Status
Available
Publication
Taylor Trade Publishing (2015), 200 pages
Description
Cindy Williams, half of the comedic duo of Laverne & Shirley, has had a wild and lively career in show business. This book is an engaging and heartfelt journey from Williams's blue collar roots to unexpected stardom--from being pranked by Jim Morrison while waiting tables at Whisky a Go Go to starring in one of the most iconic shows on television. With wit and candor, Cindy tells stories of her struggles as a child growing up with meager means and dreaming of becoming an actress. She also shares many misadventures and amusing anecdotes about some of the most famous actors in Hollywood. Never taking herself too seriously, Cindy finds humor and irony in the challenging world of show business.
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member PennyBrainerd
While the stories within this memoir are fun and enjoyable to read, there aren't enough of them. It is more like an outline of a book rather than a full one. But as I said, I enjoyed what was written and maybe one day Cindy will write another memoir that has a little bit more to it. Or, perhaps the
Show More
amount she has given us is all she is prepared to give. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaulsu
As I have noted in other reviews, it is difficult to "rate" memoirs: does one rate the life of the author or how well the book is written? I find it difficult to separate the two, so I sort of blend them.
Williams did indeed write a "storied" life story. Good title! However, she gave us, the
Assuming that Dave Smitherman has his name on the front cover because he helped Williams write the book. I would not recommend him in that role to anyone else (the data on the book supplied to LibraryThing lists Smitherman as a "contributor"). Williams wrote an entire book of "this happened, and then this happened": too bad that he could not have drawn her out more and supplied the missing insights.
Kalen Landow from Taylor Trade Publishing has asked that she be notified of any review I post.
Williams did indeed write a "storied" life story. Good title! However, she gave us, the
Show More
readers, the outline of her life without the depth. Without a doubt, writing of that which is deeply important to one is not easy. She wrote about the funny moments in her life with as much insight as to why they were funny as she did when writing about matters that surely were painful (such as her father's alcoholism)--but then I can only assume that some events were painful: she never really exposed her emotions.Assuming that Dave Smitherman has his name on the front cover because he helped Williams write the book. I would not recommend him in that role to anyone else (the data on the book supplied to LibraryThing lists Smitherman as a "contributor"). Williams wrote an entire book of "this happened, and then this happened": too bad that he could not have drawn her out more and supplied the missing insights.
Kalen Landow from Taylor Trade Publishing has asked that she be notified of any review I post.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
In this brief autobiography, actress Cindy Williams recalls incidents in her life from childhood through the end of hit TV series Laverne & Shirley. Williams reminisces about her studies with classmates including Sally Field and Michael Lembeck. Her early successes included roles in Travels with My
This short book can be read in a single sitting. It will have nostalgic appeal for the generation that grew up watching Laverne & Shirley and baby boomers who came of age with Ron Howard, Sally Field, and others of that generation.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
Show More
Aunt with director George Cukor and star Maggie Smith and George Lucas's breakthrough film American Graffiti in which she worked alongside Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford. She describes chance meetings with celebrities from Jim Morrison to Cher, and she talks of her friendships with celebrities including Ed Begley, Jr., and Andy Kaufman. There is no salacious Hollywood gossip here. Williams is generous in her praise for her show business colleagues and temperate in her criticism of others. She seems to have many friends and few enemies, and the friendships she formed early in her career have endured to the present.This short book can be read in a single sitting. It will have nostalgic appeal for the generation that grew up watching Laverne & Shirley and baby boomers who came of age with Ron Howard, Sally Field, and others of that generation.
This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
Show Less
LibraryThing member abitbookish
Whenever I hear the opening lines to the Laverne and Shirley show, it takes me right back to my childhood. I loved their slapstick routine, Lenny and Squiggy, their eclectic apartment (... to me.... I was a child remember) plus I wanted a sweater with a cursive L, even though my name didn't start
I enjoyed her telling of American Graffitti, about George Lucas and Ron Howard, and so many other celebrities. She has worked with many icons and I appreciated her recounting of her experiences with what I sensed as a need to share, almost from an historic perspective. Like her time on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, her movie with Maggie Smith early on in her career, these are brag worthy moments, that don't come off as such. I also was aware of talk of tension between her and Penny Marshall during and after Laverne and Shirley, I must admit I was curious about this. She handles this subject with seeming truth and class, and I admire that in an autobiography. I like Cindy Williams! She seems like a cool aunt you could constantly tap for interesting stories and I enjoyed reading about her storied life.
