First Generation
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From the Back Cover
In the 1970s, she travelled the universe aboard the TARDIS... 30 years on, actress Mary Tamm now recounts the story of her own, earthbound, adventures.
Born to Estonian parents in 1950s Bradford, her rise to fame took her from a Northern childhood to life in the fast lane: via TV appearances in Coronation Street and The Girls of Slender Means to leading roles in feature films - including the cult Tales that Witness Madness, and The Odessa File which pitched her career into the international arena.
In 1978, Mary became part of essential Saturday night television as she joined the cast of Doctor Who alongside Tom Baker, as the superlative Time Lady, Romana!
Packed with recollections and exclusive photographs, this autobiography follows Mary on a journey of self-discovery to her parents' homeland of Estonia, where she finally comes to terms with her true identity...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought Mary Tamm's autobiography after listening to the commentaries she recorded with Tom Baker for the Doctor Who boxset The Key To Time. She struck me as interesting and her book confirms this impression. Born in Bradford to Estonian refugee parents she is a mixture of the exotic and down-to-earth in more ways than one. One moment she's discussing the struggles of an aspiring actor, the next telling you about her enthusiasm for astrology. She hobnobs with the jet set but marries a student (albeit one of law). She oozes sensuality on screen but actually appears quite conservative about sex and nudity in her writing.
'First Generation' is also a mixture: part memoir of the first 28 years of her life - ending about halfway through her season as the time lady Romana in Doctor Who - and part travel diary describing the trip she made at the end if the 80s to see her ancestral homeland Estonia for the first time. During that trip she realises that however deeply attached she may feel to her Estonian roots she herself is English.
Likewise I think at some point in her life she has experienced a similar revelation that however fleeting her time as the Fourth Doctor's companion may have seemed to her as an actress, from a fan point of view this was the role and the programme that mattered. Which I guess is why she's kept back some of the Doctor Who material for what is presumably going to be a second volume of autobiography. As it is, the anecdotes included suggest that Tom Baker, whilst entertaining and brilliant as the Doctor, wasn't the easiest of co-stars. Not exactly a revelation but Ms Tamm tells her tales well - and with generosity too.
Not quite sure what the point of the final bit of the book is though.... Read more ›
'First Generation' is also a mixture: part memoir of the first 28 years of her life - ending about halfway through her season as the time lady Romana in Doctor Who - and part travel diary describing the trip she made at the end if the 80s to see her ancestral homeland Estonia for the first time. During that trip she realises that however deeply attached she may feel to her Estonian roots she herself is English.
Likewise I think at some point in her life she has experienced a similar revelation that however fleeting her time as the Fourth Doctor's companion may have seemed to her as an actress, from a fan point of view this was the role and the programme that mattered. Which I guess is why she's kept back some of the Doctor Who material for what is presumably going to be a second volume of autobiography. As it is, the anecdotes included suggest that Tom Baker, whilst entertaining and brilliant as the Doctor, wasn't the easiest of co-stars. Not exactly a revelation but Ms Tamm tells her tales well - and with generosity too.
Not quite sure what the point of the final bit of the book is though.... Read more ›
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A. Duckworth
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a bright and breezy record of how a Bradford girl of Estonian descent emerged from the terraced streets of the city's Manningham district to appear on the world stage, to find roles in acclaimed films and to become a household name, at least in households where Dr Who was a favourite. It's crammed full of choice 'plums' - such as the time she took David Hockney home. He drew a portrait of her Mum. She wasn't impressed and consigned it to the flames when he'd gone.
Mary comes across as warm, witty and wise. She might move among the rich and famous, but she hasn't lost her head, she hasn't lost her Northern scepticism and she hasn't lost her heart. The story ends too soon. Let's hope there's a sequel on the way.
Postscript
Mary Tamm
I like to think I was Mary Tamm's first fan, though that honour probably properly belongs to members of her family. My claim to having sent her her first fan letter might be on a firmer ground.
It was back in 1967 when flower power was blooming. I was in the middle of what would now be called a gap year, but for me at the time it was just 12 months of idleness and anxiety as I wondered what to do.
I lived in Bradford and Mary was a pupil at Bradford Girls' Grammar School. They were doing a Shakespeare play. I can't remember which one, but Mary was in it. A piece about it was published in the local paper along with a photo of Mary.
I was 18 and capable of falling in love with every pretty girl that walked by. I fell in love with the photo of Mary and sent her a fan letter care of the newspaper.
I got a reply! I wrote to her again and got another reply. How I wish I'd kept those letters. I can see her bold, handsome handwriting to this day.... Read more ›
Mary comes across as warm, witty and wise. She might move among the rich and famous, but she hasn't lost her head, she hasn't lost her Northern scepticism and she hasn't lost her heart. The story ends too soon. Let's hope there's a sequel on the way.
Postscript
Mary Tamm
I like to think I was Mary Tamm's first fan, though that honour probably properly belongs to members of her family. My claim to having sent her her first fan letter might be on a firmer ground.
It was back in 1967 when flower power was blooming. I was in the middle of what would now be called a gap year, but for me at the time it was just 12 months of idleness and anxiety as I wondered what to do.
I lived in Bradford and Mary was a pupil at Bradford Girls' Grammar School. They were doing a Shakespeare play. I can't remember which one, but Mary was in it. A piece about it was published in the local paper along with a photo of Mary.
I was 18 and capable of falling in love with every pretty girl that walked by. I fell in love with the photo of Mary and sent her a fan letter care of the newspaper.
I got a reply! I wrote to her again and got another reply. How I wish I'd kept those letters. I can see her bold, handsome handwriting to this day.... Read more ›
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Cult King
Format:Paperback
More than a mere memoir, First Generation is an enticing journey through the first twenty or so years of Mary's life, finishing half way through her time as Romana on Doctor Who. Interlaced throughout with extracts from her trip to Estonia, home to her parents before they were forced to migrate to the UK, it is told with warmth and charm. Humourous and touching in equal measures, First Generation is an essential read and I cannot wait for the second volume!
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By milliefan
Format:Paperback
Mary Tamm has been one of the UK's best and most beautiful actresses since her debut in the early 1970s. This marvellous autobiography covers her childhood, her training at RADA, first theatre and TV jobs (including Coronation Street), her leap to stardom after being cast opposite Jon Voight in the classic thriller The Odessa File, and through her time as Romana in Doctor Who opposite Tom Baker. It is a must-read, even for those who have only a passing interest in Dr. Who. Tamm is a great actress, and now turns out to be an equally great writer. Am looking forward very much to volume 2.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a terrific book - full of humour and pathos, with a penetrating insight into Northern refugee life in the fifties, as well as many showbiz anecdotes, too - roll on volume two! Well written and easy to read- I could not put it down!
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Maree
Format:Paperback
A wonderfull experience of a life. I love it! Estonia sounds beautiful. Its a heartfelt book but i wish she would have explained more about what happpened after she was on who. their was a great tale about a cruise she went that will make you lol!
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