Bring on the Empty Horses

Description

Here is Niven at his best. He and Errol Flynn were filming The Charge of the Light Brigade for a director, Michael Curtiz, 'whose Hungarian-orientated English was a joy to us all'. High on the rostrum he decided the moment had come to order the arrival on the scene of a hundred riderless chargers. "Okay," he yelled into a megaphone, "Bring on the empty horses!" ' BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES is the second part of David Niven's internationally bestselling autobiography, following the superbly entertaining THE MOON'S A BALLOON. Both books were highly acclaimed by the critics and remain as wonderful reminders of a much-loved actor who epitomised, for many, the essential British gent, even when surrounded by the stars of Hollywood.

Born in Scotland in 1910, David Niven followed in the footsteps of his father by serving in the British Army until 1932. He arrived in Hollywood in 1935 and after a chance meeting became a 'film extra'. Six years later he accepted his first starring role. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was the first British actor to volunteer to go back to England and was commissioned in the Rifle Brigade, serving with distinction throughout the conflict. After returning to America, he continued his distinguished film career, both as actor and producer. David Niven died tragically in 1983 of Motor Neurone Disease in Chateau-d'OEx, France.

'Hilariously readable' -- Sunday Telegraph 'So bring on the empty horses and fill their saddles with shades of Cooper, Gable, Fairbanks and Flynn. This time David Niven is riding a winner' -- Irish Times 'He is nothing if not an individualist: a raconteur of style and sophistication and a writer with imagination and a sense of pace ... It adds to his stature' -- Coventry Evening Telegraph 'BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES is a delight from start to finish. With shrewdness and warmth ... Niven brings us to Hollywood in its golden prime, from the early '30s to the age of TV. Above all, he brings us them - the outstanding stars, producers, directors, writers, tycoons and oddballs, many of whom were his friends ... An inspired mix of descriptions, impressions, and anecdotes.' -- Publishers Weekly 'Might easily be the best book ever written about Hollywood.' -- New York Times Book Review