David Carradine, The Eye of My Tornado

by Marina Anderson

Marina Anderson was just starting out taking acting lessons at Warner Bros., when she wandered one afternoon onto the candlelit set of a Shaolin temple and met for the first time, the volatile, dark and brilliant personality that was actor and icon, David Carradine. Two dynamic people merging into a karmic-destined, intense and turbulent love relationship. Each struggling with their own demons including sexual abuse and incest. Their private life was replete with love, passion, erotic pleasure and eventually bondage, sexual experimentation, and pain as an avenue to pleasure. Their marriage was marred by a toxic secret that could not be ignored. Her writing
speaks to readers universally by focusing on their personal journey, revealing the truth about the couple, addresses conquering fear and overcoming obstacles, self discovery, recovery, re-inventing and rebuilding one's self. It's her personal survival while desperately trying to save the marriage as well as Carradine's constant struggle to be someone he wasn't, but wished he could be.

Spirituality, psychic John Edward,other psychics and astrologers who helped her are written about in the book as well. They were married on the Warner Bros. back lot and their six-year relationship was a whirl of auditions, star-studded parties, exotic locations, red carpets and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Marina, who was already an established actress, became Carradine's personal manager and set about rehabilitating the career of an actor who was now known for his heavy drinking. She introduced him to Quentin Tarantino, who cast David in a lead role in the popular Kill Bill films. This vaulted Carradine back onto the Hollywood A-list.

After their divorce with the help of re-known celebrity Dr. Drew Pinsky (Celebrity Rehab, Sober House), issues are addressed in the consultation verbatim, occupying an entire chapter. Anderson was able to finally exorcise the demons that have haunted her for so long about their relationship and herself that almost destroyed her.

"This book is an avenue for his fans and the general public to know, understand and hopefully accept him as a man, not a celluloid fantasy...to be admired for his talents and the motivations behind certain issues in his life understood. It's also to reveal the very personal interior of a marriage that people can relate to. What we do for love. We are all human beings with our faults. He was afraid people wouldn't remember him. That will never happen. The legend continues."

David Carradine's acting career spanned four decades onstage, television and cinema. He became an international sensation as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s hit television series Kung Fu and cemented his cult hero status with his role in the classic movie Death Race 2000. He portrayed Woody Guthrie in Hal Ashby's Bound for Glory and Bill in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films. Carradine received four Golden Globe nominations. He was a talented songwriter and musician and performed in a band called Cosmic Rescue Team.

He died in a Bangkok hotel room, June 3, 2009, an apparent victim of autoerotic asphyxiation. Amid sensational media speculation, Marina refused to let David's death remain stigmatized like it was and launched her own investigation into the death of her ex-husband. Suicide? Foul play? A sex act gone wrong? Was he alone? Was there a cover-up? Her conclusions are startling.

495 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

THIS Marina Anderson is NOT the same person as the erotic book author, Margaret Bingley, who's "pen" name is also Marina Anderson!

THIS Marina Anderson is an established actress, voice-over artist, published author of THIS BOOK/MEMOIR, ("David Carradine, The Eye Of My Tornado," which has been inducted into the Johnny Grant Hollywood Walk of Fame Library), publicist, personal manager (The Media Hound PR), freelance writer/journalist, jewelry designer (The Flying Goddess), career and spiritual consultant.

She was wife and personal manager to David Carradine, and responsible for resurrecting his career, which culminated in the Tarantino film, Kill Bill.

Her talents as a skilled, versatile actress have been showcased in many comedic and dramatic productions. Some of her unique and diverse starring and supporting roles in television shows, feature films, webisodes and national commercials include: The Mentalist, Dexter, Law & Order LA, Seinfeld, Kung Fu, The Legend Continues, Genie Award winning film 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould, Dangerous Curves, co-lead in Emmy nominated web series, Sophie Chase, Law & Order LA, Desperate Housewives, Sex & Mrs X, Forever Knight, Dracula: The Series, and many others.

