Diane Franklin - Diane Franklin:The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s

WARNING!

Reading this book may damage any preconceived notion you have of Diane Franklin as an actress. Do not read this if you wish to continue to believe she is really French, British, a seductress, incredibly nave, or downright evil! This book will change your mind.

MOST EXCELLENT
REVIEWS

Q uite honestly one of the BEST biographies I have ever read. When I read this book, I felt I time warped back to the 80s and experiences all those great moments once again, but this time I felt like I was right there with the great star. Diane to this day is still winning the hearts of her fans. After I read her amazing book, she won my heart all over again.

SCOTT HOFFMAN

T he book is a treat for the 80s film fan with fascinating and delightful reminiscences from an actress who was a major participant of several iconic movies of that decade. A nice blend of biographical anecdotes and life lessons that carries from her childhood to the present. Fully illustrated with never before seen photos rounds out the perfect capsule of a beloved and not forgotten era.

KEN CHIN

W hen I was in my 20s in the 1980s, a beautiful brunette graced the screen in the popular romantic comedies of the time. Her name is Diane Franklin, and into the 90s and 2000s I always wondered what happened to my celluloid dream girl.. This book is an honest tale of how hard work, talent, and perseverance will not only get you through the pitfalls of Hollywood and fame, but how those same beatitudes will form the person that Diane is today. This autobiography is a MUST READ for anyone who would like to pursue a career in entertainment and still take the high road of a fulfilling and rewarding life.

DAVE ALMEIDA

D iane Franklin is an actress I really admire, which is why I wanted to read her biography. The book was an honest and refreshing read, from start to finish. It starts out with her early childhood, and goes through, and up to her movie career. The book is so descriptive, you feel like Diane is sitting next to you telling her story to you. I highly recommend this book.

BETH DUTTON GARBERICK

A wonderful read from start to finish. It gave me a fresh prospective of one of my favorite actresses from the 80s. Bravo to you Diane & Bravo to your wonderful story.

- MICKY ARUTY

I read your book and wanted to tell you its fantastic. You truly are the most excellent babe of the 80s and still going strong today.

- NEIL ALSTATT JR.

T HE BOOK OF DIANE A MUST - HAVE ! Answering every question you would want to ask and even more rewardingly giving insight into where Diane Franklin came from and how she progressed through her life and career, this autobiography will expand the minds and hearts of anyone who has ever been struck by Dianes singular presence. If youve been one of those admirers hoping since 1982 for her story, this book proves to be well worth the wait.

JASON SIMOS

Copyright 2012 Diane Franklin

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 0615641369

ISBN 13: 9780615641362

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62345-797-6

This book is dedicated to everyone who loves the 80s,
and my wonderful family who inspire me daily.

Diane Franklin was in one of my favorite comedies of all time Better Off Dead (1985). She was also in the first raunchy teen film I ever saw as a kid The Last American Virgin (1982). At 12, Virgin left quite an impression on me.

I never forgot it. And I never forgot Diane.

Intimidating is not the word Id use to describe my feelings when, as a journalist years later, I was tasked to interview Ms. Franklin for a story. The better word to describe my feelings: Horrified . This was, after all, Diane Franklin I was to meet!

Yeah, the first time I met Diane, I was freaked out. I was such a huge fan. But Diane in real life was like the character she played in Better Off Dead so sweet, so funny, so enthusiastic, so positive. I just couldnt be nervous around her. In fact, I felt so comfortable I asked her to play a role in a movie I was directing called Punchcard Player (2006). She enthusiastically accepted.

And now I feel privileged once again to play a part in another one of Dianes excellent adventuresher autobiography. Here she exudes the same sweetness, humor, enthusiasm, and positive energy that she showed me when we met and when we were on set. I promise youll fall in love with Diane Franklin all over againlike you did in the 80s at the movies or in front of your TV sets. Enjoy, enjoy! But I note: While Diane is sweet and nice, if ever you should meet her in real life, please, oh please, keep your tentacles to yourself.

Michael Picarella

Editor

Love Letter To Diane Franklin From Savage Steve

At some point in late 1984, my dream came true. I was given the green light to direct my first feature film, Better Off Dead . The movie was really just a string of gags I wrote on bar napkins strung together with non-too-brilliant dialogue along the lines of: I want my two dollars! I hoped if I cast the right dream girl to play my heroine Moniquea lisping, French exchange student who spoke no English, could throw a mean fastball, completely restore a 1968 S.S. Camaro and totally repair my hero Lanes broken heart... all in one afternooneveryone would be so in love with this Monique, they might forgive my scripts shortcomings. But who? Who had this kind of bewitching beauty with the necessary girl-next-door charm?

I needed an actress whose smile could simply replace a page of dialogue. My new career hung in the balance! And then Diane Franklin walked in. I remember hearing angels sing. Seriouslywhen Diane Franklin enters a room its like, well, a movie. My first impression of Diane was: This is probably how Bill Shakespeare pictured Juliet when he wrote his epic yet tragic love story. Then I remembered I, too, was doing an epic yet tragic love story. Only mine took place in the 80s and involved dancing hamburgers.

This was the first time Id ever met Diane, but I already knew a couple of thingsI was still mad at her for breaking the heart of that poor Gary dude in the movie The Last American Virgin . Even scarier, Id recently seen Diane in a TV movie where she played the part of evil teen temptress Cinni in SummerGirl (a precursor to The Hand That Rocks the Cradle ). In this thriller, she tried to steal Barry Bostwick from poor Kim Darby. Kim Darby was Moniques potential future mother-in-law in my yet-to-be-made movie! This beautiful siren Diane Franklin was so hot, so dangerous, so steamy, and so seductive. How could she possibly be my sweet and precious Monique?