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Kitty: An Autobiography
The noted singer and actress recounts her eventful life from her childhood in Europe, through Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s, to her life today, offering revealing insights into the many celebrities she has known
Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 28, 2016
She had no talent. She had no "looks." Yet became, like Donald Trump, a celeb on TV ! ~~ Her pushy MUM, who used her personal wiles to promo daughter in LaLa, and you know wot I mean, got Kitty into 2 films, then they returned to NYC. This tome, ghosted, I'm told, x Schuyler Chapin, reports how Kitty Cohen> Conn > Carlisle became known as Pussy Galore to those dismayed by her canned charm and artificiality. Having met her, alas, (under duress) 3 xs, I can tell you that she didnt have an honest smile on her "mask." Which she couldnt take off. There was no other face. She married wonderful (and gay) Moss Hart late in her life - and his, they had 2 children (yes, yes, it happens all the time), and the rest is :"We don't tell the truth." Kitty (1910-2007) plays the Grand Duchess of Tuchas --- if you can stomach canned laughter, which is this book. Once I arrived early and caught her without wigs and skin-wrap, and thot, "Who is this ?" O, darling, I'm not ready, she squealed. Then why did your slavey alert you, I wondered, and why must I look at you !? In NYC - you will not be surprised - she impressed many slobs. Like Trump, her money, honey : the Moss Hart estate. Get me out. To tell the truth, that's what Moss Hart did.
May 11, 2019
A lovely look back at "the good old days" of theatre. I always thought she was a very classy lady.
Her twenty+ years of devoted and passionate work on the New York State Council on the Arts where she served first as Vice-Chair and then Chairman should be lauded.
This is my 2nd reading of her book.
Her twenty+ years of devoted and passionate work on the New York State Council on the Arts where she served first as Vice-Chair and then Chairman should be lauded.
This is my 2nd reading of her book.
October 31, 2021
This one is for the old-timers that recall Hart, who was an actress, singer, and wife of Broadway's Moss Hart. I knew little about her and simply have been fond of her for her many years on To Tell The Truth, but she barely mentions that show in this book. Instead it's about her lavish, spoiled life--proof that those with money have a greater chance at success and power.
I found her desire to not be political refreshing until the final chapter, which oddly focuses on her leadership of the New York arts council. She totally skips any personal information from her past decade and instead pushes the concept that tax dollars should be used to support arts organizations. But she doesn't give a fair chance to the side that says the government has no business making decisions regarding what is art, what should be funded in the private sector, and why hard-earned tax dollars should go to pay for elitist organizations. This seems to be a typical Democratic view that the average person should pay tax money to support the lifestyles of the rich liberals.
Other than a bad last chapter it's a slow, gentle read and one that reveals a number of aspects from her past that were surprises. She is always so positive that it's a bit refreshing, but that also means she doesn't get into the real dirt of any life stories. She's simply classy, at all times, and seems unaware that she isn't an average person.
I found her desire to not be political refreshing until the final chapter, which oddly focuses on her leadership of the New York arts council. She totally skips any personal information from her past decade and instead pushes the concept that tax dollars should be used to support arts organizations. But she doesn't give a fair chance to the side that says the government has no business making decisions regarding what is art, what should be funded in the private sector, and why hard-earned tax dollars should go to pay for elitist organizations. This seems to be a typical Democratic view that the average person should pay tax money to support the lifestyles of the rich liberals.
Other than a bad last chapter it's a slow, gentle read and one that reveals a number of aspects from her past that were surprises. She is always so positive that it's a bit refreshing, but that also means she doesn't get into the real dirt of any life stories. She's simply classy, at all times, and seems unaware that she isn't an average person.
June 16, 2020
Autobiography by Moss Hart's wife, actress, and TV celebrity published in 1988; she was still ticking at age 95. Read immediately after Moss Hart's "Act One," so this was a sequel of sorts for me.
October 2, 2011
A grand autobiography of a truly grand lady. I remember watching television and having crushes on two performers. One was Kitty Carlisle and the other was Arlene Francis. Both were the very epitome of style, class, beauty and sophistication.
I knew very little of Miss Carlisle other than she was the widow and Broadway legend Moss Hart. Hers is an interesting story about a way of life that regretfully, we probably won't see again.
This is a quick, light and fanciful read for anyone with an interest in the theater and in that and in that colorful life known as New York Cafe society in the mid to late 20th century.
I knew very little of Miss Carlisle other than she was the widow and Broadway legend Moss Hart. Hers is an interesting story about a way of life that regretfully, we probably won't see again.
This is a quick, light and fanciful read for anyone with an interest in the theater and in that and in that colorful life known as New York Cafe society in the mid to late 20th century.
February 8, 2022
Kitty had a fascinating life from the days that her mother pushed her into society to her happy marriage to Moss Hart till his death to her work on the New York Arts Council. She rarely said a bad word about anybody
February 5, 2015
This was a REALLY entertaining memoir by actress, singer, and game show panelist Kitty Carlisle Hart. She discusses her few movie appearances, ranging from the Marx Brothers' "A Night at the Opera" to Woody Allen's 1987 film "Radio Days".
She married somewhat late in life to Moss Hart, co-writer of many plays such as "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and "You Can't Take it With You", and director of Broadway plays "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot" They had 15 years together before his untimely death.
Kitty is probably best known for the 20-plus years she spent as a panelist on the TV game show "To Tell The Truth", and in her later years she also served on the New York State Arts Council, appointed to the post by Governors of both political parties.
**#17 of 100 books I have pledged to read and review during 2015**
She married somewhat late in life to Moss Hart, co-writer of many plays such as "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and "You Can't Take it With You", and director of Broadway plays "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot" They had 15 years together before his untimely death.
Kitty is probably best known for the 20-plus years she spent as a panelist on the TV game show "To Tell The Truth", and in her later years she also served on the New York State Arts Council, appointed to the post by Governors of both political parties.
**#17 of 100 books I have pledged to read and review during 2015**
June 27, 2012
Especially liked the early life with mom in the 20's. Seemed like such a nice lady. Ended up years later seeing her one woman show.
August 20, 2012
This is an absolute joy of an autobiography - especially when read in tandem with her incredible husband's book, "Act One" by Miss Hart. Best book on theatre ever written.
April 26, 2014
It was entertaining. No comparison to her husband's memoir but a nice adjunct to that book.
July 10, 2016
A fascinating look at a glamorous life; they don't make 'em like Kitty Carlisle any more.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews