David niven actor book the moon a balloon

Anything said about david niven s personal life should be viewed with doubt as 1 it is not clear if munn didnt just make it up as niven s sons claim and 2 niven used to make up stories about himself and others up all the time and i dont see why he. On at least one occasion he put in a transatlantic phonecall to douglas fairbanks jnr. David niven s friend roger moore wrote that he told splendid stories,but he also embellished them. The moons a balloon, 19701971 hjordis genberg niven. In 1971, he published his autobiography, the moons a balloon, this is davidniven.

The first, round the rugged rocks, was a novel which appeared in 1951 and was forgotten almost at once. Dec 08, 2017 i was about 15 when i first picked up a copy of david niven s memoir, the moon s a balloon. Both men were lifelong advocates of flynn and his legacy, taking time to denounce the actor s. Niven s lovely autobiography is both honest and hilarious. One of my favorite actors and the only english actor who left hollywood and. The book, which was first published in 1988, was cowritten by wiles and professional writer william donati. There was niven, grinning, rather foolishly, wearing a pinky ring surrounded by a large balloon. Rich in hilarious anecdote, it tells the story of niven s school and sandhurst days, his posting to malta with the highland light infantry, and how he escaped the army for a new life in the states. Ive lost complete control of the characters, he despaired. There are stories about the prostitute with a heart of gold who taught him about sex when he was very young, shenanigans as an actor screwups in a pasadena playhouse stage play early in his career, trying to sob before the corpse of cathy on the set of wylers wuthering heights, but some of the best stories date from his years in. When i reread it recently, the same maltese story had me in fits. One of the bestselling memoirs of all time, david niven s the moon s a balloon is an account of one of the most remarkable lives hollywood has ever seen.

David niven the quintessential english actor a short. Im not sure i believe a lot of what munn writes, but this is nevertheless an entertaining book with some nice stories about the movies. In 1971, he published his autobiography, the moon s a balloon, which. As nivens biographer, graham lord, here reveals and there is no delicate way. The first edition of the novel was published in 1971, and was written by david niven. When i found the moons a balloona david niven autobiography on a used book sale rack i couldnt help but laugh. David niven has books on goodreads with 12497 ratings. Apr 26, 2005 david niven was born in london in 1910. He has had one of the most varied lives, as well as one of the most spectacular film careers, of our time. He was one of britains best known actors and, in later years, a bestselling author his autobiography, the moon s a balloon which was first published in 1971, sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Though he specialized in light comedy, niven also handled drama in movies like separate tables 1958, for which he won a oscar as best actor. Beginning with the tragic early loss of his aristocratic father, then regaling us with tales of school, army and wartime hijinx, niven shows how, even as an unknown young man, he knew how to live the good life.

Often remembered for playing the archetypal english gentleman. The moons a balloon by david niven headline publishing group. Described by brian mcfarlane, writing for the british film institute bfi, as being of famously debonair manner, nivens career. The moon s a balloon, bring on the empty horses, pieces of my heart. His second book, bring on the empty horses is a compilation of stories about his famous friends. The archetypal english gentleman, he starred in over ninety films. Both books were highly acclaimed by the critics and remain as wonderful reminders of a muchloved actor who epitomised, for many, the essential british gent, even when surrounded. There have been several editions and many translations of the book over the years. In 1971, he published his autobiography, the moons a balloon, which. His bestselling volume of memoirs, the moons a balloon, was praised in 1972 by christopher lehmannhaupt in the new york times. The moons a balloon mass market paperback january 1, 1973 by david niven author. In 1971, he published his autobiography, the moons a balloon. His first book, the moons a balloon, is a straight autobiography.

David niven on screen, stage, radio, record and in print. The moons a balloon was recommended to the highest level by an old aunt, and i must do likewise to anyone who enjoys superb writing, hugely entertaining and humorous stories, and dry wit of the highest calibre. British soldier actor wit ranconteur david niven took as his personal life myth that once. Extracted from the moon s a balloon by david niven. The moon s a balloon mass market paperback january 1, 1973 by david niven author. The moon s a balloon is the story of his life,which saw him serve in the army,become a bootlegger,work as a movie extra,fight in world war ii and become a major international movie star. Niven was an astoundingly accomplished, clear and humorous autobiographical writer. Niv is a somewhat pedantic trawl thought the career of an actor so focused on. Anything said about david nivens personal life should be viewed with doubt as 1 it is not clear if munn didnt just make it up as nivens sons claim and 2 niven used to make up stories about himself and others up all the time and i dont see why he. He was one of britains best known actors and, in later years, a bestselling author his autobiography. James david graham niven, known as david niven, was an oscar winning english actor and novelist. Rich in hilarious anecdote, it tells the story of niven s school and sandhurst days. The moon s a balloon is a bestselling memoir by british actor david niven 19101983, published in 1971. According to niven, when todd asked him if he would appear as fogg, niven enthusiastically replied, id do it for nothing.

Used books may not include companion materials, may have some shelf wear, may contain highlightingnotes. It is lords unlucky lot to correct the whoppers niven told throughout his life, especially in his relentlessly anecdotal autobiography, the moon s a balloon. Free download or read online the moons a balloon pdf epub book. In this book, mr niven tells the story of his early life in england, then his early career in hollywood, and then his service in wwii. It was a yellowing paperback, certainly much older than i was, tucked away in a forgotten corner of my. David niven biography birthday, trivia scottish actor. One of the bestselling memoirs of all time, david nivens the moons a balloon is an account of one of the most remarkable lives hollywood has ever seen. Reveals the actor s dark side and drastically changes the lighthearted selfportrait that niven draws of himself in the moon s a balloon sunday express writer, actor, director and former journalist and hollywood publicist, michael munn, has written 21 books, including the best selling john wayne.

