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Last Man Standing
In a career that spans over seven decades, Roger Moore has been at the very heart of the show-business scene. We all know him as an actor who has starred in films that have made him famous the world over, but he's also a tremendous prankster, joker and raconteur – in fact, he's well known as one of the nicest guys in the business, and someone who has always been up for some fun.
In this fabulous collection of true stories from his stellar career, Roger lifts the lid on the movie business, from Hollywood to Pinewood. It features outrageous tales from his own life and career as well as those told to him by a host of stars and filmmakers, including Tony Curtis, Sean Connery, Michael Caine, David Niven, Frank Sinatra, Gregory Peck, John Mills, Peter Sellers, Michael Winner, Cubby Broccoli and many more.
Packed with irresistible anecdotes of feisty leading ladies, fearless stuntmen, celebrity drinking buddies, eccentric directors, disastrous auditions, showbiz feuds and persuasive producers, this is a wonderful collection of memories from an extraordinary career. As well as tales of starting out as a jobbing actor in the theatre, filming at Pinewood, drinking with the Rat Pack and meeting royals, Last Man Standing gives a fascinating insight into the world behind the glitz and glamour of show business.
Wonderfully entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny, this selection of tales and personal photographs from the world of the movies is vintage Moore at his very best.
In this fabulous collection of true stories from his stellar career, Roger lifts the lid on the movie business, from Hollywood to Pinewood. It features outrageous tales from his own life and career as well as those told to him by a host of stars and filmmakers, including Tony Curtis, Sean Connery, Michael Caine, David Niven, Frank Sinatra, Gregory Peck, John Mills, Peter Sellers, Michael Winner, Cubby Broccoli and many more.
Packed with irresistible anecdotes of feisty leading ladies, fearless stuntmen, celebrity drinking buddies, eccentric directors, disastrous auditions, showbiz feuds and persuasive producers, this is a wonderful collection of memories from an extraordinary career. As well as tales of starting out as a jobbing actor in the theatre, filming at Pinewood, drinking with the Rat Pack and meeting royals, Last Man Standing gives a fascinating insight into the world behind the glitz and glamour of show business.
Wonderfully entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny, this selection of tales and personal photographs from the world of the movies is vintage Moore at his very best.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2014
141 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Roger Moore
86 books21 followersFor the fantasy author/RPG writer see Roger Moore; for the photographer see Roger “Mzungu” Moore; for the poet see Roger Moore, and for others see Roger Moore
Sir Roger George Moore, KBE was an English actor and film producer, perhaps best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985, and also Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint from 1962 to 1969. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, in 2003 he was knighted in recognition of his humanitarian services, in 2008 appointed a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and in 2012 awarded an honourary doctorate by the University of Hertfordshire.
Sir Roger George Moore, KBE was an English actor and film producer, perhaps best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985, and also Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint from 1962 to 1969. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, in 2003 he was knighted in recognition of his humanitarian services, in 2008 appointed a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and in 2012 awarded an honourary doctorate by the University of Hertfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
October 8, 2020
With a Roger Moore book,a certain amount of laughs are guaranteed.
Previously I had read,"My Word is My Bond",and 'Bond on Bond:Reflections on Fifty Years of James Bond Films".Both were hugely enjoyable books.
Tales from Tinseltown,falls just a bit short by comparison.The laughs aren't quite as plentiful,and the humour is just a little crude.
There are plenty of anecdotes about such names as Frank Sinatara,Peter Sellers,Gregory Peck,Cubby Brocolli and Tony Curtis etc.
Roger Moore refers to himself as "one lucky bastard" and invites the reader to read another collection of "near truths".
He has a less kind opinion of his friend David Niven's stories,which were "borrowed,exaggerated,or outright lies". (That came as a bit of a shock to me,as David Niven's book,Bring on the Empty Horses,is among my favourite Hollywood memoirs).
It may be not be Roger Moore's best book,but is still a good deal of fun.
Previously I had read,"My Word is My Bond",and 'Bond on Bond:Reflections on Fifty Years of James Bond Films".Both were hugely enjoyable books.
Tales from Tinseltown,falls just a bit short by comparison.The laughs aren't quite as plentiful,and the humour is just a little crude.
There are plenty of anecdotes about such names as Frank Sinatara,Peter Sellers,Gregory Peck,Cubby Brocolli and Tony Curtis etc.
Roger Moore refers to himself as "one lucky bastard" and invites the reader to read another collection of "near truths".
He has a less kind opinion of his friend David Niven's stories,which were "borrowed,exaggerated,or outright lies". (That came as a bit of a shock to me,as David Niven's book,Bring on the Empty Horses,is among my favourite Hollywood memoirs).
It may be not be Roger Moore's best book,but is still a good deal of fun.
September 18, 2025
I thought it was going to be a very entertaining book initially. I must say that I have heard many of these stories about other celebrities before, but Roger’s version is sometimes tamer in some cases (when they are about his dear friends). Feels like he lifted his stories from the biographies and memoirs of other people, as well as other books about entertainers, etc.
The thing is the constant stories about farting and men dropping their pants to waggle their dicks around and who’s screwing who became oh so boring and basically disgusting. Disappointing book altogether.
The thing is the constant stories about farting and men dropping their pants to waggle their dicks around and who’s screwing who became oh so boring and basically disgusting. Disappointing book altogether.
July 29, 2021
5 Stars for One Lucky Bastard: Tales From Tinseltown (audiobook) by Sir Roger Moore read by Derek Perkins.
When I started reading this I assumed that it was going to be an autobiography. It’s really more of a companion to his earlier autobiography. The author explained that his publisher wanted another book after he wrote his autobiography. This book is full of stories about TV and film stars in the UK and America. It seems that he met every famous person from his generation. I’ll have to read his memoir now.
When I started reading this I assumed that it was going to be an autobiography. It’s really more of a companion to his earlier autobiography. The author explained that his publisher wanted another book after he wrote his autobiography. This book is full of stories about TV and film stars in the UK and America. It seems that he met every famous person from his generation. I’ll have to read his memoir now.
October 2, 2014
I will start by saying that I’m a huge fan of Sir Roger and his autobiography, “My Word Is My Bond”, is one of my all-time favourite reads so when I found out about this book, shortly after seeing him in “An Evening With…” last year, I pre-ordered it straight away. Subtitled “Tales From Tinseltown”, it does exactly what it says, with Sir Roger (assisted by Gareth Owen) relating anecdotes that have either happened to him, or that have happened to friends of his (and he has a lot of friends). Told in his inimitable style, it sets out the tone in the introduction when he mentions that there might be bad language (there is) as he received a letter from an old lady who read his autobiography and wrote to complain, saying she’d “never watch one of my films again. I have to admit that the immediate halving of my fan base is something that has weighed heavily on my mind ever since”. The book is broken into eight chapters that relate to specific areas and filled with numerous black & white photos and two colour sections (though the second colour set falls unfortunately in the middle of some Victor Spinetti anecdotes so we go from the life and times of Sir Roger to a black & white shot of Victor in his underpants). The photographs, in general, are all behind the scenes and candid, featuring Sir Roger laughing in most of them and it’s lovely to see him clowning around. There are little sprinklings of memoirs throughout the piece and the tone does sometimes become a little melancholic, especially as the book progresses and his old, dear friends pass away though it’s generally laugh out loud funny and always enjoyable. Aside from the print being too big (the book therefore looks bigger than it actually is), this is a great and entertaining read and I’d very much recommend it, though I’d also steer you towards his autobiography. Great fun.
October 17, 2015
As an actor I have always enjoyed Sir Roger Moore in his various parts. His take on 007 for me is more enjoyable as the grumpy miser that currently holds the role who is more of a bruiser compared to the Rogers British gentleman. Rogers halo has always been pleasurable even if he never has been my favorite Saint. Rogers movie life is the center of this novel full of a large collection of anecdotes about the folks within the movie industry some better known than others. Rogers remembrance of so many great characters is full of mischievous little tales that do never give you the feeling of an coherent novel. It is what it is a recollection of tales from a long history working in the movies. Roger does not talk about negatives he tells tales that do give an insight in certain characters my favorite being Dean Martin. This book is not about James Bond or tall tales about that period as Roger Moore has already visited that era in an earlier book. He talks about his other movies and actors/singers/movie makers he met and or worked with.
It is a pleasure to read and it has a lot to offer if you like to know about certain characters from a different era. I guess the roadshow which Roger did to promote his book must have been more fun when he tells some of the stories himself.
A nice book to read but nothing really earth shattering happens. I feel that Roger Moore could have done better. The lack of a thread running through the book was at times annoying, and some of the characters were unknown to me and did not tickle my interest. A lot of hits but to many misses to give it a higher rating.
That said I enjoy the man, I respect the man and think he is one the last great gentlemen from an era in the cinema that we think back in fondness of while being bored to death by CGI vehicles called movies.
It is a pleasure to read and it has a lot to offer if you like to know about certain characters from a different era. I guess the roadshow which Roger did to promote his book must have been more fun when he tells some of the stories himself.
A nice book to read but nothing really earth shattering happens. I feel that Roger Moore could have done better. The lack of a thread running through the book was at times annoying, and some of the characters were unknown to me and did not tickle my interest. A lot of hits but to many misses to give it a higher rating.
That said I enjoy the man, I respect the man and think he is one the last great gentlemen from an era in the cinema that we think back in fondness of while being bored to death by CGI vehicles called movies.
May 22, 2020
A reasonably interesting collection of anecdotes. Those include, how Tony Curtis received a flat in Belgravia as part payment for his role in The Persuaders (nice work if you can get it), how Jack Watson took himself a little too seriously during the filming of The Wild Geese, and how Frank Sinatra payed off his friend Sammy Davis Junior’s Las Vegas gambling debts after he died. Roger Moore takes you into his confidence across years of working, mingling and socialising with the likes of Peter Sellers, Richard Burton, Gregory Peck and many more - with one eyebrow raised in amusement of course.
By this reviewer:
By this reviewer:
September 28, 2014
ONE LUCKY BASTARD, or perhaps LAST MAN STANDING as it may be known when the official edition is released, is the latest book of memoirs from Sir Roger Moore. He, like so many people, delights in telling tales about his working life and some of the people with which he has worked. Unlike you or me, Sir Roger has managed to know the majority of the most famous people in and around the international movie industry.
When you read this it might feel as if he is name-dropping on purpose, but he is just talking about his friends. From the most beautiful women in the world through the most creative and inventive producers and directors, from British television through his early movies and on into and past James Bond, Sir Roger has managed to beguile and befriend them all.
If you are looking for scandal or backstabbing, forget it. You won’t find that sort of thing here. Roger Moore hasn’t managed to withstand seven decades of fame by slandering his friends. Instead you will find the man you always thought he was, the raconteur and ladies man, quick with a joke or to light up your smoke or go for a drink or three. He is the man who has been around the world yet never lost his charm or charisma.
This look at Sir Roger’s friends and adventures is a captivating read that will have you smiling to yourself throughout. It feels at times that you are sitting poolside having drinks and just listening to an old friend tell you snippets from an amazing life.
And I can’t wait to read his next book and learn all the insider secrets of the new Star Wars movies.
I won this book through Goodreads and have been smiling since I first heard the news.
When you read this it might feel as if he is name-dropping on purpose, but he is just talking about his friends. From the most beautiful women in the world through the most creative and inventive producers and directors, from British television through his early movies and on into and past James Bond, Sir Roger has managed to beguile and befriend them all.
If you are looking for scandal or backstabbing, forget it. You won’t find that sort of thing here. Roger Moore hasn’t managed to withstand seven decades of fame by slandering his friends. Instead you will find the man you always thought he was, the raconteur and ladies man, quick with a joke or to light up your smoke or go for a drink or three. He is the man who has been around the world yet never lost his charm or charisma.
This look at Sir Roger’s friends and adventures is a captivating read that will have you smiling to yourself throughout. It feels at times that you are sitting poolside having drinks and just listening to an old friend tell you snippets from an amazing life.
And I can’t wait to read his next book and learn all the insider secrets of the new Star Wars movies.
I won this book through Goodreads and have been smiling since I first heard the news.
September 13, 2016
Roger's 3rd book is heavily made up of a collection of show business anecdotes as opposed to his previous memoir, which was more or less his life story with many lively anecdotes sprinkled throughout. Many of the anecdotes are quite amusing although some are forgettable and all too brief. All in all it was a fun light read. Roger's wit and charm resonate throughout, and I would recommend it to anyone who has already enjoyed his memoir. A couple of the same stories are repeated but there's plenty of new show biz tales in here to keep anyone satisfied. Roger has experienced quite a unique show biz life and he's happy to share many of his own experiences, but he also gives his own take on some show biz tales and myths that were told to him second hand as well as some stories that were likely exaggerated but make for a good story anyway. As the saying goes, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story." As long as you approach the anecdotes with the same lighthearted spirit as Roger, you'll be entertained and amused. I particularly liked his chapter on his encounters with the Rat Pack, and his stories about Bond producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman never fail to fascinate from a Bond fan perspective.
