen who played cricket at the park off Sunset Boulevard and ate roast beef on Sundays, regardless of the California heat. There are hundreds of books about the cinema during the studio system, but somehow Mr. Niven's tales are the best.
The crash of falling Selznicks was frequently heard around midnight in Hollywood high society.
His zingers are classy, not the TMZ trash currently expounded. You can tell he holds back or changes some details to be fair to his subjects, but the reading is still fun. His "Missy" revelation is startling, as it details the mental breakdown of Vivien Leigh (though he never mentions her name) and illustrates the high level of stress and expectations placed upon the studio stars of that era.
I rarely read a book more than once, but I couldn't resist picking this up again when the sun was blazing, the pool was calling, and I had just finished a long walk past some of the glorious desert abodes of the folks who had faces back then.
Book Season = Summer (find some shade)
June 25, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! I read it in just over a day. David Niven has a very easy, laid back style of writing and is so entertaining. Parts of it are very witty and I found myself laughing as I went along. Each chapter deals with a different personality from Hollywood or about his own experiences in that world. Two chapters dealt with two of my favourite actors, Errol Flynn and Humphrey Bogart. I admired Niven himself as an actor. For anyone who likes to read about the old actors and old time Hollywood I would highly recommend this book. Great entertainment.
August 28, 2022
This is easily the best book on Old Hollywood I've ever read, and one of the best memoirs. It took me a while to finish it because I didn't want it to end, and then months longer to write a review, but it really deserved one.
Rather than focus on his life timeline, Niven uses each chapter to tell tales of the dazzling legends he rubbed shoulders with, like Carole Lombard, William Hurst, Lauren Bacall, Clark Gable, and Fred Astaire. It's a vibrant snapshot of life during what Niven calls "The Great Days of Hollywood" (from 1935 to 1960).
BotEH is a mixed bag of humor and heartbreak, but thoroughly entertaining. Though Vivien Leigh is my favorite subject to read about, her chapter in this is quite sad. Errol Flynn, on the other hand, had me cracking up constantly. I can't believe he lived as long as he did with all of the wild stunts he pulled off the set.
This book is filled with anecdotes you can't find anywhere online. I unknowingly read Niven's biographies out of order, so I'm looking forward to reading his first, The Moon's a Balloon, next. His writing is so personable, skillful, and engaging, it's hard to believe he was primarily an actor.
Rather than focus on his life timeline, Niven uses each chapter to tell tales of the dazzling legends he rubbed shoulders with, like Carole Lombard, William Hurst, Lauren Bacall, Clark Gable, and Fred Astaire. It's a vibrant snapshot of life during what Niven calls "The Great Days of Hollywood" (from 1935 to 1960).
BotEH is a mixed bag of humor and heartbreak, but thoroughly entertaining. Though Vivien Leigh is my favorite subject to read about, her chapter in this is quite sad. Errol Flynn, on the other hand, had me cracking up constantly. I can't believe he lived as long as he did with all of the wild stunts he pulled off the set.
This book is filled with anecdotes you can't find anywhere online. I unknowingly read Niven's biographies out of order, so I'm looking forward to reading his first, The Moon's a Balloon, next. His writing is so personable, skillful, and engaging, it's hard to believe he was primarily an actor.
September 5, 2007
When asked which biography/memoir I best prefer, I am unable to hold back my admiration of David Niven's work here in Bring on the Empty Horses. I understand that he previously wrote something of an autobiography but I cannot vouch for that work. It is Empty Horses that has earned my love and adoration.
Niven, above all things, is a storyteller; and his recountment of the Hollywood heyday (essentially the '30s through the 50's) is magical exploration of an era that was at once special and something impossible to mimic. Never again will a particular zeitgeist carry the particular bouquet that lilted through the rarified air of the Tinseltown of those glamour years. It's an era impossible to imagine. Yet Niven was there.
And because he was there, we are there as well.
