Reviews

The late, great Guinness penned several autobiographies before his 2000 death, all of which were quite well received by critics. This first of his reminiscences was released in 1985. Though he is known to American audiences through his popular film work with David Lean in the 1950s and 1960s up through his latter years as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy, Guinness here concentrates on his British theater experiences, recalling various productions and the people he worked with, many of whom were equally famous (John Gielgud, Noel Coward, etc.). Guinness was a class act both on and off the stage and screen, and his charm shines through in these pages. For all theater/acting collections. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Not strictly autobiography, this is more a series of vignettes that center on some of the outstanding actor's bizarre and delightful friends. Although the work is entertaining, ``there is disappointingly little of the inner Guinness,'' PW stated. (April)