They Called Him Al

Robert J. (Bob) Koster was born in Hollywood, the son of German-born Henry Koster, who escaped Nazi Germany and ultimately became a 1930s Universal Studios director of such major films as Three Smart Girls (1936) and One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937), both starring Deanna Durbin, as well as the Academy Award-nominated director of The Bishop's Wife (1947), Harvey (1950) with James Stewart, My Cousin Rachel (1952) with Richard Burton, The Robe (1953), Desiree (1954) with Marlon Brando, Flower Drum Song (1961), and The Singing Nun (1966). Bob Koster worked for thirty-five years in the movie industry, spanning the time from the big studio system to later independent filmmakers. He worked in various phases of production but mainly in the production department as an Assistant Director and a Unit Production Manager on films such as Child's Play 2 (1990), The Man in the Glass Booth (1975), and War and Remembrance (1988). Bob worked with some of the most famous directors and actors of their time. In his revealing memoir, his insights and comments on these films and the characters involved are fascinating and told as seen through the eyes of a child of the times. His father raised him in an atmosphere of glamour and drama, but he was also distant enough from it to be able to keep an interesting perspective on the fascinating circus surrounding him. His autobiography unfolds as an absorbing read for anyone interested in cinema history and the backstage activities surrounding Hollywood's Golden Era.