Marina currently writes for several online magazines and her passion is helping animals as an advocate for domestic and wildlife protection. Look for her next book (for children), "Adventures of Lulu the Collie," which stars her beloved dog, Lulu, daughter of Lassie VIII.

photo credit: Quavondo | Photographer

Reviews

[John Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somehow, the author's various psychics, numerologists and tarot readers fail to warn her that a marriage to David Carradine will not go well.

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a giant disaster this is. First, if we're to believe that she actually loved him, she wouldn't have waited to write a book until he was dead. Second, the family wouldn't shut anyone down who asked about her. (She complains that none of them will talk to her...gee, I wonder why?) Third, she (or her friends) wouldn't have whined to Amazon to get my original review taken down. (Yes, I know that was you. "Not enough about the book" my ass!)

Since this site allows me to speak my mind (profanity and all), I'm going to try to make sense of the "stepping on eggshells" mess I currently have posted.

*****

She calls her ex an incestuous abuser, an addict, a drunk, a freak in the bedroom and many other things without substantive evidence behind it. Substance abuser? Yes, there's conclusive proof in Endless Highway when he admits he had issues. Screwing one of his own family members? "Oh, I won't name names!" How incredibly convenient! (You'd think in the Me Too Era, such a claim would've borne out by now--hasn't happened yet!) Freak in the bedroom? It appears he died that way, and anything to do with sex in an already gossipy book will make sales. Perfect excuse to invent such an accusation, regardless of whether it's true.

But apparently spinning tales about her ex to create a lascivious sudser wasn't enough by itself, because this error-ridden rot pile (which has a flow like a blocked downspout, I might add) suddenly starts revolving around her--"I'm such a great actress/producer/agent/makeup artist/insert-title here!"..."I saved David Carradine's career!"..."The family cried on my shoulder after he died!" Oh, blow it out your skirt, sister! No one believes you for a second. The common consensus is that Tarantino saved his career (after your divorce, I might add!) and your whining makes it clear the family didn't give a damn about your crocodile tears if they wouldn't pick up the phone.

The author also makes it clear that her self-esteem was in shit shape for the duration of their marriage. She never admits as much, but when you're running off to astrologers and psychics every five minutes, something is clearly wrong. (She's honestly lucky someone didn't kick her out of their office and tell her to get her own tarot deck. Or a therapist. Or both.) I think it was Marion Zimmer Bradley who wrote that divination should not be as leading strings, lest we forget to how to walk on our own. Apparently no one ever told her that, or that there's a fine line between an occasional consultation and flatout desperation.

*****

When I wrote the original review seven years ago, I hated her. I don't like her any better now, but with time comes perspective, and perspective tells me that her marriage was a cry for help. I believe now that she married a celebrity to validate herself; and when she discovered that he'd died and left her the way she started--low self-esteem and no name to speak of--she decided to write this book to get revenge. I almost feel sorry for her.

[John Mathis · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s true, psychics and clairvoyants really do work! After reading Marina Anderson’s book, I ditched both my personal physician and my psychiatrist. What a waste of money they were! I starting going to some of her recommended “Psychics to the Stars” mentioned frequently in her book and I’m seeing real results.

In fact, one of the psychics channeled me through to her father. This is what he said:

"Marina, how could you do this? How could you bring embarrassment to the family name? Oh, that’s right! The family name isn’t Anderson. That’s the surname of the first ‘has-been’ star that you married. I’m embarrassed that you’ve become a ‘star-f*cker.’ Then, you wrote this piece of garbage Eye of my Tornado book, bad mouthing the dead guy you claimed to have loved. You’ve embarrassed yourself, me and all of the Carradine family. Thank goodness that with all your poor writing and even poorer editing that you’ll be relegated to the out-of-print second hand book store."

While it took a good 40 minutes of channeling to get the message (The psychic mentioned that the connection was dim) it was well worth the $600 I spent for the hour.

