David Janssen: Our Conversations: The Final Years - Softcover

Phelps, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0988777819 ISBN 13: 9780988777811

Publisher: Blue Line Publishing House, Incorporated, 2014

Synopsis

Despite their on-again, off-again courtship and his desire not to get married, David allowed Dani Greco to take control of his finances. In his professional life, he becomes Harry O - interjecting a lot of his own real-life eccentricities, endearing him to his fans even more. He went on to assume various roles in 12 Made-for-Television films and 6 Feature films between 1974-1979. We are introduced to Carol Connors, a singer and songwriter David met while collaborating on the song, 'My Sensitive, Passionate Man,' during a lengthy separation from Dani. He seemed to have found true happiness and had no interest in hiding his relationship with Carol. However, Dani controlled his finances, causing him to feel trapped. Living alone in his Malibu Beach home, David quietly explored the cost of a divorce and learned he would not lose everything. At a time when he likely felt the greatest sense of inner peace, the huge hand of fate brought everything to an end. “DAVID JANSSEN ~ Our Conversations is a heartfelt tribute to a beloved Star, still adored by millions of fans around the world today.” ~ Norma Budden, author

About this title

About the Author:

Michael Phelps was born in Indianapolis, IN on 18 Sep 1943. After service in the United States Air Force where he served as a Senior Security Policeman-Combat Defense Forces (Viet Nam), he returned to Indianapolis. He was married on 2 July 1964. He relocated to Los Angeles working in Security for Hilton Hotels. There he met the actor DAVID JANSSEN, star of "THE FUGITIVE" TV Series. A bond between Mr. Janssen and Mike Phelps developed and would last the last 15 years of Mr. Janssen's life. After one year in Los Angeles, Mr. Phelps was transferred to New York City. Leaving Hilton Hotels, Mr. Phelps became an Executive Recruiter with Management Science International. There he met Count Tassilo Szechenyi (an Hungarian Nobleman). After 15 years in New York City, Mr. Phelps accepted an offer from Count Szechenyi and relocated to Miami, Florida, to become the Administrative Assistant and Individual Co-Trustee of "The Count Tassilo Szechenyi Trust (a multi-million dollars private Trust). He served the Count for 21 years. After the Count's death in 1988, Mr. Phelps became Chief Investigator for a prominent Coral Gable law firm specializing in criminal defense. There he worked on two high-profile murder cases. While with the law firm, he Co-authored "DAVID JANSSEN-MY FUGITIVE" with ELLIE JANSSEN, Mr. Janssen's first wife. Released in Hardcover in December 1994, the book sold in excess of 1.2 million copies worldwide. The Fourth Edition (Paperback) is available at $16.20. With the success of "DAVID JANSSEN-MY FUGITIVE", Mr. Phelps retired from the law firm and embarked on the challenging career of an Author. He chose to write True Crime novels. His debut novel is "THE EXECUTION OF JUSTICE", based on the murder of a close friend and mentor, Det. Sgt. Jack R. Ohrberg, Robbery-Homicide Division of the Indianapolis Police Department. In this novel, Mr. Phelps created the "Mike Walsh Detective Novels." The second "Mike Walsh" novel is "THE JOCKEY'S JUSTICE", based on a murder case he worked on for the law firm. Mr. Phelps had long been encouraged to write of his close friendship with DAVID JANSSEN. After a four and one half journey into the past, he released "DAVID JANSSEN-Our Conversations: Volume One-The Early Years (1965-1972) and Volume Two-The Final Years (1973-1980).

Review:

