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My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington
The son of a celebrated Hollywood director emerges from his father's shadow to claim his own place as a major force in American culture. George Stevens, Jr. tells an intimate and moving tale of his relationship with his Oscar-winning father and his own exciting career in Hollywood and Washington. Fascinating people, priceless stories and a behind-the-scenes view of some of America's major cultural and political events grace this riveting memoir.
George Stevens, Jr. grew up in Hollywood working on film classics with his father and writes vividly of his experience on the sets of A Place in the Sun (1951), Shane (1953), Giant (1956) and The Diary of Anne Frank (1958). He explores how the magnitude of his father's talent and achievements left him with questions about his own abilities and future. The younger Stevens began to forge his unique career when the legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow recruited him to work at the United States Information Agency in John F. Kennedy's Washington. He began his service in government by initiating what has been called the Golden Age of USIA filmmaking. In 1967 he became the founding director of the American Film Institute, placing him at the leading edge of culture and politics, shepherding the rescue of thousands of endangered motion pictures, and training a new generation of filmmakers. He created the Kennedy Center Honors and began making distinguished films and television programs that celebrated American culture and explored social justice. He earned an Oscar and other accolades, including fifteen Emmys, two Peabody Awards, and the Humanitas Prize.
Stevens provides a fascinating look at a pioneering American family that spans five generations in the performing arts, from the San Francisco stage in the 19th century to Academy Award-winning films, Emmy Award-winning television programs and a Broadway play. He shows us the private side of the dazzling array of people who cross his path, including Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier, Robert and Ethel Kennedy, Yo-Yo Ma, Cary Grant, James Dean, Bruce Springsteen, Barack and Michelle Obama, and many more.
In My Place in the Sun, George Stevens, Jr. shares his lifelong passion for film and commitment to the performing arts. He provides an insightful look at Hollywood's Golden Age and an insider's account of life in Washington as he collaborated with presidents, power brokers, media moguls and social activists. This magnificent and delightful memoir brings to life a sparkling era of American history and culture.
George Stevens, Jr. grew up in Hollywood working on film classics with his father and writes vividly of his experience on the sets of A Place in the Sun (1951), Shane (1953), Giant (1956) and The Diary of Anne Frank (1958). He explores how the magnitude of his father's talent and achievements left him with questions about his own abilities and future. The younger Stevens began to forge his unique career when the legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow recruited him to work at the United States Information Agency in John F. Kennedy's Washington. He began his service in government by initiating what has been called the Golden Age of USIA filmmaking. In 1967 he became the founding director of the American Film Institute, placing him at the leading edge of culture and politics, shepherding the rescue of thousands of endangered motion pictures, and training a new generation of filmmakers. He created the Kennedy Center Honors and began making distinguished films and television programs that celebrated American culture and explored social justice. He earned an Oscar and other accolades, including fifteen Emmys, two Peabody Awards, and the Humanitas Prize.
Stevens provides a fascinating look at a pioneering American family that spans five generations in the performing arts, from the San Francisco stage in the 19th century to Academy Award-winning films, Emmy Award-winning television programs and a Broadway play. He shows us the private side of the dazzling array of people who cross his path, including Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier, Robert and Ethel Kennedy, Yo-Yo Ma, Cary Grant, James Dean, Bruce Springsteen, Barack and Michelle Obama, and many more.
In My Place in the Sun, George Stevens, Jr. shares his lifelong passion for film and commitment to the performing arts. He provides an insightful look at Hollywood's Golden Age and an insider's account of life in Washington as he collaborated with presidents, power brokers, media moguls and social activists. This magnificent and delightful memoir brings to life a sparkling era of American history and culture.
536 pages, Hardcover
Published May 17, 2022
27 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2022
Finished My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington by George Stevens Jr, the now ninety year old American Film legend. Stevens is the son of George Stevens, director of classics like Giant, Shane, The Greatest Story Ever old and more. Stevens Sr filmed a lot of WW2 military actions including D-Day and the discovery of the Dachau Concentration Camp.George Stevens Jr learned the business at his Father’s right hand and became a renowned producer ad director in his own right. In mid career he was recruited by Edward R Murrow to take on film responsibility within the USIA, the United States Information Agency in the Kennedy Administration. The Stevens family is royalty within American Film. He traces his ancestors to the earliest actors on the American stage and then silent movies. This book has many fascinating account of famous movies and their stars.. Additionally, Steven is one of the founders of the American Film Institute and personally produced most of the AFI Lifetime Award Ceremonies and was also responsible for producing the Kennedy Center Honors ceremonies. Stevens, a Democrat worked effectively in his AFI and Kennedy Center work with Presidents of both parties.A great book for movie geeks.
July 5, 2022
George Stevens Jr.’s fortunate and productive life was dependent on his talent for recognizing a good story and the characters populating it. He is rightfully proud of his inspiring career and shines the spotlight on loyal friends he casts in MY PLACE IN THE SUN. All curious readers of film and political history should immediately buy or download a copy and begin reading.
