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When Do I Start
The Academy and Emmy Award-winning actor tells of his poor upbringing in the steel mills of Gary, Indiana, his rise to stage, screen, and television stardom, and his associations with such legends as Elia Kazan, Marlon Brando, and Montgomery Clift. 40,000 first printing. Tour.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 7, 2019
Although it really takes a great celebrity, with a great personality to write a great autobiography, I will always enjoy any autobiography as long as I get the interesting stories, the great actors, the friendships, the directors, the co-stars.
Often actors cannot live without an audience, on stage or in films they love the success, which we all look for in our lives.
Families, backgrounds show the determination for success, especially here from Karl Malden, from a family Of Serbs, success came mainly with a great career on the stage.
Here he learnt his trade, from many stage and film enounters with larger-than-life Broadway figures . . . like Kazan, Strasberg, and Brando, many more greats. The 1950s were Broadway's heyday but also the time of blacklisting, and Malden paints a vivid picture here of those times. Moreover, the actor eschews the 'down-and-dirty tell-all memoir' so common now to offer his views on the various acting techniques and methods he came upon.
The great long friendships he gained, the difficulties of working with actors like Marlon Brando, a lifelong friend, but not the easiest person to work with. Long friendship with one of my favourites Richard Widmark.
His decision to move to California, away from his home in New York, and his stage work, to his great film co-stars, television and more.
Best of all an evening meal at his home with Marlon Brando, Sean Connery and their wives at his home.
An actor who you know was a genuine nice guy, humble, and honest.
Four stars.
Often actors cannot live without an audience, on stage or in films they love the success, which we all look for in our lives.
Families, backgrounds show the determination for success, especially here from Karl Malden, from a family Of Serbs, success came mainly with a great career on the stage.
Here he learnt his trade, from many stage and film enounters with larger-than-life Broadway figures . . . like Kazan, Strasberg, and Brando, many more greats. The 1950s were Broadway's heyday but also the time of blacklisting, and Malden paints a vivid picture here of those times. Moreover, the actor eschews the 'down-and-dirty tell-all memoir' so common now to offer his views on the various acting techniques and methods he came upon.
The great long friendships he gained, the difficulties of working with actors like Marlon Brando, a lifelong friend, but not the easiest person to work with. Long friendship with one of my favourites Richard Widmark.
His decision to move to California, away from his home in New York, and his stage work, to his great film co-stars, television and more.
Best of all an evening meal at his home with Marlon Brando, Sean Connery and their wives at his home.
An actor who you know was a genuine nice guy, humble, and honest.
Four stars.
February 11, 2022
“The Palace Theater was the place to go... A kid could have himself a great afternoon, especially since Walgreen’s Drug Store was right next door... A double thick malt and a double feature; that was about as close to heaven as you could get in Gary.”
Karl Malden was a character actor who appeared in many excellent films, several of which are considered all-time classics. I have always enjoyed seeing him, so when I found out he wrote a book I immediately wanted to read it.
Malden’s real first name was Mladen. His father was proudly Serbian and tried to pass down as much of the culture to his American-born sons as he could.
You really get a sense of how grueling it can be to be an actor. The stress of constantly being out of work, and unable to find it, would be unbearable for me. At times, Malden seriously contemplated quitting, only to have luck (sudbina) shine upon him in the nick of time, keeping him in the game. Malden's love of acting shines brightly. He loved the stage, the different approaches to the craft, the comradery of the actors in a cast, the beauty of a well-written show, the hard work the profession elicits. This would make an excellent gift to someone who plans to pursue acting as a career.
Interesting fact: Malden wanted to play the Jerry Lewis part in the notorious The Day the Clown Cried.
Karl Malden was a character actor who appeared in many excellent films, several of which are considered all-time classics. I have always enjoyed seeing him, so when I found out he wrote a book I immediately wanted to read it.
Malden’s real first name was Mladen. His father was proudly Serbian and tried to pass down as much of the culture to his American-born sons as he could.
You really get a sense of how grueling it can be to be an actor. The stress of constantly being out of work, and unable to find it, would be unbearable for me. At times, Malden seriously contemplated quitting, only to have luck (sudbina) shine upon him in the nick of time, keeping him in the game. Malden's love of acting shines brightly. He loved the stage, the different approaches to the craft, the comradery of the actors in a cast, the beauty of a well-written show, the hard work the profession elicits. This would make an excellent gift to someone who plans to pursue acting as a career.