Niven's recollection bounces from larger-than-life personality to other of the like. Errol Flynn. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. Cary Grant. Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons. Bogart and Bacall. Marlene Dietrich. Selznick and Mayer. Judy Garland. And some guy who went by Mike Romanoff, opened a popular restaurant, and pretended to be a nephew-prince of Tsar Nicholas II. Niven really does collect a panoply of stories and, in effect, writes a biography of Hollywood itself.
I cannot recommend Bring on the Empty Horses highly enough. Check your used bookstore or Friends of the Library (where I got my hardback copy for a dollar), as it's out of print.
Niven, above all things, is a storyteller; and his recountment of the Hollywood heyday (essentially the '30s through the 50's) is magical exploration of an era that was at once special and something impossible to mimic. Never again will a particular zeitgeist carry the particular bouquet that lilted through the rarified air of the Tinseltown of those glamour years. It's an era impossible to imagine. Yet Niven was there.
And because he was there, we are there as well.
Niven's recollection bounces from larger-than-life personality to other of the like. Errol Flynn. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. Cary Grant. Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons. Bogart and Bacall. Marlene Dietrich. Selznick and Mayer. Judy Garland. And some guy who went by Mike Romanoff, opened a popular restaurant, and pretended to be a nephew-prince of Tsar Nicholas II. Niven really does collect a panoply of stories and, in effect, writes a biography of Hollywood itself.
I cannot recommend Bring on the Empty Horses highly enough. Check your used bookstore or Friends of the Library (where I got my hardback copy for a dollar), as it's out of print.
September 8, 2018
David Niven's second book of memoirs (1974, USA pbk. 1975) followed his first (THE MOON'S A BALLOON) by only about three years and was nearly as successful. In it, Niven focuses not on his life arc but his experiences in Hollywood from the mid-Thirties to around 1960, with a sizable interruption due to his soldiering in World War Two.
Written in much the same lightly flippant, entertaining style, he focuses on personalities such as Louis B. Mayer (generally disliked), Samuel Goldwyn (rather more liked, deeply admired), Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, "Bogey and Betty" (Bogart and Bacall, lovingly described), Errol Flynn (a welter of contradictions that drew mixed emotions, even in Niven's sure prose), and many of his fellow British actors.
Personally, I wish there had been more about the filming of THE MOON IS BLUE (1953) and PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES (1960, of which not a word is said). I could have used a little less about the peculiarities of William Randolph Hearst and the tough row his mistress, Marion Davies, had to hoe -- it was sympathetic toward her but to me was the only part of the book that got repetitious. I have to admit, though, that Niven's lighthearted description of the classy brothel down the hill from his apartment had charm to spare.
Lovers of Hollywood lore -- you know who you are! You should definitely read Bring on the Empty Horses. Even though you are bound to know much of this already, you'll rarely hear these tales recounted so suavely.
NOTE: The title is taken from an expression that Warner Bros' Michael Curtiz (an ace studio director, but English-impaired) used when he meant to convey "riderless horses" in a Western.
Written in much the same lightly flippant, entertaining style, he focuses on personalities such as Louis B. Mayer (generally disliked), Samuel Goldwyn (rather more liked, deeply admired), Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, "Bogey and Betty" (Bogart and Bacall, lovingly described), Errol Flynn (a welter of contradictions that drew mixed emotions, even in Niven's sure prose), and many of his fellow British actors.
Personally, I wish there had been more about the filming of THE MOON IS BLUE (1953) and PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES (1960, of which not a word is said). I could have used a little less about the peculiarities of William Randolph Hearst and the tough row his mistress, Marion Davies, had to hoe -- it was sympathetic toward her but to me was the only part of the book that got repetitious. I have to admit, though, that Niven's lighthearted description of the classy brothel down the hill from his apartment had charm to spare.
Lovers of Hollywood lore -- you know who you are! You should definitely read Bring on the Empty Horses. Even though you are bound to know much of this already, you'll rarely hear these tales recounted so suavely.
NOTE: The title is taken from an expression that Warner Bros' Michael Curtiz (an ace studio director, but English-impaired) used when he meant to convey "riderless horses" in a Western.
