Old Hollywood Books and Book Reviews

Reviews of books and biographies about Old Hollywood or the Golden Age of Hollywood and its magical actors and actresses.

Cooking Price-Wise: A Culinary Legacy by Vincent Price (Book Review + Recipe)

July 11, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

You’re familiar with the saying, “When worlds collide…” right? Two worlds colliding accounts for one of the funnest things I collect: Old Hollywood celebrity cookbooks and recipes.

Since I was 18 years old, I have collected cookbooks. I’m an avid cook and food blogger and cherish my cookbook collection. Some belonged to loved ones and I am thankful they were in the habit of writing in their cookbooks.
As I’ve often said here, I collect Old Hollywood biographies and autobiographies like it’s my job.

So…. naturally, the two collided and the inevitable happened – I collect every Old Hollywood star recipe and cookbook I can get my eager hands on!

The most recent one I’ve bought is pictured here, Cooking Price-Wise: A Culinary Legacy by Vincent Price. In addition to being a wonderful star of stage, radio, and screen, Vincent Price was a noted gourmet. Not only did he have several cookbooks to his name, he even had a cooking show (Cooking Price-Wise), making him one of the earliest celebrity chefs.

Before I get to the recipes, I just want to say what a wonderful writer Vincent Price was. His personality and humor come through in every word he wrote – it’s as though you’re having a visit with him, face to famous face. He even makes the humble potato fascinating!

From the Back Cover: Best known as a star of stage and screen, Vincent Price was also a noted gourmet whose enthusiastic promotion of home cooking included several cookbooks and a television show, Cooking Price-Wise. This charming book of Price’s favorite recipes is based on the Thames Television series he hosted in the 1970s, which showcased timeless international cuisine. Scores of easy-to-make dishes from around the world include soups, breads, main courses, sidedishes, and desserts that can be made from ingredients readily available in supermarkets and food shops. Fascinating food-related historical tidbits add extra zest to the newly typeset recipes and numerous color and black-and-white photographs that enhance this handsome collectible edition.

My personal approach with all recipes when I first see them is to make them as close to the original as possible. I say “as close to” because a lot of the cookbooks/recipes I collect are really old and foods available then are either not available now or are known as something completely different. Something I run into even more frequently (regardless of the age of the recipe) is the fact I have to eat gluten-free… health reasons.. so I have to make frequent substitutions. Once you’re accustomed to it, it’s not such a big deal.

However, on the first time making a recipe, I stay as close as absolutely possible to the recipe, as given. In future relationships with the recipe, I’ll add this, add that, cut back on this, substitute that, etc. This process (what I call making a recipe your “own”) has led to some of my favorite and most frequently used recipes.

Having said all of that, on my food blog and everywhere else, I always preach the same sermon – make a recipe AS WRITTEN the first time. It’s the only way to know, for sure, what you’d do differently (if anything).

Very often, you’ll come across a recipe like the one here and think, “I wouldn’t change a thing!’

This is the first recipe I made from Cooking Price-Wise: A Culinary Legacy and it’s one I’ll make OFTEN. I have always loved fried potatoes with onion (it’s kind of a staple here in the south) but I had never parboiled the potatoes, first, while cooking the onions separately before. Vincent Price’s approach is outstanding and one of the reasons is the fact that the onions flavor the oil they’re in and set the stage for deliciousness when the potatoes join the party.

The recipe is called Lyonnaise Potatoes and it’s from one of my favorite sections, Potato Recipes. What can I say, I’m a real potato head.

Recipe Below the Picture…

Here’s the recipe, as written in the book:

Lyonnaise Potatoes

Serves: 4

1 lb. potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 onion, peeled and sliced

Parboil potatoes; this takes about 3-5 minutes. Lightly fry onion rings until pale golden brown. Remove from the pan, then fry potato slices. When cooked, add onions and fry both together until crisp and brown.

Notes:

I used Russet potatoes because they’re the potatoes I had on hand. It’s also my “go to” potato for frying.
I used Sunflower oil simply because I’ve become obsessed with it but vegetable oil or peanut oil would be great, too.
I allowed my onions to go a little past golden brown because I’m wild about the flavor they take on at this point.
I kept the seasonings really basic – salt, pepper – because I wanted the flavor to be as close to what Vincent, himself, would have been enjoying. I get an especially big kick out of eating food the stars ate!
I served these with fried catfish (an obsession) and fried green tomatoes (another one).
There was, surprisingly, a little potatoes leftover, so I invited them to breakfast the next day. I heated the potatoes up in a skillet with a little fresh bacon grease and OMG they were amazing.

