Hugh Hefner's Copy: The Sexiest Man Alive: A Biography of Warren Beatty
[Hugh Hefner’s Copy; Signed] Amburn, Ellis. The Sexiest Man Alive: A Biography of Warren Beatty. First Edition. 2002. Book and dust jacket are both in very good condition. Pasted to the front endpaper is a “From the Library of Hugh Hefner” bookplate. Laid in is a letter dated January 3, 1919, attesting that this volume is from the estate of Hugh Hefner. Book is signed “Ellis Amburn” on the title page.
It is easy to understand why this volume was in Hugh Hefner’s library. He is frequently mentioned in its text (though not always complimentarily). His inclusion makes sense, though. Understanding Warren Beatty, the legend, means going beyond his classic film roles and into the anything-goes 1970s-era Hollywood social scene that defined him. The book presents Beatty as a member of a second wave “rat pack” that also included Jack Nicholson, Roman Polanski, and (of course) Hugh Hefner. The author leans too far into political correctness but makes some interesting points, including how the social climate of the era inspired some of the greatest films Hollywood has ever made (but then somehow imploded in on itself, just in time for the more conformist Reagan era).
“At the party for [presidential candidate Jimmy] Carter at the Beverly Wilshire, Warren’s carefully picked guests included Faye Dunaway, Diana Ross, Hugh Hefner, Sidney Poitier, Robert Altman, … Norman Lear, Tony Randall, and Neil Simon…. The rich movie crowd so unsettled Carter that, as he left L.A., he gave up his limousine and told the Secret Service he’d do the rest of his campaigning in an ordinary sedan.”
--Ellis Amburn