August 22, 2012
I have read and re-read Niven's Bring On The Empty Horses and The Moons a Balloon. My knowledge of many of the great Hollywood actors comes from these books. I love the evocative life stories of Clark Gable, Errol Flynn and many more. Niven was as gifted at writing as he was at acting.
These books have an emotional link for me as well. My sister-in-law introduced me to these books (and many more). When she was in hospital, dying, I took the books with me and read parts of them to her. She often fell asleep, but I could tell she enjoyed listening to the tales. You see, she had also gone blind, losing the ability to read, and having to listen to audio tapes on an old fashioned cassette player, which wasn't, for her, the same enjoyment of reading black type on white pages.
Those books, with dogeared and yellowed pages, disappeared after Lea passed away. I hope they went to someone who appreciated them, and that they brought as much enjoyment to them as they did to me and my sister-in-law.
These books have an emotional link for me as well. My sister-in-law introduced me to these books (and many more). When she was in hospital, dying, I took the books with me and read parts of them to her. She often fell asleep, but I could tell she enjoyed listening to the tales. You see, she had also gone blind, losing the ability to read, and having to listen to audio tapes on an old fashioned cassette player, which wasn't, for her, the same enjoyment of reading black type on white pages.
Those books, with dogeared and yellowed pages, disappeared after Lea passed away. I hope they went to someone who appreciated them, and that they brought as much enjoyment to them as they did to me and my sister-in-law.
March 26, 2024
Great anecdotes by Niven of his life in Hollywood and the stars and people he knew. Really interesting. Clark Gable was a nice guy along with Fred Astaire. Errol Flynn was a womanizer who Niven shared a house. It was a dog eat dog world. I suspect Niven embellished many of his stories and he was extremely diplomatic.
Well worth a read to find a little about past Hollywood greats including Cary Grant, Charlie Chapman, Vivian Leigh to name a few.
Well worth a read to find a little about past Hollywood greats including Cary Grant, Charlie Chapman, Vivian Leigh to name a few.
April 13, 2020
Much more a memoir, than a biography… we get to read what David Niven thinks of, and his dealings with extras, castings, starlets, directors, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Warner, Fred Astaire etc.Quite a readable and interesting as you get to know Niven by his views and experiences with others. 6 out of 12.
September 19, 2020
Revised review to come after reading again.
November 11, 2008
i have read this book at least a dozen times, and always enjoy it. i definitely have the feeling of being let in on the secrets of old hollywood whenever i read it, though i do tend to skip past the sections about "missy" a pseudonymous starlet that niven uses to highlight the frailty of a star like marilyn monroe, or judy garland because i'm very familiar with it now, and it's a strange little narrative in the midst of a most fascinating memoir of the golden age.
August 6, 2025
Despite David Niven's illustrious long career in the movies and an Oscar under his belt, he will likely best be forever known for his legendary quip about an impromptu streaker's "shortcomings" on the stage of the 1974 Academy Awards. It was the kind of wit the man was revered for, and in this book it is there in a cascade of delight. This is one of the greatest books on Hollywood I've ever read, but don't take my word; look at all the other reviews here. Niven, after writing a previous autobiography, The Moon's a Balloon, shifted into portraits of the greats he knew in Tinseltown, the stars, directors, writers, producers, agents and other assorted characters that one might imagine in a David Lynch film. In doing so, he tells his own story again, but this time layered with his perceptions of others, and it's a beautiful reflection. His writing and his voice are charitable in a place where jadedness usually carries the day. Niven had the rare quality of bemusement without cynicism, always seeing the good qualities while not shying away from the worst traits of several of the cads in his life; Errol Flynn, among others. His portraits of Clark Gable and Ronald Colman are wonderful, his reflections on the Red Scare in show business thoughtful, and the sheer level of detail of life in Sin City essential for understanding this town, particularly his story about a friend who ended up in the local whorehouse. The book has been accused of playing fast and loose with facts, but the truth is there in the points made, and who are we? He was there, we weren't. The book does go on perhaps a bit longer than it ought, with a series of variously interesting short portraits at the end, a somewhat unsatisfying two-part bit about "Missie" (who may or may not have been Vivien Leigh or Lana Turner, depending on who's talking -- I tend to think this is a fabricated composite of several actresses) and a few portraits that seem wanting (Cary Grant) due to the standoffish nature of the subjects. Errors are aplenty; not ones that can get past a film history fan like me (eg., Niven states that Citizen Kane won best picture, which it didn't) but overall the kaleidoscope of Hollywood is captured well in this distillate and anyone with a love of the cinema classics will find it rewarding.