Not only is this beautiful book filled with similarly wonderful recipes, the vintage pictures are out of this world. I love the fact that the recipes come from around the world – the intercontinental flavors and overall vibe make it unlike other cookbooks.

Possibly my favorite part of the book, however, is Vincent Price, himself. He had a very warm personality and it comes shining through. Great food, great author… can’t beat that!

Other Recipes Include:

Potatoes with Sour Cream (Poland)
Minestrone
Potato Yahni (Greece)
Peruvian Peppers
Sweet Potato Cake
Chili-Con-Carne
Irish Stew
Wilted Spinach Salad with Bacon Dressing
Summer Bacon Soup
Arabian Nights Pilaf
Fried Chicken with Lemon Rice
Pineapple Custard Pudding
And a lot more….

You can find Cooking Price-Wise: A Culinary Legacy on Amazon.

Review – “Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)”

June 17, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

A few months ago, I struck gold. I entered a contest on Classic Movie Hub for a chance to win a children’s Charlie Chaplin book – Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry). Since I collect all things Charlie Chaplin and, more importantly, have a precious 18 month old grand-baby (Maddox) who means the world to me, I hoped like crazy that I’d win.

I did!

I love reading to Maddox and absolutely LOVE sharing with him something that I am so passionate about – Old Hollywood. We watch old movies together (he loves musicals, Lewis & Martin, and Abbott & Costello best) and, now, have a book we can enjoy together. And do we ever! The story is entertaining and fun and the illustrations are deliciously unique. They’re colorful and include fun images to hold a child’s attention. The way the book is presented is extra special and original – much like Mr. Chaplin, himself.

This is a children’s book that will grow with a child. While very young, they can enjoy the big bright pictures and the (*pats self on back) wonderfully entertaining voices an adult uses while reading. When older, they’ll enjoy the wonderful story – and gain more from the lessons involved.

For collectors, like myself, they’ll get an extra kick out of the beautiful addition to their collection.

(Continued Below the Beautiful Illustrations)

But there’s more to this book than meets the eye. When you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or anyone blessed with children in their life, you notice things others may overlook.

There are a few especially beautiful things in “Smile” that one might not expect from a colorful and fun children’s book…

When sharing the story with a child, this book gives an adult the perfect opportunity to stress the importance of being yourself. Charlie Chaplin did not pattern himself after other people – he created his own pattern! And what a pattern it was. By doing his own thing and creating his own identity, he became a legend. His name is known the world over. If you’re always trying to fit in, how are you ever going to stand out??
Something else I love about this book is the opportunity to talk about emotions. Sometimes we are happy, for no reason. Other times, something or someone (like, say, a little Tramp??) makes us happy. Sometimes we’re sad, for no reason. Other times, something or someone makes us sad. They’re emotions and there isn’t anything wrong with them. It’s all part of “feeling” and that’s all part of life.
There is a bonding that takes place when you sit beside a child (or with them in your lap while they’re still small enough) and share a book. I noticed it with my three daughters when they were little and I notice it with Maddox. The time spent is beautiful for all involved and creates lasting, wonderful memories.
There are only GREAT things to be said for raising children who love books and think of reading as one of their favorite things. Books are competing with a lot of things these days and few of these things, if any, offer the benefits of reading. We have to all do our part to make sure books stay exciting and enjoyable to our children.

Last of all – and, admittedly of less importance than the benefits to a child and the adult’s relationship with him/her – I have to point out the importance of keeping Old Hollywood and its stars alive and relevant. Silent movies, the Golden Age of Hollywood, musicals, old comedians (SO much better than today’s – sorry, but it’s the truth), and all of the wonderful men and women involved should be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

That’s where we come in.

It’s not enough to enjoy, collect, and talk about them among ourselves. We need to reach out to future generations and draw them in. All we have to do is introduce them to the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Lucille Ball, Shirley Temple, Judy Garland, Abbot & Costello, Lewis & Martin, Fred and Ginger… once these stars have their attention, they’ll take it from there.

They won’t be able to help falling in love with them.

If you collect Charlie Chaplin books and/or have children in your life, this is most definitely a book you’ll want to check out. See Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry) for more information!

