Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. 312 p. : ill; 24 cm.

Summary

1. Although loaded with details about its subject's life and career, Mair's (Oprah: The Real Story) latest celeb bio fails to deliver on its promise of an intimate portrait: the divine Miss M. remains enigmatic. But Midler's story makes for absorbing reading nonetheless. Born on Hawaii and lacking acting training, she landed a starring role in the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof at the age of 22, playing the oldest daughter, Tzeitel. Mair describes Midler's struggles with her disapproving father, her stint at Manhattan's gay Continental Baths, her career as a film actress and her sometimes rocky relationship with Disney Studios. Sketchily and tamely, he covers her various love affairs, including her happy marriage to German performance artist and commodity broker Martin von Haselberg. And he doesn't pull any punches the nasty cracks about Midler by various former friends and associates are recorded here. But this is largely an affectionate tribute to an unlikely star, and the story of Midler's success against difficult odds is inspiring. Photos not seen by PW. (Aug.)--PW 07/03/1995.

Subject

1. Midler, Bette
2. Singers > United States > Biography

Genre/Form

1. Biographies
2. Biographies.

Contents

1. Living in Paradise and hating it -- From Wahini to Manhattan Mama -- The modern musical Svengali -- 1980s : a view from a broad -- The kipper phase -- The life of a movie star mother.

Owning institution

1. Harvard Library

Note

1. "A Birch Lane Press book."
2. Includes index.

Bibliography (note)

1. Includes bibliographical references (pages 282-296) and index.

Processing action (note)

1. committed to retain