"As I finished reading "The Early Years" I found myself looking forward to reading this second book. The only thing I was not looking forward to was, The Final Years. David Janssen had so much to offer this world and gave a lot while he was here, but gone way too soon. I just felt if he could have been truly happy in his private life, he may have lived a longer life. There is no way to know that for sure but stress does a lot and he was a man full of stress. His way to relieve that stress to a point was his late night, early morning drinks and way too many cigarettes. He was a work driven man. I was just reading about all he had accomplished and it was overwhelming. I can't imagine the schedule he was keeping and still trying to keep his private life going in the right direction. He seemed to get taken advantage of, for the simple reason of being too nice. Not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings got him into some bad situations. I wanted to make him listen to his friend, Mike, but that was not to happen. I had so much respect for the man, David Janssen was and what he left to all of us who remember. His years were so full, but way too few. Again, as with "The Early Years", you will not be sorry you purchased these books. I wish there would have been more years, more conversations, m more movies and a lot more happiness for David Janssen. He did deserve that happiness that he never really was able to hold on to. I hope you can all enjoy reading these personal conversations between David Janssen and his good, trusted friend Michael Phelps. We should all be so fortunate as to have a trusted friend friend like this, on the part of both men. What a blessing! If you pass this up you are missing something you could have enjoyed. I certainly enjoyed both books. Thank you, Michael for sharing these private conversations with all of us." - FIVE STARS REVIEW posted on Amazon by DEE FLEISCHMAN, Ohio. --Amazon

"have just finished reading DAVID JANSSEN-Our Conversations, The Final Years" written by Michael Phelps and I have to commend the author for his fine portrayal of the star. I certainly have never met these two men but I was completely drawn-in by the compelling and intimate relationship they had had. Basically, it's all about a man who had everything; prestige, great success in show business, money, loyal fans, celebrity; but behind the scenes, a man with his demons, most notably, two failed marriages. I thought the intimate conversations between Janssen and Mr. Phelps were very real, credible, authentic; interestingly, they reveal as much about Mr. Phelps as they did the star. Another interesting facet about this book is that it shows what goes on behind the cameras; the making of a successful show for television. Mr. Janssen had much success with "THE FUGITIVE", "RICHARD DIAMOND", "HARRY O" and a host of Made-for-TV-Movies, plus feature films, and in Phelps' memoir, he tells about the hopes and aspirations of a pilot film, will the network pick it up? Add to this, the Nielsen Ratings, the critic's reviews, advertising to promote it, potential sponsors, publicity and obligatory appearances. It was interesting to note that when ABC cancelled "Harry O" after a 3 year run, Janssen was more concerned about the 100 or more cast and crew members who were going to be out of work. Here was an actor who truly cared about his friends and associates. Sadly, Janssen died of a heart attack at his Malibu Beach home on Wednesday, February 13, 1980. He was 48. Quoting Mr. Phelps: "David Janssen was an "ordinary guy" with extraordinary talents. David lived an extraordinary life to the end. I miss him." - FIVE STARS REVIEW posted on Amazon by JOHN L. EVANS, Hollywood, CA. --Amazon

"The two volumes, "DAVID JANSSEN-Our Conversations: Early and Final Years" by Michael Phelps are spectacular. Hard to put down once you start reading the books. Each chapter reveals the intimate friendship between two best buddies. Janssen and Phelps loved each other not only as best friends, but as brothers. It was a time for the reader to discover Janssen not as an Actor, but as an All American Guy, who simply enjoyed life and wanted for just a few hours or a day to laugh, converse, and take time to relax without having the pressure to ACT in front of the camera. It is an intimate look into the life and character of David Janssen. Each chapter in these books connects together from week to week or month to month. As you read each chapter, you feel as though you are actually in the company of David Janssen and Michael Phelps listening to their conversations and are present in their company. Sometimes the chapters are a little repetitive, but it does not make the reading boring, since the topics of conversations between Janssen and Phelps are new and many. In these two books, you will read discussions about David's wife Ellie, his second wife Dani, and also his romantic relationship with Rosemary Forsyth, as told by Janssen to Phelps. Interestingly, many of the conversations center around Davis's TV movies and TV series. You will read about David's own comments about his movies and TV series. There are no other books that I have found that have revealed the innermost thoughts and emotions of David Janssen. Reading these books will give you a factual and true revelation of who David Janssen, the MAN, not the ACTOR, was all about. I would highly encourage all David Janssen fans to get a copy of both volumes. You will forever hold them in your library." FIVE STARS REVIEW posted on Amazon by CAROL T. BIANCHI. --Amazon

About this edition

• Publisher: Blue Line Publishing House, Incorporated
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0988777819
• ISBN 13: 9780988777811
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 292
• Editor: Budden Norma