The picture above? That’s one of my fur babies, Gueenie, sleeping comfortably on this wonderful book. If you’re new to my Old Hollywood Book Reviews, one of my cats is almost always involved during the photo session! They love to be the center of attention, so…. here they come in all of their glory. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ginger Rogers Autobiography: One of THE Best Old Hollywood Biographies, Period.

June 4, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Normally, as soon as I finish reading an Old Hollywood autobiography or biography, I begin writing my review immediately.

Normally.

The same is true with movies. Once I’ve seen a film, I’m anxious to share it with everyone else. Particularly if I loved it – I want everyone else to have a chance to love it as well.

Movies OR books, the “pull” I feel to share this joy usually propels me straight to my computer chair with instructions to, “Get busy, girl!”

Usually.

As you’ve guessed by now, there are exceptions. There are movies or books that are so bad, I think it best to pretend the whole thing never happened. I guess it hearkens back to, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” If I can find at least something positive to highlight, I do so (For example, I’m not a fan of the film The Bride of Frankenstein but I am a fan of the performances).

Other times (as is the case with Ginger Rogers’ outstanding autobiography, Ginger: My Story), the book or movie is so completely wonderful, I have no idea where to begin.

Ginger Rogers was FULL of personality. I mean, the lady was packed with it – from her beautiful head to her talented feet…. she had enough personality and charm for herself and at least 25 other people. It comes through in her photographs, in her movies, in her interviews, and in every single word in her autobiography.

I lost track of the number of times throughout the book when I stopped, looked Heavenward and thanked her for leaving us this treasure.

To compound the situation, we get to know Ginger’s equally colorful and mesmerizing mother Lela. Seriously, the daughter, herself, made my job impossible – to add in her beloved mother (also a real character) seems unfair.

From the Back Cover:

She was born Virginia Katherine McMath, but the world would come to know her—and love her—as Ginger Rogers: Broadway star, Academy Award-winning actress, and the ultimate on-screen dancing partner of the inimitable Fred Astaire. In Ginger: My Story, the legendary entertainer shares the triumphs of a remarkable career that began when she won a Texas dancing contest at age fourteen; the joys and heartbreaks of her five marriages; her relationships with some of Hollywood’s major leading men, including Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and damaged daredevil billionaire Howard Hughes; and the strength of her religious convictions that got her through thick and thin.

Lavishly illustrated with rare photographs from the author’s personal collection, Ginger is an enthralling, behind-the-scenes tour of Hollywood life during the Golden Age of movies by one of its most enduring stars.

I am obsessed with Old Hollywood biographies – as you can tell if you’ve read Hollywood Yesterday for any length of time OR have been in my home and seen my bookshelves and books lying around with bookmarks sticking out of the top – patiently waiting for me to pick up on our conversation. I am always, always, always in the middle of at least two biographies or memoirs at any given time.

I have dozens of books I have read that I haven’t reviewed on the blog yet. I’m actually re-reading a few to refresh my memory and to pull quotes from.

So… yes, you could say I’m very familiar with the species. I say all of this simply to familiarize you with my history of reading Old Hollywood books. Why? Because when I say that Ginger: My Story is one of the best Old Hollywood books I’ve ever read, I want you to understand that she is standing out in a very large crowd.

But if you bear with me, I can go one further.

While I have bookshelves packed with Old Hollywood books and biographies, I also have shelves packed with other genres…

Inspirational and Spiritual Books
American History Books (LOVE history!)
Ancient Egypt Books (Cleopatra is a special fascination)
U.S. President Biographies
U.S. First Lady Biographies
Agatha Christie Mysteries (Can you say obsession? She is actually the only fiction I read.)

In addition to always being in the middle of at least two OH biographies, I always have at least two from the list above going at all time. For about 12 years, I have always been in the midst of an Agatha Christie mystery as well… I read and re-read these delicious books!

Okay, so now you know what sort of a book addict you’re dealing with here. I feel like the stage (and the lighting) have been set, so I can tell you that Ginger Rogers’ fascinating autobiography isn’t just one of my favorite “star” biographies one of my favorite “old Hollywood” books… it’s one of my favorite books I have ever read.

