Anthony Perkins: Split Image

much interesting book about this wonderful actor I have cared so much i n all his career....wonderful book thanks for your fast invoice

This started off being a very informative book about the actors life...but then it slipped into a bunch of information connected by kiss and tell stories.It starts off well, the information on Perkins childhood is very well researched but the further into the book you get, the more it seems like the author has some kind of agenda. I will agree with the other reviewer in the fact that it seems as if the writer HATES Perkins, every one of his roles that isn't 'Psycho' is lauded here as a failure, or with the author saying he was 'mis-cast'. Despite the fact that Perkins won awards for a lot of these performances. He also glosses over any of the successful moments of his career to instead focus on the negative. Perkin's role in 'Psycho' is referenced to throughout the book, yet when we get to that period in his life, the author barely mentions it at all.

Thank you!

First, I had no idea he had such a long career, and was a musician. I feel nothing but sympathy for him, his wife, and their 2 kids. Such a tormented life he led. He died in 1992, and his wife was killed on 9/11/2001 in NYC. I feel bad that Anthony had to live a double life. I wish I knew him back then, I would hope I would be a true, non-judgemental friend to him. He was very talented and good looking. I don't care if he was gay or bi-sexual, had a drug problem and was difficult to get along with. I am a fan and will always be one. His kids are talented too. Osgood is a movie director of at least 2 Netflix horror movies. I love horror movies. And his son Elvis is a musician...a very good one at that. Their parents would be very proud.The book seemed mostly negative towards Anthony. I know the author did many interviews, but did these people really know him or did they just gossip? I wish his wife or kids were interviewed. I want to know what Anthony was like as a husband and father. The book was good, but i wish there was more positive things to say about Anthony.

A good decent man living during the wrong time. A sad book but an insightful one. Mr. Perkins was my favorite actor and he was lucky. He was loved.

Mr. Winecoff presents the life of Anthony Perkins in all its twists and turns beginning with the sudden death of his esteemed father Osgood Perkins.And he does so with great sympathy and admiration. Mr. Perkin's life is full of contradictions, kindness, cruelty and by today's observation, self-loathing. After his long term partner left him and married a woman, Mr. Perkins did the same. And he married a woman who had worshipped him as any teenager becomes infatuated with a good looking Hollywood star. Berry Berenson decided that what he engaged in outside the home was not of her business. In the author's account, there are plenty of engagements. We can all appreciate Mr. Perkins' legacy. He may have become defined by his role in "Psycho" but Mr. Winecoff successfully makes the case that Perkins' contribution to the art of theater and cinema is much greater

This is one of the best Hollywood bios around. While numerous authors rehash the tired stories of Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and others (for the 10th or 11th time - and who cares) this book opens new, original territory by looking at the life and times of Tony Perkins. The author first published the book ten years ago and this is a great update - no one else has come along to do a better job either. Tony Perkins lived on the cusp of the social revolution, balancing between the uptight propriety of the 50s with the psycho/sexual upheaval of the 60s and 70s. Winecoff meticulously lays out this world, and Perkins difficult and often troubled, sometimes comical, walk through it. Tons of interviews and vivid descriptions of people and places makes Tony pop off the page in this "true Hollywood story" that is hard to out down. Winecoff's timing is impeccable - the book is a fast, fun read as well as an informative one. The reissue is more tightly woven (I read the first version when it came out ten years ago). The author has grown more sophisticated and observant with passing years, as all good writers should. The final scene, September 11th and all, is a fitting tribute to changing times and the end of an era.

In depth account of his life

Terrific bio of a complicated man. There are some major people in Perkins' life that it would appear did not co operate in the bio, and that is a bit of a detriment to the overall coverage, but still detailed enough to form a comprehensive portrait.

Wow! This book tells the whole story as much as one can write a whole story about someone.

Thanks to this marvelous writer, this is the best bio I've ever read. It is so detailed that it wouldn't surprise me to learn the author followed Perkins around, taking notes, from birth to death. Yet, it is never boring. This book covers everything in Perkins' life---movies, Broadway, music, relationships, friends, travels, etc. I wasn't a huge fan of Perkins, but now, after reading this book, I want to see and read everything about him. Not that I find him likeable! I don't. But now I find him fascinating, weird and talented.Mr. Winecoff is such a perfect descriptive writer that every word he writes is flawless in its usage. I've been hoping that someone would write a bio of my favorite celebrity---Thomas Tryon. Now I just hope Mr. Winecoff will write it.

Cautious, revealing and tragic. Perkins was tormented by his homosexuality and sought refuge with one night stands, hustlers and hangers on. Much like Montgomery Clift. Perkins great achievement was of course "Psycho" and he wasn't even nominated for an Oscar though Janet Leigh was but didn't win. A shocking oversight though movies like "Psycho" don't win awards just attain greatness. Surprisingly, 20 years later "Psycho II was pretty good. The rest of the franchise sucked. There was a television pre-quel that was pretty gone. "Psycho" also ruined Perkin's career because no one could forget Norman Bates.

I was very excited to get this book. After what seemed like forever, I would finally read about the late great Anthony Perkins. For the most part it was interesting and I did learn many new facts about Perkins especially his marriage to Berry Berenson, information about his movies and his childhood. I loved that. Except, the author really makes Perkins in a bad light. Throughout the book, he's obsessed over his sexual preferences (personally I thought he was bi but I'm not getting into that). At just about ever page the author makes it necessary to say he slept with this man, that man etc... it's tiring. I get it--he had encounters with men. He just makes Perkins out to be a jerk and I do believe some of these stories are exaggerated to make it more interesting. Especially when his "friends" (and I say that loosely) told their tale. Not for nothing, if they had so much negativity towards Perkins, why did they wait till now to spill it? It could have been much easier just to ruin his life. I'm glad they didn't as he is my favorite actor but the point is I think some of it is BS. I'm not denying that some of it happened but still. And we have no way of knowing since Perkins died 21 years ago (may he rest in peace). And you know, he wouldn't be the first actor who at some point would be a jerk. Look at today's standards. Compared to what I read, Perkins alleged actions are far mild. I just believe the author was making Anthony Perkins to be a bad guy, as if he caused a lot of his own troubles.Anyway, it still is an interesting read and worth for any Perkins fan. Just be warned that it is in a negative light so keep an open mind about it and don't believe everything you read. This isn't even an official biography--even the author said that. From other interviews I read, they say that Perkins was a great guy. Maybe he did have bad times of not getting along with others, but who hasn't? The author just makes it seem like Anthony Perkins is the only one who does this. If you want movie facts, a little personal life or just try to soak up as much information as you can about this man, then this is your book!

Loved Tony Perkins' movies. Such a sad life, though.Hope his sons are happy because they seemed to have a good father.

way too much information, and could have been more concise. He just was not that interesting a person, overall, although I enjoy seeing his movies.