Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In this dazzling memoir that also serves as a dual biography of stage and film legends Noel Coward and Marlene Dietrich, producer Michael Menzies chronicles in hilarious detail his life-long obsession with the theater in general and these two international superstars in particular.
Born in New Zealand, and physically a doppelganger of his father, Menzies was convinced at an early age that he did not belong in the outdoorsy, sports-mad country of his birth, but on the glittering stages of the worlds most glamorous theaters. And a twelfth birthday present from his mother confirmed this,
Allowed to purchase any gift, as long as it was a book, Menzies was drawn immediately to the autobiography of actor/writer/composer Noel Coward, and was soon consumed by it. He identified hugely with Coward, so much so that he came to believe that he must be his love child. But with whom? Menzies worked out that his mother must be Marlene Dietrich, who happened to be among Cowards inner circle. As Menzies writes, “the dates didnt really fit but were close enough if one fudged a little”.
The book follows Menziess decision to leave New Zealand and takes him on a voyage around the world to confront Coward and Dietrich and announce himself as their son. Its not long before he realizes that this could not be so, but he continues his search for them - and their pasts, nonetheless. He finds echoes of their lives in London, Paris, New York, Berlin, Switzerland, Jamaica, all of which he recounts in this book.
Deeply Superficial is a tribute to Menziess four parents: Clive and Mary Menzies, who guided his early years and allowed him the freedom to indulge his imagination ,and Coward and Dietrich who gave him the inspiration to “above all, behave exquisitely”, which remains potent in him to this day.
About the Author
Michael has lived all over the world, and has worked with rock n roll promoter Bill Graham, impresario Sol Hurok, choreographer Agnes de Mille, Broadway Producer Saint-Subber, and in film with the de Laurentiis family. He now lives in Los Angeles with his companion of 30 years, Eduardo de la Grana.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
FOREWARD
Deeply Superficial
CHAPTER ONE:
Adoption
CHAPTER TWO:
Education
CHAPTER THREE:
Runaway
CHAPTER FOUR:
Kumeu
CHAPTER FIVE:
Bedside Talks
C HAPTER SIX:
Peace in Our Time
CHAPTER SEVEN:
London
CHAPTER EIGHT:
Dietrich In London
CHAPTER NINE:
Filing Clerk
CHAPTER TEN:
Camel
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
Noel Coward
CHAPTER TWELVE:
Harpers Bazaat/Sir Donald Wolfit
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
Marlene at 59
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Noel at 59s
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
Me at 59
CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
Night of Nights
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
NYC/Hurok
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
Firefly
CHAPTER NINETEEN:
Two Deaths
CHAPTER TWENTY:
Dietrich in Paris
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE:
Les Avants (The Wrong House)
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Paris Fireworks
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Les Avants (The Right House)
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR:
Dietrichs Death
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE:
Soundtrack of Two Lives
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX:
Return to London
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
A Dangerous Woman
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Bitter Sweet
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Dietrich Museum Exhibit
CHAPTER THIRTY
Influences
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Glasgow
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