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June Allyson
Book by Allyson, June
262 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1983
128 people want to read
About the author
June Allyson
5 books5 followersJune Allyson was born Eleanor Geisman and was raised by her single mother. She had a passion for show business from an early age and although she was struck by a large falling tree limb when she was young and was predicted to never walk again, she worked hard at walking and later taught herself to dance by imitating her favorite screen personalities, namely Ginger Rogers. She auditioned for a Broadway show on a dare and shocked herself when she was given a small part. Her participation in successful shows like Panama Hattie and Best Foot Forward lead her to be chosen among her fellow cast members to appear in the film version of the latter show.
From there she won a contract at MGM and became a big star playing sweet women who came to embody the ideal wife and mother to the soldiers fighting in WWII.
Following her first husband Dick Powell's death in 1963, June tried to stay busy but struggled with alcohol for a time. She continued working for decades and appeared in both movies and on television.
June was married to three men and had two children.
From there she won a contract at MGM and became a big star playing sweet women who came to embody the ideal wife and mother to the soldiers fighting in WWII.
Following her first husband Dick Powell's death in 1963, June tried to stay busy but struggled with alcohol for a time. She continued working for decades and appeared in both movies and on television.
June was married to three men and had two children.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 26, 2012
Oh, that Junie Face. Where do I begin? First of all, when reading about her husband Richard, aka Dick Powell, I kept waiting for mention of Myrna Loy and Asta the Wonder Dog. Finally I realized I was confusing Dick with William Powell. Oops.
Secondly, lots of good juicy gossip bits, which I quite enjoyed. I loved getting a "girlfriend" glimpse of Judy Garland and the old MGM studio system. But June seems to make a lot of points about her life geared towards defending herself against specific rumors about her--ones I hadn't known even existed. So I felt I couldn't truly understand the significance of some of the events she described because I had no background on it, other than her subtle remarks seemlessly sewn into the narration, e.g. "That was a rumor going around about me. That was just not true!"
I was reading the book on a plane, and another passenger asked me, "So is it true that June Allyson really was a bitch?" I said, "Not according to her. This is her autobiography." She does present herself to be a sunny, rather innocent, girl-next-door type, although she does 'fess up to some uncharitable feelings and not-so-nice actions. But bitch? Who would say that about her--except for maybe Joan Blondell?
I was pretty disturbed by the nature of June's marriage to Richard--thirteen or so years older than her, she said Richard joked about how he was raising three daughters (one being June). That was no real joke--it seemed he went out of his way to keep her dependent on him. If she even tried to voice an opinion on any of his decision-making about their lives, he negated it or belittled it or, in one case, dominated her with an enforced make-out session which then went to the bedroom. Yuk. Not that June tried asserting herself often--she seemed content to let him handle both of their careers, money, and lives overall. She didn't seem to be one for a lot in-depth analysis on herself.
And that's how the book read overall--fun in a gossipy kind of way and a good slice of Hollywood history, but lacking any real personal depth. But it's the "June Allyson" co-authored autobiography fer cryin' out loud--one couldn't expect otherwise.
Secondly, lots of good juicy gossip bits, which I quite enjoyed. I loved getting a "girlfriend" glimpse of Judy Garland and the old MGM studio system. But June seems to make a lot of points about her life geared towards defending herself against specific rumors about her--ones I hadn't known even existed. So I felt I couldn't truly understand the significance of some of the events she described because I had no background on it, other than her subtle remarks seemlessly sewn into the narration, e.g. "That was a rumor going around about me. That was just not true!"
I was reading the book on a plane, and another passenger asked me, "So is it true that June Allyson really was a bitch?" I said, "Not according to her. This is her autobiography." She does present herself to be a sunny, rather innocent, girl-next-door type, although she does 'fess up to some uncharitable feelings and not-so-nice actions. But bitch? Who would say that about her--except for maybe Joan Blondell?
I was pretty disturbed by the nature of June's marriage to Richard--thirteen or so years older than her, she said Richard joked about how he was raising three daughters (one being June). That was no real joke--it seemed he went out of his way to keep her dependent on him. If she even tried to voice an opinion on any of his decision-making about their lives, he negated it or belittled it or, in one case, dominated her with an enforced make-out session which then went to the bedroom. Yuk. Not that June tried asserting herself often--she seemed content to let him handle both of their careers, money, and lives overall. She didn't seem to be one for a lot in-depth analysis on herself.
And that's how the book read overall--fun in a gossipy kind of way and a good slice of Hollywood history, but lacking any real personal depth. But it's the "June Allyson" co-authored autobiography fer cryin' out loud--one couldn't expect otherwise.
July 25, 2020
Lovely life story about the lady I am named after.
March 21, 2012
June Allyson was a lovely woman, and this book reflects that. She describes her life, from an early life minus a father, an accident that caused her to be crippled, a love of dancing that made her fight to be able to move her legs, a brash spirit that made her audition time after time, even though she was mostly laughed at, and success as an actress who portrayed women that every man wanted to marry. She did marry to Dick Powell, who she speaks glowingly about, and at length. She also talks about her life after his death, from a difficult marriage and troubles with alcohol to getting through it and having a wonderful life. She is inspirational and conversational.
July 26, 2012
I just meant to skim this, but I ended up reading the whole thing. Great stuff about Judy Garland and Rita Hayworth. And the encounter with Joan Crawford was scary. Too bad June didn't have the guts to intervene or at least encourage Crawford's children to visit her--she might have saved them a lot of grief.
