Can I Go Now? - The Life Of Sue Mengers - Hollywood's First Super Agent

Sue Mengers is one tough nut to crack. Mengers became Hollywood's first superagent to the stars of what was then referred to as the "New Hollywood" of the late 1960s. The dichotomy of her "balls to the wall" business style matched with her inner beliefs about a women's role in romance and marriage is fascinatingly brought to light in "Can I Go Now? The Life of Sue Mengers, Hollywood's First Superagent." Brian Kellow does an entertaining and thorough job of presenting her life, work and star-studded relationships.

What a time to be on the scene in Hollywood as Mengers climbed the ranks of talent agencies such as Creative Management Associates (CMA) and International Creative Management (ICM). She held a amazing roster of stars in her grasp... securing talented actors, actresses and directors such as Michael Caine, Ryan O'Neal, Gene Hackman, Ali MacGraw, Candice Bergen, Ann-Margret, Mike Nichols and Peter Bogdanovich. Sue Mengers referred to them all, as her "twinklies."

Yet, the ultimate sparkle behind Sue's pink-colored glasses was representing an actress who just created a smashing success in the Broadway production of "Funny Girl," Ms. Barbra Streisand. It's obvious that Streisand became her most prized client and friend for over a decade. This melding of friendship and business was one of Mengers's most notable skills. Yet, one bad decision by an agent of Sue's caliber could also create the loss of a client and a friend... it is this ultimate business and bitter truth that broke apart the friendship and working relationship of Streisand and Sue, for several years.

Parties at Sue's home along with her husband, Jean-Claude, present Sue in her prime element. An avid pot smoker (both on the job and off), Mengers had the uncanny ability to create just the right mixture of business and pleasure into the environment. It's the high life alright and she pulled the strings on the light bulb of fame.

Brian Kellow adds to the legacy of Sue Mengers's life with a wide variety of fresh interviews from Ali MacGraw, Candice Bergen and Sue's oldest friend, Boaty Boatwright along with countless others in the industry of filmmaking at the time. This perspective peels away the tough veneer revealing a softness to Sue that is much appreciative. Though, it is a well-known fact that Sue Mengers was one tough broad with a take-no-prisoners attitude. Just as Sue Mengers enjoyed her sweets... Brian Kellow delivers a deliciously dishy book that is a rich dessert of Hollywood hi-jinxes, clear and cold facts and a bon-bon of life in the fast lane.

"Can I Go Now? The Life of Sue Mengers, Hollywood's First Superagent"
Brian Kellow
Penguin Random House
$27.95