The good, the bad, and the dolce vita

the long version

"Who is Mickey Knox? To a small group of aficionados, he is the genius behind the unforgettable English dialogue in Sergio Leone's cult classic The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. But for many years, living in semi-exile in Italy, this actor was known as the unofficial "Mayor of Rome," - a friend and confident to Norman Mailer, Anna Magnani, Anthony Quinn, Burt Lancaster, Sergio Leone and many others." "Now Mickey Knox has put his own life story to paper and The Good, the Bad, and the Dolce Vita is the result. Born and raised in Coney Island, Brooklyn, with a street fighter's instinct and sharp Jewish wit, Knox's passion for acting was inspired by John Garfield and James Cagney. Having served three years in World War II - where London was his stage and Paris his mistress - Knox moves to Hollywood to work for Hal Wallis, the legendary producer of Casablanca. At first he seems set for stardom, appearing on screen with Mickey Rooney, Burt Lancaster, Clark Gable, and Kirk Douglas, but the rise of McCarthyism puts an abrupt end to his career. Knox debarks to France and Italy to work in European cinema. It turns out to be the best move of his life."--BOOK JACKET.