If you adored Amanda Blake – and many still do – you’ll devour this compilation of stories, anecdotes, and photos from her illustrious career, which included 20 years as Miss Kitty in the cast of the TV Western Gunsmoke. She was much more than just an actress playing a saloon madam. Many viewers probably never knew that she worked assiduously on the behalf of animals and civic charities.
Fans of Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty in the series, might want to pick up a copy of Beckey Burgoyne’s Perfectly Amanda, which is about as detailed and loaded with anecdote and art as any biography has a right to be. To say Burgoyne’s bio is a labor of love is an understatement.
Burgoyne has done an excellent job of telling the complex story of Buffalo-born Beverly Louise Neill who paid her dues in Hollywood before landing the role of Kitty Russell, owner of the Long Branch Saloon and whose sideline gig as a hooker was apparent to alert viewers.
Full of tales of adventure and travel, as well as more heartwarming information on Blake's battle with cancer and her unending devotion to a wide variety of charities, there is something in this book for everyone. However, this is more than just an ordinary biography. It's a tale of strength, courage and compassion. It's the story of a legendary character that changed the way women saw the world and their roles in society. Miss Kitty's independence and business know-how sparked a generation of women to challenge conventional views on the traditional roles women were expected to play in society.
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An intriguing read, and one not to be missed for Hollywood biography collections - 5 Stars on Amazon
In Perfectly Amanda, Gunsmoke's Miss Kitty: To Dodge and Beyond, Burgoyne celebrates everything the character of Kitty Russell stood for: strength, grace, intelligence, independence and so much more. The biography provides readers with a chronological look into Amanda Blake's life both on-and off-screen, even telling of her ancestry tracing back to 1600 England, Scotland and Ireland. Perfectly Amanda also includes many wonderful anecdotes and personal reflections from Blake's friends and colleagues, as well as an extensive collection of photographs, both formal and candid.
...this is more than just an ordinary biography. It's a tale of strength, courage and compassion. It's the story of a legendary character that changed the way women saw the world and their roles in society.
An intriguing read, and one not to be missed for Hollywood biography collections - 5 Stars on Amazon
An icon of one of the longest running shows on television, Amanda Blake made her legend as Miss Kitty. "Perfectly Amanda: Gunsmoke's Miss Kitty, To Dodge and Beyond" tells the life story of the Gunsmoke veteran who made her own way in life, carrying over the charm of her character. An adventurous life with plenty of twists and turns both on and off the set, Beckey Burgoyne tells her story, peppered with photographs throughout. "Perfectly Amanda" is an intriguing read, and one not to be missed for Hollywood biography collections.
Attention Gunsmoke fans! There's a new book that is a lovely tribute to Amanda Blake, better known as Miss Kitty to diehard fans of the series. Perfectly Amanda, a well-researched book about the actress, is an informative and fun read, full of tibits about the show and anecdotes from Black's colleagues and friends... Fans of Gunsmoke and Miss Kitty will not be disappointed with this new book that closely looks at the amazing life of Amanda Blake. [more]
"Perfectly Amanda" was a big hit! We did our 'spotlight' review this past Tuesday and the phone lines lit up. Apparently there are many Gunsmoke fans out there. And, of course, the giveaways almost took our phone system down.
Thank you for helping us with this campaign -- we're happy to get the word out.
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Promotions
WKPT ABC News
I was honored to write for the series, "GUNSMOKE" for seven years. During that time, I worked and socialized with its stars and I thought I knew them all pretty well. However, BECKEY BURGOYNE'S book "PERFECTLY AMANDA" brought a whole new insight into the beautiful, talented actress and animal activist, AMANDA BLAKE. Thanks, Ms. Burgoyne, it was a helluva read.
Jim Byrnes
Writer for Gunsmoke
"It was my privilege to be blessed with Amanda Blake's friendship and we shared a mutual passion for animals. She was the best."
Betty White, Actress and Author
"Beckey Burgoyne's Perfectly Amanda grabs hold of your heart as she sweeps you back to the early days of Western television, portraying beautifully this remarkable woman's journey...Amanda's legacy could not be in more loving hands."
Laurie Prange
Actress and guest star from Gunsmoke's "The Lost" Season 17, Episode 1
Beckey has done an incredible job of research into Beverly Neill's life and, more importantly, she has distilled what must be several thousand pages of history and memories into 280 pages of substance that truly captures Amanda's spirit.
Even though I knew Amanda as my first cousin, Beverly, pretty well, I now realize how much I did not know about Amanda beyond the obvious family stuff; Gunsmoke personality, public appearances in support of Cerebral Palsy and American Cancer Society after her successful battle with throat cancer, her only successful marriage, in my opinion, to Frank Gilbert, which was bolstered by their mutual love of and concern for African wildlife.
Mostly via Joan Callahan, I did know that Bill Swan was always Beverly's first love. I am so taken by Beckey Burgoyne's biography that I am certain I will not only use it as a reference because of its relevance to our family history, but I am positive I will read it from cover to cover several more times because it is absolutely spellbinding.
Jim Puckett
"Thanks, Beckey for stirring memories of a time past when I was there. Thanks for the visits with so many great friends and most of all the new insights into a significant human being of enormous quality. A big disappointment for me was guest starring in a super role on Gunsmoke and NOT getting to meet Amanda. This book has gone a long way toward minimizing that disappointment and enriching my life."
Alex Cord
Actor and Author of A Feather in the Rain
"This is a wonderful insight and tribute to a special, talented and courageous lady. It's about time we get to know the real 'Miss Amanda'."
Steve Stevens
Agent for Amanda Blake
"What an absorbing and affectionate insight of a legendary TV star. The colorful details of her career as 'Miss Kitty' and numerous personal anecdotes bring Amanda Blake into sharp focus for Gunsmoke fans of all ages. Meticulous Blake admirer Beckey Burgoyne is the ideal biographer to make the saga of Perfectly Amanda a totally delightful read!"
Gregg Hunter
"Niteside" Heard on CRN Digital Talk Sunday Evenings
"A beautifully written tome about a beautiful subject - Amanda Blake - a long overdue tribute lovingly given to us fans by Beckey Burgoyne - a must-read for fans of both Gunsmoke and animal welfare everywhere! Thanks Beckey!"
Ben Costello
author of Gunsmoke: An American Institution
"Thanks to Beckey Burgoyne, fans of make believe "Miss Kitty" will be introduced to the endearing and multi-faceted real life of Amanda Blake."
Paul Savage
Gunsmoke Executive Story Consultant
Published by: Five Star Publications
ISBN: 978-1-58985-163-4
Published: Summer 2010
Size: 8.5" x 11", 300 pages
Website: www.PerfectlyAmanda.com
Paperback / Biography $29.95 US ($31.95 CAN)
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