Interesting fact: Malden wanted to play the Jerry Lewis part in the notorious The Day the Clown Cried.
October 29, 2012
Awww, Karl Malden is like the nice dad/grandpa everyone wishes they had. What a nice guy he was! Awwwww!
I picked this book up mainly to hear what Karl thought about Marlon Brando, but ended up really enjoying reading about Karl's whole career. I had forgotten about all the movies he was in over the years. Also, Karl was on Broadway during the golden years of the 40s & 50s and that section of the book was very interesting. A lot about The Group & the beginning of the Actors Studio. I do wish he'd gone into more detail about Streetcar Named Desire. He wrote about Marlon & Jessica Tandy but only a few paragraphs about Vivien Leigh and nothing about Kim Hunter. Hmmm.
He also spent a long time - half the book! - detailing his early years before he made it. He could have cut back on that part of his life and added more to his remembrances of his greatest movies.
Since he was such a regular guy & nice fella, there is not a lot of lurid gossip in this book. Now, I do love me some lurid gossip, but it seemed correct not to read any in his book. I know from other Hollywood books I've read that Vivien Leigh was in the depths of her manic-depression when he knew her but he only says she "had a tenuous grasp on reality". Speaking of crazy Hollywood actors, it turns out Karl was next door neighbors and good friends with Monty Cliff. Odd couple, huh? His writings about Monty were interesting. Nothing mean spirited there either. Karl even manages to stay friends with Eli Kazan after Kazan named names during the Communist witch hunt.
For anyone interested in the Broadway scene of the 40's & 50s', this would be a good memoir to read.
I picked this book up mainly to hear what Karl thought about Marlon Brando, but ended up really enjoying reading about Karl's whole career. I had forgotten about all the movies he was in over the years. Also, Karl was on Broadway during the golden years of the 40s & 50s and that section of the book was very interesting. A lot about The Group & the beginning of the Actors Studio. I do wish he'd gone into more detail about Streetcar Named Desire. He wrote about Marlon & Jessica Tandy but only a few paragraphs about Vivien Leigh and nothing about Kim Hunter. Hmmm.
He also spent a long time - half the book! - detailing his early years before he made it. He could have cut back on that part of his life and added more to his remembrances of his greatest movies.
Since he was such a regular guy & nice fella, there is not a lot of lurid gossip in this book. Now, I do love me some lurid gossip, but it seemed correct not to read any in his book. I know from other Hollywood books I've read that Vivien Leigh was in the depths of her manic-depression when he knew her but he only says she "had a tenuous grasp on reality". Speaking of crazy Hollywood actors, it turns out Karl was next door neighbors and good friends with Monty Cliff. Odd couple, huh? His writings about Monty were interesting. Nothing mean spirited there either. Karl even manages to stay friends with Eli Kazan after Kazan named names during the Communist witch hunt.
For anyone interested in the Broadway scene of the 40's & 50s', this would be a good memoir to read.
February 13, 2011
Karl Maldens honesty about the trials of pursuing an Acting career are heart-warming. I identify with him in many ways and admire his humility. Whie reading this, I feel as if I'm receiving 'Grandfatherly' advice.
November 6, 2018
I have read a lot of actor/movie star bios/memoirs, and this is one of the best. I've always liked Karl Malden, mainly because of his roles in "Gypsy" and "A Streetcar Named Desire," which really impressed me when I saw them when I was young. He has always seemed sincere and genuine, and this book confirms that impression. He was also very hard-working, and it was interesting to read about his time with Kazan, Strasberg, and others in 1930s NYC, knocking on doors and not always getting in. He was certainly not an overnight success, and he talks about Broadway, the Army, movies, TV shows, American Express ads, and, finally, serving as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He never lost his desire to learn or his love of family, both the Serbian one he was born into in Gary, Indiana, and the one he created with his wife and daughters.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
February 17, 2020
I like this memoir. Malden shares at least one interesting story about working on each of his films. He talked about having to audition for the 1987 movie "Nuts" with Barbra Streisand who wanted him to play another character. He also mentions that he wished he had gotten to know more of his co-workers and fellow filmmakers while working on his earlier movies.
February 19, 2025
Highlights were definitely his interactions with Brando on the stage and in the films they did together. Also enjoyed his reminiscing about his childhood and breaking into theater. Definitely some slow spots, but enjoyed learning about such a talented and beloved actor.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews