📖 Overview
A Clean Breast is Russ Meyer's expansive three-volume autobiography, published as a premium self-published set on high-quality paper with extensive photographic documentation. The complete work weighs 18 pounds and features thousands of images across its sewn-bound volumes.
The first two volumes cover Meyer's life story, with particular focus on his experiences as a combat cameraman for the 166th Signal Photo Company during World War II. The narrative follows his missions across Europe with General Patton's forces and establishes connections between his wartime experiences and his subsequent career in independent filmmaking.
The third volume shifts to a detailed examination of Meyer's filmography, presenting his movies through extensive sequential film frames and behind-the-scenes photographs. This section concludes with coverage of his later projects, including his work with performer Pandora Peaks.
The autobiography stands as a document of both military history and independent cinema, combining personal memoir with a chronicle of mid-century American filmmaking outside the studio system.
👀 Reviews
This autobiography has limited reader reviews online, making it difficult to gauge broad reception. A common theme among readers is appreciation for Meyer's candid writing style and the behind-the-scenes details about his filmmaking career.
Readers noted positively:
- Personal photos and production stills
- Information about casting decisions
- Technical details about filming methods
- Meyer's wartime photography experience
- First-hand accounts of Hollywood encounters
Main criticisms:
- Book's large size makes it awkward to handle
- High price point ($100+ for used copies)
- Some rambling and repetitive sections
- Print quality issues in some copies
Available Ratings:
Amazon: No current ratings
Goodreads: Not listed
LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (2 ratings)
The book is out of print and copies are scarce, limiting the number of recent reader reviews. Most available feedback comes from film historians and Meyer enthusiasts in forum discussions and blog posts.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🎬 Meyer served as a combat cameraman in World War II, capturing crucial footage alongside General Patton's forces - a role that significantly influenced his later filmmaking style.
📚 The autobiography weighs an impressive 18 pounds across its three volumes, making it one of the most physically substantial filmmaker memoirs ever published.
📸 The books contain thousands of photographs, including frame-by-frame sequences that reveal Meyer's unique directorial techniques and visual storytelling methods.
🖨️ Published with exceptional production values, the work features premium paper stock and high-quality printing, reflecting Meyer's attention to visual detail.
🎥 Meyer is considered a pioneer of independent cinema, developing innovative filming and distribution methods that influenced generations of filmmakers outside the studio system.