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Robert Preston: Forever The Music Man
Born Robert Preston Meservey in the suburbs of Boston in 1918, Preston moved with his family to Los Angeles as a toddler. He caught the acting bug in high school and continued as an actor with a Shakespearean acting troupe and at the Pasadena Playhouse before being discovered by Paramount Studios in 1938 at the age of nineteen. After languishing in B-movies for over a decade, he made the decision to seek success on the Broadway stage.
The song “Seventy-Six Trombones” from The Music Man would forever link Robert Preston to the Broadway musical and the iconic 1962 film that would establish him as a Hollywood and Broadway star. His role as Harold Hill in The Music Man was a pivotal moment for the actor who appeared in dozens of films as well as theater and television productions. Although Harold Hill was admittedly not Preston’s favorite character, it was this singular, spectacular role that catapulted him to stage and screen stardom and ensured he would forever remain the Music Man.
In a film and stage career that spanned five decades, Robert Preston managed to survive the studio system and the fickleness of the film industry while maintaining his integrity and calling his own shots. A master at shielding his private life, Robert Preston was a distinguished actor and gifted artist on the public stage, yet remained a reclusive, enigmatic man in his private life. Extensive archival research, and interviews Preston’s family members and fellow actors including Rosemary Harris, Christopher Walken, Lesley Ann Warren, Loretta Swit, Bob Gunton, Neva Small, and others, has unveiled a richly detailed portrait of the gifted actor’s personal life as well as an overview of the films and Broadway productions to which he lent his talent.
Despite some fits and starts in both his professional and private life, what emerges from the fabric of Preston’s life is the undeniable truth of his versatility as a performer, one who possessed the innate ability to perform superbly in a variety of genres - drama, comedy, westerns, or musicals. As a testament to his skill as an actor, Preston continued to deliver remarkable performances on stage and screen and strived to reach new apogees, even when cast in flawed projects, up until his untimely death in 1987.
The song “Seventy-Six Trombones” from The Music Man would forever link Robert Preston to the Broadway musical and the iconic 1962 film that would establish him as a Hollywood and Broadway star. His role as Harold Hill in The Music Man was a pivotal moment for the actor who appeared in dozens of films as well as theater and television productions. Although Harold Hill was admittedly not Preston’s favorite character, it was this singular, spectacular role that catapulted him to stage and screen stardom and ensured he would forever remain the Music Man.
In a film and stage career that spanned five decades, Robert Preston managed to survive the studio system and the fickleness of the film industry while maintaining his integrity and calling his own shots. A master at shielding his private life, Robert Preston was a distinguished actor and gifted artist on the public stage, yet remained a reclusive, enigmatic man in his private life. Extensive archival research, and interviews Preston’s family members and fellow actors including Rosemary Harris, Christopher Walken, Lesley Ann Warren, Loretta Swit, Bob Gunton, Neva Small, and others, has unveiled a richly detailed portrait of the gifted actor’s personal life as well as an overview of the films and Broadway productions to which he lent his talent.
Despite some fits and starts in both his professional and private life, what emerges from the fabric of Preston’s life is the undeniable truth of his versatility as a performer, one who possessed the innate ability to perform superbly in a variety of genres - drama, comedy, westerns, or musicals. As a testament to his skill as an actor, Preston continued to deliver remarkable performances on stage and screen and strived to reach new apogees, even when cast in flawed projects, up until his untimely death in 1987.
- GenresBiography
541 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2022
17 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 16, 2022
I've always loved Robert Preston and was curious about his life. The new volume is apparently self published. Not literature by any stretch, but very informative and interesting. It reads like an extended Playbill article. Lots of footnotes.
We learn that Preston was universally admired as an actors actor who loved his work. He also, apparently was a Romeo even though he was married to one women for 50 plus years. Absolutely every film, stage show and TV appearance are mentioned with complete casts.
Two complaints...the photos included are all black and white and printed on regular paper. There are almost no pics from his early film career. I find this odd, as the author's Facebook and Twitter feed has many full color shots of Music Man, etc. Also, the pages keep falling out of my paperback edition!
I learn a lot about Preston but wanted a little more.
