The Good, The Bad, And Me: In My Anecdotage – An Actors Studio Icon's Memoir of Hollywood and Broadway

by Eli Wallach

The sparkling memoir of a movie icon's life in the footlights and on camera, The Good, the Bad, and Me tells the extraordinary story of Eli Wallach's many years dedicated to his craft. Beginning with his early days in Brooklyn and his college years in Texas, where he dreamed of becoming an actor, this book follows his career as one of the earliest members of the famed Actors Studio and as a Tony Award winner for his work on Broadway. Wallach has worked with such stars as Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Gregory Peck, and Henry Fonda, and his many movies include The Magnificent Seven , How the West Was Won , the iconic T he Good, the Bad and the Ugly , and, most recently, Mystic River . For more than fifty years Eli Wallach has held a special place in film and theater, and in a tale rich with anecdotes, wit, and remarkable insight he recounts his magical life in a world unlike any other.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Film

312 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2005

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason I chose to read this memoir should be obvious to anyone familiar with my preferred entertainment. Eli Wallach was outstanding in a couple of roles in western movies. Although he was in The Misfits (the last film of both Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe), technically a western, I suppose, it was when he played the role of a tattered and grimy Mexican bandit that he really came out strong. He was the bandido who we loved to hate in the 1960 The Magnificent Seven and, sans gang, entertained us in the role of Tuco in The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly , a foil for Clint Eastwood. He was so convincing as a Mexican bandit that I was surprised to learn that he was actually a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn. Well educated, clean-cut, and an officer with a medical unit in WWII, he would seem to be an unlikely choice for the role of Tuco.

I am always surprised to learn that actors like Wallach and his contemporaries like Gregory Peck and Steve McQueen don't just go and hang around Hollywood until someone decides to give them a bit part. That worked for The Duke, but these ordinary mortals had to go to acting school and labour in the trenches on and off Broadway. Money wasn't always good; Wallach got $350 for playing Mr. Freeze on the TV series Batman! In the 1997 movie, Schwarzenegger would get $20,000,000 for playing the same role!

Wallach details the twisted path he took from childhood to stardom, relating his tale in more or less chronological order. The book is full of interesting anecdotes about the movies and the people who star in them. Wallach got to drink with Gable and dance with Monroe, travelled the world and did his bit. I read this in a rush, hating to put it down. I recommend it to any fan of the big screen, particularly westerns.

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heartfelt and moving memoir of one the great actors of the 20th century. Tuco himself told us of his story from childhood in Brooklyn, to his service the US Navy, to acting on Broadway, then to the silver screen.This was for sure a memorable read and I enjoyed it all the way through. It was well-written and told from the heart.

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great autobiography. Another great actor.

Read so many biographies and autobiographies.

A dedicated method actor, a great long career, and star of one of my favourite films "The Magnificent Seven"

Another great book

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the recent run of legendary celebrity biographies I've read, this is one of the more thorough and better written. The first half of Wallach's life, is well covered, with lot's of very good stories and insights. Wallach dispels some popular notions involving Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe.

It's the rest of Wallach's life that gets truncated to a short 30 odd pages, or the last 6th of the book. Seems maybe Wallach had written up to around his 50th year and editors said,"Hey! Keep this at less than 300 pages!". So, Wallach did. I can see Wallach doing that.

Something else you can see while reading this book is Wallach narrating the book. The writing is very much in Wallach's voice and seems to be nearly a transcript of an oral history at times.

I meant to read this book while Wallach was still alive. I realize I'd like to read some of my favorite actor's stories before they die. I thought I would next go to a couple Doris Day books. Now James Garner has died and I'm going to 'The Garner Files' next.

Though, i wish there was much more recorded of Wallach's life after the mid-60s, what is in the book as a whole is a delightful story of an accomplished actor's life.

Bottom line: I recommend the book.

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I already owned a paperback copy of The Good, the Bad and Me, I’m glad I invested in the audio version. If you enjoy Wallach’s films and appreciate him as a person, listening to this audiobook will be a special treat. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself tearing up when the book is over. And as an added bonus, Anne Jackson makes a small cameo in the recording.

Full review here: http://www.outofthepastblog.com/2016/...

[Lisa Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a lot about him, such as he enjoyed doing plays much more than movies. Also those "exotic" locations in which he had to film were often not enjoyable, he missed his wife (also an actress) and kids desperately when away from them, and speaks highly of a variety of actors & directors & details why.

[Ayushi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that leave you feeling good inside.The good, the bad and me is simply written. It does not contain anything scandalous or overly sensational. Maybe that's where its beauty lies.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very simply written and the subtitle "In my Anecdotage" is correct. It is mostly snippets of memories from over the years. Like most people I probably found his memories of working on the sets of "The Magnificent Seven" or "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" to be most interesting.

