Jane Russell: My Path and My Detours: An Autobiography

by Jane Russell

extremely rare,very good condition

Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Memoir

341 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1985

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was born on Jane Russell's 31st birthday, both of us Geminis on the cusp of Cancer. That would have meant something to her as she was really interested in all things astrological. When referring to people in her autobiography she frequently mentions their sign of the Zodiac. She liked to surround herself with Geminis.

Russell was amply endowed up top and had legs that went right from here to there, otherwise she might have spent her days working in the doctor's office where she was spotted by an agent working for Howard Hughes. He starred her in The Outlaw, highlighting as much of her rack as he could get away with at the time, all pretty tame by today's standards. In fact Hughes was heard to say that there were two reasons men came to see Jane Russell. Over the course of her career she starred in a number of westerns; she was well suited for them as she brought her own pair of matched 38s. The best westerns, other than The Outlaw, were comedic westerns in which she appeared alongside Bob Hope, The Paleface and Son of Paleface. Her serious, even surly, approach made her the perfect straight (wo)man for Hope. I've seen her in one other western, The Tall Men, but she is more a property for Robert Ryan and Clark Gable to fight over than anything else. I remember she spent an ungodly amount of time changing her long stockings.

Jane covers all the ground in her book: her childhood and teen years, rise to stardom, her marriage to NFL Hall of Famer Robert Waterfield, (her childhood sweetheart), and their eventual adoption of three children. Jane avoids mentioning that she was probably made infertile by an abortion she had as a teenager. Ironically, the child was probably Waterfield's, but she wasn't sure. She went on to found an organization to assist the adoption of children from other countries into American homes, WAIF. She goes on to tell the reader what the word "waif" means, a condescension I didn't care for. It's not the only time in the book that she does this. It drives me batty.

One of Russell's peculiarities that struck me even as a child watching her movies is that she seldom seems happy. She has that look...I don't know...cynical, aloof, maybe even surly. Turns out she is a bit of a bitch and drama queen. Slicing her husband's face with a fork at a dinner with guests present, screaming, ranting, carrying on. But at least she admits to it...although she has a tendency to downplay her transgressions. Her infidelities were things of beauty while his were an affront to family and the institution of marriage.

It's amazing that there were any infidelities at all, given the fact that Russell lays claim to being so all-fired religious. Her staff couldn't do thing one without joining her in prayer and she frequently coerced fellow actors to attend Bible study at the family chapel. This is the point where she lost me; frequently throughout the book she inserts messages she has received from God either directly or channeled through a friend. These messages are quite detailed and written down as though she remembered every word. If I read it correctly, there's even one message where He tells her to go ahead and continue an affair she was having. I have nothing against religion, but don't pretend that God has the time to give you a personal message about what job to take when he could use that time to stop hunger or bring world peace. I think I would have refrained from writing that...even the Pope doesn't pull that shit off.

This book was nicely written in more-or-less chronological order. I found Jane to be an average actress and better than average singer. She brings you in, introduces you to the family, tells you about the ups and downs, successes and failures. She doesn't hide her alcoholism or her stay in the nervous hospital. She had some class, and even though she had something to show she refrained from putting it on display. She seemed loyal to friends and really didn't have too much in the way of bad things to say about anyone. There are lots of photos of Jane, her family and associates. It's a nicely constructed book, but come on, Jane! Messages from God...Really?

[Luke Devenish · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's impossible not to like Jane, especially up on screen, but man she tests a fan's commitment here. I found this relentlessly cheery and one note. EVERYTHING's got a silver lining! If Pollyanna had a backyard abortion she could look to Jane for tips on how to keep glad about it, for that's just what Jane does. It's like she's made out of Teflon. Obviously God's the bloody problem here. Too damn much of Him. She says she never preached at anyone, and more's the pity she didn't because she serves up fifty years worth of pent up preaching here. Oh, I still love you, Jane, you're obviously a swell gal, but in print you're too often a dull one. Not nearly enough Hollywood and way too much speaking in tongues.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Russell must have been a hoot! Would have loved to been one of her girlfriends. She believed strongly in family, God, and calling it as it is. Look forward to seeing some of her movies again.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actress Jane Russell’s autobiography was fun as she tells her story with such frankness and honesty, I felt like I was sitting down with her having coffee as she shared her story. She became a sex symbol in the 1940s when she was in her chosen by Howard Hughes to be in his film, “The Outlaw.” Her first husband was her high school sweetheart who went on to be a football player, Robert Waterfield for the Rams. After a blotched abortion, she could not have children and ended up adopting three children. She also founded the WAIF, an international adoption agency. After divorcing Waterfield, she was married twice more. She acted in other films and the theater. She was very religious and valued her friends and family throughout her life.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hoot!

[Katiness · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was pretty much just what I was expecting, a straightforward, no-nonsense writing from a woman who didn't make excuses and didn't take them either. I definitely enjoyed it. But if you're looking for a tell-all gossipy book, search elsewhere.

[Old Soul Reader87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from the religious parts that I skipped as I personally found it irrelevant to why I read the book. I idolised Jane and found her life interesting and enjoyable to read. A true Hollywood icon, that proves we are all people no matter what our status.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

As autobiographies go this was pretty par for the course -- a movie star with an ego recounting her life & loves. Russell's main difference is that she considers herself very religious, and that the Lord talks to her.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I left reading this book thinking that not only was Jane Russell a beautiful woman on the outside, but she is a true beauty on the inside. What a class act!

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Movie actress Jane Russell tells her life story. The autobiography was published in 1985 and Russell died in 2011. Very readable giving insights into her everyday life and career.

[Piper Winchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane is a hoot!
I haven't watched many of her films but it was fun getting to know her,
I loved how she was there for Marilyn.

[Ilena Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

really interesting. I liked the parts where she knew Howard Hughes.