Call Me Lumpy

By Frank Bank

Book Overview

Frank Bank's story is a sometimes wild, sometimes bawdy, often poignant, always funny account of a real-life Louie Louie who led a nation to California-dreamin'.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1886110298
• ISBN13: 9781886110298
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Good for the Lump

I enjoyed this light-hearted look at the difficulties of being a star on TV, in the good old days when the classic NIck at Nite sitcoms were being produced--which were also the bad old days when talented young actors were barred from getting residuals or misused in minor parts like Frank Bank. Well, he was living proof of the old adage that there are no small parts, just small actors, and he was never small. An appealing potato-like boy, he wasn't really bad looking, he just paled next to the boy god Tony Dow, like the moon disappearing when the sun comes out. I'm not surprised he had so much luck with the ladies--just surprised he saw fit to reveal it all in this book which should be rated NC-17. And good for him for staying financially solvent when so many of his ilk went bankrupt. He had a head on his shoulders as well as a grin on his goofy face, Long live the "Lump."

This is a funny read from a "tell-it-like-it-is" guy!

Oh, this is no War and Peace, but it is an interesting read. Written as if Frank "Lumpy" is speaking directly to you. You will laugh out loud as he gives you details of his coming-of-age years in California and how he kept his head screwed on straight to become a success in the financial world as an adult, unlike so many other child stars from his era and before. I loved his sense of humor and knack for story telling, it was almost like having a long conversation with the author, except you weren't able to get in a word edgewise! Some of it, if you can believe it, may shock you. He has alot of nice things to say about his peers from "Leave It To Beaver", too. Must have been a happy set to come to work to. Imagine being on TV in the fifties and sixties and rubbing elbows with some of the rich and famous....well, Lumpy did and he gives us a little insight into what it was like. Thanks, Frank.

Mindblowing. Inspirational. Long live Lumpy.

Frank Bank squeezed more out of a several year stint as Tony Dow's lumpy friend than most men squeeze out of a lifetime. What I found so brilliant about this book was Bank's shameless estimation of the importance and grandeur of his own life. And why wouldn't he be proud? Any man who could get that much mileage out of the role of Lumpy and still not compromise any of his essential Lumpiness deserves all the accolades he gets. Frank's self-assuredness and moxie made me think "hell, if this guy can make a case out of all the fame, money and women he got from starring as Lumpy, what the hell does any other guy have to complain about?" Particulary poignant is his run-in with Marlon Brando (hey man, at least Lumpy was always fat) and his details of the "Lumpy Philosophy" which has obviously guided him through life. An inspiration.