Ernie: The Autobiography
by Ernest Borgnine
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Book Reviews of Ernie: The Autobiography
Book Review: "I've had quite a run."
Summary: 5 Stars
"Ernie" is ninety-one year old Ernest Borgnine's lighthearted account of his more than five decades on the stage, in film, and on television. What has sustained this versatile character actor in a business that often grinds people down is the strong "old-fashioned work ethic" that he inherited from his Italian immigrant parents. Borgnine boasts that he has appeared in quite a few of the "100 Most Enjoyably Awful Movies of All Time" as listed in "The Official Razzie Movie Guide." Not all of his movies were classics, but he claims that "every one of them was a learning experience."
"Ernie" is a nostalgic autobiography in which Borgnine revels in his love of acting and especially of old-time moviemaking. He worked with many of the greats, including Helen Hayes, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Spencer Tracy, Gary Cooper, Montgomery Clift, Betty Davis, Jimmy Stewart, and Kirk Douglas. In addition, he appeared in a variety of genres, including comedies, westerns, war dramas, horror films, Biblical epics, and even a musical! He portrayed "good guys, cops, crooks, murderers, mob bosses, western villains, and an Amish farmer," and became Asian, Jewish, Irish, Swedish, or Mexican, when the part called for it. Much to his delight, his films were directed by such notables as Delbart Mann, Robert Mulligan, Fred Zinnemann ("From Here to Eternity"), and Michael Curtiz.
In an informal and conversational style, Borgnine emphasizes his critically acclaimed performances in "From Here to Eternity" and "Marty," but does not neglect to mention his less artistic films, such as "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Demetrius and the Gladiators." He also describes his stint in the popular "McHale's Navy," in which he played the Commander of a PT Boat in the South Pacific during World War II. Borgnine spends little time on his five marriages, only one of which endured. Ernie and Tova Borgnine have been together for thirty-five years.
Ernest Borgnine is a down-to-earth and affable tour guide who provides an entertaining overview of the last half century of show business. For those old enough to remember Borgnine in his heyday, this book will bring back fond memories of a bygone era. Although he is in no way a polished writer, the author's self-deprecating style, unabashed love for his craft, and colorful anecdotes make "Ernie" a treat for movie buffs.
Book Review: A Hollywood Treasure
Summary: 5 Stars
Ernie is one of the few Hollywood stalwarts who hasn't been spoiled by his success. He is a humble man who remembers his roots and it shows in this light and breezy autobiography. I won't go into details here, but suffice it say that, it is amazing when one realizes that the man was already well into his 30s when he walked into the Barter Theatre to begin his acting career. I do have one little bone to pick with him, though. He says that the reviews for his very first play, "State of the Union," were lukewarm, but that the local reviewer really liked his character. However, my late mother was also in the play with him, in the juicy role of Kay Thornton. As she recalled it, she got good reviews! I'll forgive you that one, Ernie, as you went on to a fantastic career, and gave the Barter Theatre credit for being the backbone of your training. After a year of "pounding the pavement," my mother got discouraged and went home to Illinois, but after your Broadway stint in "Harvey," you went back to the Barter for more training! And the rest, as they say, is history.
There are many delightful stories in this book about many of Ernie's best (and worst) films, so you will not be disappointed. He has no grudges to bear, and his heart is full of love and gratitude for the many good years he has had in the business. You've achieved your goal of making 200 films, and here's to at least 50 more! Love from the daughter of one of the ladies who was there with you at the very beginning.
Book Review: Great Story of a Great Star
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Ernest Borgnine has been entertaining us for over fifty years and I have been a great fan of his since I first saw him in 'Demetrius and the Gladiators', when I was very young. Being a part of the 'Baby Boomer' era, I guess I have seen him in a variety of roles in a few movies and also during his time with television. Other movie favourites of mine include: 'The Wild Bunch', 'From Here to Eternity', 'Bad Day at Black Rock', 'Convoy', 'The Poseidon Adventure' and of course, 'McHale's Navy' on television and in one of the two movies the television series created.
Reading this book gave me an insight into Ernie the man, who became Ernie the film star. I think it reinforces that great people just don't suddenly become who they are, they have to work hard at it. I was particularly taken by Mr. Borgnine's humbleness as he writes and describes various people and situations in his life as he moved along a fascinating journey that sees him still going strong at Ninety-One years...I hope I can be as sprightly myself in another forty years!
Reading of his various encounters with producers, directors and fellow actors and people in his private life left me admiring the man so much more for his honesty and plain good manners.
Thank you for the last fifty years of films, Mr. Borgnine, I hope to see you in many, many more.
Book Review: Different kind of auto-biography
Summary: 4 Stars
Interesting reading. A different kind auto in that unlike most actors he actually goes into some detail about every one of his 59 films. All books on actors should take this approach as that's why people usually read about them, that and of course their personal life. As another reader pointed out, his telling of his life does seem a bit "sugar-coated", but a very good read just the same. More could have been said about his three failed marriages which would have added depth to his character. He had NOTHING to do with these break-ups? Remember, it takes TWO TO TANGO. Aside from that, I could not put the book down and read it in two sittings. Excpet for Gina Lollabridgeda, Jan Michael Vincent, Gene Hackman and Shelley Winters, he fawns over everyone else. Good. Nice to hear good words about all the stars he worked with. As for Paul Newman, everyone knew he was a cold person to work with. After reading ERNIE, one wants to view all of his films. Too bad so few are available on DVD. Would like to have an ERNEST BORGNINE festival. If you like to know about film and filmaking, this is the book for you. If you want to know about his own persona, good and bad, forget it. All in all he DOES sound like a person I'd like to meet and chat with. No, not about his personal life, but his career, and that's mainly what this book is about, so go for it!!Book Review: Ernie we hardly knew ya...well, maybe we did, but...
Summary: 5 Stars
A fun read for any movie buff, ERNIE is Ernest Borgnine's wonderful, open autobiography that touches on virtually everyone who was anyone in Hollywood from the 1950s to the 1980s. Borgnine is very honest in his praise for co-star/mentors like Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin. He also lets it be known that while he appears to have gotten along with EVERYONE, there were the occasional sour apples (Shelley Winters drove him crazy when they got together for a Love Boat episode, Jan Michael Vincent was a trainwreck during their AIRWOLF days and Gene Hackman was extremeley standoffish on the set of THE POSIEDON ADVENTURE (surely Borgnine's most famous movie).
Never what you'd call a typical leading man, Borgnine still had the good fortune to share the screen with a bevy of major leading ladies (Joan Crawford, Susan Hayward, Bette Davis [twice!], even Raquel Welch [again, twice!]). He's candid about his marriages, including the infamous few days with Ethel Merman. There are stories about Sinatra, Steve McQueen, Sam Peckinpah and even Don Rickles (they performed in a very off-Broadway revival of THE ODD COUPLE).
Borgnine, like his signature character MARTY, is self-effacing, very grateful for a LONNNGGGG career and has written a terrific, very conversational autobiography.