Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild

by Samuel Garza Bernstein, Michael Uslan (foreword)

Dynamic and debonair, Cesar Romero was best known for creating the role of the Joker in the 1960s Batman television series. As the first actor to play Batman and Robin's villainous nemesis, Romero established the character's giddy, manic tone and the distinctive laugh that subsequent actors like Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Joaquin Phoenix would use as the starting points in their own Oscar-nominated (Nicholson) and Oscar-winning (Ledger and Phoenix) performances. As a closeted gay man of Latin American descent, Romero gracefully faced many personal challenges while maintaining his suave public image and starring opposite legends ranging from Shirley Temple to Marlene Dietrich, Carmen Miranda to Frank Sinatra, and Kurt Russell to Jane Wyman.

The first biography of the consummate entertainer, Cesar The Joker Is Wild, captures the critical moments of Romero's childhood, adolescence, and accomplishments in Hollywood. Author Samuel Garza Bernstein shares anecdotes regarding Romero's public and personal life, as well as Romero's private disdain for his reputation as the "Latin lover," a discriminatory stereotype he found constrictive both in terms of his range as an actor and as a man who kept his sexuality private.

Cesar Romero is an in-depth study of a significant Hollywood star and his impact on the entertainment industry. Batman made him immortal, but with more than four hundred film and television credits, his six-decade career as an actor, dancer, and singer made him a true Hollywood icon.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Tv, Media Tie In, History, Film

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique look at a very memorable icon!
From Shirley Temple and Marlene Dietrich to Adam West and the 1960's Batman, Cesar Romero created an enduring legacy in Hollywood.
As a closeted homosexual, Latin sex-symbol (even though he hated the discriminatory stereotype), Cesar had an incredible career.
I didn't even realize that I had seen him in as many films or television shows (besides Batman) that he had done.
This guy could and did do it all. He was also incredibly smart with how private he kept his private life in Hollywood at the time.
He really was an iconic star unlike any other!

The book moves at a brisk pace through his career, including a number of pictures, but whether you've seen all of the movies he appeared in or every episode of Batman, you will discover a lot you didn't know about this amazing guy! Props to Cesar Romero for his enduring legacy!

[Doug Fortunato · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no doubt that Cesar Romero led an amazing life with a Hollywood career that stretched across over half a century. It is also beyond a doubt that Bernstein has done some very thorough research in tracking down every scrap of public information about Romero's life and career. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a "book" which for the most part is really just a chronology/appendix of Romero's nearly six decades-long career with a brief narrative tying together the publicly available social aspects of Romero's life away from the camera (though nothing that was remotely out of the public eye) as a preface to that chronology.

Yet even in the narrative, far too often Bernstein simply overwhelms with nearly paragraph-long lists of people almost as if to pad the lack of substance in the narrative. It honestly felt like the equivalent of a student tasked with writing a 500-word essay on the Declaration of Independence choosing to list every single member of the Second Continental Congress as a large list providing their full name and represented colony and then stopping as soon as they hit the magic 500-word count. The majority of the writing was also very dry, resorting to mere declarations of the facts except where any hints and innuendos of Romero's sexual orientation could be included. While the sheer depth and breadth of detail and research were beyond exceptional, this "book" was really just the ultimate IMDb entry in print form, with half of the book comprising a listing of every appearance by Romero in film and television, not just by series but even by episode as in the case of his regular role on Falcon Crest.

For data overload, Bernstein's book is five-stars of compiled data. As a biography that helps you learn more about the person, rather than just a list of their accomplishments, it is 2.5 stars.

A thank you to NetGalley and University Press of Kentucky for the opportunity to read this eARC.

[imogen thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When I first started reading I was drawn in by the subject Cesar Romero as he was my childhood Joker. The first two chapters were intriguing, as I never would have known anything written describing his early life or start in New York and Hollywood. It’s encouraged me to look into some of the roles I had no idea he took, like in Charlie’s Angels, etc. However, I did find my interest and focus drifting throughout and away from the book, as the information about his life didn’t seem to joined together smoothly under the chapter titles/disjointed.

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samuel Garza Bernstein’s Cesar Romero is a detailed biography chronicling the life and career of the actor, best known for his role as the Joker in the 1960s Batman series and his later work on Falcon Crest.

The book explores Romero’s journey from his early days in theater to his extensive filmography, covering his roles in classic Hollywood films, Broadway productions, and television. It also delves into his personal life, relationships, and status as a cultural icon.

I enjoyed the chapters highlighting Romero’s Joker and his Falcon Crest tenure. However, the book often felt tedious, packed with minutiae about obscure films, theatrical works, Hollywood names, and dates that were irrelevant to me. While the comprehensive chronology section will excite dedicated fans or researchers, it made the read a bit heavy and boring at times. Some readers will enjoy all the details, but for me, it was a mixed experience. Three stars.

I received a DRC from University Press of Kentucky through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my thoughts and opinions.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you know him from Batman or Falcon Crest, Samuel Garza Bernstein’s Cesar Romero biography introduces you to the full facets of Cesar’s life. First, the cover of the book is absolutely gorgeous. Second, the introduction is a beautiful love letter to Cesar Romero’s character and career. If you’re unfamiliar with Batman’s first Joker, jumping into this intro will hook you to dive deeper into the book.