Three jimmys out of five
We learn that Preston was universally admired as an actors actor who loved his work. He also, apparently was a Romeo even though he was married to one women for 50 plus years. Absolutely every film, stage show and TV appearance are mentioned with complete casts.
Two complaints...the photos included are all black and white and printed on regular paper. There are almost no pics from his early film career. I find this odd, as the author's Facebook and Twitter feed has many full color shots of Music Man, etc. Also, the pages keep falling out of my paperback edition!
I learn a lot about Preston but wanted a little more.
Three jimmys out of five
October 31, 2023
Very enjoyable, well written and informative. Would have been 5 stars but the book is spoiled by the annoying overuse of the words ‘tapped’ (15) and ‘slated’ (21). In one chapter slated appears at least 3 times across 3 paragraphs. I’m sure there must be other words available.
October 30, 2022
"The song "Seventy-Six Trombones" from The Music Man would forever link Robert Preston to the Broadway musical and the iconic 1962 film that would establish him as a Hollywood and Broadway star.
In a film and stage career that spanned five decades, Robert Preston managed to survive the studio system and the fickleness of the film industry while maintaining his integrity and calling his own shots. A master at shielding his private life, Preston remained an enigma to many of his closest co-stars and contemporaries. Extensive archival research, in addition to interviews with Preston's family members and fellow actors has unveiled a richly detailed portrait of the gifted actor's personal life in addition to an overview of the films and Broadway productions to which he lent his talent."
Warren has done it again!
A gifted writer, she has a talent that matches current well known biographers. Knowing her craft of meticulous and in-depth research, she once again delivers a very well written piece of work. Her passion and love for writing biographies on people she admires is evident in her incredibly detailed research of little known and very private Robert Preston.
I purchased the hardcover book. There is no paper dust jacket yet the cover, spine and back of book appears the same as if it had a paper dust jacket. I actually prefer this as I remove dusk jackets while reading so as to not ruin them, then put them back on when out on display on a coffee table or on my bookshelves. This is strictly a personal preference but one worth mentioning as I found this to be a pleasant surprise. Also the hardcover edition has a slightly larger typeset/ font and the book itself is a slightly smaller in dimensions than most books of this length (6x9 vs 7x10). Again, personal preference but I own hundreds of books and this made the reading and holding of a hardcover book a lot easier for me. Little details that go a long way especially on a self published book. Very much looking forward to her next authored biography!
In a film and stage career that spanned five decades, Robert Preston managed to survive the studio system and the fickleness of the film industry while maintaining his integrity and calling his own shots. A master at shielding his private life, Preston remained an enigma to many of his closest co-stars and contemporaries. Extensive archival research, in addition to interviews with Preston's family members and fellow actors has unveiled a richly detailed portrait of the gifted actor's personal life in addition to an overview of the films and Broadway productions to which he lent his talent."
Warren has done it again!
A gifted writer, she has a talent that matches current well known biographers. Knowing her craft of meticulous and in-depth research, she once again delivers a very well written piece of work. Her passion and love for writing biographies on people she admires is evident in her incredibly detailed research of little known and very private Robert Preston.
I purchased the hardcover book. There is no paper dust jacket yet the cover, spine and back of book appears the same as if it had a paper dust jacket. I actually prefer this as I remove dusk jackets while reading so as to not ruin them, then put them back on when out on display on a coffee table or on my bookshelves. This is strictly a personal preference but one worth mentioning as I found this to be a pleasant surprise. Also the hardcover edition has a slightly larger typeset/ font and the book itself is a slightly smaller in dimensions than most books of this length (6x9 vs 7x10). Again, personal preference but I own hundreds of books and this made the reading and holding of a hardcover book a lot easier for me. Little details that go a long way especially on a self published book. Very much looking forward to her next authored biography!
October 30, 2022
"The song "Seventy-Six Trombones" from The Music Man would forever link Robert Preston to the Broadway musical and the iconic 1962 film that would establish him as a Hollywood and Broadway star.
In a film and stage career that spanned five decades, Robert Preston managed to survive the studio system and the fickleness of the film industry while maintaining his integrity and calling his own shots. A master at shielding his private life, Preston remained an enigma to many of his closest co-stars and contemporaries. Extensive archival research, in addition to interviews with Preston's family members and fellow actors has unveiled a richly detailed portrait of the gifted actor's personal life in addition to an overview of the films and Broadway productions to which he lent his talent."
Warren has done it again!
A gifted writer, she has a talent that matches current well known biographers. Knowing her craft of meticulous and in-depth research, she once again delivers a very well written piece of work. Her passion and love for writing biographies on people she admires is evident in her incredibly detailed research of little known and very private Robert Preston.
I purchased the hardcover book. There is no paper dust jacket yet the cover, spine and back of book appears the same as if it had a paper dust jacket. I actually prefer this as I remove dusk jackets while reading so as to not ruin them, then put them back on when out on display on a coffee table or on my bookshelves. This is strictly a personal preference but one worth mentioning as I found this to be a pleasant surprise. Also the hardcover edition has a slightly larger typeset/ font and the book itself is a slightly smaller in dimensions than most books of this length (6x9 vs 7x10). Again, personal preference but I own hundreds of books and this made the reading and holding of a hardcover book a lot easier for me. Little details that go a long way especially on a self published book. Very much looking forward to her next authored biography!
In a film and stage career that spanned five decades, Robert Preston managed to survive the studio system and the fickleness of the film industry while maintaining his integrity and calling his own shots. A master at shielding his private life, Preston remained an enigma to many of his closest co-stars and contemporaries. Extensive archival research, in addition to interviews with Preston's family members and fellow actors has unveiled a richly detailed portrait of the gifted actor's personal life in addition to an overview of the films and Broadway productions to which he lent his talent."
Warren has done it again!
A gifted writer, she has a talent that matches current well known biographers. Knowing her craft of meticulous and in-depth research, she once again delivers a very well written piece of work. Her passion and love for writing biographies on people she admires is evident in her incredibly detailed research of little known and very private Robert Preston.
I purchased the hardcover book. There is no paper dust jacket yet the cover, spine and back of book appears the same as if it had a paper dust jacket. I actually prefer this as I remove dusk jackets while reading so as to not ruin them, then put them back on when out on display on a coffee table or on my bookshelves. This is strictly a personal preference but one worth mentioning as I found this to be a pleasant surprise. Also the hardcover edition has a slightly larger typeset/ font and the book itself is a slightly smaller in dimensions than most books of this length (6x9 vs 7x10). Again, personal preference but I own hundreds of books and this made the reading and holding of a hardcover book a lot easier for me. Little details that go a long way especially on a self published book. Very much looking forward to her next authored biography!
August 29, 2022
A fascinating book - once I began reading, I could not put it down. The book is based on exhaustive archival research plus interviews with some of the surviving celebs Preston worked with in his career - Christopher Walken, Lesley Ann Warren, and Rosemary Harris - to name a few. This is an intelligent, well written biography that masterfully chronicles Preston’s career and private life. I highly recommend this book - it is a must-read for performing arts aficionados, biography buffs, and Music Man fans alike.
June 2, 2024
Robert Preston has always been one of my favorite actors. Since I watched him in How the West Was Won, one of his later projects, I instantly 'fell in love' and couldn't understand why Debbie Reynolds would choose Gregory Peck instead. Oh, well...
I have seen (and own) almost all of his movies (except those I cannot find on disc), and his acting has always enthralled me. The way he moves, the way he speaks -- it's like watching a restless panther ready to stalk its prey. He was a consummate actor, tall, strong, well-built, yet easy-going, and willing to give the stage to someone else without over-acting. He didn't need to. He had a commanding presence, and one can't help but notice him instead of others.
Sadly, I wasn't old enough to see any of his Broadway performances, but I would have liked to do so. From the statements of costars, he was someone who took over the stage without even trying. He sold out performances many times. Even in bad plays, his acting was stellar. He loved to work, and he did almost until his death.
Robert Preston's wife, Catherine, was an actress in her own right but gave it up to care for her husband and his career. She was the rock he needed, the comfort he wanted to come home to -- even when he had other plans, (which I won't go into here), Catherine was there, always.
I really looked forward to reading this biography, as I have always hoped there would be a good one out there. Unfortunately, this isn't it. For one, there is a dearth of photographs, just a few pages (I do feel that there should have been more than just a few photos), but that is my own opinion. Secondly, if you haven't seen all of his movies and wish to do so, you might want to skip much of this book. I say that because it goes on ad nauseum of every single plot of every single play and film he was in; the costars and all their backgrounds (I still don't know who many of the stage actors are since I have never heard of them); and it drags the book down roads it doesn't need to go.