I didn't particularly enjoy the writing style, however, and parts of the book dragged for me. Still, it is amazing all the people he crossed paths with or worked with when their careers began, often in theater, including Peter O'Toole and Marlon Brando. Then there were other greats like Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, Edward G. Robinson, Marilyn Monroe, etc. It was interesting to hear his stories about his time and career.

[Sherrie74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Due to a slight personal connection with Eli I have to admit I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. He only writes about what is important or of main interest to him, his wife/family and his life in the entertainment industry.

I wish there had been more on his history during the war as that was when my mother met him and got to know him and thus I got to know him many years later. I grew up with her saying.... "I knew him during the war". Glad I had the opportunity to see him live on stage and arrange a fast meeting with my mother and him in NYC. He sincerely was a kind generous and very caring man and his wife an amazing lady. But ... I digress.

The book is what he remembers, and history of the movies that he cared about and we remember him in. Wish I had known he had written it sooner as I would have loved to have written to him to thank him for it. WONDERFUL WONDERFUL ... THANKS ELI.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I just want something easy to read, that goes quickly. At a bit over 200 pages and with a large typeface, I was through this in a matter of days.

This is a chronologically presented memoir of Wallach's life, but unlike some, he doesn't dwell on any particular aspect longer than is engaging.

My main interest was to read his recollections about working on several spaghetti westerns which is discussed in several chapters, but I read the book from start to finish. He had a remarkable career, working both on Broadway making films in several different countries.

The tone is mostly light and arguably what has done is to string together many different anecdotes - as the subtitle ("in my anecdotage") suggests. But it reads well enough as a narrative and drew me in.

I am not a big reader of memoirs by actors but this one was good - not self-congratulatory and with enough humor.

[Jim Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm got to run to see the good bad and the ugly right now

When one thinks of Eli probably have the image of him in the good bad and the ugly . Well that has been shattered now that I know he is a fine stage actor as well as a superb movie actor. I enjoyed the book immensely and I think you will also.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man, the myth, the legend: Eli Wallach feels so much more real to me after reading about his life in his own words. I feel his loss even more deeply now, knowing that an amazing actor has left such an imprint on the world. Although I do highly recommend this book, I think anyone who attempts to read it before seeing one of his films (e.g. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly; The Misfits) will not be able to comprehend Wallach's story as a whole.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good, average read. The writing wasn’t very inspired but I enjoyed reading tidbits about his fellow actors. He really knew everyone in Hollywood. It was interesting to read about his devotion to acting in the theater.

[Fred Pscion · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Actors Actor!

Absolutely loved this book & the way it was written! Have always wondered why Eli Wallace didn't do more movies & after reading this book I now know!! It was also great to understand how his wife & he navigated dual careers while raising children!!!

[Bill Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly a interesting and entertaining primarily stage actor who has wonderful anecdotes including almost loosing his head filming the good bad and ugly in which he steals the movie
Loved it

[Linda Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t stop reading

I love autobiographies, and this one was so much fun. So many references to movie stars and films I love. Great read.

[Eli Feijoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely think it was longer than needed but nonetheless a classic. Thanks for writing this Eli.

[Jeff Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this as an audio book. It was a blast. I really enjoyed the listen. Since it was narrated by Wallace. Just a lot of fun.

[Ice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wallach has the right and the title to discourse at length on method acting and the Actor's Studio, where he was a charter member, but instead hews tightly to his book's subtitle. A string of often funny and charming memories of his interactions with fellow actors and eclectic directors (in particular, spaghetti Western director Sergio Leone), his book is engagingly frank and personable. Because Wallach, known for his work in Tennessee Williams's Broadway productions as well as for his roles as memorably suspicious rascals, was taught by such cultural icons as Martha Graham and Lee Strasberg, his memoir is also a valuable source on 20th-century American culture. The author, however, is a cultural treasure in his own right: born Jewish in 1915 in an Italian section of Brooklyn, he headed off for the University of Texas at Austin during the Great Depression on a ship and became a medic overseas in WWII. From early struggles with auditions and bouts of hubris onstage, Wallach emerged to become one of America's most prolific, restlessly inventive and enduring actors (at 88, he took an uncredited role in 2003's Mystic River as Mr. Loonie, the liquor store owner). His insights and recollections of the acting life outweigh the book's pat and perfunctory conclusion.