September 5, 2017
Audiobook, I only wished Sir Roger narrated it. An insight into that tennis shorts wearing, Southern France living jet-set lifestyle of 60s/70s movie stars. Seems like the lifestyles depicted on his 1972 tv show "The Persuaders"- where he and aging lothario Tony Curtis drive fast cars, throw money around, toss devastating bon mots, smoke cigars, eat caviars, and drink the best most appropriate boozes (while investigating, privately) - isn't too far off the mark. His stories on Curtis' clinging to his 1950s superstardom well into the '70s and his little schemes to convert per diem expenses into income is endearing. Moore was a late teenager when he got his first TV job...in the late 1940s! He's mingled with old school dance-hall (re: Vaudeville in the US) performers, came up the acting ladder with Michael Caine, Albert Finney, Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton, Joan Collins and Rex Harrison and experience all rungs of the pecking order in show business- from gopher to international icon as James Bond.
March 29, 2021
Great. This doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: Roger Moore's anecdotes and assorted memoirs from his life in television and movies.
Very easy to read, informative and amusing in places - like having a dinner table chat with him really. I like Roger Moore better after reading this, he doesn't seem to think he's anything special and gives lots of credit to those he's worked with with hardly a mention of people who have done him wrong, which is refreshing.
As his mate Michael Caine might have said to him 'Nice one Rog, I enjoyed that'.
Very easy to read, informative and amusing in places - like having a dinner table chat with him really. I like Roger Moore better after reading this, he doesn't seem to think he's anything special and gives lots of credit to those he's worked with with hardly a mention of people who have done him wrong, which is refreshing.
As his mate Michael Caine might have said to him 'Nice one Rog, I enjoyed that'.
November 8, 2024
This book started off really well with some great insights and stories about Hollywood legends that Moore worked with or knew. But it stslls about 3/ 4 way through and the narrative changes to opinions and well known stories. I still liked it
June 7, 2022
A bit of old Hollywood gossip! Good for a casual listen, especially if you know/remember the likes of Johnny Mills, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Lew Grade and the like
October 27, 2014
I’m a huge fan of Sir Roger who not only enjoyed a lengthy and successful career in show business but has worked as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF following on from him hanging up his PPK back in the mid 1980s. Its probably fair to say that he has become a popular and well respected national treasure as he ages gracefully.
When I grew up in the 1970s and 80s Moore was a huge star; in between making the Bond movies (which I grew up watching) he also made some excellent actions movies, specially designed to watch with your Dad: Gold, Sea Wolves, North Sea Hijack, Wild Geese and Cannonball Run for example, not to mention TV series such as The Saint and my personal favourite, The Persuaders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99QQ...
In his third outing as an author “Tales from Tinseltown
” its clear that his off screen life was almost as interesting as what happened to him while on set. The book lives up to its title (sub-title: Last Man Standing; a quote from Frank Sinatra, 'Who's going to be left to turn the light off?', Roger hopes it will be him) as its essentially Rodge relaying decades worth of anecdotes to Gareth Owen. He’s never nasty or malicious when he name checks practically every movie star from the 1950s onwards. The tales are all relayed in a lighthearted manner, along with some candid photographs. These snaps highlight Rodge modelling high fashion over the decades along with him clowning around: my personal favourite is Peter Sellers painting Rogers toenails for some forgotten reason.
The book itself is split into eight chapters:
1) The Fun - and Feisty - Leading Ladies
2) The Pinewood Years
3) Stage-struck
4) On-set Tales
5) The Good Guys (and a Few Rascals)
6) The Rat Pack
7) The Creative Geniuses
8) The Producers
From time to time Sir Roger adds a few thoughts which didn’t make it into his autobiography and the mood dips as he reminisces about friends who have died, gone to “that great cutting room in the sky” as he says but on the whole is an upbeat entertaining giggle from beginning to end. I also like the fact that Roger knows that he’s been lucky for three reasons: the secrets of his success? ... he looked
Thankfully, Moore is very much still standing and that is something which we should be very grateful indeed; highly recommended.
When I grew up in the 1970s and 80s Moore was a huge star; in between making the Bond movies (which I grew up watching) he also made some excellent actions movies, specially designed to watch with your Dad: Gold, Sea Wolves, North Sea Hijack, Wild Geese and Cannonball Run for example, not to mention TV series such as The Saint and my personal favourite, The Persuaders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99QQ...