The beginning is excellent, with Robert's family background and how he came to be an actor, but then it drowns in the above-mentioned areas, which made the reading take longer than it did as it lost my attention somewhere past that. The last hundred pages or so is a bibliography of information in the book (which we expect) and every performance he was in along with all his costars (wasn't that information already given?).
In the end, this could have been a much better book, but it will have to suffice until (or unless) another biography of this wonderful actor comes along.
I have seen (and own) almost all of his movies (except those I cannot find on disc), and his acting has always enthralled me. The way he moves, the way he speaks -- it's like watching a restless panther ready to stalk its prey. He was a consummate actor, tall, strong, well-built, yet easy-going, and willing to give the stage to someone else without over-acting. He didn't need to. He had a commanding presence, and one can't help but notice him instead of others.
Sadly, I wasn't old enough to see any of his Broadway performances, but I would have liked to do so. From the statements of costars, he was someone who took over the stage without even trying. He sold out performances many times. Even in bad plays, his acting was stellar. He loved to work, and he did almost until his death.
Robert Preston's wife, Catherine, was an actress in her own right but gave it up to care for her husband and his career. She was the rock he needed, the comfort he wanted to come home to -- even when he had other plans, (which I won't go into here), Catherine was there, always.
I really looked forward to reading this biography, as I have always hoped there would be a good one out there. Unfortunately, this isn't it. For one, there is a dearth of photographs, just a few pages (I do feel that there should have been more than just a few photos), but that is my own opinion. Secondly, if you haven't seen all of his movies and wish to do so, you might want to skip much of this book. I say that because it goes on ad nauseum of every single plot of every single play and film he was in; the costars and all their backgrounds (I still don't know who many of the stage actors are since I have never heard of them); and it drags the book down roads it doesn't need to go.
The beginning is excellent, with Robert's family background and how he came to be an actor, but then it drowns in the above-mentioned areas, which made the reading take longer than it did as it lost my attention somewhere past that. The last hundred pages or so is a bibliography of information in the book (which we expect) and every performance he was in along with all his costars (wasn't that information already given?).
In the end, this could have been a much better book, but it will have to suffice until (or unless) another biography of this wonderful actor comes along.
January 1, 2024
The author did extensive research into the life of Robert Preston, and it clearly shows while reading the book. I appreciated the chronological layout from the start of his life to his death.
At times, the book reads like a playbill which makes it seem drawn out. The author references some photographs throughout the book and explains them in depth; however, the pictures are not incorporated with the book. There’s a handful of black and white pictures supplied but they are printed on the same paper and the quality is subpar. I would like to see the pictures the author described with such vivid detail incorporated within the book, and on quality paper which allows you the appreciate them.
Overall, if you are looking to learn about Robert Preston and his life, this book is the best and closest anyone can get without knowing him personally.
At times, the book reads like a playbill which makes it seem drawn out. The author references some photographs throughout the book and explains them in depth; however, the pictures are not incorporated with the book. There’s a handful of black and white pictures supplied but they are printed on the same paper and the quality is subpar. I would like to see the pictures the author described with such vivid detail incorporated within the book, and on quality paper which allows you the appreciate them.
Overall, if you are looking to learn about Robert Preston and his life, this book is the best and closest anyone can get without knowing him personally.
August 29, 2022
A fascinating book - once I began reading, I could not put it down. The book is based on exhaustive archival research plus interviews with some of the surviving celebs Preston worked with in his career - Christopher Walken, Lesley Ann Warren, and Rosemary Harris - to name a few. This is an intelligent, well written biography that masterfully chronicles Preston’s career and private life. I highly recommend this book - it is a must-read for performing arts aficionados, biography buffs, and Music Man fans alike.
March 14, 2024
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️.5
November 18, 2025
A long and meaty book that I devoured in a few days because it was about my all-time favorite star. Lots of insights and facts I never knew. There is not much written about him on-line. This was sheer pleasure and I couldn't put it down. If you like The Music Man you will LOVE this book!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews