Thursday, May 5, 2011

Through Monica Lewis' Eyes



Monica Lewis, who worked with Judy Garland on radio in the 1950's, has co-authored a memoir with Dean Lamanna.

Hollywood Through My Eyes: The Lives And Loves of A Golden Age Siren tells the story of a little girl from Chicago who found her way to New York City, jobs with Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra, and careers in night clubs and broadcasting before winding her way to Hollywood, where she recorded hit records, had featured roles in 1970's action and disaster movies, and a marriage to a powerful producer.

Among the people found in the tapestry of Ms Lewis' life are Ronald Reagan, Judy Garland, Clint Eastwood, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Stephen Spielberg, Milton Berle, Ava Gardner, and others.


From Monica Lewis's web site:
 
For almost two decades, Monica Lewis was the idealized, wholesomely sexy sound and image of apple-pie America, lending a melodious voice of hope to thousands of U.S. troops through two of the 20th century's greatest wars. She starred on the very first "Ed Sullivan Show," had numerous hit records including "Put The Blame on a Mame," "A Tree in the Meadow," "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," "Autumn Leaves" and "I Wish You Love," and provided the memorable singing voice for the popular cartoon character "Miss Chiquita Banana."

Signed by MGM in 1950, she appeared in such films as "Everything I Have is Yours" with Marge and Gower Champion, "Excuse My Dust" with Red Skelton and "The Strip" with Mickey Rooney, and had a strong dramatic role in RKO's "Affair With a Stranger."

Along a route that took her to famed music venues, on-air programs and movie studios from New York to Los Angeles and back, she paused for (and sometimes steered clear of) romantic entanglements with Ronald Reagan (who proposed marriage), Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Herman Wouk, Sidney Sheldon, Kirk Douglas, Richard Rodgers and Milton Berle.

She married colorful and innovative MCA/Universal Studios production executive Jennings Lang in 1956 and had featured roles in several of her husband's blockbuster movies, including "Rollercoaster," "Airport '77," "The Concorde--Airport '79" and the Top 100 all-time box-office hit, "Earthquake." She also returned to cabaret and recorded several critically-acclaimed CD's in the 1980's and 90's.

monicalewis.com

The book was released today and is available everywhere.
For more detailed information please visit Hollywood Through My Eyes' page at amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Through-My-Eyes-Golden/dp/1934980889

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