In his third outing as an author “Tales from Tinseltown
” its clear that his off screen life was almost as interesting as what happened to him while on set. The book lives up to its title (sub-title: Last Man Standing; a quote from Frank Sinatra, 'Who's going to be left to turn the light off?', Roger hopes it will be him) as its essentially Rodge relaying decades worth of anecdotes to Gareth Owen. He’s never nasty or malicious when he name checks practically every movie star from the 1950s onwards. The tales are all relayed in a lighthearted manner, along with some candid photographs. These snaps highlight Rodge modelling high fashion over the decades along with him clowning around: my personal favourite is Peter Sellers painting Rogers toenails for some forgotten reason.The book itself is split into eight chapters:
1) The Fun - and Feisty - Leading Ladies
2) The Pinewood Years
3) Stage-struck
4) On-set Tales
5) The Good Guys (and a Few Rascals)
6) The Rat Pack
7) The Creative Geniuses
8) The Producers
From time to time Sir Roger adds a few thoughts which didn’t make it into his autobiography and the mood dips as he reminisces about friends who have died, gone to “that great cutting room in the sky” as he says but on the whole is an upbeat entertaining giggle from beginning to end. I also like the fact that Roger knows that he’s been lucky for three reasons: the secrets of his success? ... he looked
'like a hero … can remember lines and ... work cheaply'.
Thankfully, Moore is very much still standing and that is something which we should be very grateful indeed; highly recommended.
August 6, 2015
Roger Moore (The Saint, James Bond, etc.) pens a fairly light and breezy memoir since his last one, My Word Is My Bond, touching on entertaining stories about the actors, directors, and producers he's worked with and other celebrities he's known. There's plenty of stuff about producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman (who was Canadian), the Bond producers, as well as David Niven, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Trevor Howard, Michael Caine, Michael Winner, Bryan Forbes, Rex Harrison, Rachel Roberts, Peter O'Toole, Richard Harris, Gregory Peck, and many others. One of the lesser known figures he reminds people of is producer Harry Alan Towers, who though a co-production schlock-meister was a major force in British film finance. There's not much depth here but it's done with self-deprecating humour and an eye to keeping things light and moving along. Gossipy but entertaining. - BH.
June 30, 2015
One Lucky Bastard (alternate title, "Last Man Standing" because the publisher was nervous about the word "Bastard"). This kind of celebrity memoirs I like. Nothing pretentious. No self aggrandizing. Just anecdotes of his time as a working actor. We can't be sure if they are all true (come on, how many biographies are 100% accurate anyway?) but it's perfect if you're looking for some light reading. Moore name drops just about everyone except, for some reason, Sean Connery whom he referred to as "a famous Scottish actor" who is very careful with his money.
January 5, 2015
Silly old gossip - from a silly old gossip.
May 7, 2015
If you love Hollywood tales and name-dropping, this is the book for you! Well done!
September 1, 2017
As much as I like Roger Moore, I can't think of a good reason for this book to exist. During his eighth decade of life, with very few acting roles coming his way, Moore turned to writing books. His first two efforts--an autobiography and a book on the James Bond series--were sensible choices that gave fans exactly the sort of thing they wanted and expected from an ex-007. ONE LUCKY BASTARD, however, feels like a book no one asked for. A book written mainly to keep an 86-year-old man occupied while earning some money on the side. It's a vanity project minus the vanity.
I downloaded it from Audible, which probably wasn't the best way to go. If you are dead-set on reading ONE LUCKY BASTARD (alternatively titled LAST MAN STANDING in case you don't like naughty words staring out at you from your bookshelf), I'd suggest putting a copy atop the ole commode in lieu of the latest READER'S DIGEST. The book is basically a collection of mildly amusing anecdotes, and I can't think of a better way to experience it than while sitting on the can. Listening to it for long stretches on audiobook frequently caused my mind to wander, and not having access to the pictures was a significant downgrade, though the British narrator did a great job of sounding like Roger Moore back in his prime.
When I visualize this book being written, I imagine Moore sitting by the pool, drink in hand, talking into a recorder about every little showbiz-related tidbit that occurred to him. Eventually, I suppose, someone took the recordings, transformed them into prose, and organized them into various chapters focusing on writers, producers, Old Hollywood, Pinewood Studios, British theater, stuntmen, etc. But even with that, the book still feels like a collection of rambling, unrelated anecdotes scatter-gunned at the reader in dizzying fashion. Which wouldn't be so bad were it not for the fact that a large portion of them are little more than hearsay--stories related to Moore by others, without any sort of verification. This makes the book very gossipy in style and subsequently less interesting.
Another good alternative title would be SPEAKING ILL OF THE DEAD, since Moore's stories are invariably unflattering to the people being discussed, except maybe in the case of Frank Sinatra. (And except, of course, for Moore himself, who always seems very down-to-earth and jocular. Hmm...) Yet, though Moore is unsparing in the way he presents his showbiz colleagues, he actually comes across as refreshingly candid rather than mean. You get the sense he genuinely liked his Hollywood compatriots and thought their off-camera behavior was delightfully eccentric--and not total cuckoo bananas, which is how I would describe it.
ONE LUCKY BASTARD is a scrapbook of random memories--some amusing, some not. As a fan of behind-the-scenes Hollywood tell-alls, I was tempted to rate it three stars just for containing some interesting stories about Errol Flynn, Bette Davis, Albert R. Broccoli, Burt Lancaster, and the like. But who knows how accurate these stories are and whether or not the majority of them even happened? Ultimately, the only real selling point of this book is Roger Moore's trademark humor and charm. And that simply isn't enough.
I downloaded it from Audible, which probably wasn't the best way to go. If you are dead-set on reading ONE LUCKY BASTARD (alternatively titled LAST MAN STANDING in case you don't like naughty words staring out at you from your bookshelf), I'd suggest putting a copy atop the ole commode in lieu of the latest READER'S DIGEST. The book is basically a collection of mildly amusing anecdotes, and I can't think of a better way to experience it than while sitting on the can. Listening to it for long stretches on audiobook frequently caused my mind to wander, and not having access to the pictures was a significant downgrade, though the British narrator did a great job of sounding like Roger Moore back in his prime.
When I visualize this book being written, I imagine Moore sitting by the pool, drink in hand, talking into a recorder about every little showbiz-related tidbit that occurred to him. Eventually, I suppose, someone took the recordings, transformed them into prose, and organized them into various chapters focusing on writers, producers, Old Hollywood, Pinewood Studios, British theater, stuntmen, etc. But even with that, the book still feels like a collection of rambling, unrelated anecdotes scatter-gunned at the reader in dizzying fashion. Which wouldn't be so bad were it not for the fact that a large portion of them are little more than hearsay--stories related to Moore by others, without any sort of verification. This makes the book very gossipy in style and subsequently less interesting.
Another good alternative title would be SPEAKING ILL OF THE DEAD, since Moore's stories are invariably unflattering to the people being discussed, except maybe in the case of Frank Sinatra. (And except, of course, for Moore himself, who always seems very down-to-earth and jocular. Hmm...) Yet, though Moore is unsparing in the way he presents his showbiz colleagues, he actually comes across as refreshingly candid rather than mean. You get the sense he genuinely liked his Hollywood compatriots and thought their off-camera behavior was delightfully eccentric--and not total cuckoo bananas, which is how I would describe it.
ONE LUCKY BASTARD is a scrapbook of random memories--some amusing, some not. As a fan of behind-the-scenes Hollywood tell-alls, I was tempted to rate it three stars just for containing some interesting stories about Errol Flynn, Bette Davis, Albert R. Broccoli, Burt Lancaster, and the like. But who knows how accurate these stories are and whether or not the majority of them even happened? Ultimately, the only real selling point of this book is Roger Moore's trademark humor and charm. And that simply isn't enough.