Ms. Allyson was quite the name dropper--while describing her husband's appendicitis attack, did she HAVE to mention that his doctor was also Humphrey Bogart's doctor?--but overall comes off as very sympathetic.
Ms. Allyson was quite the name dropper--while describing her husband's appendicitis attack, did she HAVE to mention that his doctor was also Humphrey Bogart's doctor?--but overall comes off as very sympathetic.
June 8, 2024
I love to read about film, how films were made and who made them. This is about 90% a very personal story, which I guess isn't unusual for a memoir. June Allyson is in one of my favorite MGM musicals - Good News - and I generally enjoy her screen performances. Sadly, the book is pretty dull.
The majority of the book is about her marriage to Dick Powell, who was her great love although, reading the book, he kind of seems like a major asshole. She didn't think so. She never had any idea how much money she had or made - he took care of that - and she pretty much did whatever he told her to do. This apparently made her happy. It did not make this reader happy. This is not a book for feminists.
There are some good moments - her close friendship with Judy Garland, her rocky relationship with Dick Powell's second wife,Joan Blondell (They made a film together - The Opposite Sex - and had scenes together. Not mentioned in the book). She also mentions witnessing Joan Crawford disciplining Christina and she did have a "non sexual" affair with Alan Ladd, which is kind of interesting as well as odd. Powell did leave her a pile of money and she remarried and seemed to be happy for the rest of her life.
I'm a fan so I was disappointed. If you have any interest in this book, I suggest just watching "Good News"
The majority of the book is about her marriage to Dick Powell, who was her great love although, reading the book, he kind of seems like a major asshole. She didn't think so. She never had any idea how much money she had or made - he took care of that - and she pretty much did whatever he told her to do. This apparently made her happy. It did not make this reader happy. This is not a book for feminists.
There are some good moments - her close friendship with Judy Garland, her rocky relationship with Dick Powell's second wife,Joan Blondell (They made a film together - The Opposite Sex - and had scenes together. Not mentioned in the book). She also mentions witnessing Joan Crawford disciplining Christina and she did have a "non sexual" affair with Alan Ladd, which is kind of interesting as well as odd. Powell did leave her a pile of money and she remarried and seemed to be happy for the rest of her life.
I'm a fan so I was disappointed. If you have any interest in this book, I suggest just watching "Good News"
March 13, 2024
We tend to look at the rich and famous in a different light, seeing them as often living a life of pleasure. This book tells us the truth -- they are just ordinary people, with ordinary issues to deal with. June Allyson describes her life in such an open and honest way. She also talks about many of her friends, which we also know from film and stage. An interesting book.
June 19, 2019
June's autobiography is a great read for anyone who loves classic Hollywood. As a fan of her work, I found this interesting and informative. It's like having a conversation with with Ms. Allyson herself.
February 3, 2022
It was ok. Not the greatest biography nor the best written, but I love June, and there were enough stories in the book about her, Judy Garland and Margaret O'brien, among other favourites, to please me.
July 21, 2020
June Allyson is truly an American Sweetheart. She wrote with honesty and humor about her life, career, and marriage. Love her as an actress and as a person.
August 9, 2022
Fantastic autobiography of one of my favourite actresses! It was so good I wanted to devour it but also didn't want to finish,so I read it very slowly. There wasn't a single dry sentence. I love June even more now.
I loved reading about her unique path to her dreams and that she taught herself to dance by watching Fred Astaire movies repeatedly. I found many of her likes and traits to be like me and that was fun,it felt like we would have been best friends.
Lots of stories about other actors and actresses here too, especially Dick Powell,her husband, and Judy Garland,but many others are heavily mentioned. I'd hoped for more Jimmy Durante and Margaret O'Brien stories,but there was a couple.
Fast,easy to read, fascinating and a rollercoaster of emotions,a fantastic autobiography of the Golden Age's sweetest actress. I absolutely Loved it!!
I loved reading about her unique path to her dreams and that she taught herself to dance by watching Fred Astaire movies repeatedly. I found many of her likes and traits to be like me and that was fun,it felt like we would have been best friends.
Lots of stories about other actors and actresses here too, especially Dick Powell,her husband, and Judy Garland,but many others are heavily mentioned. I'd hoped for more Jimmy Durante and Margaret O'Brien stories,but there was a couple.
Fast,easy to read, fascinating and a rollercoaster of emotions,a fantastic autobiography of the Golden Age's sweetest actress. I absolutely Loved it!!
July 28, 2012
I thought she came off a little too goody two shoes.
I did enjoy it overall. Pretty chatty though.
And the enmity between her and Joan Blondell kind of got to me. Also, she tries to forgive herself for not doing anything when there was something so clearly wrong between Joan Crawford and her children.
I did enjoy it overall. Pretty chatty though.
And the enmity between her and Joan Blondell kind of got to me. Also, she tries to forgive herself for not doing anything when there was something so clearly wrong between Joan Crawford and her children.
January 24, 2015
I enjoyed this quick and easy read. I was not to aware of June allyson till I read her book. She always looked old to me...even young she was old. The part where she puts down Joan made me suspect of her version of how she won over the married dick Powell as well. The husband after dick ...no name given oddly...She married twice and brushed over. eh
May 20, 2009
Another one to add to the list of really awesome autobiographies - June Allyson's story is a lovely read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews