This second, loosely structured collection of stories and production notes and rants includes more of the same, though its tone is markedly different. That's because the arc of Campbell's career, over the years this book deals with (roughly 2000 to the present), stopped being an arc and became a plateau. In the years since 2000, Campbell went from being a working actor to a successful working actor – not a star, perhaps, but a recognized face and a staple of the convention circuit...That is perhaps why the hungry edge of Campbell's first book is somewhat blunted, here; a sense of urgency is lacking, and rushing in to fill that vacuum is a relaxed penchant for sardonic bloviation. That's perfectly fine, insofar as the book's prospective readers want to imagine themselves bellied up at some musty dive bar with Campbell's garrulous, opinionated storyteller.
Even if Hail to the Chin doesn’t make Bruceniks of us all, die-hard fans will embrace it as canon ... Fans will also discover that headliner Jeffrey Donovan, 10 years Campbell’s junior, 'became like a younger brother to me.' And they will savor the news that big bad Bruce turns the wild lavender on his Oregon property into sweet-smelling soaps and sachets — ideal gifts for the fragrant Teamsters on the Miami-based set.
Campbell sheds further light on the (decidedly unglamorous) existence of a B-list actor, and fans of his work will undoubtedly be excited to read more from the enigmatic movie star ... Chock-full of amusing anecdotes about the underappreciated B-list movie industry. Hand to admirers of Campbell's previous book and fans of the talkies.
