44. Hiding in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Raymond Burr by Michael Seth Starr

Category: 50 Books

44. Hiding in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Raymond Burr by Michael Seth Starr

So I’m standing at the circ. desk talking to a coworker and as I’m checking in this book I ask aloud, “Raymond Burr had a secret life? Like what, he was a spy?”
My coworker replied with, “No, he was gay.”
“He was not!”
“Well, that’s what that book is about.”
“Perry Mason? gay? No way.”
“Read the jacket cover.”

And sure enough the jacket cover told of Mr. Burr’s lies about his personal life and that he was gay. So I checked the book out in hopes it would be interesting in a trashy way. Lookit, that’s what Hollywood biographies are for, don’t judge me.

In a way, it’s nice that the book wasn’t all trashy and gossipy. However, the book was boring. I could tell the author had great respect for Raymond Burr, and that’s always nice, but it was kind of too nice. And the author didn’t even go into much about the 30 somethingish odd year relationship that Raymond had with his supposed lover. Eh, like I say, boring. I mean, half the book is dedicated to telling about working on Perry Mason, and while I enjoy the reruns, it’s not that keen of a read. I mean, how many times do you have to explain to me that Burr worked a crazy schedule and that it took a toll on him and his health? Once ought to do it. It gets 4 Cansecos for not being dishy enough.

Tags: ,

2 Comments