In another session at $700/hr with one of Ms. Anderson’s recommended clairvoyants, I was actually fortunate to hear from the Legend himself, David Carradine (which was very fortunate, as I’ve been a lifelong fan)! Note that David called his ex ‘Blackie’, she called him ‘Johnny’. This is what David told me directly through the gifted clairvoyant.

"Hey can do me a favor and give a message to my ex? Tell her verbatim: Blackie, it’s me Johnny. I’m in hell with your dog Lulu. I gotta tell ya, compared to being married to you, hell ain’t that bad. What, with all your nit-picking and nagging. Shame on me, for marrying a ‘star-f*cker’ but once your usefulness expired it was time for me to move out and move on. Sorry, no more red carpets and celebrity parties for you to attend by my side. Hard to believe, I didn’t realize that you had a pattern of marrying over-the-hill has beens. Let’s see Michael Anderson (who is he?), Dabney Coleman (no wait, you didn’t marry Dabney, he got out while the gettin’ was good). Well, you exposed all of my bad qualities for the world to see—all after I’m dead. What people will do for money? Geez, I should talk. Look at all the trash that I acted in over the years. Why is Lulu here in hell? Apparently, to serve for your sins of accepting money to publish your trashy expose.

I got word from The Big Guy already that there’s a place for you too, here in hell. You’ll be in the deepest hottest part, for forgettable authors that tried to gain some fame and a payday by writing disparaging ‘tell all’ half-fiction. Remember those 3 guys that wrote about Elvis? Neither can I."

[CJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a Very disturbing account of David Carradine's later life by a disgruntled ex-wife. I'm aghast at what she reveals about the man, after he has passed on. This is a sensationalist money grab. If you're a fan of David like me, this book is best avoided. If you believe in humanity, like me, stay away from this book. The author, Ms. Anderson has no heart.

[Roderic Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a deeply personal soul baring by Marina Anderson, which explores the complicated self destructive psyche of the man that was David Carradine. She reveals a person who was a walking contradiction in a way that may disillusion some, or validate other's feelings. Ultimately though, through the trauma she experienced in this relationship with such a confused dynamic and chemistry, She finds a life affirming conclusion for herself, her past, and her late companion. Her work in salvaging and restoring a falling hero only to be disregarded is a testament to her strength, and her relentless affection for Carradine, a brilliant talent, a troubled dark soul, but one with a true connection to her. This was a connection that had a capacity to be something with longevity and happiness, but in the end the inner turmoil prevailed in his life, and the healing process in hers.

[Julie Rautio smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this free ebook book while laid up after surgery. The author had (has?) a deep love for D.C.Their relationship was toxic and while I had heard D.C. was an asshole, the book confirms it many times over. To read over and over how the author was used and abused by D.C. got old after awhile. I'm glad she got out and on with her life. Her belief that D.C. was rolled and robbed in Bangkok makes sense to me, but little else about their relationship does.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only half the stories about David Carradine are true in this book, then it sounds like he was a truly revolting, selfish person. However, this is only one person's side of the story and we can never know what really happened between two people. It has shattered my opinion of him though and I can't like the series I used to love quite as much. I wish I had never picked this book up now.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense and detailed and impossible to speed read. I am a fan and the book did not disappoint. It did, however, make me sad.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never meet your heroes.

I was an impressionable teen when Kung Fu: The Legend Continues was in its first run, and I really enjoyed the exploits of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) and his relationship with long-estranged son, Peter (Chris Potter). In my adult years, I've binged the entire series twice, and each time realizing what a schlock-fest it was, but marvelling at how I still enjoyed the on-screen interplay between Carradine and Potter. Guilty pleasure to the max. I'd seen an interview with Mr. Potter some years back where he's going through his career, and at once point he says something like, "I spent four years on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues with David Carradine....that's a book..." and I said, "And that's a book I would READ!"

Well, to my knowledge Mr. Potter never wrote that book (not that I expected him to), so I was intrigued to read this one.

