Luckier Than Most - NEW Dean Street Press Autobiography! 🤩🎬🎩

Woo! Today, I'm celebrating the debut of Dean Street Press' newest book—Luckier Than Most by David Tomlinson! 🥳❤️✨

If you're in the mood for a mannerly memoir with a sprinkle of marvelous old Hollywood movie magic, you will love the musings of this modest and multi-talented man!

A surprisingly enjoyable read!

I have to admit that I was a bit wary (and also nervous) to read this book. I have very little knowledge of the old Hollywood scene in general and I only recognized David Tomlinson as "the father from Mary Poppins" and "the magician from Bedknobs and Broomsticks".

So, after reading the first couple of chapters, I was scared that I wouldn't be able to keep reading. Oh, no!! (Not because of the DT's writing style, but because I felt completely and utterly out of my depth.)

I tend to feel overwhelmed by any book (fiction or non-fiction) that starts off by describing a lot of people/characters who I know nothing about. I try scratching out a rough family tree on a piece of scrap paper for reference and then I end up in despair. [Plus, the only pre-1970s British actors I'm familiar with have been from Agatha Christie (or Alfred Hitchcock) movies. I might recognize a face, but not always a name.]

But, after a helpful suggestion from Caro to do a Google search of the name of an actor/director/movie as I read, I began to feel more invested in Luckier Than Most. I was able to match faces with names and that was a turning point. (Thanks, Caro!!) Once I past the halfway mark, I was considerably more interested and flew through the rest of the autobiography.

Things I Truly Admire About David Tomlinson:

• Extraordinary ability to adapt to stressful and difficult situations
• Sense of humor, loyalty and affection for his friends and family
• Skill at being polite in even the most challenging circumstances
  
• Continuing zest for life...from humble beginnings in a small, windowless room near Charing Cross  looking for any sort of acting job to owning his own property in the country after years of theatrical success.

Favorite Parts From the Book:

• "Often Julie Andrews, a new mother, took me under her wing as well. She cooked for me while I occasionally held the baby."
• "On my birthday, May 7th, 1960, Audrey presented me with our third son—an especially beautiful, especially perfect little boy." (My daughter, Rose, was also born on May 7th!)
• When Walt Disney assisted in bringing in a consultant for David and Audrey's third child for possible deafness (which he did not have).
• Finding the best person to aid his autistic son when professionals were discouraging and unhelpful.
• Wonderful photographs in two sections of the book.
  

My Favorite Quotes From the Book:

"I spent six months at a recruit depot at Caterham where to say the discipline was rigid would be like saying the Equator is quite warm or that the monsoon season brings light showers to the tropics."

"'Lie down, ' she shouted, throwing herself to the ground. I was wearing a new suit. Not in this suit, I thought to myself. I dragged her to her feet and we continued on our way."

"They were exuberant company although I resisted their attempts to get me to accompany them to observe an amputation. What I needed was a job, not nausea."

"Perhaps the most important thing I learned was that the vital thing an actor must have is courage....Not yesterday, not tomorrow—but now."

"When asked , "Is that an Oscar?", I always say, "No, better!" (Referring to when David received an 'Eddy'—an award given by the American Cinema Editors for the best debut in a US film. )

This is not a book I would normally choose to read, but lovely Victoria (Director of the Dean Street Press Ltd. team) thought I would enjoy it. And she was right! Now, I have the urge to watch more of David Tomlinson's movies. I'm pretty sure my dear friend Caro would be happy to watch one his movies on our crochet/movie date night! 😁🧶📺

Overall, I really appreciated learning about DT's life. It completely changed my view of him— in the most positive way. Reading about the human being behind the actor is a powerful thing. I very much encourage you to give this book a try!

It's time to get your copy!!

Please check out Caro's excellent and thoughtful review of this book on her website and on Instagram.

Many thanks to DSP for sending me an advance copy of this book to read and review! I'm almost always reading a Dean Street Press book and they never fail to delight me in some way. Yay! 😍

Let me know in the comments which David Tomlinson movie is your favorite 😁

Happy Reading, Friends!! 💕🌸🤗🌸💕