Garza Bernstein writes without fluff. He writes factually based on Cesar Romero’s own archives, magazine clippings and career catalog. Despite it being a quick read, I appreciate that he didn’t create scenarios or insinuated facets that may not have been accurate. There is respect for Romero regarding his sexuality and the author doesn’t try to exploit him.

While I appreciated the author detailing each season of Falcon Crest, it’s the only time he delves so heavily into plot that it feels like he’s just trying to take up space. But it absolutely made me want to watch it! The chronology at the end of the book is dense but rich, expanding on roles left out of the text which are filled with fun facts and little jokes. It’s a beautiful tribute to a man who worked up until his death. Whether you’re familiar with his work or not, you’ll find something new to watch after reading this book. Here’s hoping TCM hosts a tribute of Romero movies soon!

Thank you to University Press of Kentucky for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What did I think of this book? It took several attempts at reading it, because initially it was boring. But as I entered deeper into the book it was not so boring. I am surprised at the number and quality of the roles and cameos he played before Batman's Joker, the only role of Cesar that I was familiar with. Several things about Cesar surprised me but I will leave that up to the reader. If you loke biographys, you should enjoy this book. I enjoy biographys, I found there were lots of details about his life. Well researched.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild by Samuel Garza Bernstein. As someone who grew up watching Romero's iconic portrayal of the Joker on the 1960s Batman TV series, I've always admired him, but I knew surprisingly little about his life until this biography. It's hard to believe this is the first full biography of such a legendary figure.

Bernstein does a fantastic job bringing Romero's story to life, with extensive research and thoughtful interviews that add depth and personal insight. I was especially moved by how much Romero did to support his family throughout his career, an aspect of his life that was both inspiring and heartfelt.

While I understand the significance of Romero's role on Falcon Crest, the chapter covering it felt a bit too long compared to the pacing of the rest of the book. That said, the biography as a whole is well-crafted and informative. It is a fitting tribute to a talented, often underappreciated actor whose legacy still shines.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

University Press of Kentucky provided an early galley for review.

As an unapologetic, life-long fan of the 60's Batman television show, I always enjoyed Romero's performances wherever I encountered them. When I saw this title coming, I had to read it. For me, this portrayal made me love the character so much (I had every issue of the short run The Joker comic series back in the 70's which inspired some of the very first fanfiction I ever crafted back in junior high school).

Bernstein presents the actor's life in a straightforward manner, offering minimal conjecture or speculation. His sources include newspaper clippings and entertainment magazines of the times, showing the level of detailed research executed. Chapter five solely focuses on the Batman show which likely was Romero's farthest-reaching role up to that point. There were certainly several details that were new to me here. It also touches upon a trio of Disney films in which Romero appeared (films I certainly recall seeing in theaters as a kid in the early 1970's). Chapter seven focuses on Romero's time on Falcon Crest, a fifty-episode milestone in an already landmark career.

The book rounds out with an in-depth chronology of all Romero's appearances in film and television as well as a large collection of photographs.

[Silver Screen Videos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many youngsters my age, I was fascinated when the “Batman” TV series debuted in 1966. I realized immediately that the series lacked the semi-serious tone of the comic books I also read, but I enjoyed the show’s goofy silliness. (I didn’t know what the word “camp” meant in that context.) For me, the character who epitomized the show was Cesar Romero’s Joker. Romero was the perfect Joker in the series. He played well off Adam West’s deadpan seriousness and the variant goofiness of fellow villains like Burgess Meredith’s Penguin. A few years later, I saw Romero in a different type of role as the Rat Pack’s foil in the original “Ocean’s 11” and was equally impressed. I’ve learned more about Cesar Romero over the years and was never been disappointed by his performances. However, it wasn’t until I read Samuel Garza Bernstein’s fascinating but seriously flawed biography, “Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild,” that I got a genuine appreciation for the man and the actor.

Bernstein’s biography covers the actor’s life from his earliest days. The author is hindered by a relative lack of reliable information about Romero. The actor never wrote a memoir and rarely granted interviews that went beyond studio puff pieces. Few people who worked with Romero went on the record to talk about him. (The author was the beneficiary of an extensive interview with actress Ruta Lee, who was a friend of Romero’s since the 1950s.) Romero’s name is rarely mentioned in celebrity exposes. As a result, much of the available information about his life comprises historical data on his filmography or studio-approved publicity articles in popular movie magazines of the 1930s and 40s.

The information in “Cesar Romero” about the actor’s early years was surprisingly detailed. He was born in New York City into a wealthy family. His father was a successful business executive born in Spain, and his maternal grandfather was the noted Cuban revolutionary José Martí (after whom the Havana airport is named). As a child, Romero led an upper-class prep school life, but when his father’s business collapsed after the Depression, Romero wound up supporting the family on and off for many years. He got his start in show business as a professional dancer, appearing with various female partners to entertain guests at society functions (sort of a 1920s version of “Dancing with the Stars”). From there, Romero “graduated” to the stage, appearing in several Broadway plays, where his looks and dancing ability were a plus. Despite his success, the work didn’t pay well, and he often lived hand to mouth. Romero’s big break came after he decided to try the movies. He went to Hollywood in 1934 with no guarantees but landed a noticeable supporting role in “The Thin Man.” A studio contract with Fox followed, and Romero found steady work thereafter.