January 26, 2022
By my own reading standards I devoured this book in record time , delighting in Roger’s easy going, amusing narrative style
I also enjoyed the author’s previous book’ My Word Is My Bond ‘ which concentrated on his time playing two career defining acting roles on TV and film - Simon Templar in ‘The Saint ‘ and numerous appearances as the iconic James Bond
In this book Roger Moore concentrated on reminiscing on his professional and private life , recalling stories about numerous Hollywood legends he met along the way, many of whom he counted as close friends , all written in a funny self depreciating style, by someone who clearly didn’t take himself too seriously
Roger certainly lived the life , staying in some of the most exotic locations imaginable, while often rubbing shoulders with acting royalty, from Hollywoods golden era , and dining out in fabulous restaurants all over the world
Sir Roger also referenced some fabulous and rewarding work achieved , during his time as Goodwill Ambassador for ‘Save The Children ‘
The books title refers to the fact the author aged 86 at the time of writing this book , was aware that many of his pals had passed on , and that he indeed felt like ‘the last man standing ‘ at times
It’s quite poignant to note Roger Moore himself entered the big ‘ Cutting Room In The Sky ‘ not too long after this tome was published
I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone with a keen interest in ‘UK Cult TV ‘ , Bond , and Tinsel Town history and personalities ✅👌💥🔥⚡️
I also enjoyed the author’s previous book’ My Word Is My Bond ‘ which concentrated on his time playing two career defining acting roles on TV and film - Simon Templar in ‘The Saint ‘ and numerous appearances as the iconic James Bond
In this book Roger Moore concentrated on reminiscing on his professional and private life , recalling stories about numerous Hollywood legends he met along the way, many of whom he counted as close friends , all written in a funny self depreciating style, by someone who clearly didn’t take himself too seriously
Roger certainly lived the life , staying in some of the most exotic locations imaginable, while often rubbing shoulders with acting royalty, from Hollywoods golden era , and dining out in fabulous restaurants all over the world
Sir Roger also referenced some fabulous and rewarding work achieved , during his time as Goodwill Ambassador for ‘Save The Children ‘
The books title refers to the fact the author aged 86 at the time of writing this book , was aware that many of his pals had passed on , and that he indeed felt like ‘the last man standing ‘ at times
It’s quite poignant to note Roger Moore himself entered the big ‘ Cutting Room In The Sky ‘ not too long after this tome was published
I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone with a keen interest in ‘UK Cult TV ‘ , Bond , and Tinsel Town history and personalities ✅👌💥🔥⚡️
October 23, 2018
As a Bond fan, I picked this up on a whim from the public library and read it as a diverting palate-cleanser after picking myself out of the overly cerebral (in a bad way) mire of Children of Dune. I have them the same rating, but for different reasons. In the case of the late Sir Roger, my two-star rating isn't because it wasn't enjoyable, but just for its thinness. I suppose if I had read any of his previous (also certainly ghostwritten) memoirs it might have been higher because I might have had more context. But as it is, One Lucky Bastard is just a disconnected series of anecdotes and vignettes from his life in show business, a good 40 percent of which, it seemed, were being relayed secondhand. Not that they weren't amusing, but the whole time I was basically asking, "so what, Sir Roger?"
May 31, 2018
I picked this one up on a whim at the library, looking for some tidbits of Moore's many days as James Bond. This is not the book for that. I guess his three previous books covered Bond in great detail. This one, written when he was in his late 80s, is a weak effort, collecting numerous anecdotes of colleagues in the film industry. It's loaded with gossip, some of it passed down secondhand or even third-hand, which makes you wonder about the accuracy of some of the stories. Moore's life in show business goes back to the late 1940's, and he overlapped with many of Hollywood and UK film legends. I'll seek out his other books and see what they have to offer. Avoid this one unless you are a chronic Hollywood gossip junkie.
August 22, 2019
A long time ago, I read a very good autobiography by David Niven, "The Moon is a Balloon". I thought this would be like it, the story of Roger Moore; but it isn't.
This is a series of loosely connected vignettes, reminiscences of events in his life or stories people have told him; all about the famous movie people he was associated with, mostly from the fifties to the eighties. I am fortunate (in this case) to be of an age where I'd heard of or knew about most of the people involved.
I didn't find this to be a book to sit down and read. More a case of dipping into it while reading other books. It felt bitty, and not very gripping.
I now know that Roger Moore has written a proper biography, "My Word is my Bond". Perhaps I'll read that; but not yet.
This is a series of loosely connected vignettes, reminiscences of events in his life or stories people have told him; all about the famous movie people he was associated with, mostly from the fifties to the eighties. I am fortunate (in this case) to be of an age where I'd heard of or knew about most of the people involved.
I didn't find this to be a book to sit down and read. More a case of dipping into it while reading other books. It felt bitty, and not very gripping.
I now know that Roger Moore has written a proper biography, "My Word is my Bond". Perhaps I'll read that; but not yet.
October 20, 2024
This was such a laugh I am so glad I listened to it (not sure how it would have worked as a book but listening to it was a treat) It just felt like I was sitting in a cosy inn with a fireplace going and he was telling stories. I learnt so much about Hollywood and his friends, I loved the elements re filming in different locations.
There was not a lot about Bond but a useful reminder re the fact that Roger Moore is more than just Bond.
There were so many fun anecdotes - like the ginseng, the filming that was going to be in Greek Islands, then went to Canary Islands and then back and forth along Tilbury Docks due to budget issues.
This was such a find on the audible plus catalogue I wouldn't have thought of listening to it otherwise.
There was not a lot about Bond but a useful reminder re the fact that Roger Moore is more than just Bond.
