When the Snow Melts: The Autobiography of Cubby Broccoli

by Albert R. Broccoli

Completed shortly before he died, this autobiography of Cubby Broccoli is the story of one of Hollywood's leading film makers, from the farmlands of Long Island and the life of an immigrant to becoming the architect of a major film-production company. The book describes how he kept in touch with Howard Hughes by means of remote control from Hughes's hermetically sealed Las Vegas penthouse suite, and also provides accounts of Broccoli's relationships with other Hollywood personalities, such as Cary Grant (best man at his wedding to Dana), Sean Connery, Ursula Andress and Joan Crawford.

Genres: Film, Biography

343 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Bond remains among my all time favourite movie characters.And yet,Ian Fleming's original creation,has never really appealed to me.

The magic for me,was all in the character,depicted in Cubby Brocolli's movies.As long as he kept producing them,I kept watching them.

The escapism and the adventure was all taken to a whole new level.There were the exotic locations,the daring stunts,the glamorous Bond girls and the sophisticated gadgets.It all made for a thrilling experience and one I looked forward to,during my teenage years.I still have all those movies on dvd.

After Cubby died, the franchise continued,but I never liked the Daniel Caig movies produced by his daughter.It wasn't Cubby's Bond.

The man who brought the magic of James Bond to the screen was named after a vegetable,broccoli.It is a rags to riches story,the son of poor Italian immigrants becoming one of the most influential names in the motion picture industry.

I found the story of his early years very dramatic and moving.His behind the scenes account of the James Bond movies is highly readable,full of anecdote and includes his impressions of Ian Fleming,Sean Connery,Roger Moore and many others.

Brocolli does not pull any punches while reminiscing about them.It was particularly interesting to read his opinions about Sean Connery,the original Bond.His remarks about Connery aren't very complimentary.

Connery was plucked out of near obscurity to play Bond,a great choice as it turned out.But the two had a difficult relationship,Connery demanded more money,and eventually walked away from the role.

Cubby's choices to replace him were all fantastic actors in their own right.
This is a superb book,every bit as compelling as the movies he created.

[Tynan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky to have worked for Cubby Broccoli during the filming of License to Kill. The book is all Cubby. Simple, direct, and always caring about his friends, family and working relationships.

I was fortunate enough to type up the initial manuscript. And I feel the same way now, as I did then. The story of his life is absolutely fascinating. He ended up spanning some of the best times in Hollywood and was in contact with some of the most powerful people in the world. At yet, I wanted more. I wanted to know how he got to know more of them. How he dealt with the issues. And less about "setting the record straight" which was so important 17 years ago, but not so important now.

If you are a Bond fan, or a movie buff, you try to should read it.

[Randal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly readable autobiography of the producer of the James Bond film franchise (his stepson Michael G. Wilson and daughter Barbara Broccoli have assumed that mantle since Cubby's death in 1996).

[Antonvt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts are are very insightful, while overall it was okay. He had a lived a very full and rewarding life.

Not a bad autobiography, but I would have loved it if he could have opened up a bit more and he could have given us more insight into his life especially more about his later years.