Baby Doll: An Autobiography

by Carroll Baker

The actress candidly discusses her personal life, her roles in "Baby Doll," "Giant," "Harlow," and "The Carpetbaggers," and her memories of James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Mitchum, Elia Kazan, and others

Genres: Nonfiction

305 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1983

Reviews

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED it! Usually when I read these and I admit I do, I find them shallow or overdramatic, maybe even too self focused but I did not feel that way at all reading this. It was riveting to hear about how she got started and how she felt about James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and several other "stars".
I like her style. It's very matter of fact and isn't "oh, whoa is me, poor little movie star". Not at all.

I also loved how she described her frustration with both of her husbands and how torn she was to split up her family while her career started to fall apart. I would recommend it. In fact, I wish she would write a part 2 and tell us all in detail what it was like working with Jed Johnson, Andy Warhol's partner.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the "How one thing leads to another" Department: Reading GIANT led to re-watching the film, though before the re-watch I watched the two documentaries about the film – Carroll Baker was in the documentaries and the film – might be nice to read her recollections of the film and its stars (she was, for instance, nine months older than her screen ‘mother,’ Elizabeth Taylor) – surely I have a copy of Baker’s memoir, BABY DOLL, on my shelves? Yes, I surely do. So, why not read it? Despite the controversy over the movie BABY DOLL, Baker was actually a respected actress (she was Oscar-nominated for that film) until her ‘Joseph E. Levine’ phase of the mid-1960s (specifically THE CARPETBAGGERS and HARLOW).

4/28: Interesting to read about the filming of GIANT and BABY DOLL. It seems people were so in awe of James Dean's talent that they were willing to overlook his rudeness and apparent lack of social/people skills.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actress tells her story.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

One wonders what prompts actors writing their autobiography to include personal but to the reader almost meaningless recollections. This book starts with Baker having her second nervous breakdown. Then later in the book she describes in great detail the birth of her daughter.
When she talks about her career she is very interesting.
Her Hollywood career ended with Harlow,which is surely one of the worst biopic ever made.She chooses not to list the 24 Italian films and one can guess why.
This book has its moments, but there are not enough of them.

[V.A. Herring-Trice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in finding out about Carroll Baker because I loved the movie "Baby Doll." Ms. Baker was definitely a much better actress than author and I was disappointed in her attempt. It was an average read at best.

[Allyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carroll Baker, subject of many early poems. Her film roles include Baby Doll, Gypsy Rose Lee, Sylvia, Something Wild (the original), Giant, Andy Warhol's Bad, & Star 80.