Twitch Upon a Star
The Bewitched Life of Elizabeth Montgomery
by Herbie J Pilato
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Pub Date Nov 05 2012 | Archive Date Apr 02 2013
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group | Taylor Trade
Description
Based on author Herbie J Pilato’s exclusive interviews
with Elizabeth Montgomery prior to her death in 1995 (from colon
cancer), Twitch Upon A Star
includes never-before published material and commentary from several
individuals associated with her remarkable life and career before,
during, and after Bewitched, including her classic feature films The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955), Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed? (1963), and Johnny Cool (1963).
Two of Montgomery’s many popular TV movies, A Case of Rape (which remains one of the highest-rated TV-movies of all time) and The Legend of Lizzie Borden (which will soon be remade as a feature film), were groundbreaking and remain classics. But Twitch Upon a Star
also goes behind the scenes to explore Montgomery’s political activism,
including her early advocacy for AIDS research and the peace movement,
support for the gay community, and participation as narrator of
controversial 1988 feature film documentary Cover-Up, and its 1991 Oscar-winning sequel, The Panama Deception
(both about the Iran/Contra scandal of the l980s). In addition,
Montgomery had complicated relationships with her father, screen legend
Robert Montgomery (she was a liberal; he was a staunch conservative),
and four husbands (including actor Gig Young, who later died in a double
murder/suicide). Still, to friends such as fellow performers Sally Kemp
and Florence Henderson, Ronny Cox, and the Oscar-winning actor Cliff
Robertson she was just Lizzie, down-to-earth and unaffected, just like Samantha the witch-with-a-twitch Stephens, her most famous role.
About the Author: Herbie J Pilato is the author of a number of media/celebrity tie-in books, including The Bionic Book (BearManor Media, 2007), The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom (Tuttle, 1995), Bewitched Forever (Tapestry, 2004), and The Bewitched Book (Dell, 1992). Pilato has written about classic television for magazines like Starlog, Sci-Fi Entertainment, Retro Vision, Remember, Classic TV and Electronic House. He presently serves as the Founder and Executive Director of The Classic TV Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization that seeks to close the gap between popular culture and education.
Advance Praise
"The way Herbie J Pilato tells it, Elizabeth Montgomery just didn't have guts, she had balls. She was kind to those she felt deserved it but had no qualms about setting others straight. Who'd'a thunk that sweet little Samantha had such chutzpah?" —Larry Brody, veteran TV writer and producer
Heavily researched, expertly executed, and handled with reverence, Twitch Upon A Star is a magical revelation about one of the most popular and endearing performers of all time. It's clear that Herbie J Pilato not only knows what he's talking about, but that he also cares very deeply about his subject, from a personal, yet objective perspective...No two ways about it, this book is a class act about a classic actress. --Danny Gold, Film and Television Producer
I encourage everyone to read Pilato's astounding, loving, riveting, eye-opening book. --Lydia Cornell, star of class TV's Too Close for Comfort, comedienne, and women and children's advocate
“Intricately
revealing, well written and hard to put down, Herbie J Pilato’s Twitch
Upon a Star captures the essence and life of Elizabeth Montgomery. He leads
readers on an intriguing journey into the loves, politics and performances of
this multi-talented actor—a very magical journey, yet based in the real emotion
of love. I heartily recommend this well rounded read for fans, friends and
all who value the life of a gifted, complex and bewitching woman. —Kathy
Garver, film, TV, and stage star
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781589797499 |
| PRICE | $24.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 456 |
Featured Reviews
Peter A, Reviewer
"Twitch Upon a Star" is a book that many fans have waited years for. Thanks to Herbie Pilato, an author who not only loves the industry but has worked and known those whom he writes about this book has finally seen the light.
To be fair I must state that , as the son of the Executive Producer of "Bewitched," Harry Ackerman, I was interviewed for this work. Still, what stands out in this is that Herbie was able to establish a friendship with Elizabeth in her post Bewtiched years, he earned some trust, and got a closer look into her life than any other biographer could go. Still, where he might, Herbie does not go mean or dirty, and by the biography's end you will love Elizabeth Montgomery just as much, if not more, than you did when you began.
