A trainer shares true stories of famous lion, orangutan, and other animal actors that "will hold readers enthralled" ( School Library Journal). They are major stars who do not speak a word onscreen, yet are world famous for their compelling performances. Who are they? The animal stars of the big screen, of course! In The Beauty of the Beasts, Ralph Helfer shares with the reader his love of animals and his work with some of Hollywood's biggest stars: Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion, Gentle Ben, the Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull, Clint Eastwood's orangutan sidekick Clyde, and many more. Helfer shares his philosophy on training these beautiful beasts to do amazing feats and maximize their acting potential without coercion. Join Ralph Helfer in his exploration of animal acting and read of his masterful use of TLC towork with these phenomenal, non-human actors.

Ralph Helfer is an accomplished animal trainer, who has supplied animal actors for more than five thousand movies and television programs. With the outstanding performances of his animal actors, Helfer has been the recipient of eighteen PATSY awards.

• Cover
• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• Prologue
• PART I: The Turning Point
  • Chapter 1
• PART II: The Early Days
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
• PART III: "No Problem"
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
• PART IV: Gimmicks and Gadgets
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15
• PART V: Hollywood's Wild Life
  • Chapter 16
  • Chapter 17
  • Chapter 18
  • Chapter 19
  • Chapter 20
  • Chapter 21
• Epilogue
• Copyright