 2008-09-15 - "Somewhere in her youth, she must have done something good"
By now, most everyone who wishes to read this book knows many of the details. But to me, there are two extraordinary things that have become obvious about Dame Julie. First, she writes this book much like she speaks. It's as if she were reading it to me in her own special style. Refined, and with a well developed grasp of the English language. And yet, she has had virtually little, if any, formal education. Her mother put a halt to her tutoring by the age of 14, and she may have received an education that is barely the equivalent of junior high school! How did she manage that? Secondly, after reading about the performances for The Boy Friend, My Fair Lady, Cinderella, and Camelot, it is clear she had a work ethic that approached Herculean stature. Wow!! She has openly admitted that she wondered how she managed to get through it all. Sony Pictures has recently committed to do a film remake of My Fair Lady. The only rightful choice for the role of Henry Higgins' mother is Dame Julie. There are only two scenes for this role, and the last line for her is: "Bravo, Eliza!" Now, fellow Dame Julie admirers, wouldn't that just be ...."Loverly"? And do read this book.
 2008-09-14 - A Beautifully Written Memoir
Julie Andrews' greatly anticipated book Home : A Memoir Of My Early Life is just as it should be - honest, practical, humourish, and told without a whiff of vengence or spite.
Like so many other child/young adult stars of film, theatre, TV, Julie Andrews was the daughter of a woman with driving ambition to become a star of vaudeville, who even sacrificed her marriage to Julie's school teacher father to achieve it.
Though this must have proved devastating to a young Julia Wells, who adored her gentle father, there is never any sense of acrimony from the author and certainly no sense of self pity.
Julia Wells comes across as an "old head on young shoulders" as she learns to negotiate the minefield of life, maintaing a close relationship with her father and joining her mother and new step-father - Ted Andrews -treading the boards in vaudeville.
Her sense of loyalty and duty to her now alchoholic mother and fractious step father as they struggle to find enough work to keep them in lodgings
is rewarded when Ted discovers his step daughter Julie has a natural singing voice of her own.And this where the singing career of Julie Andrews begins.
Like Petula Clark's early career, radio beckons as do live concerts, and Julie becomes a great favourite with the war time British public who give her standing ovations - not bad for a 12 year old !
But along the way Julie meets and befriends neighbour Tony Walton - who she will later marry - and a fascinating insight into how these incredibly talented kids had their careers mapped out at an early age emerges.
Having read Richard Rogers autobiography, I was familiar with how Miss Andrews goes to try out for a part in the musical Cinderalla, with Richard Rogers. Her recollection is much the sames as his,and again Rogers' kindness to her and generosity of spirit when he advises Julie that although he would be more than happy if she consented to do Cinderalla for him, that if she gets the nod to do the My Fair Lady lead as Eliza Doolittle for which she has also auditioned - then she should take it. And take it she did - with the rest as we say, being history.
The wear and tear on her voice singing as Eliza night after night and month after month finally took its toll - even though she has always taken great care of her voice and its correct usage.
This is a fine book, full of interesting stories about the Wells family and her mothers family that are shared with us warts and all - yet always the love of family and loyalty to that family shows through.
This isn't a rags to riches story based on "luck".
Julie tells it as a life of hard work balanced with schoolwork, performing,and of having to travel long distances on a weekly basis to continue her singing lessons with her much loved teacher
It is this eye for detail and perfection, plus utter professionalism that drives Julie Andrews on to greater heights - the West End and then Broadway beckon, with great success, and a career beyond which will hopefully be covered in her next autibiography - part 2.
2008-09-09 - Why We Love Julie
After spending two hours in line to get her to autograph my copy of this book, I was hoping it was worth reading. And it was. It only reinforced the reasons I have always admired Julie Andrews. She was honest about her not-so-auspicious childhood and never resorted to "artistic temperment" to defend herself for her failings. She was gracious to all the people she mentioned, including her step-father. She defended him for his contribution to her career without denying the reasons she had for sometimes disliking him.
Her humility, warmth and sensitivity should be a lesson to all those who are in her profession. But sadly, many celebrities revel in their own mediocrity and ego and learn NOTHING about honesty within themselves. Julie Andrews proved that celebrity and talent are gifts to be shared with the public with generosity and humility, NOT an entitlement used to fool and abuse an unsuspecting public. I have admired her for 40 years, and will continue to do so for another 40.
2008-09-08 - Reading "Home" was like listening to Julie Andrews tell me about her life
I loved this book. From the first sentence, I could hear Julie Andrews calm and beautiful voice telling her story. For anyone who sings, this book is invaluable as she talks about how she studied singing and how to use her voice and conserve her energy when performing. Although this book ends at the top of her career and you want to read more, there is so much that she tells you, you will enjoy it and look forward to more.
2008-08-18 - Bittersweet memoir filled with grace
In Home, A Memoir of My Early Years, Julie Andrews reveals a difficult childhood in war torn Britain. Born to a mother with dreams of stardom of her own and a father prone to drink, she weathers the German's Blitz that ravaged London. Her parents eventually divorce and her mother remarries. Julie begins her performing career locally and eventually branches out to radio, music halls and eventually a command performance before the Queen (the youngest solo performer age the age of 12). Continuing to draw audiences Julie eventually accepts an offer to perform on Broadway and leaves for the US at age eighteen.
While her performing career was on the rise, Julie was not as secure at home. Even though she traveled and performed with her mother and step-father, her mother was prone to black moods and struggled with Julia's rising fame. Both her mother and stepfather had drinking problems. There are family secrets that could shake the family apart. Julie becomes the partial caretaker and support of the family at a young age and depended more and more on people outside the home to provide comfort and support for her. When opportunities to move on and go to America, these are the people who assure her that home will be taken care of, it is her time to go. This is a tender memoir that doesn't shy away from difficult memories. What makes this so heartwarming is the care she takes with her story. Clear eyed and honest, she tells an engrossing tale of a difficult childhood and the ability to find humor and good in those times.
|