Stevens has entertained and inspired us all for decades and reading his autobiography one understands how his ethical values remained a top priority. Lovers of well written biographies/autobiographies, film and political history will discover a well-tuned voice.
“Georgie Jr.”, an only child, was born along with “the talkies” in 1932, adding a fourth generation to his maternal and paternal families already involved in the cinema and theatre arts. Learning film techniques hanging around the studios and on his father’s set locations, he was groomed to create his own productions.
Until the outbreak of WWII, he was encouraged to explore his neighborhood home in the natural setting of Toluca Lake. He was comfortable conversing in his home with other influential movie people. A true Renaissance man, he could have followed many paths into journalism, sports management, playwriting or feature film development.
When his renowned filmmaker father assigned him the task of scouting for books to be adapted for the screen, George recognized the themes of good and evil in Jack Schaefer’s classic Western novel SHANE. He recounts his father’s casting, direction, camera work and editing while on the SHANE set in Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Valley.
He was recruited by Edward R. Murrow to come to Washington D.C. to become the chief of the Motion Picture Service of the United States Information Agency. Making films for the Kennedy administration led to working with other White House inhabitants, filming political campaigns and diplomatic visits. Next came the opportunities founding the American Film Institute, the Kennedy Center Honors, Christmas in Washington’s annual televised special and the AFI’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
His grace and charm enabled him to get along with a diverse collection of Washington insiders and it’s a delight to learn about his successful negotiation tactics.
MY PLACE IN THE SUN includes beautifully described recollections of guests’ conversations at his regular dinner parties. This is a book of great pathos for which one will regret saying goodbye. I’ll deal with withdrawal pain by rereading it or listening to the narrated audio version.
A personal note: In a conversation with Stevens I asked him how it was in a 500+ page book, self-edited, that he never repeated a story. He admitted that as a professional screen and play writer his goal was achieving perfect continuity and never repeating dialogue.
Stevens has entertained and inspired us all for decades and reading his autobiography one understands how his ethical values remained a top priority. Lovers of well written biographies/autobiographies, film and political history will discover a well-tuned voice.
“Georgie Jr.”, an only child, was born along with “the talkies” in 1932, adding a fourth generation to his maternal and paternal families already involved in the cinema and theatre arts. Learning film techniques hanging around the studios and on his father’s set locations, he was groomed to create his own productions.
Until the outbreak of WWII, he was encouraged to explore his neighborhood home in the natural setting of Toluca Lake. He was comfortable conversing in his home with other influential movie people. A true Renaissance man, he could have followed many paths into journalism, sports management, playwriting or feature film development.
When his renowned filmmaker father assigned him the task of scouting for books to be adapted for the screen, George recognized the themes of good and evil in Jack Schaefer’s classic Western novel SHANE. He recounts his father’s casting, direction, camera work and editing while on the SHANE set in Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Valley.
He was recruited by Edward R. Murrow to come to Washington D.C. to become the chief of the Motion Picture Service of the United States Information Agency. Making films for the Kennedy administration led to working with other White House inhabitants, filming political campaigns and diplomatic visits. Next came the opportunities founding the American Film Institute, the Kennedy Center Honors, Christmas in Washington’s annual televised special and the AFI’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
His grace and charm enabled him to get along with a diverse collection of Washington insiders and it’s a delight to learn about his successful negotiation tactics.
MY PLACE IN THE SUN includes beautifully described recollections of guests’ conversations at his regular dinner parties. This is a book of great pathos for which one will regret saying goodbye. I’ll deal with withdrawal pain by rereading it or listening to the narrated audio version.
A personal note: In a conversation with Stevens I asked him how it was in a 500+ page book, self-edited, that he never repeated a story. He admitted that as a professional screen and play writer his goal was achieving perfect continuity and never repeating dialogue.
January 31, 2025
Not only one of the best books on Hollywood that I have read, this is also one of the best memoirs that I have read. Will definitely join the pantheon of great film books, but his work at The Kennedy Center, and AFI also deserves to be better known.
June 23, 2022
I have been an (almost) lifetime admirer of George Stevens and his father. I will drop everything to watch "Giant" and I showed Mr. Steven's Jr.'s "Separate But Equal" in my US History classes for many years. What a masterpiece. Find it and watch it.
As the producer of "The Kennedy Center Honors" and so much more content than I ever realized, I always admired his career, effectively mixing politics and the arts. After reading this book, my esteem has grown even more. If you ever want to understand the power of politeness, respect, and networking, you must read about the enormous web of supporters and friends the author spun in his busy, creative life and how it enriched him professionally and personally. In the words of Billy Wilder and all Yiddish people, he is a "mensch."
As for the writing, this book suffers from the same problems of any event-packed memoir. Let's face it, Stevens Jr. has lived an incredibly full life and trying to pack it all into one book is an almost ridiculous venture. So, the narrative is jerky as it jumps from one anecdote to the next. But it is also a powerful window on American history and culture. He seems to have been in the middle of everything and if he needed something, he just had to pick up a phone. That kind of good will is hard-earned and we can all learn from his work ethic and humanity.