The section of “Cesar Romero” about the actor’s Hollywood career was alternately fascinating and frustrating. As a contract player, Romero appeared in many nearly forgotten films, often cast as a thug, an unsuccessful romantic rival, or an exotic foreigner. The author feels compelled to mention many of these roles, even though he could have easily summarized them. He provides intriguing tidbits about Romero and the film industry in general. (Romero often went to Hollywood parties as Joan Crawford’s “date” to provide her with cover so she could later surreptitiously go to hotel rooms with married actors.) I understand the dearth of available information about some of Romero’s roles. However, he also appeared in two highly popular movies with Shirley Temple, about which there is plenty of information. Unfortunately, the author’s description of those movies is little more than a brief plot synopsis, emphasizing Romero’s characters. Similarly, the author discusses Romero’s appearance with Marlene Dietrich, with whom he appeared in “The Devil Is a Woman.” Romero had some rare harsh words for that film’s director, Josef von Sternberg, whom he referred to in a “Los Angeles Times” 1935 interview as “a mean little man, a little Napoleon.” Romero was far more complimentary of Marlene Dietrich, with whom he became friends. Frank opinions such as these, rather than typical Hollywood pablum, are rare in the book, presumably because Romero rarely made such comments public.

As Bernstein’s biography approaches the present day, information about Romero is more easily available. The author notes that a significant Supreme Court antitrust decision in the 1940s required the major studios to divest themselves of theater chain ownership. Fox and the other studios could no longer rely on their own theaters to screen the large number of B-movies they had been cranking out. As a result, B-film production plummeted, and actors like Romero found themselves largely out of work. Fortunately, as the author notes, Romero quickly turned to television. He starred in one short-lived series (“Passport to Danger,” playing a character ironically named Steve McQuinn) and made many guest appearances on variety and game shows.

Fans of the “Batman” TV show will enjoy anecdotes about its production and Romero’s role. (He was responsible for the over-the-top, loony portrayal of the Joker.) Again, however, I was disappointed by the relative paucity of discussion about noted film roles, such as Romero’s co-starring appearance opposite the Rat Pack in “Ocean’s 11” or his appearances in a series of Disney movies starring Kurt Russell. The author then goes overboard in discussing Romero’s two-season starring role in the nighttime soap, “Falcon Crest.” Like most similar shows, such as “Dallas” and “Dynasty,” “Falcon Crest” featured a large cast and multiple complex storylines. The author devotes the better part of a chapter to a detailed plot synopsis of the two seasons of “Falcon Crest” in which Romero appeared. Unless you’re a major fan of the series, you’ll quickly grow bored or confused by the voluminous plot details.

The author touches on two areas of Romero’s life that I was unfamiliar with. Like most American men of that era, Romero served in the military in World War II. However, unlike other Hollywood celebrities who found stateside PR assignments, Romero was in the Coast Guard and often in the thick of battle. He took part as a boatswain’s mate in the invasions of Saipan and Taiwan before the higher-ups decided he would be more valuable making publicity appearances at war plants. I had renewed respect for Romero after learning these details.

The author also devotes substantial space in “Cesar Romero” to a discussion of Romero’s sexuality. The close-mouthed Romero never married or became engaged, and he never admitted to being gay (1930s publicity articles fell back on hackneyed descriptions like “confirmed bachelor”). He also has never been outed in any of the celebrity exposes that frequently mention other gay actors like Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter. (Romero’s name never appears in Scottie Bowers’s controversial memoir, “Full Service,” which names many closeted Hollywood figures of the 1950s.) But the author, who is gay and idolized Romero while growing up, makes what was, for me, a convincing case that Romero was gay. He notes an extended overseas publicity tour Romero made in 1946 with fellow actor Tyrone Power (himself a frequent target of curiosity about his sexuality). However, other than speculation about whether Romero’s sexuality led to his role on “Batman” (a haven for gay and bisexual actors like Liberace and Roddy McDowall), the author never indicates any consequences resulting from Romero’s possible lifestyle.

Even with the superfluous material about “Falcon Crest” and the periodic mentions of Romero’s sexuality, the biography portion of “Cesar Romero” is only 140 pages long. The author augments this with an even longer filmography that exhaustively and exhaustingly details every film or TV episode in which Romero appeared. I doubt many readers will be interested in learning who Romero’s fellow guest panelists were in every game show appearance. Worse, the author includes plot synopses for every one of Romero’s nearly 50 “Falcon Crest” episodes. However, readers will enjoy the 30 pages of photographs in the book, some of them quite rare.

Overall, I enjoyed “Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild” for its revelations about the actor and hidden nuggets about other aspects of Hollywood. However, I found the extensive extraneous padding quite annoying, especially the repetitive “Falcon Crest” material. I also disliked the author’s decision to use the present tense throughout the book, even when describing events that occurred a century ago. I’m giving this book a three-star rating and a mild recommendation for Romero fans or vintage movie buffs. However, the joke’s on anyone who expects a definitive biography of the actor.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and University Press of Kentucky. Thanks!

Going into this book, my only familiarity with Cesar was his role as Joker in the 1966 Batman movie, which I adore. He was the best part of the movie, and his maniacal laugh was infectious. So when I saw this on NetGalley, I wanted to read it and learn more about the man who played the best Clown Prince of Crime.

