An Actor's Life -- From "How Green Was My Valley" to "Lassie" to "Planet of the Apes"
Author: Samuel Garza Bernstein
Genre: Biography/Entertainers
Hardcover; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9780806544267
Citadel
352 Pages
$29.00; $24.65 Amazon
May 26, 2026
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Sincerity, erudition, charisma...Roddy McDowall.
Here is the ncomprehensive, first-ever biography of the award-winning child star, Planet of the Apes movie icon, beloved film legend, and Hollywood renaissance man whose career spanned 60 years.
As one of the very few naturally gifted child actors who graduated into adult roles with relative ease, Roddy McDowall exuded charm throughout a glorious Hollywood run that included film, television, and Broadway. John Ford's 1941 classis How Green Was My Valley put Roddy on the map at 12-years-old. It won Best Picture over Citizen Kane and is Clint Eastwood's favorite film of all time. But Roddy's biggest claim to fame was yet to come.
The phenomenally popular Planet of the Apes film series, which ran from 1968-1973, introduced him to a whole new generation of fans. In a career spanning 60 years, Roddy was also a professional photographer, producer and director, starstruck movie lover himself, and film preservationist. Among his treasured friends: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Angela Lansbury, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Lauren Bacall, Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brand, Natalie Wood, and Rock Hudson. Openly gay among his peers, if not the public, Roddy was a trusted keeper of secrets as well. Loyal and authentic to the end, everyone in Hollywood loved Roddy McDowall.
Exhaustively researched and featuring exclusive interviews with those who knew him best, this first-ever biography from author Samuel Garza Bernstein charts the extraordinary trajectory of the London-born, award-winning actor -- from a childhood in front of the cameras, to a break from the studio and his controlling stage mother, an awkward adolescence and growing awareness of his sexuality, to eventually shaping the life and career that Roddy wanted for himself. Professionally and personally, he was a success. This intimate and fascinating journey of resilience, transformation, and reinvention is a long-awaited and illuminating tribute to a true Hollywood legend.
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First off, I want to say that I am a huge classic film buff, and own thousands of them. I don't care for the movies made today; and I feel that I should say that before reviewing this book. that being said, I have always been a fan of Roddy McDowall.
From his sad face in How Green Was My Valley to his obvious enjoyment of Planet of the Apes, there was always a charisma surrounding him. His acting was wonderful, his timing impeccable. Just a minor role in Midnight Lace tells you all you need to know. When he looks malevolently at Doris Day, you do believe that he would have no problem doing her harm. (Spoiler: he doesn't).
He always drew me in while watching his films. The magnificent oration in Cleopatra (which I learned, sadly) had part of it cut), was indeed something worth watching. He gave the best performance of the film, and that is saying something, since he was surrounded by actors such as Rex Harrison, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton.
The author has done justice to Roddy with this book. He begins when Roddy is just a child in England; his mother, Wineifrede, wants to be an actress but has neither the looks nor form for it, so she begins to groom her two children, Roddy and his older sister Virginia, for starring roles.
When they are sent to America by their father during World War II, Roddy is just twelve years old. His mother, still starstruck, goes to Hollywood and eventually a director sees Roddy's potential. Eventually, How Green Was My Valley not only becomes a starring vehicle for the young Brit, but it wins Best Picture that year at the Oscars. Roddy's star is born.
Unfortunately, as often happens, child stars don't always morph immediately into teenage roles, and Roddy was no exception. Although his childhood films were wonderful (some made me cry), his later films weren't as successful; but when he became a man his career once again took off.
So did Roddy...right for New York, and a new world of theater opened up. He loved Broadway, and Broadway loved him. Roddy loved being around people, and his many friends (too many to list, but most were A-listers themselves) surrounded him, protected him, and enjoyed his many dinner parties. He never lacked for companions, nor companionship. I have no doubt most people know that Roddy was gay, although it didn't define his life. I don't think, 'this is a gay actor,' I think, 'this is a great actor who also happens to be gay'. I never cared, and I still don't. This was a handsome, enigmatic man whose face could carry any emotion and convey it to the audience. His words only added to the charm.
He was involved in many charities, and did what he could for the preservation of film. So many films are lost forever by those who never thought that future generations might enjoy them. Roddy did care.
Yes, I am fond of Roddy, but it did not color my reading of the book. There was extensive research done, and interviews with friends who survived him. Their thoughts were kind. In fact, I could not find any negative thoughts at all. This was a man who took care of his family, forgave them their faults, held his friends close and kept their secrets.
The last part is actually difficult for me to write. It's about Roddy's last days and his death. I cried through those pages, and I am crying now while I relive it. It is the pain that his friends felt upon losing him; and even in his last days he showed his love. I only wished I could have met him. At least I have his films.
In the end, this is a wonderful biography that gives Roddy McDowall the justice he deserves. It makes me want to be a better person myself. Do yourself a favor: Watch a few of his movies and then read this book. You won't regret it. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Samuel Garza Bernstein's Books: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ASamuel%2BGarza%2BBernstein&s=relevancerank&text=Samuel+Garza+Bernstein&ref=
