The Other Side of Ethel Mertz: The Life Story of Vivian Vance

When I ran across a softback edition of this book, I was floored. I had no idea a book had been written about Vivian Vance. Where had I been? I bought it thinking ,well, it'll be superficial at best. Boy, was I wrong. This is an excellent, in depth and very revealing life story of one of television's best loved ladies. Alvin Walker and Frank Castelluccio have written one of the best biographies on a legend I've ever read. And Vivian Vance is a legend, if an often overlooked one. From her humble showbiz beginnings, to a Broadway career, to her fateful reading with Lucille Ball for the part of Ethel Mertz---I could not put this book down. Vivian Vance came to life on those pages and I learned that there's a lot more to a "second banana" than just the character they play. Vance never escaped her role as Ethel, but she lived a full and complete life worthy of this book and was a more accomplished actress than given credit for. Her years of baffling mental problems, the estrangement with her mother, her extensive stage work, her often rocky relationship with Lucille Ball (not to overlook William Frawley) are all here as well as the huge amount of humanitarian work she did for mental health later in life. This is a highly recommended read for anyone who loved watching Ethel as well as Lucy. It reveals the fascinating woman behind the "mask" of Ethel Mertz, a landmark television icon and an American showbiz legend known as Vivian Vance.

How wonderful it was to finally hear about Vivian Vance, the most under-rated performer of all time maybe. She had something very special that many people didn't realize was in her. In reading this book, you find out about how Vivian struggled through her darkest fears and finally accepted herself. You learn of her friendship with Lucille Ball, and how at times it was very trying, her admiration for Desi Arnaz and lets face it, haterd towards William Frawley. This is an excellent book.

This is an interesting book and a great biography about one of the most talented character actresses ever: Vivian Vance. Here you'll read about her strict upbringing, her illustrious theatrical career, her crowning achievement as comely neighbor Ethel Mertz on the hit sitcom "I Love Lucy" and her later battles with mental illness. You'll also get to read about her early stage triumphs and the turmoil on the "I Love Lucy" set. This book makes the reader feel as if they knew Ms. Vance personally like she was a friend. It goes on to show that Vivian was more than just a "second banana" but a talented and gifted actress who was a star in her own rite. The book also proves that Vivian lived an interesting and extraordinary life before and after "Lucy". Buy this book right away!

This is the best biography I've read in a long time - and I read a lot of biographies. The authors fresh take on not only Vivian Vance but the celeb-bio form make this a great read. You will learn much about Vivian Vance that you never knew - and in a surprisingly original way. I've recommended and given this book to many friends this year, and they've all loved it. Go. Buy. Enjoy.

Frank Castelluccio and Alvin Walker have done a superb job in their research into the life of Vivian Vance. Although sad at times, this book gives us a look at her abilities and accomplishments, as well as her disappointments, and proves what a fine actress Vivian really was. It is interesting to read about the names of the Broadway and off-Broadway shows she was in and who the other stars were that she worked with. I had no idea she worked with and was close to Marjorie Lord, who had many fond memories of and words of praise for Vivian. If you are a fan of Vivian or I Love Lucy, you will enjoy this book. It is worth the price of the hard cover.