It Might as Well Be Spring: A Musical Autobiography

With playwright Holt (Over There, etc.), singer Whiting here recalls her life from birth (60 years ago), growing up in Hollywood where she made her debut as a performer at age 15and apparently all the events since. Her composer father, Richard Whiting, was famous for hits like ""Louise''the Maurice Chevalier classic``My Ideal,'' ``Good Ship Lollipop'' and dozens more, which his daughter, through her renditions, helped make popular. Among her father's friends were Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern, Gus Kahna ``who's who'' of American musicand she credits them with influencing her career. The narrative also abounds with reminiscences of Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and other film greats past and present. Whiting doesn't neglect either to provide details of her marriages and affairs, men overshadowed by Jack Wrangler, ex-actor in gay porn, her lover for almost 10 years. Photos not seen by PW. (January 30)