This book is a reluctant 3.5 stars rounded to 4. I loved the writing, I loved the use of present tense when discussing Cesar throughout his life, I loved the pictures at the end [I wish there were more and that they were scattered throughout the book (they may be in the final print version)], and I liked the way the story of Cesar's life unfolded. Samuel clearly did his research for this book and admires Cesar and his work. If you like Cesar, old Hollywood, and movie history, I believe you will enjoy this book.
But sadly, there are some issues that drag the rating down for me.

How the book is structured is odd to me. Cesar's biography are the first 130 pages or so. Then there's about 120 pages of the chronology of Cesar's credits that is rather dry compared to the biography section. If we were going to get a list like this, I would've rather them all be incorporated in the biography section (much more briefly) while discussing the highlights of the year, which is what the author already did with many of the appearances listed in the chronology.
The biography section was very enjoyable to read, but at times felt rather surface level, and many times began to border more on resume territory than biography territory. Several times there was just a block of text about the co-stars alongside Cesar, which was interesting, but not why I was reading this book. The surface level aspect is not entirely Samuel's fault, as Cesar appears to have been a very private person, but that does occasionally leave one wanting more than what was already publicly available.

Then there is a 6 page description of his role on Falcon Crest. While interesting, there was no comparable description of his other roles, save for chapter 5, which is 13 pages long, about Cesar's time as the Joker.
We are told this is because his role on Falcon Crest is a huge part of his later life in order to justify the plot synopsis, but I don't believe the payoff is there. I would've liked more on how or why this role was so major for Cesar.

And lastly, the thing that drops the rating most for me, is the ending of the biography section. The second to last paragraph details his death and the last paragraph is a brief recounting of his last few months and the interviews and appearances he gives. And that's the end.
It feels very abrupt, like it's missing a recap of his legacy, his influence, why this book exists to discuss Cesar other than the author's love for him.

Overall, I enjoyed learning about Cesar, his life, and his work. He appears to have been a kind, fascinating man, beloved by all who knew him and worked with him.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars as an overall biography, but a solid 4.0 for research.

Cesar Romero: The Joker is Wild (Screen Classics) is an ARC, which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the University Press of Kentucky (publisher), and I would like to thank them for allowing me to read for free for an honest review.

I was instantly intrigued by the subject matter, as Cesar Romero was my "joker," well before Heath Ledger or any of the others who were featured in films. I absolutely loved his laugh and the fact that he wasn't as dark and doom and gloom as Ledger's portrayal (though I loved Ledger's take, too, for other reasons). Thus, when I saw this was a biography of the original Joker, and not knowing anything at all more about Romero, I had to read to grab Netgalley's ARC and see for myself. For anyone like myself who only knew Romero as the Joker, then I highly recommend sitting down and learning more about this extremely talented actor!

One thing that struck me odd in the style of writing, especially for a biography, was present tense. It took a bit of time for me to get beyond that, though I have been coming across more and more books recently that are written in present tense. But because of the subject matter, Romero, I was able to let that go. If you enjoy biographies, I would say that Samuel Garza Bernstein did his homework by compiling information from entertainment magazines and newspaper clippings, plus he did include some photographs (presented at the end of the e-book--hopefully these will be interspersed throughout the hardcopy version and not at the end to make it more enjoyable for readers). Bernstein, many times over, describes Romero as very handsome and debonair, and having seen some photos included of the young Romero proves that point easily. All I knew of his looks were behind grease paint. And I had never even realized that he was hiding his moustache underneath the white paint because Romero refused to trim it. Overall, considering that Romero hid his sexual orientation from the world (and did an excellent job too as this was the first that I at least had heard otherwise), the author presents the actor's life in a straightforward manner, offering mostly minimal conjecture or speculation. However, there were a few times, that I felt Bernstein did go into a bit more information about that world in terms of the modern lens than was really needed and was a disservice to the actor, especially given how Romero preferred to keep that aspect of his life hidden. That was one reason I brought my rating down slightly.

As a memoir/biography of this great actor (again, reading this book did elevate my opinion of Romero to include him as one of the greats from Hollywood), there were times that this book felt more like a Curriculum Vitae and more surface information that one could read from IMDb. And given this actor's preference for keeping his personal life private, it likely was difficult to write about certain aspects, and easier to provide synopses of the various films and projects alongside Romero's co-stars. One very major memorable point that was repeated throughout the book was Romero's time during a South American publicity tour taken together in 1946 with actor Tyrone Power and how Power's death profoundly had an affect on Romero. There were definitely times in the biography there were times that I would have liked to know more about Romero, so other readers could be left wanting more as well. While reading this book, it seemed near the end of the actor's life and leading up to his death there may not have been very much information and the book felt like it ended nearly abruptly. Still, it's obvious that Bernstein wrote this book out of his love, respect, and admiration of Romero.

One last part of the book that should be addressed, and it could be considered a "spoiler alert." As other reviewers have already mentioned, and I tend to agree, the amount of time spent on the plot analysis and description of Romero's character on the show Falcon Crest did feel like filler. Having never watched the show, I'll admit that I may try and watch it because of Romero and that it was a major part of his later life. It would have been better to discuss/describe why or how that role affected/impacted the actor. Additionally, it might have been better overall, instead of some of the places where there were synopses (although Bernstein did discuss why wrote them) to offer insights as to how Romero felt about his costars, the parts he played, and how he enjoyed his time when not working and trying to provide for his family. But it makes sense why Bernstein may not have, if there wasn't that much information around. It would have been fine to have written a shorter biography/memoir rather than stretch it out with filler.

Reading Cesar Romero: The Joker is Wild (love the subtitle too; clever, and I believe Romero would have approved), left me wishing I would have met this actor in person. He seemed to be very humble and a joy to have been around, someone who loved dancing and loved to make others feel good, have a good laugh, etc. because life was special, despite sometimes being a cruel mistress.

[Jim Razinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Begley was relating a story about Michael Keaton on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Colbert started to transition the interview to Spider-Man by saying ‘You’ve been Batman, Birdman…’ but before he could finish, Keaton corrected him. ‘Yes, I *am* Batman’. No past tense there!” (Keaton supposedly ad libbed that in the movie.) I could see Cesar Romero saying “I *am* the Joker” in interviews, and for me, he will always be *The* Joker. My adult sons will disagree with my ranking (and they’d be wrong!). And he’ll always be his alter ego, A. J. Arno. NetGalley offered an advance read and I liked this a lot.

Fascinating man. I don’t recall reading other biographies written in present tense, so that was new to me. The author says in his Afterword, “I certainly respected Cesar Romero before starting this project. But I have come to love him-for everything he was and for everything he never had the chance to be, at least not publicly.”

This biography is comprehensive. At times effusive. At times candid. The author speculates but doesn’t presume, and treats Mr. Romero with great respect. And even summarizes every film and television appearance of Romero (in chrono order.) Impressive. I never watched Falcon Crest, so the six pages of plot summaries (at the end of the book and before the chronology) of that were lost on me, though not, I expect, on fans.

[on Romero’s more than 500 credits] “That body of work speaks for itself, but I hope the exploration of that work in this book encourages people to seek out his per-formances. The Joker is iconic. Peter Stavros is melodramatic perfection.
But his many, many other characters deserve to live on as well.”

Indeed they do. Recommended for fans of Romero, fans of the Joker, fans of the era.


[on Batman]”This is a show where a man in a mask and bat ears, wearing a cape and skintight underpants over his tights, can walk into a nightclub, ask for a booth near the wall, and add, completely deadpan, in a lower voice, ‘I shouldn't wish to attract attention.’”

[also on Batman] “A vision of what the show might look like starts coming into his [exec producer William Dozier’s] head-something he refers to as the ‘pop art technique of the exaggerated cliché.’"

I like that. Saving it.

[interesting to me] “Some authors writing about GLBTQIA+ history in Hollywood believe that studio concerns over Romero's sexuality and the character's evolution into something of a fop are part of the reason. for pulling the plug [on Romero as Cisco the Kid],…”

I don’t often see the G and L swapped (the author uses the initialization in the “usual” order later.)

[On John Ford] “Another director, working faster and staying on schedule, might have done it more efficiently, certainly without the close-ups. Romero's is so beautifully lit, with his cheekbones so perfectly shadowed, he might as well be Marlene Dietrich but with human feeling.”

Love that… “but with human feeling.”

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who absolutely loves classic Hollywood, I really wanted to read this book. I will say that I own thousands of classic films, and I hate the films made today. Back then, there were no blue screens, everything done was true. I also own hundreds of biographies of actors, directors, studios, etc. So at least you know that I know where I speak.

Saying that, I own every one of Cesar Romero's films. As is my wont, when I read the biography of an actor (or other), I watch several of their films to help me see them in their performances -- I watch their movements, their eyes, etc. Seeing Cesar on screen has always been a pleasure of mine, and seeing his films again has not lessened it.

Therefore, I was hoping that this book would give me something I didn't know, or something else about Cesar that would appeal. What I learned is that the author is quite taken by the fact that Cesar was gay. It is mentioned on almost every. single. page. If Mr. Romero kept it in his private life; there was a reason. I don't think he would be happy with this biography. It's not that I didn't know he was gay; it didn't matter, as it doesn't matter now. It's difficult to explain, but I would have liked to have had more insight as to how he felt about his costars, each movie, what he enjoyed when not working. Being gay is fine with me; there have always been actors who are gay, and there probably always will be. It doesn't take away from the fact that they are very good actors. (FYI, I am not homophobic; I just like good biographies).

Instead, I got page upon page of his role on the television show Falcon Crest (who cares?) and a few anecdotes thrown in once in a while about what people felt about him. I happened to know that he was lifelong friends with Joan Crawford, and they spent quite a bit of time together, but there was barely a mention of this. Why?

Oh, this book could have been so good. But instead, we got the chronology of his films and the plot lines of nearly all of them. While he had a small role in The Thin Man, he got to show his acting chops, and I love it each time I view it. He also had a very good role in Charlie Chan at Treasure Island. But ah, well. Watch them if you get the chance.

What else can I say? I didn't learn a lot about Mr. Romero from reading this book, but the pictures were nice.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always had a love for Cesar Romero so it was amazing to get to read a well put together biography for him. His works were always impressive and how he mastered acting in such a way that he could be a hearthrob while also being able to hold such a serious and versatile filmography. And getting to read about his time as the most fun joker was a delight!

