MY DINNER OF HERBS

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s Efrem Zimbalist's life took him from boarding schools in Russia to Yale, Broadway, and eventually Hollywood. In his memoir the actor relates his life through a series of anecdotes. His acting experiences, in particular, prove more than interesting to listeners. In reading his own book, this octogenarian narrates in a raspy voice akin to that of a cigar smoker. While his tongue-clicks and breathing are evident, they add an element of authenticity to the narration and to the man. The few music selections sound as if they’ve been adapted from old phonographs, with their minor crackles adding a nostalgic mood to the recording. L.E. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]