David niven signs his book the moons a balloon at savo. David niven is remembered as one of britains bestloved actors. Old hollywoods most scandalous secrets, as told by david. The most appealing footnote in this capdoffing book is nivens knack of. Buy the moons a balloon by david niven from waterstones today. David niven was one of those authentic hollywood legends, with real life heroics that matched his reel adventures. The book became a classic and has gone on to sell over five million copies worldwide. When the moon s a balloon was first published in 1971, it received huge acclaim. David niven the man behind the balloon by michael munn.

When i first read the moon s a balloon in the early 1970s, i convulsed with laughter, especially reading the maltese mess dinner story. About the author david niven was born in london in 1910. The british actor david niven 19101983 performed in many genres of light entertainment, including film, radio and theatre. Revealing david nivens missie vivien leigh and laurence. Dec 05, 2008 subscribe our youtube channel for free here. A leopard on a leash, a shark in the pool and party girls. Michael parkinson show david niven interview parkinson. His many roles included squadron leader peter carter in a matter of life and death, phileas fogg in around the world in 80 days, and sir charles lytton the phantom in the pink panther. In early 1970, david niven was still struggling to knuckle down and write the book which would eventually be released as the moons a balloon. At the outbreak of world war ii, although a topline star, he rejoined the army rifle brigade. He won the academy award for best actor for his performance in separate. I read the moon s a balloon and bring on the empty horses and enjoyed both immensely. Described by brian mcfarlane, writing for the british film institute bfi, as being of famously debonair manner, niven s career spanned from 1932 until 1983. In an interview with hong kongs south china morning post, former james bond actor sir roger moore uses the c word to describe.

Explore books by david niven with our selection at. I just watched him in one of his first starring roles, bachelor mother 1939rko opposite ginger rogers. I had earlier read his other book,bring on the empty horses,and found it immensely enjoyable. Not that he was obeying his doctors orders to take things easy during the shoot he also tried to get his new novel under way. The flawed real life of the perfect movie gentleman. Rich in hilarious anecdote, it tells the story of nivens school and sandhurst days. David niven only made one movie in 1976, a disney production called candleshoe, filmed in the san fernando valley and stratforduponavon. My days with errol flynn is an autobiography of vernon buster wiles that focuses predominantly on the times he spent with actor errol flynn in hollywood during the late 1930s and 1940s.

In horses, the britishborn niven reveals a generous but. Prior to reading this book, my only knowledge of david niven was as an actor in a few films i had seen. David niven humorist, athlete, actor and gentleman extraordinary, a gay buccaneer who has painted his portrait in hilarious colour. This is a charming and witty autobiography the first in a series this well known actor wrote about his life in the movies. If ever a moment summed up david nivens particular brand of suave, dry wit, it would be his reaction to a streaker who ran on stage behind him, as he presented the best picture award at the 1974 oscars. He was one of britains best known actors and, in later years, a bestselling author his autobiography, the moons a balloon which was first published in 1971, sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Niven followed it with a sequel bring on the empty horses in 1975 the book is a funny yet tragic tale, detailing everything from the loss of niven s father to his knowledge of. The moons a balloon niven, david 9780140239249 amazon. David niven junior last saw his father a few months before his death at the movie stars spectacular villa overlooking the sea at cap ferrat in the south of france. The moons a balloon by david niven hill of content. He was one of britains best known actors and, in later years, a bestselling author his autobiography, the moons a. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 327 pages and is available in paperback format.

Beginning with the tragic early loss of his aristocratic father, then regaling us with tales of school, army and wartime hijinx, niven shows how, even as an unknown young man, he knew how to. The moons a balloon is a bestselling memoir by british actor david niven 1910 1983, published in 1971. He attended stowe school and sandhurst military academy and served for two years in malta with the highland light infantry. Profile for david niven from the moons a balloon page 1. David niven wrote two of the best autobiographies out of anyone in show business. In the 1970s niven published two humorous autobiographies of his life in the movies, the moon s a balloon 1971 and bring on the empty horses 1975. Tales of army life, early film success and the war years, all told with a. The guardians number one hollywood autobiography ebook. The moons a balloon is a bestselling memoir by british actor david niven 19101983, published in 1971.

His bestselling volume of memoirs, the moons a balloon, was praised in 1972 by christopher lehmannhaupt in. David nivens friend roger moore wrote that he told splendid stories,but he also embellished them. The book tells of a life lived to the full, more than rubbing shoulders with the leading actors from the golden age of hollywood, major political figures and more besides. The man behind the balloon, michael munn confesses that he cant be an objective author with this biography because he is part of it. One of the bestselling memoirs of all time, david niven s the moon s a balloon is an account of one of the most remarkable lives hollywood has ever seen beginning with the tragic early loss of his aristocratic father, then regaling us with tales of school, army and wartime hijinx, niven shows how, even as an unknown young man, he knew how to live the good life. Bring on the empty horses is the second part of david niven s internationally bestselling autobiography, following the superbly entertaining the moon s a balloon. If ever a moment summed up david niven s particular brand of suave, dry wit, it would be his reaction to a streaker who ran on stage behind him, as he presented the best picture award at the 1974 oscars. David niven was named after the saints day on which he was born, st. In his 1972 autobiographical book the moon s a balloon, actor david niven discussed his meeting with todd and the subsequent events that led to the film being produced. He has had one of the most varied lives, as well as one of the most spectacular film careers, of our. The moon can be something of a burst balloon, 19761977. When the moons a balloon was first published in 1971, it received huge acclaim. Niven followed it with a sequel bring on the empty horses in 1975. One of the bestselling memoirs of all time, david nivens the.