There were so many fun anecdotes - like the ginseng, the filming that was going to be in Greek Islands, then went to Canary Islands and then back and forth along Tilbury Docks due to budget issues.
This was such a find on the audible plus catalogue I wouldn't have thought of listening to it otherwise.
February 7, 2023
Really loved this and it was a real eye opener as to what goes on in the film and television industry when the cameras are not rolling. Full of funny stories and interesting facts about actors and actresses, directors, producers and more. If it does not make you laugh then i will be very surprised. Roger Moore is a man that is quite open to ridiculing himself and does not think he is above everyone just because of who he is. Several of the stories show just how down to earth he is. Well worth a read for anyone who is interested in Hollywood, the UK Film Industry or just for a laugh :) A++++
March 15, 2023
I've been reading a lot of Roger Moore's reminiscences recently as there was a batch in Audible included content and I feel a certain nostalgia for so many of gis films that I enjoyed back in the day. Some of these anecdotes are personsl, some about people he knew and others just from the general tinseltown mythology. They are interesting in that order but obviously the whole is a little rambling. Moore take a slightly immature delight in pranks, misbehaviour and pomposity of actors which gives this a slightly gossipy feel. Not unamusing and it's perhaps good to know that so many of the Gods and Goddesses of Hollywood were frequently inclined to act like a-holes.
October 3, 2023
I loved this book, so much so I have read it twice (albeit some time apart).
Roger Moore's style is conversational and witty (indeed very funny). In fact his writing reminds me very much of the BBC broadcaster, Terry Wogan for some reason. Perhaps they had a similar humour. Whatever, this is a lighhearted tale of a life in the business of show (as he puts it), and as he admits, full of the name dropping of stars.
If you are looking for something not too heavy, that is likely to make you laugh out loud with a bit of typical British sauce (that has been so dumbed down in these times of political correctness) then get hold of a copy.
Roger Moore's style is conversational and witty (indeed very funny). In fact his writing reminds me very much of the BBC broadcaster, Terry Wogan for some reason. Perhaps they had a similar humour. Whatever, this is a lighhearted tale of a life in the business of show (as he puts it), and as he admits, full of the name dropping of stars.
If you are looking for something not too heavy, that is likely to make you laugh out loud with a bit of typical British sauce (that has been so dumbed down in these times of political correctness) then get hold of a copy.
June 4, 2024
I really wanted to like this book as I have been a big Roger Moore fan ever since I saw him in the 1960s The Saint on tv repeats in the 1980s which led me to watch him in A View to a Kill his last 007 outing and I have been a James Bond fan ever since.
I thought this should be more of a memoir but really isn't about him it is about him telling stories and anecdotes about others ...quite often about people I haven't even heard of and some of the stories are just boring.
Towards the end I started skim reading as was all just too tedious and boring anecdotes about people I don't know and don't care to know about!
I am afraid I can't recommend this one!
I thought this should be more of a memoir but really isn't about him it is about him telling stories and anecdotes about others ...quite often about people I haven't even heard of and some of the stories are just boring.
Towards the end I started skim reading as was all just too tedious and boring anecdotes about people I don't know and don't care to know about!
I am afraid I can't recommend this one!
June 20, 2017
It isn't until Sir Roger Moore talks about the stars of the golden age of Hollywood like Tony Curtis, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor that I realized so many of the people who can relate to those stars are now dead. Although I had no clue about the people in theatre he was talking about, the tales of the actor and his colleagues were entertaining enough that I wish I could have experienced much of his exploits. If you want a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous, this book provides much.
August 10, 2018
As much as I love Sir Rodge, this rather lightweight collection of showbiz gossip and celebrity name dropping is only an occasionally amusing, largely prosaic read. It is also not helped by a paucity of Bond references or anecdotes- he only refers to 'Jimmy Bond' when he has to. There are no deep revelations or insights as one would expect but even the late star's trademark humour has been de-emphasised and the approach feels heavily edited and watered down, which unfortunately only makes for a duller read.
July 18, 2020
Listened to the audiobook of this and loved it campy and told with wit and self deprecating humour Moore details his adventures on TV and Film sets as well as second hand stories from famous faces such as Peter Sellers and Michael Caine. If you don't like name dropping celebrity memoirs then this is not for you but it is quite a good memoir and stands up for reading a second time due to Jonathan Keeble who incredibly mimics Moore's distinctive voice as well as some of the key players such as Dean Martin and John Wayne.
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