c. 2025 EG/K
c. 2025 EG/K
October 15, 2017
This book is just a literary form of an evening spent over drinks with your larger-than-life uncle or your slightly conman type friend/friendly neighbourhood raconteur/story-teller. You spend an entire evening and talk into the night recounting their mis-adventures, hilarious scrapes and some deliciously engaging anecdotes whose veracity you can never be 100% certain about.
A book about Hollywood during it's golden years (1930's & 40's), it manages to tread a very fine line between giving everything away and yet respecting the privacy of those who were Niven's friends and colleagues. Though certain stories are doubtless exaggerated, Niven manages to convey the essence of what it meant to be a player in the Hollywood of the 30's. He depicts the heartbreaks, the dreams and eccentricities of various characters and manages to cast a very human eye on their stories. There are very few villains here (except of course, the newspaper columnists and the committee hunting communists- I forget its name), and all the stories are told with understated wit and humour. Highly recommended for anyone interested in reading about Hollywood.
A book about Hollywood during it's golden years (1930's & 40's), it manages to tread a very fine line between giving everything away and yet respecting the privacy of those who were Niven's friends and colleagues. Though certain stories are doubtless exaggerated, Niven manages to convey the essence of what it meant to be a player in the Hollywood of the 30's. He depicts the heartbreaks, the dreams and eccentricities of various characters and manages to cast a very human eye on their stories. There are very few villains here (except of course, the newspaper columnists and the committee hunting communists- I forget its name), and all the stories are told with understated wit and humour. Highly recommended for anyone interested in reading about Hollywood.
November 16, 2023
Almost like a series of Hollywood vignettes. Storytelling was solid and often engaging, if a little rambly at times. Some of the impact/charm of the writing is lost by the fact that these stories don't actually all belong to Niven, despite his use of the first-person throughout.
I have to imagine that David Niven is the type of person who, if called a misogynist, would have responded, "Not me, I *love* women!" The gratuitous sexualization of every single woman under the age of 40 (and often times under the age of 20!) was a little revolting at times and definitely contributed to the lower rating.
I have to imagine that David Niven is the type of person who, if called a misogynist, would have responded, "Not me, I *love* women!" The gratuitous sexualization of every single woman under the age of 40 (and often times under the age of 20!) was a little revolting at times and definitely contributed to the lower rating.
October 30, 2011
This autobiography read likes a desription of the classic Hollywood of the 30's to the 50's and is informative but most of all it is fun to read. This is one of those books you have to read if you are a fan of old Hollywood. Otherwise you miss out on a great and funny book that has been written by one of the humble and funniest men in cinema ever.
July 25, 2015
Possibly the best autobiography I have ever read and I have read many.
It is surprising really as I am not a fan of David Niven and did not know a great deal about him prior to reading this book.
It is very funny at times and the book flows like it was written by a seasoned writer.
It is surprising really as I am not a fan of David Niven and did not know a great deal about him prior to reading this book.
It is very funny at times and the book flows like it was written by a seasoned writer.
September 24, 2008
David Niven must have been a wonderful person to sit and chat with. I read this over and over again in junior and high schools.
June 16, 2017
It's many years since I read this, but I remember it had me laughing out loud.
October 23, 2021
I read "The Moon's A Balloon," David Niven's memoir, in the early 70's when it was first published. I absolutely loved it. With good reason, it is considered one of the greatest of Hollywood's biographies. So, when I discovered this book on Kindle Unlimited, I had to read it. It is equally as entertaining to read about the early days of Hollywood and learn more about the behind the scenes lives of some of the biggest stars and legends of the day. Through a combination of good fortune and good contacts Niven made his way to the top during Hollywood's golden era. This book shares more of his life and interactions with his "peers" of the silver screen.
