WOMANIZER! WOMANIZER! WOMANIZER!

Well, Cinefollowers, we seem to be between films at this juncture and so it's time to return once again to the literary world, for a review of a fantastic, new bio, by one of my favourite author's. That would be the story of that ole ex-Lothario himself, WARREN BEATTY. The book is called STAR, by PETER BISKIND.

Years ago, I saw WARREN BEATTY, being interviewed by BABA WAWA and she was giving to him different monikers he had been called over the years, and she asked him to respond, in kind. The last one she lobbed at him was ''womanizer.'' He paused, and hesitated and then he stammered out: ''no.''

Then, there was the time when his sis. SHIRLEY MACLAINE - who was presenting on the Oscars, and BEATTY, was in the audience. She said in front of a gazillion viewers: ''Oh, Warren, imagine what you could accomplish if you were celibate. Reportedly, he did not speak to her again for a year.

Now, as I mentioned, I love PETER BISKIND (one of my favourite books about HOLLYWEIRD, is his EASY RIDERS, RAGING BULLS, which is about how the great directors of the 70's, had great success and then blew it.

So, what do we learn from BISKIND'S exhaustively researched tome on BEATTY? - alot. For instance didja know that BEATTY, is the only director, who was nominated for 4 Academy Awards, (for HEAVEN CAN WAIT, and REDS, respectively), in 4 different categories, twice. Only ORSON WELLES, comes close to this accomplishment, but he only did it once. He has turned down, more movies than he did. His film output numbers in the twenties, and he only had 3 real hits: BONNIE AND CLYDE, HEAVEN CAN WAIT and SHAMPOO. BEATTY, spent the rest of his time turning down parts and of course, chasing skirt.

The picture that emerges, from this book is not a pretty one. He is clearly a control-freak, who will run roughshod over anyone to get what he wants. We learn how he dominated, director, HAL ASHBY, ON SHAMPOO, and basically directed the movie himself. He did the same thing to his erst-while co-director, BUCK HENRY, on HEAVEN CAN WAIT. While there is no denying his obvious charm, and talent, he comes off as quite cruel at times and basically, not a very nice man.

I devoured this book, and basically every one who BEATTY, ever knew, worked with, or slept with, are featured in the text. I already knew of his work and collaboration with friends and filmmakers such as, ROBERT TOWNE, ELAINE MAY, JAMES TOBACK and of course, JACK NICHOLSON, JULIE CHRISTIE and DIANE KEATON. But BISKIND, told me so much more about them.

The book, is over 500 pages long and so BISKIND, has obviously done his homework. What emerges is a fully fleshed-out picture of BEATTY, and it is a truly fascinating one.

Until next time..

T.T.F.N.