One of our numbers was set in a public park gazebo. I had been horseback riding but found refuge in the park’s gazebo when it started to rain. Fred finds me and starts to sing “Isn’t it a Lovely Day (TO Be Caught in the Rain)?” During rehearsals, Fred suggested that for the second chorus I get up from my seated position and follow him around the gazebo. I in turn suggested that I copy whatever Fred was doing with his hands; if he puts his hand into his left pocket, I would follow suit. I thought my “shadowing” of Fred’s movements added another dimension. Mimicry aside, neither Fred nor Hermes could come up with a way to close the number. I proposed that we go to the edge of the gazebo, reach out to feel the rain, sit down, and shake hands. End of number. Hermes and Fred also liked the idea. I had plenty of input in our routines and got to be known as the “button finder.” In show business parlance, that means the one who puts the last word or the finishing touch on a scene.

Attribute it to the energy of her personality, the light of her persona, or her delightful sense of humor. Attribute it to palpable confidence and laudable boldness (during a time when women were pretty much expected to be pretty much… well… pretty and not much more!). Attribute it to the charismatic, colorful, vibrant people she knew in her little world (one whom she knew as her mother and another she saw in the mirror each day), attribute it to the fact that she knew how to tell a spellbinding story as well as anyone who has ever put on the title “author…” heck, attribute it to all of these or none of these – the woman wrote an absolutely unforgettable book.

As I said a while back in my Barefoot to the Chin review (about Sally Rand), I wish someone would make a Ginger Rogers biopic – her life, from childhood to adulthood was unbelievably fascinating. As I say in all of my reviews (movie or book), I refuse to give anything away – I want others to have the experience of uncovering hidden treasures as I did. Suffice to say, her life was as interesting and eventful as most movies.

I absolutely and positively love Ginger: My Story and reading it has made me an EVEN bigger fan of the wonderfully gifted actress. She was a strong, independent lady who also had a soft and very, very loving and giving side. She adored her fans and her family and is a wonderful role model in so many ways. I love that she not only shares her experiences with stars and individuals she thought a lot of but others as well! She never gets “gossipy” and certainly is never mean-spirited (I’m all but certain she didn’t have a mean bone in her graceful body) BUT…. well, you’ll see sides of stars you never new existed and, trust me, it’s all over-the-moon fun.

Her personality and gift of gab make for a book you never want to put down and leaves you searching for opportunities to pick it up again. Once, while I was midway through the book, I picked it up and said (out loud), “Okay, Ginger… what are we going to get into today?!”

Of course I talk to my books. I mean, they spend so much time talking to me, it’s the least I can do.

If you are a fan of Ginger Rogers or, truth be told, aren’t too familiar with her, I hope you’ll get your hands on a copy of her exceptional autobiography as soon as possible.

Wonderful book. Wonderful lady. You’re going to love her.

Movie Poster Books on Amazon… Very Fun Collectibles

May 15, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Have you seen the Movie Posters books on Amazon? They’re from Abby Books and I’m pretty crazy about them. Being the biggest Maureen O’Hara fan in the world, naturally I have (and love) the Maureen O’Hara Movie Poster Book.

From Amazon: Spirited, strong-willed, tempestuous beauties. All of these words have been used to describe the roles played in the 1940s and 1950s by Irish-born actress Maureen O’Hara. With more than 50 films to her credit, O’Hara is best remembered for her roles in Miracle on 34th Street, The Quiet Man and The Parent Trap. The Maureen O’Hara Movie Poster Book features original one sheet posters, and some poster art, from all of O’Hara’s 53 Hollywood films, from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) to Only the Lonely (1991) with John Candy. Printed in full color on white paper, the Maureen O’Hara Movie Poster Book is a must have collector’s item for fans of the Queen of Technicolor

This Maureen O’Hara Movie Poster Book is filled with Maureen O’Hara’s wonderful movie posters – from The Hunchback of Notre Dame to Only the Lonely. The years are given for each. It’s fun to look through the book and take an up close and personal look at each detail of the poster, as well as the director, producer, co-stars, and other details we often miss.

{Continued Below…}

There are a LOT of other stars available (some are listed below). I plan to buy the rest of the books because…

A. I’m obsessed with Old Hollywood.

B. I’m obsessed with movie posters.

C. I collect Old Hollywood books and memorabilia.

Seriously, it’s like these books were made with me in mind. I mean, it’s as easy as A.B.C.

{Continued below Lady Godiva…}

Below are just some of the stars to choose from. I actually just discovered these incredibly fun books, so I don’t have them all.

Yet.

