Show Me The Magic - My Adventures in Life and Hollywood

i think I was defeated by my own expectations of this book. Since i enjoyed some of the movies written and directed by the author, I thought his book might give me some insights and more of a point of view. Instead, it was just a recitation of "We (names here) went here and did this and that." Perhaps that all the author had to say but it simply wasn't enough for me. And there was zero magic in it.

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His life was probably interesting to people in show biz., not to me. I threw it away before reading the 1/2 way point.

This is a good book but read "Paul on Mazursky" also for more information on his films.

Mazursky's auto is a quick read - well written, smart and funny... just like the man. Buy this right away.

Hollywood mixes some elusive ingredients together to create an on-screen magic. Timing, chemistry, story picking and skillful writing.Paul Mazursky reflects in this memoir back on fifty years of creating movies, of bringing actors and actresses together with the right stories, and getting studio and capital backing to bring his creative projects to the public. From his memoirs, he lived a charmed life.Perhaps one of the most captivating stars he worked with was the brilliant Peter Sellers. Mercurial, genius, hilarious, and completely bat-caca off his rocker. Yet, Mazrsky was able to harness Sellers talent for two successful films.Mazursky stays humble throughout this book, never succumbs to bitterness, and shares with gratitude, his amazing adventures and wonderful career. Some of the book is hilarious. Mazursky played the Borscht belt in his early career, and wrote for Danny Kaye, among others. His lack of connection with some of the stars is full of pathos, as when the Kaye, at the end of a stellar career, cannot capture Mazursky's vision for the role in the movie "Harry and Tonto". The role went to Art Carney, who won an Academy Award.Mazursky had some projects of which he was incredibly proud, which did not receive deserved acclaim, and some other great projects, which never received funding.All in all, a fast moving, interesting, funny and inspiring book, by a quiet legend.

I don't believe I've seen more than two of Mazursky's films but I enjoyed his book, especially the juicy chapter on his adventures with the increasingly more bizarre Peter Sellers. This is not a biography, but rather a series of essays about his involvement with different Hollywood people and some chapters about his current life and childhood. Recommended.

He directed 13 episodes of the Monkees, a truly fun and ground breaking show, why no memory ? or of Harry and Tonto ? Please write a sequel, there are stories to be told. Otherwise, a fun afternoon read with some interesting insights and many good anecdotes.