1. TWITCH UPON A STAR
The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery
(Taylor Trade Publishing, Paperback, Fall 2014)
(Taylor Trade Publishing, Original Hardcover, 2012)
By Herbie J Pilato
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Top-Selling Book celebrates Bewitched star’s memory!
Elizabeth Montgomery’s Samantha named Classic TV’s NUMBER ONE Hottest Housewife
[see link below ]
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/05/28/11-hottest-classic-tv-
housewives/?intcmp=features
TWITCH UPON ASTAR is the first major biography on the legendary actress…
…one of Edwards Picks at BarnesandNoble.com…a top-tier seller at Amazon.com…one
of Huffington Post’s Top Books of 2012…Emmy Magazine excerpt in April 2013!
“…all about Bewitched, the magical 1960s-and-1970s sitcom,
and other triumphs enjoyed by the talented and beautiful Montgomery.”
- The Village Voice
“…blockbuster book!”
- The National Enquirer
“Pilato expertly captures the life of this wonderful actress who
died in 1995 from colon cancer.”
- The Daytona News Journal
(which in December rated TWITCH UPON ASTAR as No. 4 on its Top 10 list of holiday picks)

2. THE SCOOP!
Her Politics
 Elizabeth was a liberal Democrat who had major father issues with her dad conservative
Republican Robert Montgomery.
 She protested against the Vietnam War.
 She despised President Reagan (who was friends with her father).
 She narrated the controversial Cover Up/Panama Deception feature film documentaries
(that dealt with the Iran/Contra Affair).
 Her Bewitched co-star David White (Larry Tate) lost his son in the Pan Am incident over
Lockerbie and that infuriated her (at one point, she and David were interviewed together
for the book).
Her Charitable Work
 Elizabeth reached out to those with AIDS (one of the first celebrities to do so)
 She supported the Peace Movement
 She supported the disabled community (recorded books for the visually-impaired; and
more)
Her Cult-Classic Feature Films
 The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955, with Gary Cooper)
 Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed? (1963, with Dean Martin and Carol Burnett)
 Johnny Cool (1963, directed by future husband and Bewitched producer William Asher)
Her Ground-Breaking TV-Movies
 A Case of Rape (1974)
 The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975)
 The Awakening Land (1977)

3. Her Battles with Bewitched Co-Stars
 She didn’t get along with Agnes Moorehead, who played her mother Endora, who was
not pleased when Dick Sargent replaced Dick York as Darrin.
 Dick York (the first Darrin) was in love with Elizabeth, which caused her a great deal of
stress.
 She got along better with Dick Sargent (who just so happened to be gay)
Her Alleged Romantic Liaisons
 With Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Gary Cooper, and Bewitched producer/director Richard
Michaels (which lead to her divorce from Bewitched producer/director William Asher,
who was Michaels’ mentor).
 Her four marriages: In addition to Bill Asher, she was married to New York high-
roller Fred Cammann, alcoholic actor Gig Young (more than twenty years her senior;
who later died in double murder/suicide); and Robert Foxworth, who she met on the set
of Mrs. Sundance (in 1974) and after twenty years of living together, finally married –
only 18 months before she died (in 1995).
Her Issues with I Dream of Jeannie
 Although Elizabeth never had anything personal against I Dream of Jeannie stars Barbara
Eden or Larry Hagman (who just passed away), she was not at all pleased when their
show hit the air on NBC one year after Bewitched debuted on ABC.
 Both shows were about beautiful magical blond women who fell in love with mortal men.
Sol Saks, the creator of Bewitched, was originally approached about doing another witch
show for NBC. But when he turned them down, the network went to Sidney Sheldon,
and he created I Dream of Jeannie.
 Sheldon and Bewitched producer/director William Asher (then married to Montgomery)
were friends who had worked together years before on The Patty Duke Show.
 Asher wasn’t concerned with Sheldon’s Jeannie, plans, even if they included cloning
Samantha’s witch nose-twitch in the form of Jeannie’s eye blink to manifest the genie
magic.
 But it all bothered Montgomery…especially when I Dream of Jeannie started producing
similar scripts to Bewitched, and when Jeannie’s dark-haired twin-sister Jeannie II
character was created in near mimic to Samantha’s raven-haired twin cousin Serena on
Bewitched. Then Elizabeth hit the roof!