There is so much information on Cesar Romero that being able to juggle so many sources and quotes without just dumping them all on the reader to untangle is an impressive feat; especially while making it accessible and easy to read instead of some dense like biographies turn out. Also getting the anecdotes on other Hollywood stars was interesting as well, since Cesar had so much influence on the people around him. I'm a Joan Crawford fan so it was a delight to read about their friendship. There's not too much information overload and the use of sources is excellent, scattered through the writing so fluidly that it's easy to follow and feels natural as I am reading.

It also comes through so clearly how much an influence Ceser had on the author by how thoroughly researched and how much care was put into writing his life story. It's not hard to say that Cesar was well loved and regarded after reading, even just in the introduction I immediately connected to him. So it was great to read a biography that was handled so well by someone who loved his life.

This was an interesting read and and the author did a fantastic job making a biography so fun to read. And it must have been so much work to gather so much information and try to find the more unknown aspects of Cesar's life, considering how private he was about his relationships it seems like all that could be found just came down to implications and rumors. Bit it was still such a compelling read and I feel that is how Cesar would have preferred it anyway.

I had fun with this one so thank you NetGalley and University Press of Kentucky for lending me this ARC!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samuel Garza Bernstein’s biography captures the sparkle and sophistication of Cesar Romero, a charismatic and versatile actor, from his days dancing in New York to his numerous films and television work in Hollywood, and his lifelong choice to keep his personal relationships private

The author discusses Romero’s early life and the close bond he shared with his family, which he maintained throughout his life, even during his Hollywood days. It touches briefly on his bachelor status and questions his sexual preferences and how the man remained very private about any relationships he might have had while going from dancer to stage and screen. Included is an extensive list of credits for Romero, spanning both stage and screen, and a wonderful selection of photographs at the end.

I selected this book because I have always been a fan of Cesar Romero, from his Shirley Temple movies to his Falcon Crest days, and of course, who could forget his portrayal of the Joker on the Batman series. I give the author credit for being thorough in including Romero’s impressive list of credits, but it became a chore trying to keep them all straight, bogging down the book. While I did learn of more movies I had not seen him in, a mistake I plan to remedy, I wish the narrative had revealed a bit more about Romero himself beyond his impressive résumé. It made it feel more like a reference guide than a flowing biography.

If you love classic Hollywood and want a detailed guide to the ever-charming Cesar Romero’s work, this book delivers. Readers curious about Romero’s work will find plenty to explore, but those hoping for a revealing personal portrait may be left wanting.

I received this as an ARC. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Zach Koenig · Rating 2 out of 5]

The big flashing "ALERT! ALERT!" sign for "Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild" is that in reality it is half a book. As a result, it is hard to give it a great rating even with the "legitimate half" being fairly interesting.

The first 130 pages of "Joker is Wild" is a solid bio of film & TV legend Cesar Romero, who is of course most well-known now for his portrayal of The Joker on the 1960s Batman television series. Author Samuel Garza Bernstein perhaps gets a little carried away with Romero role-descriptions and inexplicably devotes multiple pages to Falcon Crest plot threads, but for the most part this is good biographical information. It was interesting to see how Romero was a pretty bright star in "Old Hollywood" (largely playing debonair or Latin-lover characters) and how his homosexuality shaped his personal and professional life choices. Even if the Batman material is just 5-6 pages in length, the career examination is enough to keep the pages turning.

But the big issue here: the back-half of "Joker is Wild" is simple a listing of every Romero film/TV appearance, including a brief synopsis and co-star listing. It is not any sort of narrative, but rather a bibliographic listing. It is exhaustive, to be sure, but also an approach I've never seen taken in a bio like this: just listing credits. Something one would seen in an encyclopedia, not an ostensible bio.

All told, I land on 2/5 stars for "Joker is Wild" for the reasons described above. The opening true bio section is of about 3.5 star quality--but the rest is no more (literally) than names, dates, and times. Highly researched? Without a doubt. But overall it is more exactly that--logistical research tome as opposed to anything (outside those first 100-or-so pages) with much "readability".

[John Galluzzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in the 1970s and as such to me Cesar Romero was The Joker. I had no other reference point. I had no idea of the depth and breadth of his career. This book filled in every gap and engendered in me a supreme appreciation for his canon of work.

Not knowing more than his role as The Joker I also had never looked into his private life. The author explores it and carefully deals with the question of Romero's sexuality. In the hidden world of Hollywood of the 1940s, 50s and 60s, when coming out could have been a career killer, Romero played it cool, never tipping his hand. It makes you wonder if everybody in town knew one way or another, but just kept his private life secret to protect the man who apparently got along with everybody.

That, I believe is the Cesar Romero legacy I will take away from reading this book, that if there ever was a true gentleman, Cesar Romero was him. He befriended all, respected all and kept most of his criticisms to himself. He was old Hollywood personified. He was humble, played his part in World War II, in a war zone, life on the line like his brethren. He left us a wild IMDB page, a filmography that shows the broad range of his talent. It seems there was little that he would not try in front of a camera.

In the end it's somewhat incongruous to identify him only with his Batman villain role. He played many villains through time, but villainy seemed a long stretch from his true personality. This book features a lengthy breakdown of his screen work as well as a wonderful but short collection of photos.

[SandyKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from University Press of Kentucky and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Immersive read filled with incredulous stories.
This autobiography reads like flipping through a magazine [complimentary] or sitting down with your friend at the coffee shop to discuss everything that is going on in your lives, at work, in the world [also complimentary]. Filled with sensational stories that are just fantastical enough to be true and those that add a wonderful depth to an remarkable actor and man.
The included Chronology, Bibliography, and Index add interesting context to the work, showing how busy and Cesar Romero was in his career. The inclusion of photos in a biography or autobiography are always a great addition to the work.

Ride the rollercoaster of the highs and lows of stardom.
The story goes deep in this book – all the way to the heart of Cesar Romero. A young actor outwardly shining like a star but internally struggling with supporting those he cares about. This biography shows how the ups and downs of stardom (struggling financial, always searching for work, insecurities even when you do make it “big”) have existed always. As a reader you ride that rollercoaster of the highs and lows throughout the book and throughout Cesar Romero’s life.

The Final Verdict: Great read that transforms a well-recognized character (Joker) into a human (Cesar). Highly recommend!
Stars 4
Would I Recommend? Yes

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and University Press of Kentucky for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I grew up watching reruns of the 1960s television program, Batman, the campy and cult series that has endured for decades. I also am a bit of a film buff, which led me to this biography of Cesar Romero. He played The Joker in the TV series, and had a long history in films, too.

Going in, I knew little about Romero, so this whole book was a revelation. This book worked for me in some ways, but not in others. There are meticulous details of facts that sometimes make this book a dry read. On the other hand, there’s plenty of speculation about Romero’s personal life. (Was he gay? He never married. Ultimately, who cares?) Too much time is spent alternating between the facts and assumptions.

The centerpiece of the book is obviously when Romero landed the role of The Joker. I found that part of the book the most interesting; that doesn’t surprise me as that is why I requested the ARC. It’s amazing the impact of the Batman television show on generations of young and old alike. Romero’s portrayal of the famed comic book villain was a master class in acting.

The biography itself is about half of the book. The remainder is an extraordinarily detailed filmography of all the roles Romero had. Overall, I thought this an adequate biography but not outstanding. I’m glad that this talented actor finally has gotten a biography written about him, though.

[Angel Keiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm very excited that there's a book about Cesar Romero, highlighting his accomplishments and kind, respectful personality. The writing is clear and well-structured.
However, I felt that there was too much given away about the plots of the shows and movies he was in, especially the pages summarizing episodes of Falcon Crest. I understand it's a long show that's not as popular anymore (and doesn't require a spoiler alert after being released in the 80s), but I thought it didn't add to Cesar's life story. It was nice to have insight into his relationships with other Hollywood stars, but between the plot summaries and long list of names, I think it lost focus. The Chronology section at the end was great, comprehensive, and, in my opinion, a better spot for explaining the details of the drama series.
While I love that the author wants to share Romero's truth in ways that the actor couldn't during his lifetime, I worried that the speculation of his sexuality and affair with Tyrone Power being circled back to throughout the book overshadowed the things that Cesar would have wrote in his autobiography, had he gotten the deal he wanted to write it. The author's tone doesn't feel offensive or overbearing at all–it was just mentioned more than I expected and cited a couple of gossipy sources.

Thank you, NetGalley and University Press of Kentucky, for the ARC!

[Taren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Samuel Garza Bernestein's look at the life and career of Cesar Romero in "The Joker Is Wild" is a comprehensive but often dry read, which is a bit of a let-down. While Romero injected so much life and energy and artistry into his roles, his biography reads a bit like a reference book, with less of the nuanced writing of other celebrity biographies.

At times, the book feels padded with detailed recaps of articles from Romero's personal scrapbooks, the sources lost to time, at others, there are long lists of names that don't really add much and might be name-dropping, although some are a bit obscure. Romero's story is certainly interesting, and his contribution to the Batman on-screen legacy is significant, so fans looking for a complete history will certainly find what they're looking for compiled within the 300+ pages. For me, ironically, what the book is missing is that x-factor, that lively spark of "je ne sais que" that Romero himself embodied.

Batman fans will likely still enjoy this look at the actor who gave them their first on-screen version of the Clown Prince of Crime, who set the bar for future performances. Those who like to read about classic stars and the Golden Age of Hollywood will also probably find the history interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced read.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

Informative and highly detailed…

I remember the classic Batman television show well – every pow, each snickery joke and of course the Joker. Cesar Romero was more than a make-up, caricatured villain and this book ably fills in the gaps. This book traces his life and career, hitting all the high and low notes along the way. I’d forgotten the black and white Shirley Temple films like The Little Princess and Wee Willie Winkle. And had no memory of his lengthy turn in Falcon Crest (how did I miss that?). The author recounts not just a dry list of credits but the personal elements that made his acting life (his whole life) interesting and his career lengthy. A bit of a slow start but I soon found myself lost in the glamour and glitz of old Hollywood and the triumphs and tragedies that it brought.

The book was really split into two parts with the first half regaling the personal aspects of his acting life and the second a listing of all productions he was a part of. I would have preferred more anecdotes and stories – the kind shared earlier on - rather than a dry list of his filmography. Regardless, the first half would be a solid 4.5 star read just on its own. Definitely worth a look!

