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)

Good overall thoughts on people he's met

What did you like best about Dropped Names? What did you like least?

I like how Langella shared his thoughts of the people he'd met if a few he'd only known for a short time and his first impressions of them. That and for some of them, how they've impacted his own influence and personal opinion.

What other book might you compare Dropped Names to and why?

Hard to say on that subject...the closest might be to having heard Barbara Walter's memoir when she'd mentioned some folks that were a part of her life...but from her, this was only a small part of her world compared to Langella's DROPPED NAMES.

What didn’t you like about Frank Langella’s performance?

I wished he'd sounded better than he did...otherwise he'd told his story very well and with a lot of meaning to those stories he'd shared in his book.

Do you think Dropped Names needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Perhaps a follow up might come in the form of a Volume 2. Could be more folks he'd had more recently had come by since they'd passed since the first publication like perhaps he'd come across Phyllis (sp?) Diller or Neil Armstrong...or his thought of Tony Scott?? Who knows??

Any additional comments?

Thank you Mr. Langella for writing this book and reading this for us. It's much appreciated!! Yours Truly a fan of yours!! :)

True to its title

Fun and interesting. Fun and interesting. Fun and interesting. Fun and interesting. Fun and interesting. Fun and interesting. Fun and interesting. Four unique words remaining.

Delightfully dishy, well written and narrated

I've read the book and listened to the audio book several times. Mr. Langella is someone I would love to have dinner with so I could soak up his lessons. His friend Bunny would be proud, I'm sure, of his insightfulness.

A brilliant, humorous enormously entertaining masterpiece

I must say anticipation I love you nothing but minimal expectation of the quality of this book. Wow, the office why he’s a bit monotonous most of the time the text to show live way informative and well written that you will be captivated by everything single word. Never a big fan of Frank Langella I would be thrilled to meet him so his name could be dropped by me. You will love this. You will not be disappointed.

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.