His insider description of the euphoria of the Kennedy era followed by the controlled and suspicious Johnson years deserves a chapter in a US History textbook. So much promise and such a great fall, at least when it comes to culture.
I am so glad he wrote his autobiography. The Stevens family built a legacy to be proud of. Our country owes them a lot.
As the producer of "The Kennedy Center Honors" and so much more content than I ever realized, I always admired his career, effectively mixing politics and the arts. After reading this book, my esteem has grown even more. If you ever want to understand the power of politeness, respect, and networking, you must read about the enormous web of supporters and friends the author spun in his busy, creative life and how it enriched him professionally and personally. In the words of Billy Wilder and all Yiddish people, he is a "mensch."
As for the writing, this book suffers from the same problems of any event-packed memoir. Let's face it, Stevens Jr. has lived an incredibly full life and trying to pack it all into one book is an almost ridiculous venture. So, the narrative is jerky as it jumps from one anecdote to the next. But it is also a powerful window on American history and culture. He seems to have been in the middle of everything and if he needed something, he just had to pick up a phone. That kind of good will is hard-earned and we can all learn from his work ethic and humanity.
His insider description of the euphoria of the Kennedy era followed by the controlled and suspicious Johnson years deserves a chapter in a US History textbook. So much promise and such a great fall, at least when it comes to culture.
I am so glad he wrote his autobiography. The Stevens family built a legacy to be proud of. Our country owes them a lot.
February 6, 2024
George Stevens, Jr. was born into an entertainment family that goes back multiple generations. His father began by directing Laurel and Hardy at the beginning of their legendary partnership and is primarily remembered by his epic films "Giant," "Shane," and "The Greatest Story Ever Told." His son learned about filmmaking by working as an assistant to his father, but took a turn in his career when he was asked to join the United States Information Agency during the Kennedy administration. While representing the US at foreign film festivals, he was made aware of how much of America's great film history was literally rotting in vaults. He suggested the creation of an organization to spearhead the restoration and conservation of films, which eventually became the American Film Institute (AFI). He was also part of establishing The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For many years he produced both AFI's televised salutes to filmmakers whose work "has stood the test of time" and "The Kennedy Center Honors." His stories about filmmakers, political personalities, and other fascinating people he's met in his 90+ years of life are delightful and well-told. Reading the book was like having a great conversation with one of the most interesting people you've ever met.
May 21, 2023
An excellent autobiography written by a man who helped elevate motion pictures to an art form in America. Himself the son of a legendary groundbreaking film director, George Stevens, Mr Stephens, Jr. was the main force in the creation of The American Film Institute, The Kennedy Center Honors, and The Life Achievement Award for film actors. His friends and work partners included presidents and other illustrious figures from Hollywood and Washington, DC.
I found his story especially fascinating because he is my age and so all the stories he tells parallel my life. As I read, I remembered what I was doing at the moment these events he was writing about took place, momentous events I was reading about and seeing unfold on TV, such as the Kennedy assassinations.
Mr. Stephens writes compellingly about a life which was lived with unfailing, persistent dedication to the elevation of the Arts, and especially Film, in the United States of America.
I found his story especially fascinating because he is my age and so all the stories he tells parallel my life. As I read, I remembered what I was doing at the moment these events he was writing about took place, momentous events I was reading about and seeing unfold on TV, such as the Kennedy assassinations.
Mr. Stephens writes compellingly about a life which was lived with unfailing, persistent dedication to the elevation of the Arts, and especially Film, in the United States of America.
March 5, 2023
Well written and a must read for anyone who has an interest in old Hollywood and the making of the "Golden Age" movies. George Stevens, Jr. does a great job of detailing his family's heritage and his father's work. He also manages to tell about his own work in preserving film and in encouraging new directors. I enjoyed reading the behind the scenes secrets of the movies and the things that George got to experience in politics in Washington, DC. I would highly recommend!
Want to read
June 3, 2022In an interview on Maltin on Movies, Stevens said he didn't mention famous people he knew simply to name drop them. He only mentioned them here if he had a good story about them. His involvement in the industry runs deep, as the creator of the AFI and Kennedy Center Honors, directing experience and childhood as the son of legendary director George Stevens.
June 3, 2022
Amazing
August 12, 2023
my favorite kind of non-fiction...chock-a-block!
June 11, 2022
An epic Journey through time
George Stevens Jr. Has written an epic story of the era I grew up. And for me it has done two things. 1. A history of much of what was happening in my world beyond what I was seeing. And 2. Encouraging me to look at what I was doing during that same period. It was an emotional journey for me.
George Stevens Jr. Has written an epic story of the era I grew up. And for me it has done two things. 1. A history of much of what was happening in my world beyond what I was seeing. And 2. Encouraging me to look at what I was doing during that same period. It was an emotional journey for me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews