on the MR-Taylor scandal, 262–63
Oscar received for Andy Hardy series, 141. See also Andy Hardy films
radio properties, 284–85
star system, 105, 143, 301–2
success, 130
MGM: When the Lion Roars, 156–57
Michaeljohn, John, 40
Michener, James, 298, 322
Mickey Mouse, 55
The Mickey Mouse Club, 330–31
Mickey Rooney Productions, 322
Mickey Rooney’s Tabas Hotel, 408
Mickey’s Helping Hand (Darmour), 57
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (film; M. Reinhardt), 94–103
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (stage version; M. Reinhardt), 85, 86–94, 105, 554n18
Mighty Joe Young, 303
Milinkovich, Nikola, 350
Miller, Ann, 433–34, 439, 448, 469
Miller, Arthur, 487
Miller, Sidney, 81, 182
on Red Barry, 310
on Wynn Brown, 78–79
on Darmour, 58
friendship with MR, 74–75, 160, 222, 258, 297, 412
on Joe, Sr., 221
on MR, 164–66, 177, 228
on MR and Ava, 175–76, 194, 205, 257
on MR and Carolyn, 420
on MR and Judy, 156
on MR’s financial problems, 485
on MR’s gambling, 335, 444
on MR’s military service, 240
on MR’s nightclub act, 378
on Nell, 75, 404
on Martha Vickers, 290
Milner, Martin, 367–68
Milosevic, Milos, 349–52, 354–56, 358, 361–63
Minnelli, Liza, 157, 394, 422, 426
Minnelli, Vincente, 1, 156–57, 401
Minsky brothers, 31
minstrel acts, 29
Mitchell, Grant, 99
Mitchell, Margaret, 130
Mitchelson, Marvin, 416–17
Mitchum, Robert, 394
Mix, Tom, 61
mobsters, 109, 116, 230, 324, 326, 334–36, 338, 363
Modell, Art, 331–32
Monroe, Marilyn (née Norma Jean Baker), 209, 228, 290, 292–93, 302, 394, 487–88, 502
Montalban, Ricardo, 109–10
Monte Blue, 71
Montgomery, Earl, 53
Montgomery, Elizabeth, 375
Montgomery, Robert, 84, 117, 210
Moore, Colleen, 39, 42
Moore, Sally, 179
Moore, Terry, 303
Moore, Tim, 29
Moran, George, 29–30
Moreno, Rita, 508
Morgan, Harry, 386
Morgan, Jaye P., 448
Morris, Anita, 448
Morrissey, Will, 36, 63
Morrow, Barry, 456–60, 463–64
Morse, Robert, 446–48
Mostel, Zero, 378
Motion Picture Tennis Tournament, 72
Moulin Rouge Theatre, 338
Mowbray, Alan, 317
Muir, Jean, 99, 102
Muni, Paul, 39, 77
Murray, Arthur, 343
Mutual Radio Network, 284–85
Naish, J. Carrol, 77
Nathan, George Jean, 128
National Broadcasting Company, 57–58
National Film Preservation Foundation, 52
Navarro, Ramon, 386
Nayfack, Nick, 144
Neal, Roger, 475, 513
Needleman, James, 308
Nelson, Rick, 410
Nelson, Willie, 392
Newman, Paul, 332
Newton, Wayne, 377
New York Times, 252–53
Nicholson, Jack, 344
The Night They Raided Minsky’s (Friedkin), 31
Nijinska, Bronislava, 91, 97
Niven, David, 376
Noguchi, Thomas, 350, 358, 363
Nolan, Lloyd, 464
Norton, Cliff, 378
Novak, Kim, 299
Nugent, Frank, 136
Oates, Warren, 386
Obama, Barack, 508
O’Brian, Hugh, 322, 375
O’Brien, Erin, 306
O’Brien, Margaret, 1–5, 154
O’Brien, Pat, 202, 302
O’Connor, Donald, 151, 292, 299, 409, 467
O’Connor, Glynnis, 453
Oliver, W. E., 92
Olivier, Sir Laurence, 3
O’Neill, Eugene, 120, 129
Oppenheimer, George, 163
Orenstein, Bernie, 454–55
Orsatti, Frank, 149
Osborne, Robert, 278
O’Sullivan, Maureen, 65, 70, 84, 117
Our Gang series (Roach), 34–35, 40, 44, 46, 58–60
Ozzie and Harriet, 129
Paar, Jack, 338–41
Pacific Military Academy, 112–13
Page, Anthony, 457
Page, Betty, 30
Paige, Marvin, 474
Palance, Jack, 372
palimony, 416–17
Pallette, Eugene, 99
Palmer, Zumma, 71
Pankey, Fred (MR’s stepfather), 232, 276, 404
marriage to Nell, 135, 145, 181, 235, 255–56
relationship with MR, 224–25, 281, 518
Pankey, Nell. See Yule, Nellie Willa
Paramount, 369
Parish, James Robert, 139, 143–44
Parker, Cecilia, 133–34, 136, 139, 332
Parker, Fess, 316
Parsons, Louella
and MGM, 162
on MR and Ava, 179, 194
on MR and Betty, 272–74
on MR and Martha, 286–87
on MR’s contract with MGM, 254
on MR’s military service, 240
on MR’s party image, 166–67
on MR’s performances, 91–92, 94, 120, 272–73
Patricola, Tom, 72
Pat White and His Gaiety Girls, 21, 23, 30–31
Paul, Les, 337–38
Pawley, Kevin, 472, 483, 490
Paxton, Dick, 182, 222, 258, 297, 412
Payton, Barbara, 282
Pearson, Ray, 402
Peters, Bernadette, 411
Petersen, Paul, 8, 330, 515, 521–23
Peterson, Les, 306
MR and Ava’s wedding/honeymoon arranged by, 190–92, 194–95, 211
as MR’s keeper, 155, 169–70, 178, 195, 197–98, 210, 212–13, 222, 228, 260, 297
on Stiefel, 230–33
Pham, Sherisse, 6
Philbin, Regis, 508
Phillips, Betty Jane. See Rase, Betty Jane
Pickford, Mary, 86
Pieroni, Mario, 244–45
Pillsbury, 319–20, 328–29, 381
Pillsbury, Walter, 321
Pitts, Zasu, 78
Pollan, Michael, 143
Popkin, Harry, 284
Porter, Darwin, 260–61
Post, Wiley, 118
Poverty Row, 45–46, 57, 60
Powell, Dick, 99–100, 102–3
Powell, William, 81–82, 96, 117, 119, 386
Preminger, Otto, 376
Presley, Elvis, 390
Preston, Robert, 310
Prewitt, Margaret Elizabeth, 18, 33
Prewitt, Wade (MR’s uncle), 18, 32, 34
Priester, Bob, 244–45
Prima, Louis, 336
Prince, Danforth, 260–61
Prinzmetal, Irving, 214
Productions Eleven, 408
Provine, Dorothy, 372
Prowse, Juliet, 448
public persona, 184
Q score, 328
Quaid, Dennis, 457, 463–64
Quine, Dick
All Ashore, 311
Drive a Crooked Road, 315–16
friendship with MR, 74, 182, 222, 258, 308–9, 329, 412
Hey, Mulligan, 317–18
The Jean Arthur Show, 387
on MR, 161, 299, 301
Sound Off, 308–9, 311
suicide, 448
Quinn, Anthony, 372
Radin, Roy, 40
3
radio, evolution of, 285
Radley, Gail, 486
Raft, George, 336, 367
Randall, Tony, 379, 461
Rase, Betty Jane (née Phillips; “B.J.”; MR’s wife)
background, 241
birth of Mickey, Jr., 246. See also Rooney, Mickey, Jr.
birth of Timothy, 271–72. See also Rooney, Timothy Hayes
marriage to Barney Kessel, 391–92
marriage to Buddy Baker, 290, 330, 391–92
marriage to MR, 238, 243–46, 255, 257–59, 273–74. See also Rooney, Mickey—MARRIAGES
on MR’s cheating, 260–62
musical talent, 242, 392
at Nell’s ranch, 253–54, 258
singing career, 390
Rase, Edward and Lena, 243
Rathbone, Basil, 235
RCA, 57–58
Reagan, Ronald, 260–61
reality TV, 501–2
Rée, Max, 97
Reed, Donna, 197, 212, 316
Reed, Jimmy, 395
Reeves, George, 211
Reich, Frank, 45
Reid, Jack, 18–19, 21
Reilly, Charles Nelson, 486
Reiner, Carl, 377, 437
Reinhardt, Gottfried, 87, 97
Reinhardt, Max, 86–94, 96–98, 103, 105. See also A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Rembar, Charles, xiv
Reno, Kelly, 451
Rettig, Tommy, 394
Reynolds, Burt, 410
Reynolds, Debbie, 151, 378
Reynolds, Donna, 286
Rich, Lee, 316
Rickert, Shirley Jean, 58
Rigby, Harry, 431–35, 437–39, 441, 447
Riley, Ronna, 443, 445, 472–73
Rivers, Joan, 277
RKO, 57, 59–60
Roach, Hal, 34–35, 40, 44–45, 57, 59
Robards, Jason, Jr., 31
Robinson, Chris, 426
Robinson, Edward G., 39, 282
Robinson, Jimmy, 51
Rodgers, Richard, 151
Rogers, Ginger, 149, 185, 282
Rogers, Will, 98, 117–18, 118–19
Roland, Gilbert, 72
Rolling Stones, 390, 395
Rooney, Ava. See Gardner, Ava
Rooney, Barbara Ann. See Thomason, Barbara Ann
Rooney, Betty Jane. See Rase, Betty Jane
Rooney, Carolyn. See Hockett, Carolyn
Rooney, Chris (né Aber; MR’s stepson), 412
accused of elder abuse of MR, 6, 499
bankruptcy, 499
conflict with brother Mark, 483–84
at Densmore Productions, 499–500
drug use, 500
at MR and Jan’s wedding, 428
on MR and women, 300, 446
as MR’s assistant, 443, 472, 486, 490
on MR’s business schemes, 337, 485–86
on MR’s drug use, 466
and MR’s estate, 511–13
on MR’s fans, 7
on MR’s gambling, 443
MR’s payments to, 9
on MR’s popularity, 465–66
Rooney, Elaine. See Mahnken, Elaine
Rooney, Jan. See Chamberlin, Jan
Rooney, Jimmy (MR’s stepson), 415, 517
Rooney, Jonelle (MR’s daughter), 415, 514, 517
Rooney, Kelly Ann (MR’s daughter), 342, 347, 516
adoption by grandparents, 364
on Garland, 401
on her mother, 344, 353, 358–60
on MR, 157, 359–60, 485
and Nell, 34, 353, 404
Rooney, Kerry. See Mack, Kerry Rooney
Rooney, Kimmy Sue (MR’s daughter), 350–51, 355, 359, 364, 416, 514, 517
Rooney, Marge. See Lane, Margaret
Rooney, Mark Aber (MR’s stepson). See Aber, Mark
Rooney, Martha. See Vickers, Martha
Rooney, Michael (MR’s son), 342, 356–58, 364, 416, 514, 516–17
Rooney, Mickey
Academy Juvenile Award received, 104
on acting, 4–5
addictions, generally, xix, 220–21
on aging, 366–67
on Andy Hardy films, 143
Andy Hardy role/image, xviii–xix, 7–8, 10–11, 124–29, 125, 139, 146–47, 160, 163–64. See also specific films
anger issues, 7, 319, 473, 501–3
anxiety attacks, 398
appearance, xviii
autobiography, xi–xvi, 221, 300, 382–83
autographs sold by, 12–13, 474, 491, 501
bankruptcies, xix, 6, 381–82, 484, 500–501
on Barbara Ann’s death, 364
on being alone, 177
on Berkeley, 153
as bipolar, 5, 470–71, 475, 496, 512
birth/infancy, 23–25
blacklisted, 328, 338, 407
Bronze Star earned, xvii, 253
business sense lacking, 276–77, 337, 420–22, 444–45, 485
career start in movies, 45
César Award received, xviii
as a character actor, 5, 267, 278–79, 297–98, 323
character/reputation, xix, 164–66, 271, 297, 319
childhood burlesque performances, 25–32, 36, 67, 69
children, 271–72, 297, 404–5, 416–17, 496, 515–17. See also Mack, Kerry Rooney; Rooney, Jonelle; Rooney, Kelly Ann; Rooney, Kimmy Sue; Rooney, Michael; Rooney, Mickey, Jr.; Rooney, Theodore Michael; Rooney, Timothy Hayes
at Columbia, 308, 311
in conservatorship, 443, 498–99, 512, 514
critical reception, 61, 64, 71–72, 82, 84, 89, 92–94, 118, 121, 227–28, 323, 378, 467–69, 492–93
dance lessons, 36
death, xvii, 13–14, 368–69, 510–11
depression, 5, 308–10
as director, 413
drinking/womanizing, 10, 159–60, 164–67, 220–22, 241, 259–60, 271, 297, 306, 445–46
drug use, 115, 156, 297, 359, 404, 405–6, 423, 466–67
on dying, 513
education, 55, 72–74, 112–14
effects of mother’s prostitution on, 37–38
elder abuse of, 5–7, 12, 484, 495–98
as elder performer, 460–63
El Ranchita home, 146, 190–91, 293, 296
Emmy award/nomination, xvii, 449, 459, 464, 522
estate, 511
family wreckage, 514–15
fans, rudeness toward, 471–75
financial problems, 6, 12, 60, 224–27, 259–60, 275–76, 294, 305, 307, 325–26, 485
at First National Pictures, 41–42
funerals and burial, 511–14
gambling, xix, 9, 208, 220–21, 259, 288–89, 297, 326
gambling debts/bookies, 206, 208, 221, 227, 334–36, 443–44
Garland’s chemistry with, 149–52, 379–80
Garland’s relationship with, xviii–xix, 148, 148–49, 156–58, 380, 401–2, 479
on Garland’s death, 403
Golden Globes won, xvii, 459
golfing, 196, 323, 414–15
gossip about, 170–71, 179, 297
as Hadacol Caravan emcee, 307
heart disease/surgery, 482–83
height issues, 62, 236, 259, 303
on his films, 377–78
horse racing, betting on, xii, 9, 150–51, 220–22, 388, 443–44
and Howard Hughes, 239–40, 395–99
idle periods between films, 267–68, 305, 407
impressions by, 30, 64, 72
interpersonal skills lacking, 319–22, 328
in Kansas City with aunt and uncle, 32–35, 55
on Kelly Ann, 364
lawsuit against his stepchildren, 6
on marriage, 196–97
at MGM, 80, 81–83, 87–88, 105–7, 110, 115–16. See also MGM and specific films
on MGM and Mayer, 104, 106–7, 221–22
at MGM brothel, 108, 222
Mickey McGuire name used, 58, 60, 62–68
Mickey McGuire role, 43, 56, 83–
84. See also McGuire series
Mickey Rooney name acquired, 68–69
military service, xvii, 213–16, 234–35, 237–38, 238, 243–47, 252–53
military service, AWOL episode, 239–40
on Milosevic, 354–55
and the mob, 334–36, 338, 348
on Monroe, 487–88
moves to Florida, 414
musical talent, 241, 324
nervous breakdown, 466–67, 496
ninetieth birthday, 507–9
Oscar nominations/awards, xvii–xviii, 152, 160–61, 224, 452–53, 458–60, 482
paid appearances (Mickey parties), 491
pensions, 497
Peterson as his keeper, 155, 169–70, 178, 195, 197–98, 210, 212–13, 222, 228, 260, 297
popularity, 71, 76, 103, 123, 161, 198, 222–23, 227, 267, 305–6
portrayals of, 8
in poverty, 485, 495, 501
psychological assessment of, 294–95
public image, 114, 160, 162–70, 183–84, 390
recordings, 548–49
relationship with father, 28, 31–33, 100–101, 160
relationship with Fred Pankey, 224–25, 281, 518
relationship with Lewis Stone, 224–25
relationship with mother, 32, 113
relationship with Wynn Brown, 41, 78–79, 113
religious leanings, 440, 445, 453
salaries earned, 49, 56, 61, 64, 69–70, 82–83, 94, 122, 145, 223–26, 414, 442
on Schenck, 199
The Search for Sonny Skies, 489
sports interests, 72, 81, 120, 196, 323, 414–15
on stardom and lack of privacy, 270–71
on Sam Stiefel, 294
and Storm, 311–12
sued for breach of contract, 338
table tennis skills, 81
talents, overview, xvii, 69, 298, 518–19
tennis skills, 72, 120
toboggan accident/broken leg, 96–97, 100–102, 119–20
as a top moneymaker, 185–86
trust fund, 145–46, 382
at Twentieth Century–Fox, 302
at Universal, 65, 69–70, 77–78, 83
war bond tour, 198–202
will, 496–98, 511–12
in Will Morrissey Revue, 63–65
work ethic, 76–77
writings, 489, 549
—FILMS, 531–39
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 129, 222
Ah, Wilderness! 120, 124, 129–32, 262–64
All Ashore, 311
Ambush Bay, 354, 362, 375
Andy Hardy Comes Home, 329, 332–33, 338, 516
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante, 150
Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble, 213–14, 223, 227
Andy Hardy’s Double Life, 223
Arabian Adventure, 453
L’Arcidiavolo/The Devil in Love, 375, 404
As de Corazon, 426
The Atomic Kid, 477
Babes in Arms, xviii, 14, 150–54, 172, 185
Babes on Broadway, 3, 150, 152–55, 172–73
Baby Face Nelson, xviii, 329, 338
Beloved, 78
The Big Cage, 71
The Big Chance, 77
The Big Operator, 329, 338
The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney Page 60