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)

Perfectly Frank

Would you listen to Dropped Names again? Why?

I already have, and shared it with friends who I knew would feel as I had. Hilarious, touching, pompous and deliciously written, this memoir touches on the lives of the rich and famous as few before have. Everyone from Jackie O to Elia Kazan gets the full treatment, and while none of the subjects are alive to confirm or dispel the stories, you have to applaud the author, who reads with alarming stillness and wit, for sharing them the way "he remembers them".

Who was your favorite character and why?

The chapter on Oliver Reed is the most fun, Marilyn Monroe the most unbelievable, Rita Hayworth, the saddest, Anthony Quinn the most revealing, Lee Strasberg the dishiest. The Cape Cod story of luncheon with the president and Mrs. Kennedy at the Mellons with Noel Coward and "Dellie" is alone worth the price.

What does Frank Langella bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His impersonations, vitriol, sarcasm, wit, and matter of fact presentation.

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

"You'd have to live it to believe it".

Any additional comments?

Ideal for anyone who has ever had a connection to the world of entertainment, for anyone who has ever been a fan or idolized a celebrity, for anyone who has seen a play or a movie.

Like listening to an old friend reminisce....

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

It's hard to rank them because they all have been different, but I have loved them all. I have recommended this book to my friends love the entertainment industry.

What did you like best about this story?

He seems to be quite honest about the good and bad in the people he has met, and most importantly is very honest about his own shortcomings and failures.

Which scene was your favorite?

My most memorable scenes were the ones with Jackie Kennedy, especially the ones where he immediately regretted his actions, and she as always was a lady.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I smiled through most of the book, really enjoyed his memories, observations & opinions.

Anybody Still Alive Out There?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

There's nothing like listening to the author's own voice in going through his or her own book. However, in this case, the listener will have to put up with Langella's low, slow, almost somnolescent, funereal voice or intonations. It's just as well, as by far the majority of the people he speaks of are either well past cremated or rather nicely dug in their graves or slid into their niches long ago.

Would you be willing to try another book from Frank Langella? Why or why not?

No. Though generally pleasing to listen to, his voice is a bit too funereal or, more charitably, sleep inducing.

What three words best describe Frank Langella’s voice?

rich, somnolescent, funereal.

Could you see Dropped Names being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No. But wait. Maybe so. Langella would probably feel that he's good enough to play them all, but then would probably pass if another Kennedy asked him to dinner.

Any additional comments?

Content of book is entertaining enough to recommend. For example, who knew how incredibly boring Richard Burton could be, and so forth. But then, like so many long dead others that Langella name-drops and "dishes" along the way, they can't quite answer back, can they?

A take no prisoners memoir

Fascinating , gossipy, sometimes shocking snapshots of a life in the entertainment industry. An insiders view of some of the most famous and infamous. What a read and what a life Mr. Langella has lived.

A Good One

I'm not a People Magazine reader, so, this somewhat gossipy reading material would not normally be my first pick to read/listen to. But, I love the Charlie Rose Show, and I've always found Frank Langella to be a superb guest. He's intelligent, self reflective, revealing, and an entertaining story teller. All of those qualities make this such a delightful book. I looked forward to getting into my car and listen to Frank Langella read his own book and tell wonderful stories about celebrities he's known: he can demystify celebrity while engaging the reader in a treasure of life's lessons.

He is an exceptional narrator. This is the first author narration in which the material was not negatively effected by the typical amateurish sounding author's own narration.

Delicious Memoir of Famous Friends, Frenemies

Frank Langella is not just a great actor. He is an excellent writer with a reporter’s eye for detail.
He can be viscous, loving, or somewhere in-between, but Langella is never boring.

Interesting stories. Incredible narration

Rarely should an author narrate their own book but this is a great exception. Frank has a wonderful voice. Even though many of the stars were before my time he does a fantastic job of weaving spicy tales about his long history with them in show business.

If you can believe everything in this book...

Would you listen to Dropped Names again? Why?

I wouldn't listen again because it's a book and there are so many other books to read and listen to!

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

Perhaps the chapter on Rex Harrison.

Have you listened to any of Frank Langella’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

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

"Be careful what you say to Frank Langella."

Any additional comments?

I found the book fascinating, but, then, I am in the business and recognized pertty much all of the "characters." So I gave it five stars across the board. I can see, though, how some listeners/readers might find Langella as pompous and arrogant as some of the people about whom he writes. Still, I enjoyed listening very much.

Glorious well written and in the mesmerizing voice of Frank Langella, Jr.

I enjoyed Franks honest narrative regarding his encounters with "the famous". Spoken with respect and deep integrity for those he loved and admired.
I have always been a fan and never miss any of his movies. Frank and I are 2nd cousins. Our families drifted apart when my father, Daniel passed away in 1960s.
Loved the journey through Franks ongoing career.

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I actually stopped listening and didn't finish the book

Would you recommend Dropped Names to your friends? Why or why not?

It was just not as funny or interesting as I expected

What three words best describe Frank Langella’s performance?

I am a big fan, so I loved listening to his voice, but not enough to listen to the whole thing.

Any additional comments?

at some point in the future I may give it another try.