My fandom for Mr. Carradine was reduced pretty much with each page I turned. It was heartbreaking to see that he not only had substance abuse and anger issues, he was a narcissistic abuser. While I readily recognize the accounts written in the book are from one source only, that same source continues to make excuses for the behavior that she railed against the paragraph before.

I tend to believe women when it comes to stories of abuse, and separate accounts of Mr. Carradine's conduct, as well as the fact that he had married 5 times before it was over kind of bolsters the case that he was a manipulative narcissist.

Most of the first three quarters of the book were reasonably engaging, though it jumps around a lot and can be difficult to pick up which city they were living in at the time or what projects they were working on, or which house they were living in. It wasn't terribly hard to pick up the thread again, though.

The book opens with the phone call Ms. Anderson received, hours after his death in Thailand, then it takes you back. That first three quarters I mention closes when we catch back up to when he died.

Then it goes a little bit off the rails. Ms. Anderson is very much into psychics and astrology, and her brain is very good at pulling signs out of coincidence (e.g. a song plays on the radio when she's feeling a certain way and it's "a sign"). I was dumped unceremoniously after a prom my senior year and as I drove home, Phil Collins' "Against All Odds" came on the radio as I bawled my eyes out...a sure sign this gal and I were definitely done, right?

Still, the final "act" of the book is mostly trying to convince herself and us that the circumstances around Carradine's death by asphyxiation as criminal. And I suppose it could have been. But trying to crack the case through language barriers via phone, consulting with more mediums, felt like desperately trying to eliminate the possibility that his death was accidental.

A few accounts/memories of Carradine by others were included among the final pages, and those were also largely revealing. I have no doubt that Carradine had some humanity in him, but his actions mostly seemed to benefit only himself.

Tornado indeed.

[Sandy Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because since I was 8 years old and Kung Fu used to be on every week, I used to Love him. So when I saw this book I wasn’t sure if she was going to bash him since she is his Ex and you know when you really like somebody you want to just remember them how you think they were lol

This book was thick and since I have ADHD I thought oh no I don’t know if I can get through this. But I did. It was actually a fast read.

She doesn’t bash him but she does tell both his good sides and his bad sides. There was some incest involved so if you are triggered by that, you probably might find it hard to read. It’s not detailed, it’s just mentioned. She does talk openly about drug abuse. Incest and other things people find hard to talk about. But like she says we need to not be uncomfortable about speaking about it so that we can help people who are survivors.

This is a Love story but not a fairytale. I do believe she truly loved him and he loved her too. I think she still loves him even now. I believe their life experiences bonded them forever. If you want a book that speaks openly and honestly, then you will enjoy this book. She definitely was honest and didn’t hold back. But one thing it is not, is not a smear campaign. Just a true account about a marriage through its ups and downs.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, but I do wish Ms. Anderson had been more specific when discussing what she found in the autopsy report that convinced her that foul play had been involved with Mr. Carradine's death. She discussed several things, but one thing that really seemed to convince her she purposefully did not identify. I do not put as much stock in psychics as she does, so I take what she reports them saying with a grain of salt.

That being said, there was more to this book than just the morbid details of the end of Carradine's life. It was an examination of the time the author spent with a charismatic and intriguing man. I could have done without some of the more explicit descriptions of their sex life, however.

[Kathie White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saddest book l have ever read!

I wasn't sure how to rate this book. It kept my interest because l loved David in Kung Fu but there were many grammatical and spelling errors. It was like watching the same train wreck in every chapter. DC appeared to be extremely gifted in many arts but personally he destroyed every good thing he came in contact with. He burned out every woman he was involved with and then tossed them aside, having already lined up his next conquest. I see how the black hole of his personality was a result of his severe neglect in childhood. May he finally rest in peace.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading celeberty books. I have read many and I liked this one, Marina Anderson the author was his long time acquaintance than girlfriend , than wife. She helped David ememsly in his life. Davids life was a rollercoaster ride. Interesting man he was , and Marina a smart lady, they were meant to be together and .........

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting look into the man who began his career as Kane. Full review to follow...

http://mikesfilmtalk.com/2015/04/17/d...