Dropped Names

Famous Men and Women As I Knew Them

By: Frank Langella

Narrated by: Frank Langella

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Rita Hayworth dancing by candlelight in a small Mexican village; Elizabeth Taylor devouring homemade pasta and tenderly wrapping him in her pashmina scarf; streaking for Sir Laurence Olivier in a drafty English castle; terrifying a dozing Jackie Onassis; carrying an unconscious Montgomery Clift to safety on a dark New York City street.

Captured forever in a unique memoir, Frank Langella's myriad encounters with some of the past century's most famous human beings are profoundly affecting, funny, wicked, sometimes shocking, and utterly irresistible. With sharp wit and a perceptive eye, Mr. Langella takes us with him into the private worlds and privileged lives of movie stars, presidents, royalty, literary lions, the social elite, and the greats of the Broadway stage.

What, for instance, was Jack Kennedy doing on that coffee table? Why did the Queen Mother need Mr. Langella's help? When was Paul Mellon going to pay him money owed? How did Brooke Astor lose her virginity? Why was Robert Mitchum singing Gilbert & Sullivan patter songs at top volume, and what did Marilyn Monroe say to him that helped change the course of his life? Through these shared experiences, we learn something, too, of Mr. Langella's personal journey from the age of 15 to the present.

Dropped Names is, like its subjects, riveting and unforgettable.

©2012 Frank Langella (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

"Engaging.... Not just Langella’s "famous people I have known," but a heartfelt love letter to the theater and to the days when stars were stars, not merely celebrities." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Rarely have I read a book about celebrities that is as insightful, candid, revealing, and as well-written as this one. Frank Langella’s memoir is not the usual author's ego trip, but rather his remembrances of the many accomplished men and women that he has come to know." (Gay Talese)

"A delightfully unabashed page-turner about people we wish we had known in the throes of work, love, and growing old." (A. R. Gurney, award-winning playwright)

Great stories narrated by a great actor

Not the standard autobiography, but a series of remembrances by a man who has been a very successful Broadway and movie actor. Beginning in the 1960's and continuing on he has chapters on individuals such as Anthony Perkins, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert MItchem and on and on. They are funny, sad , touching, and always entertaining.

Fantastic look at old Hollywood!

What made the experience of listening to Dropped Names the most enjoyable?

It's was not Hollywood fodder, but true experiences by the author. So many stories about famous people that brought them to the same level as the average person. It's funny at times and very touching just as many times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dropped Names?

There were so many moments that it's impossible to name one.

What about Frank Langella’s performance did you like?

He was a pleasure to listen to giving life to everything he talks about.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Should not and could not possibly be be put on screen.

Any additional comments?

I had this in my wish list for months. Thinking it would be tabloid in nature, I wasn't really interested. I have no use for Hollywood gossip and despise all the mags that produce it. This is so far from that! I'm thrilled I finally gave it a try and enjoyed every moment of it. Its a must read especially if you've enjoyed old Hollywood.

Be still my heart...delightful!

Full disclosure...I've been a besotted fan of Frank Langella forever and to hear him read this honest and extraordinary memoir in his own voice was heavenly! He shows great courage in revealing exactly how he feels about the great actors he's worked with...much of this is surprising and even shocking at times although it must be said that he is just as hard on himself! His recollections of Jack and Jackie Kennedy, Mel Brooks, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and so many others are amazing! We share having grown up in Bayonne, New Jersey and to think that he was able to rise above his humble beginnings to become the great actor makes this a truly fascinating bildungsroman!

Unexpected pleasure.

A great book. That is all I can really say. I did not expect to bump into a voice so similar my own. He thinks like me. I was so glad to hear his voice. The real deal. Straight from the heart. How can that be discounted? Impossible.

Excellent Audio 💯 👏🤗

I've just finished listening to via audio @audible Frank Langella's book "Dropped Names" 💯👏🤗 Loved it!!!! And I'm glad that he's the narrator 🤗 What an Exciting life and I Enjoyed listening to every Chapter of his Book 📖 ♥️🌹

Fantastic memoir!

Listening to Frank Langella adds to the experience. What an amazing life he has had so far. I truly appreciate his insight as noted at his conclusion. I highly recommend!

Literary Catnip!!

This book was one of my all- time favorites- juicy, witty, thoughtful, poignant . Mr. Langella is an excellent writer and his recollections of the famous persons that he grew to know is captivating. His narration is first rate - his command of the language and melodious voice an added treat. Not to be missed!

Delightful

I thought this book would be a little like listening to a grocery store tabloid but it wasn't. Langella gives a well written, insightful and sensitive voice to some great stories he shared with other famous people. That is not to say he takes the warts off,,, not even for himself. Not only are his memories told in almost elegant prose but his narration is splendid

I must admit that I've been in love with Mr. Langella since I saw The Twelve Chairs and again when I saw the Sphinx (he says it was a stinker but I loved it) I gave up dreams of marrying Capt. Von Trapp for him. I turned away from John Lennon and oh so many others for him. Yet odd as it might seem, he seems to have had close if not intimate relationships with everyone on the planet except me! How could that be? :::sigh:::
Cruel. Downright brutal

Still, its a delightful memoir of a fascinating and fortunate life

Prince o' Darkness Silkily Observed Tidbits

What did you love best about Dropped Names?

Citing anecdotal chapter and verse and wielding a stiletto of finely toned English , the great and the good are praised, rewarded ... and and great and the bad sent forthwith to Langella Hell.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dropped Names?

You know, I always thought that was something fishy, distinctly "off" about The Actor's Method, at least as promulgated by Lee Strasberg. Langella briskly skewers Strasberg on his own petard. Liked that, I did.

Which scene was your favorite?

Ah, that macrocosmic world of Unspeakable (as one does not speak of it) Wealth, its weedless emerald lawns, its summer linens lifting in a light Cape Cod breeze, its breezy luncheons, chummy discourses over dewy glasses of G&T and crisp, monogrammed cards of perfectly penned thank you notes. Extraordinary generosity to charities and important museums to be sure. But too often neither finding nor seeking a bridge connecting "their" world to "ours", to a genuine, feeling, human to human experience. Oh, don't bother, the servants will take care of it. Absolutely terrifying.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Rita Hayworth and Gloria de Haven ... what tender bundles he lifts up and delivers to his readers with his experiences with these beautiful and battered Hollywood moth-blossoms, while candidly admitting his own selfish shallowness.

Any additional comments?

A box of chocolates ... you never knew what you were going to get. In Hogwartian terms, some bonbons were earwax and vomit and some truffe-rich, nougat-yummt or cherry centered creams. But the box is beautifully presented, impeccably appointed and offered to one with such slyly casual aplomb that one cannot fail, no matter one's choice, to be deliciously captivated.

The famous become intimate friends

Where does Dropped Names rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Well written, spoken and thoroughly entertaining. Among one of the best I have listened to so far

What did you like best about this story?

Mr. Langella's storytelling make the famous seem like they have been your friends forever. The people are real, with highs and lows like the listener. Also, the narrator includes his own "lows" among the stories, which adds to the realism of this book