4. MORE
TWITCH UPON A STAR also includes never-before-published commentary about
Montgomery from other TV icons like: Florence Henderson (The Brady Bunch), June
Lockhart (Lost in Space), Lydia Cornell (Too Close For Comfort), Ed Asner (The Mary Tyler
Moore Show), Eric Scott (The Waltons), as well Montgomery’s childhood best friend Sally
Kemp, the Oscar-winning actor Cliff Robertson (in his final interview!), aactor Ronny Cox (her
co-star from A Case of Rape, one of her historic, ground-breaking TV-movies), and many others.
With an expansive perspective on her free spirit, intelligence and wit; her strong sense of
politics, family, work ethic and general life priorities, Herbie J Pilato’s TWITCH UPON A
STAR: THE BEWITCHED LIFE AND CAREER OF ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY
offers a compelling chronicle of a legendary, charitable and very complex actress. Or as
Shannen Devereau Sanford, of New York’s WTBQ Radio said it, “Wonderful book…terrific
author . . .”
Chapter 1 from TWITCH UPON A STAR
https://rowman.com/page/TTChapterSample
One-hour radio interview with author Herbie J Pilato
http://blog.tvconfidential.net/2012/11/06/tv-confidential-show-no-160-
hour-2-with-guest-herbie-j-pilato.aspx

5. REVIEWS
www.twitchuponastar.blogspot.com
"Heavily researched, expertly executed, and handled with reverence, Twitch Upon A Star
is a magical revelation about one of the most popular and endearing performers of
all time. It's clear that Herbie J Pilato not only knows what he's talking about, but that
he also cares very deeply about his subject, from a personal, yet objective perspective...
No two ways about it, this book is a class act about a classic actress."
- Danny Gold, Film and Television Producer
"I encourage everyone to read Pilato's astounding, loving, riveting, eye-opening book."
- Lydia Cornell, star of classic TV's Too Close For Comfort, comedienne, and women
and children's advocate
“The way Herbie J Pilato tells it, Elizabeth Montgomery just didn't have guts, she had
balls. She was kind to those she felt deserved it but had no qualms about setting others straight.
Who'd'a thunk that sweet little Samantha had such chutzpah?"
- Larry Brody, veteran TV writer and producer (Baretta, Diagnosis: Murder, The Fall
Guy, and more)
"Not only has Bewitched's Samantha Stephens influenced hundreds of female TV characters and
the actresses who portrayed them, but Elizabeth Montgomery's lasting influence on Hollywood
and society has been far greater than the TV series that made her a legend. Herbie J Pilato, one of
the great students of classic TV, spins a compelling narrative that brings to
life a magical TV series and it’s even more magical star. It's a true Hollywood story,
and more than any book I've read Twitch Upon a Star goes behind-the-scenes to capture a
fascinating period in history when television was coming of age."
- Jack Myers, Media Ecologist, Author and Producer

6. "Intricately revealing, well written and hard to put down, Herbie J Pilato's Twitch Upon a Star
captures the essence and life of Elizabeth Montgomery. He leads readers on an intriguing
journey into the loves, politics and performances of this multi-talented actor - a very magical
journey, yet based in the real emotion of love. I heartily recommend this well rounded read for
fans, friends and all who value the life of a gifted, complex and bewitching woman."
- Kathy Garver, film, TV, and stage star (Cissy on the classic Family Affair TV
series); author, The Family Affair Cookbook and Surviving Cissy; speaker.
"Much more than just a celebrity biography Twitch Upon A Star relays a spiritual quest that can
speak to anyone. Retelling the story and work of a life can activate an awareness of the beauty
and purpose in our own unfoldment. Pilato accomplishes this masterfully and magically,
uncovering such depth and absorbing reflection with authenticity and vigorous charm to reveal
Elizabeth Montgomery's journey as a true cultural treasure. This book is magnificent!"
- Thomas Warfield, performing artist and founder of PeaceArt International
"Elizabeth Montgomery's life is beautifully portrayed by author Herbie J Pilato in [this] loving
new biography."
- FrontiersLA
"[A] comprehensive and touching biography of Montgomery's life. . . .Fans of classic television
or of well-written biographies should seek this out . . . an insightful read about an amazing
woman!"
- Journeys in Classic Film
"Twitch Upon A Star is ASTOUNDING. Herbie J Pilato does a wonderful job of mixing hard
info with his personal relationship with Elizabeth Montgomery. His approach makes the book
very unique. This is one of the best biographies I've read in years. It is a real classic . . . a
brilliant work!"
- Rick Lertzman, media historian and author of Codename: Dr. Feelgood

7. "Wonderful book and terrific author . . ."
- Shannon Devereaux Sanford, Shannon's Corner, WTBQ radio
". . . Twitch Upon a Star is an engrossing look at a strong-willed actress whose career spanned
five decades. It will satisfy Elizabeth Montgomery's fans, as well as Bewitched buffs interested
in learning more about that series' leading lady-and even how the famous twitch was `invented.'"
- Classic Film and TV Café
"Life's journey is never simple. Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth
Montgomery is a biography from Herbie J Pilato [in which] he tells the `Bewitched' star's story . .
. forming friendships, romances, enemies, and everything in between. An advocate with her own
problems, [Montgomery's] story is one of [an individual] who tried to make a difference with her
stardom. Twitch Upon a Star is a strongly recommended addition to Hollywood and television
history biography collections; highly recommended."
- Midwest Book Review
". . . No matter how big your twitch-itch, this book will scratch it."
- Ventura County Star
" . . . [I]t's like meeting [Elizabeth Montgomery] all over again for the very first time….
If you've ever enjoyed an episode of Bewitched, come meet her for yourself."
- BookSteve's Library Blog

8. "This biography covers it all . . . Fans will love the three sections of photos and Pilato's
respectful, yet truthful, portrait of the woman who will forever be remembered for as the
beautiful witch Samantha Stephens."
- SheKnows Book Lounge
"Twitch Upon a Star is as perfect a book could be . . . [it] shines bright at a rating of 5 Stars
(out of five). I read it twice. Afterwards I watched re-runs of Bewitched-knowing what I
learned from Twitch Upon a Star-and what stirred me most were the questions that came to mind
which I feel Twitch Upon a Star answered. Twitch Upon a Star is as no other book...
For me, a person who thinks he's read the best of the best books, [this] put a twinkle in my
eyes [from] Herbie J Pilato's mastery of the craft of writing."
- Salvador SeBasco, Christian book critic; host of The Inside View Show
"Twitch Upon a Star is based on Pilato's exclusive interviews prior to Montgomery's 1995 death.
. . . The book follows her career before, during and after "Bewitched," and goes behind the
scenes chronicling her political activism [and] reveals behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the
show and Montgomery's life."
- Long BeachPress-Telegram
"[Herbie J Pilato is] the master of all things Bewitched . . .[Twitch Upon a Star is an] amazing
new book."
- NewNowNext on Logo Online
"For anyone who only recalls Elizabeth Montgomery from her most memorable role, on
the 1960s sitcom Bewitched, this thoroughly researched, extensively detailed, and wholly
fascinating biography will load you up with everything you've been missing. It's a delicious,
detailed look at her life and remarkable career before, during and after that magical, life-
changing show; her crusading and often controversial activism for the causes close to her
heart; her often turbulent relationship with her father, actor Robert Montgomery; her rocky
marital history; and the many other facets of the woman who played Samantha Stephens,
TV's `witch with the twitch' at the end of her nose."
- American Profile

9. "Fans of Elizabeth Montgomery and Bewitched will love this book."
- Living in the Kitchen with Puppies
"Herbie J Pilato, a long-time fan and later friend of the actress uses his extensive interviews with
the actress, plus meticulous research to get to the bottom of what the real Elizabeth Montgomery
was like."
- Soap World Magazine

10. ABOUT HERBIE J PILATO
Writer/producer Herbie J Pilato is the author of several media tie-in books,
including Glamour, Gidgets and the Girl Next Door and Retro Active Television
(both to be published in the fall of 2014), and The Essential Elizabeth
Montgomery: A Guide to Her MagicalPerformances (Taylor Trade, 2013). Pilato
has worked for A&E, TLC, Bravo, Syfy, the TV Guide Network, Sony, Warner
Bros. and NBCUniversal, and is the Founder & Executive Director of The Classic
TV Preservation Society (a nonprofit that seeks to close the gap between popular
culture and education).
Recent TV Interviews
CCN News in Pasadena, CA (6-minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ9ELdhxnMM
“Reel Hollywood Live – with Ben & Reba (15-minutes @ cue 25:57)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDIcJa94ivw
“Forgotten Hollywood” (30 minutes)
http://therapycable.com/elderly-care/preservation-of-classic-television.html
CONTACT
Agent: Renee C. Fountain
Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management
516.567.5189 * Renee@ghliterary.com
Direct:
310.480.0067
HerbieJPilato@Outlook.com
www.HerbieJPilato.blogspot.com
www.ClassicTVPS.blogspot.com