A lot of the names in this book are mostly forgotten, unless you are a classic movie fan of the 30's and 40's like myself. Some names are easily recognizable and will forever be emblazoned in the bright lights of Hollywood: Gable, Garbo, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Tyrone Power, etc. All of these people, and many more, played an intricate part in David Niven's life and became lifelong friends.
David Niven is charming and with his down-to-earth narration, he relates many stories of his friendships, trials, antics, tragedies and the day-to-day lives of some of the greatest stars of the silver screen. He rarely has a bad word to say about those that he worked with or became great friends with. That rare exception went to one or two studio heads who were generally vilified by one and all. Some of the stories the authors relates are heartbreaking and many are laugh out loud funny. David Niven was a real rascal with a wicked wit which shines in this book. However, he was always the consummate gentleman. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and miss all those fabulous old movies and those shining stars who made them.
A lot of the names in this book are mostly forgotten, unless you are a classic movie fan of the 30's and 40's like myself. Some names are easily recognizable and will forever be emblazoned in the bright lights of Hollywood: Gable, Garbo, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Tyrone Power, etc. All of these people, and many more, played an intricate part in David Niven's life and became lifelong friends.
David Niven is charming and with his down-to-earth narration, he relates many stories of his friendships, trials, antics, tragedies and the day-to-day lives of some of the greatest stars of the silver screen. He rarely has a bad word to say about those that he worked with or became great friends with. That rare exception went to one or two studio heads who were generally vilified by one and all. Some of the stories the authors relates are heartbreaking and many are laugh out loud funny. David Niven was a real rascal with a wicked wit which shines in this book. However, he was always the consummate gentleman. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and miss all those fabulous old movies and those shining stars who made them.
October 17, 2022
I read this in paperback quite a few years ago and I had forgotten how good it is. But after I reread David Niven's 'The Moon's a Balloon' a little while I went searching for this one and think it is better. In fact, Niven set the benchmark for the Hollywood expose, after all he was there at the parties and in the beds of the glamorous stars and also in a lot of very unmemorable films. In fact, there are some segments of this book that show a real writing talent. David Niven wrote this book in Switzerland (where he then lived) when he was beginning to show the symptoms of the Motor Neurone Disease that would eventually take his life. It is to our great benefit that he was able to tell the stories of the personalities, the films. the parties and the love affairs of Hollywood of the 30's, 40's and 50's. David Niven was also a very campionable sort of the chap, liked fishing, yatching, lots of drinking and making love to beatutiful women, as well as the power struggles of the studio tycoons. Its all in the book and adds to the enjoyment. He also has a fine eye for pathos and for comedy. Its all there to make this book an entertaining delight for the reader that I think will grab and hold your attention from start to finish.
July 18, 2012
David Niven is an often neglected actor from the Golden Age, but as a man, he was very likable. This book is proof that the talented actor was also a talented writer. He discusses many different people and scenarios in this book, the title of which is derived from an amusing incident on a film set. He writes with depth and clarity; it is obvious he has really analyzed the people he mentions. His respect for fellow stars and directors is admirable, especially the maligned ones.
Here we learn that the "Goldwynisms" that Samuel Goldwyn is so famous for might have all been made-up. We learn that Errol Flynn was indeed a womanizer, but no rapist. We hear an amusing story about Edward Goulding's funeral complete with the worst pallbearer casting in history.
The oddest thing in the book is a short story in the form of a chapter called "Our Little Girl." I still am not sure why it was included.
Here we learn that the "Goldwynisms" that Samuel Goldwyn is so famous for might have all been made-up. We learn that Errol Flynn was indeed a womanizer, but no rapist. We hear an amusing story about Edward Goulding's funeral complete with the worst pallbearer casting in history.
The oddest thing in the book is a short story in the form of a chapter called "Our Little Girl." I still am not sure why it was included.