This memoir by one of Hollywood's quieter stars adopts the tone of a what-I-did-on-my-summer-vacation paper--except that Wallach's summer encompasses his nearly 90-year life. In a straightforward and witty style, he tells his story, from a Brooklyn childhood as the only Jew in an Italian neighborhood, through Actors Studio days with Brando and others, and on to his long and illustrious career on both stage and screen. The anecdotes come one after the other, about actors and roles but also about his personal life, including his more than 50-year marriage to fellow actor Anne Jackson. Most fascinating is the story of how Wallach was forced to choose between taking a role in the Tennessee Williams play Camino Real on Broadway, directed by the legendary Elia Kazan, or playing Maggio (the Frank Sinatra role) in From Here to Eternity). Wallach's love of theater drove him to Kazan, despite the director's having recently named names to the House Un-American Activities Committee. While many readers will associate Wallach with his roles in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly and The Magnificent Seven, this compelling memoir shows the full range of a remarkable actor's life.

[Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Library]

The sparkling memoir of a movie icon's life in the footlights and on camera, The Good, the Bad, and Me tells the extraordinary story of Eli Wallach's many years dedicated to his craft. Beginning with his early days in Brooklyn and his college years in Texas, where he dreamed of becoming an actor, this book follows his career as one of the earliest members of the famed Actors Studio and as a Tony Award winner for his work on Broadway. Wallach has worked with such stars as Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, Gregory Peck, and Henry Fonda, and his many movies include The Magnificent Seven, How the West Was Won, the iconic The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and, most recently, Mystic River. For more than fifty years, Eli Wallach has held a special place in film and theater, and in a tale rich with anecdotes, wit, and remarkable insight, he recounts his magical life in a world unlike any other.

[Patrick O'Hannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great anecdotes in this memoir that has many of them:

...When I got back to my hotel, I called director Henry Hathaway, with whom I had made How the West Was Won. I told him that I had met with [Sergio] Leone and that I had made a quick and rash decision and now I felt trapped.

"They want me to play a Mexican bandit in a Spaghetti Western," I said.

"Well, you made your bed, now lie in it," Hathaway said.

"What does Leone know about Westerns?" I asked. "An Italian Western sounds like Hawaiian Pizza."

(It turned out, of course, that Leone knew quite a lot about Westerns. He'd already made two of them with Clint Eastwood. Wallach later found out that Leone had spent a year researching the American Civil War and studying Matthew Brady's famous photographs from that conflict. Leone also talked Spain's Generalissimo Francisco Franco into letting him borrow American Civil War cannons and guns from the army museum in Madrid.)

[Linnea Gelland · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely enjoyable cascade of anecdotes from a very rich life.

As usual the audio book read by the author himself adds to the experience and the feeling that I get to listen to these stories firsthand. Almost as if I have invited him over for supper and he starts to talk about all the crazy things that has happened in his life.

I expected to hear more about some of Wallach's more famous movies, and I first picked the book up because I wanted to hear stories from the filming of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". As it turned out, the stories included in this book can largely be heard on the interview and commentary track for the movie. But I was surprised to find myself interested in the theater work and Wallach's growing up. His style of storytelling is both funny and heartfelt.

I never expected the kind of book this was, but I'm happy I didn't, because it was such a nice surprise.

I will probably return to this book again sometime.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly wonderful read. Eli has been a favorite of mine for years and has always completely fascinated me. Reading about his life, his era and the intertwining he had with some of Hollywood's biggest stars was special. I wanted this book to continue and never end. I think Eli was a special person, actor and truly one of the last great actors of the time. This book was mat times hard for me to put down and hard for me to read as well. It's nearly been a year since his passing and until recently I wasn't able to even see his movies without tearing up. He always reminded me of my dad and things my dad has or would do, especially the character of Tuco. lol. But I'm glad I read it and I will enjoy reading it again and again. Thank You Eli for leaving the world a wonderful piece of your life with us to remember you by in your own words.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the hardback edition of this book. Eli Wallach has interested me in his films, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, The Magnificent Seven, and Circle of Iron, and this memoir tells of his life, especially the landmarks in his theatrical career and movie career through enjoyable anecdotes.

Wallach does not seem to be nearly as stuck on himself as Kate Hepburn, or some other theatrical personalities I could name, and has enjoyed a busy and productive life.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eli Wallach played my favorite character in one of my favorite movies, so I used that as an excuse to read his autobiography, and found his life's story a truly interesting and fun read as a kid from Brooklyn who worked his way to success un the acting world. As is typical, lesser-known "stars" often have more interesting lives and observations about their world than the big names. This is one of those example.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hadn't known that Wallach went to UT Austin, was in a play with Walter Cronkite there, was a classmate and friend of John Connally's. He seems to have been an adventurous man, very dedicated to his art, even now.

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an autobiography of the fine actor, whose career is just now winding down.

[Marcia G. Yerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written Hollywood/Broadway memoir. Great anecdotes.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and quick read whether you've enjoyed the movies Mr. Wallach has been in or are an actor yourself. Lots of great behind the scenes intel and lessons to be learned.

[Gary Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charmer

I have often admired Mr. Wallach's acting. Now I also admire his writing. Very enjoyable autobiography. You should read it.