Beginnings

by Horton Foote

In the sequel to Farewell, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and dramatist continues his story as he recounts how his acting aspirations took him from Pasadena to New York City in the 1930s, his discovery of his talent for writing, and his marriage and offers anecdotes about his encounters with New York's colorful theatrical community and its personalities. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2001

About the author

Albert Horton Foote, Jr. was an American playwright and screenwriter, perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning screenplays for the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird and the 1983 film Tender Mercies, and his notable live television dramas during the Golden Age of Television. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1995 for his play The Young Man From Atlanta.

Reviews

[John Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had only a passing familiarity with Horton Foote when I picked up this biography of his early years. I had read a profile of him in Texas Monthly magazine and was a fan of his film Tender Mercies, which he wrote. I enjoyed the book, not only for insight into Foote but as a history of theater, which was reaching its peak in importance in American Arts just before the rise of television and movies. The book is written in an easy conversational style.

[Peggy Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful story teller!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read this a Farewell, I would just say his plays were more interesting than his autobiographies. I thought by reading them, I would learn more about the man, but I didn't learn too much.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins where Farewell leaves off: Horton Foote heading to Pasadena to study acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. No author of recent memory can make me cry as much as he can. I enjoyed this one almost as much as the first one, but would warn others who are not interested in theatre and the history of theatre during its great American renaissance of the 1930s to keep an open mind. He refers to the great teachers, like Jilinsky and Boleslavsky, who defected from the Moscow Art Theatre and set up schools in New York City where, after Pasadena, he eventually went to study. He explains how Agnes DeMille, the great contemporary of Martha Graham, encouraged him to write his first play. Also, he tells of his meetings with Lee Strasberg, Katherine Cornell, Eva La Gallienne and other great luminaries of the American stage. A very interesting, informational read for the right person.

[Branden · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh. strangely boring, read a bit like an extended biography no one asked for, but fine and easy to rip through.

[Fishsanwitt]

stamped, catalogued