What came to be the famous Bennett family of actors has a long, and I mean, long, history in the theatre, starting with a traveling player in 1789. Joan Bennett, known as the star of 'Scarlet Street,' the mom to Liz Taylor in 'Father of the Bride,' and matriarch of Collinwood in 'Dark Shadows,' is actually telling us a family history here, and it's fascinating, from the early generations of actors down to her celebrated father and sisters. Both professional and personal history get plenty of attention.

Her own career hit the skids twice - first, when her husband Walter Wanger shot her agent over an alleged love affair, and later as roles simply dried up - but whether she downplays family scandals or not (unsurprising, if she does), she shows her true colors in the stories of how she bounced back, and she treats her ex with class and compassion. Don't feel sorry for her when she takes lesser roles or joins a daytime drama - she doesn't feel sorry for herself. Her ancestors were hardworking actors and she was too, and proud of it. It's an immensely likable book, and her tone is one of getting on with it, and seeing life with a kind of wry humor. In the better class of show biz autobiographies. ( )