January 30, 2012
I liked it, it was gossipy and fun. Who knew David Niven was so present during the Golden Age, I thought as I was reading it; turns out he inserted himself into many other people's stories to 'protect their privacy', which somewhat lessens the resonance of a memoir. But this isn't really a memoir, anyway, it's more of a bunch of fairly disconnected Hollywood anecdotes, some quite compelling. But they did feel rather disconnected, especially the segments at the end that went for just a few pages each, again and again.
A fun read, still. But hardly major.
A fun read, still. But hardly major.
August 13, 2010
This book will never go "back" to the charity shop, the photo's are enough- Garbo, Flynn, Gable, Dietrich, Bacall, and more... but an insite into this great name dropping book.
Niven is filming "Charge of the Light Brigade" with Errol Flynn, director Mike Curtiz (Hungarian)
"Flynn and I doubled up with laughter. "You lousy bums," Curtiz shouted, "you and your stinking language...you think I know fuck nothing...well, let me tell you - I know FUCK ALL!"
Read the Moon is a balloon first
Niven is filming "Charge of the Light Brigade" with Errol Flynn, director Mike Curtiz (Hungarian)
"Flynn and I doubled up with laughter. "You lousy bums," Curtiz shouted, "you and your stinking language...you think I know fuck nothing...well, let me tell you - I know FUCK ALL!"
Read the Moon is a balloon first
September 2, 2011
This is David Niven's follow-up to The Moon's a Balloon and is a series of wonderful stories (with a few heartbreaking ones)about the culture of Hollywood between 1935 and 1960. Niven is an excellent storyteller and he seems to have known most of the major personalities in Hollywood during that period. Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Carole Lombard, Humphrey, Bogart, Lauren Bacall--it's a name-dropping gala full of juicy gossip. A really fun read.
January 20, 2012
Niven's personal reminisces and anecdotes about the 'golden age' or Hollywood (30s through 50s). Many funny stories, but the overall impact is of a hollow, empty place. All the women were 'stunningly beautiful' and all the men were 'everyone's favourite fellow', and every story involved vast quantities of scotch or gin. Went away feeling quite sorry for them all, really. 2.5/5
December 13, 2015
An entertaining and intelligent (if occasionally dated) depiction of glamorous old Hollywood, told by a participant. Niven's tales are full of compassion, humour, and self-effacing modesty, sprinkled here and there with sly winks and grins. Good holiday reading.
May 27, 2023
Loved these short stories highlighting the personalities from the Golden Age of Hollywood. David Niven was a good storyteller giving you a glimpse of their character and what they were like privately. This book was written in 1975. I think he is more honest and forthcoming about the people who had already passed and is less truthful about anyone who was still living or who had widows still living in 1975.
That said, my favorite was Clark Gable, a man's man who didn't let success go to his head.
Other stories include Humphrey Bogart (eccentric), Greta Garbo (private), Constance Bennett (more interested in fun), Errol Flynn (never thinking ahead at the consequences of his actions), some famous directors, and a few non-actors who were part of the Hollywood culture like doctors and restaurant owners. Plus a funny story of Tyrone Power dressing up as Santa Claus.
That said, my favorite was Clark Gable, a man's man who didn't let success go to his head.
Other stories include Humphrey Bogart (eccentric), Greta Garbo (private), Constance Bennett (more interested in fun), Errol Flynn (never thinking ahead at the consequences of his actions), some famous directors, and a few non-actors who were part of the Hollywood culture like doctors and restaurant owners. Plus a funny story of Tyrone Power dressing up as Santa Claus.
September 5, 2022
Though it has the kind of errors that might have been caught in the internet age (“Citizen Kane” did not win best picture, for instance), this is a charming series of memories about the golden age of Hollywood, featuring a diverse cast of people ranging from Clark Gable, Ronald Coleman, Errol Flynn, Fred Astaire, and even William Randolph Hearst. Niven is entertaining as an insightful raconteur in this moment in the history of film. These are very much a series of anecdotes, frequently involving pranks and the foibles of the great stars of the past.
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