Show More
with said letter. Full disclosure, I had a fond, perhaps emotional attachment to Cindy Williams and her Dorothy Hamill bob. It's why I was surprised when I found myself struggling thru the first chapter. It lacked a certain vitality, but in all fairness some autobiographies tend to follow this pattern. The peppering of names such as Sally Field and Robert De Niro did perk me up and spurred me onward. What followed was a nice, quick read.I enjoyed her telling of American Graffitti, about George Lucas and Ron Howard, and so many other celebrities. She has worked with many icons and I appreciated her recounting of her experiences with what I sensed as a need to share, almost from an historic perspective. Like her time on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, her movie with Maggie Smith early on in her career, these are brag worthy moments, that don't come off as such. I also was aware of talk of tension between her and Penny Marshall during and after Laverne and Shirley, I must admit I was curious about this. She handles this subject with seeming truth and class, and I admire that in an autobiography. I like Cindy Williams! She seems like a cool aunt you could constantly tap for interesting stories and I enjoyed reading about her storied life.
Show Less
LibraryThing member WillowOne
I received a copy of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for the purpose of review.
Growing up I loved Laverne & Shirley as I am sure many others did. I loved reading about Cindy Williams career both before and after this show. The book comes in at just over 160 pages, is a quick
I am glad I was chosen for this book and have now passed it on to my sister and mother to read. I know that they will find it just as interesting and hard to put down as I did.
Growing up I loved Laverne & Shirley as I am sure many others did. I loved reading about Cindy Williams career both before and after this show. The book comes in at just over 160 pages, is a quick
Show More
read and is full of the highs and lows of her acting career. I found myself laughing along with her funny stories, brushes with other stars, and her relationships. I bet none of us can say we had a practical joke played on us by none other than Jim Morrison.I am glad I was chosen for this book and have now passed it on to my sister and mother to read. I know that they will find it just as interesting and hard to put down as I did.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
I was disappointed in this memoir. Aside from the annoying (and liberal!) sprinkling of exclamation points (!), I found the writing surprisingly flat. My conclusion is that Cindy Williams is a much better actress than writer. As to the stories relayed in the book, it seemed to be more of a big name
And for the record, I, too met Gene Kelly, and he definitely deserves an exclamation point, as do all the stars Ms Williams met. What I would have liked to find between the covers of this memoir would be more passion, humor, and an editor with more evident red pencil.
Thank you to the publisher and LibraryThing for sending me a copy of this book.
Show More
dropping opportunity (I met Gene Kelly! I met John Belushi! I was friends with Andy Kaufman! I met Cary Grant! Johnny Carson liked me!) rather than the type of story-telling I am used to in a memoir. The stories often felt dull, despite the punctuation at the end of the tale!! I only watched Laverne and Shirley a handful of times, but get the impression there may have been bad blood between the two stars. The remembrances of interactions had that same flat, anticlimactic feeling I found throughout the book. The story that moved me the most was how Marshall and Williams visited the set of the show the night before it aired, and both felt it was too shiny and new. They each went out and gathered props, like thumbed through movie magazines and old 45s, and replaced as much as they could on the set to turn it into the apartment of two blue collar working girls. That, I found endearing.And for the record, I, too met Gene Kelly, and he definitely deserves an exclamation point, as do all the stars Ms Williams met. What I would have liked to find between the covers of this memoir would be more passion, humor, and an editor with more evident red pencil.
Thank you to the publisher and LibraryThing for sending me a copy of this book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member debrarbell
Cindy Williams touches on the experiences of being an actress and people met during her career. it was interesting how she described her encounters with celebrities as if she was just an average person and not a celebrated actress and comedian herself. Really enjoyed her talking of times with Andy
Show More
Kaufman and Penny Marshall. Sounds like a lot of fun and laughter! Show Less
LibraryThing member mrmapcase
First, the good parts:
This is a quick read with an emphasis on her early life and beginnings as an actor, and she includes some very funny stories including adventures with Penny Marshall that could have been episodes of their show.
