He himself admits that if he had been older and more mature he might not have survived. The chapter describing this time in his life was horrific. Clary was sent to two labor camps before ending the war in Buchenwald. Twelve others in his immediate family were sent directly to Auschwitz. Soon enough one of the roundups was for his building. It was chilling to read about the neighborhood roundups of Jewish people. He loved movies, and drawing and reading. He began performing professionally when he was quite young, and knew what he wanted to do with his life very early: he would be a star. He tells about his life, how he loved to sing and dance, and was spoiled (being the youngest of 14 children). And he wrote a gripping memoir that makes the reader appreciate him as a person, not just as a talent. He acted on the stage, in movies, even in soap operas. Robert Clary sang on the radio and in night clubs, on record albums. I now know that Robert Clary was much more than a one-character actor. Took me a bit to get to it, but I am glad I finally did. The character that Clary played on that show was all I knew about the man, but while reading an article about him I learned of this book and ordered it right away. May 4, 830pm ~~ When I learned in November 2022 about the death of Robert Clary, I was reminded of all those years my brother and I watched the show Hogan's Heroes.
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