*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to NetGalley and The University Press of Kentucky

[yarnandprose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before reading this book I only knew of Cesar Romero from watching 1960s Batman on TV. This was very in-depth about the man behind the iconic Joker's laugh. It opened my eyes to the long career Romero had in film and TV. The writing clearly shows how much the author admires Romero's career and personal life. The parts of the book about Romero's off screen life and motivations were fascinating. It was easy to see how well researched and respected the subject was.

Parts of the book I glazed and skipped through were when the author went in-depth about different TV show plots Romero was involved in. The author also spends a lot of time dropping names and listing women from different social circles. There were times these paragraphs felt repetitive and out of place. These parts made me feel like I was reading a research or term paper. Those rote details should have been left in the Chronological section of the book.

Overall I am happy to have read the book and learn more about Cesar Romero and the old Hollywood days. There are definitely a few shows and movies I have added to my watch list.

*** Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***

[Ashley Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love old hollywood lore, so I was really excited to read this. I didn't know anything about cesar romero prior to reading this novel, and I think it gave a great overview of his life and accomplishments. some of the other reviews I've seen mentioned that they wish it was written a little more objectively and that it felt a bit like reading a college essay, and I did have the same thoughts as I was reading. however, I also feel like this book was really well done for a concise biography without a lot of fluff. it's also noted within the text that cesar was a pretty private man when it came to his personal life, so I'm not sure how much further in depth it would have been possible to go without speculation. there were a lot of photographs included at the end, which I also really appreciated.

thank you, university press of kentucky & net galley, for allowing me to read an arc of cesar romero: the joker is wild by samuel garza bernstein in exchange for my honest review.

[Ruben · Rating 3 out of 5]

La biografía de una persona, en la mayoría de los casos, carece de una investigación profunda. A menudo se limita a lo ya conocido por los medios o a historias que han sido contadas una y otra vez.
Cesar Romero marcó una época con sus personajes; fue un artista en toda la extensión de la palabra. Son pocos quienes conocen su historia personal y las adversidades que lo llevaron a convertirse en esa figura admirable.
Samuel Garza Bernstein logra construir una narración cautivadora y precisa sobre su vida. Presenta a Romero con todas las herramientas disponibles, sin caer en la especulación ni invadir su intimidad. Considero que, además de ser una excelente introducción al actor, la obra deja abiertas muchas preguntas en torno a temas que se abordan solo de manera superficial.

Gracias University Press of Kentucky por el ejemplar anticipado a través de NetGalley. Opiniones 100% personales

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cesar Romero by Samuel Garza Bernstein is an intriguing look at a mainstay of old Hollywood. Cesar Romero was a man full of life. While most people remember him in the camp classic Batman series, the book details his career full of intriguing roles.

As a gay man in Hollywood, Romero’s dedication to keeping his private life private meant that he’s never been the subject of any of the gossip features that outed many of Hollywood’s leading men. He was dedicated to his family and enjoyed spending time with friends and coworkers.

Bernstein clearly enjoyed diving into Romero’s life and bringing his story into a clearer picture. There is no speculations of scandal. Even Romero’s possible romance with Tyron Power is handled with care and respect. The only true critique I have the work is that it would have been nice if the pictures were spread throughout the book instead of at the end.

4 out of 5 stars.

Hail Cesar, indeed!

[MMJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandmother, born in 1909, simply ADORED Cesar Romero. Thanks to her influence, I knew that he was more than just a campy Joker and so was looking forward to learning more about what shaped the life of such a versatile and talented man. This book, while informative, lacks the storytelling charm that was the essence of Mr. Romero; it reads like a college term paper. The present tense retelling of his life story is a little strange as well. While I appreciate the effort it took to gather so many references, it feels like a pastiche or Frankenstein rather than a cohesive and compelling biography.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free ARC. Opinions stated here are wholly my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre of biographies can be problematic for me because I often find them a little dry. I really enjoyed how the author handled telling Cesar Romero’s body of work. There were fun descriptions of almost all his movie roles and television characters. Some speculation is made about Cesar Romero’s love life but it is handled respectfully and sources are used to infer the claims. There’s some great photos from Cesar Romero’s acting career included. I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for a posted review. I enjoyed my trip to Old Hollywood. I would have liked to know more about Cesar Romero’s trip with Tyrone Power because it was referenced many times but not much details were given.

[Justin Bitner · Rating 4 out of 5]

5-stars for the subject matter. Cesar Romero, who I had only previously know for his role as the Joker in the Batman TV series, is incredibly fascinating. After reading this, I will definitely be going down the rabbit hole to explore his roles pre- and post-Batman.

The majority of the book was fascinating, though I found the breathless play-by-play of Falcon Crest to feel a little out of place. The details and speculation around Romero's private life, which Romero seemed to guard pretty closely, cast a cloud over this for me as well. I think the intentions of the author are good here, it was just an interesting choice to include.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC provided for this review.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know of Cesar Romero from him playing the Joker on the Batman series. I had no idea that he was such a prolific actor. It turns out I have seen him in many other roles, but I did not recognize him because I was used to seeing him in his Joker makeup. There are interesting tidbits about him such as motorcycle riding with Freddy MacMurray. I enjoyed the part of the book detailing his life and talking about Hollywood. The story about David Niven’s wife was tragic. The second half where it went into the chronology of his roles would probably appeal to the extreme fan or researcher more than the casual reader.

Thank you to the author, University Press of Kentucky, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.