Second, the no so good parts:
She tends to be abrupt with some of
This is a quick read with an emphasis on her early life and beginnings as an actor, and she includes some very funny stories including adventures with Penny Marshall that could have been episodes of their show.
Second, the no so good parts:
She tends to be abrupt with some of
Show More
the later stories and the last chapter is brief vignettes, although they are still funny, and you really don’t get a look her life outside of show business. Show Less
LibraryThing member grumpydan
For a memoir, this one fell flat. Cindy Williams became popular with audiences with her roles in “American Graffiti” and “Laverne & Shirley” and although she tells what it was like working with George Lucas and the cast on American Graffiti, she gave not as much attention to her role in
Show More
Laverne & Shirley. And there is little if any of her personal life; what’s up with that? It seems that all celebrity memoirs these days mention the other celebrities they worked with and admired and Cindy Williams is no different, but she didn’t tell us much. I don’t need dirt but how about more of why they inspired her or what it was like being and working with them. Okay, she did do a bit on Andy Kaufman, which I learned more about the man he was. It was okay, but I enjoyed Penny Marshall’s memoir much more! Show Less
LibraryThing member aya.herron
As a well-known actress and comedian, Cindy Williams has entertained generations of fans. While she is most notably known for her roles of Shirley Feeney in the hit TV series Laverne & Shirley and Laurie Henderson in the classic film, American Graffiti, Williams has had many other adventures in
The Bottom Line: Williams is charming, candid, and gracious as she shares stories filled with laughter and a few tears. Her personality shines through in the writing which is approachable and easy to read. While you won't find anything scandalous or outwardly negative in Williams' book, fans will find plenty of interesting tidbits and trivia.
This quick read is perfect for the beach. It's fun weekend reading for anyone interested in acting, comedy, and television. More stories and more information about Williams' personal life would have made this fun read even better. Includes several pages of black and white glossy photos.
Show More
Hollywood. In her autobiography, Williams shares her journey from humble beginnings to stardom. Along the way she waited tables at the Whiskey a Go Go, traveled to Spain, and became a mother. Filled with humorous anecdotes, Williams takes the reader on a fun ride. The Bottom Line: Williams is charming, candid, and gracious as she shares stories filled with laughter and a few tears. Her personality shines through in the writing which is approachable and easy to read. While you won't find anything scandalous or outwardly negative in Williams' book, fans will find plenty of interesting tidbits and trivia.
This quick read is perfect for the beach. It's fun weekend reading for anyone interested in acting, comedy, and television. More stories and more information about Williams' personal life would have made this fun read even better. Includes several pages of black and white glossy photos.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KatKealy
I really enjoyed this book and I apologize for not reviewing it earlier (I marked it off my list as completed for some reason).
If you enjoyed Laverne and Shirley and/or like autobiographies, I highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed learning more about Cindy Williams! Her book was well written
If you enjoyed Laverne and Shirley and/or like autobiographies, I highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed learning more about Cindy Williams! Her book was well written
Show More
and very entertaining. I gave it to a friend of mine who loves autobiographies and I know she'll enjoy it as much as I did. Show Less
LibraryThing member maggie7484
Sorry about not reviewing this book sooner. Had a lot going on when I received the book. I knew when I had the chance I would read. I loved the Laverne and Shirley show very much. They were great times to sit and just laugh during the entire show. It was fun to read about Boo Boo Kitty. I remember
Show More
Shirley with the cat. It was interesting seeing how she did a lot more in Hollywood then I realized. She had a tough up bringing but still survived and made something for herself. Glad she stuck to acting even though she had thought about leaving before receiving the part of Shirley.. Good book glad I was finally able to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member cubsfan3410
I received this ARC from Net Galley.
I grew up on reruns of Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley. I enjoyed her stories and admire Ms. Williams more now.
This is a quick, enjoyable read.
I grew up on reruns of Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley. I enjoyed her stories and admire Ms. Williams more now.
This is a quick, enjoyable read.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015-04-30
Physical description
200 p.; 6.34 inches
ISBN
1630760129 / 9781630760120