Cary Grant
Clark Gable
Sean Connery
Katharine Hepburn (the next one I’m buying!)
Thelma Todd
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford
Natalie Wood
Frank Sinatra
Lon Chaney
Claudette Colbert
Douglas Fairbanks
Mary Pickford
Sidney Poitier
Harold Lloyd
Jean Arthur
Lana Turner
Ginger Rogers
Laurel & Hardy
Buster Keaton
Veronica Lake
Joan Crawford
Marilyn Monroe
Bette Davis
John Wayne
Barbara Stanwyck
Doris Day (Still reeling from this loss – even though she was 97, it’s so hard to believe she’s gone.)
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis
Fred Astaire
Spencer Tracy
And more…

See Movie Posters books on Amazon to see all of the stars available. These make especially fun collectibles. (Be sure to keep going to the “next page” – there are 4 pages in all.) Click Maureen O’Hara Movie Poster Book for the Maureen O’Hara book. Highly recommended!

There just aren’t enough words to describe the Kangaroo movie poster. I mean….

Barefoot to the Chin: The FANtastic Life of Sally Rand (Wonderful Book!)

May 7, 2019 By Joi 2 Comments

As I’ve said countless times, one of my favorite things in life is reading classic Hollywood biographies and autobiographies. Words can’t possibly describe how much I love them, so I won’t even try – suffice to say that when I have a great one in my hands, I am as happy as happy is allowed to be.

The gorgeous (as in stunningly gorgeous) book you see here is Barefoot to the Chin: The FANtastic Life of Sally Rand and it is one of the best books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading – whether it’s my beloved Old Hollywood books, my treasured Agatha Christie collection, or the countless historical biographies I collect and devour. This book is as well-written, beautifully presented, perfectly researched, and thoroughly enjoyable as any book I’ve ever met.

If you have ever written a book review, you will know what I mean when I say that the better the book, the harder the review is to write. You’d think it’d be opposite – a wonderful book should be easy to rave about… a terrible one should be hard to talk about. However, my own personal experience is that the more I love a book – the more difficult it is to reign in all of my thoughts.

This particular book is so outstanding that my adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and direct objects are all bumping into one another.

I work with words all day in my home office and yet, here I sit, trying to hog tie enough words to make a coherent sentence!

“Hog tie…” I may watch too many Westerns.

Barefoot to the Chin: The FANtastic Life of Sally Rand is wonderfully written by Jim Lowe (in collaboration with Bonnie Egan). It is clearly a labor of love and great respect for its beautiful, fascinating, intelligent, and uncommonly brave subject, Sally Rand.

“She could hold her own in any conversation – an amazingly brilliant woman.” ~ Jack Grodon, Fort Worth Press (1936)

I love books that pull you in and grab your attention right off the bat. Books that take a few chapters to warm up often are never given the chance with me. Can you say short attention span? Barefoot to the Chin grabs your attention on the first page and never lets it go – never even loosens its grip. If anything, it tightens it now and again, just to keep the reader honest.

I’m a huge history buff, so I hung on every word of Sally Rand’s family history. The proverbial “stage” is set beautifully for us. We can see how Sally’s childhood, and perhaps even her family’s fascinating history helped propel her into the spotlight. Make no mistake about it, once the stage was set and the spotlight turned on, this beautiful lady made her own history, on her own terms.

In 1934, Mae West and Sally Rand were the record earners among women entertainers.

I recently became somewhat obsessed with reading about showgirls and burlesque dancers such as Sally Rand, Faith Bacon, Tempest Storm, Gypsy Rose Lee, the dancers who went by the name Little Egypt (there were more than one!), and many others. People can point fingers and pass judgment (personally I’m not into either of these sports) but these women and others like them danced their way into what was, at the time, the entertainment industry. Many simply did what they had to do to get by.

Others? Maybe they darn well liked it!

It was such a treat to come across so many of these flamboyant ladies within the pages of the book. Not only did I get to walk along with Sally as she lived out her colorful life, I got to meet so many fascinating people along the way. In addition to the Sally’s contemporaries, we meet up with A LOT of familiar names from Old Hollywood and history on these delicious pages.

However, I’d like to quickly and decisively add that Sally is the star of this book. The rest? Well they’re co-stars, of course.

Sally Rand had a boldness and a palpable determination about her that made her a force – a decidedly feminine force, but a force nonetheless – one not to be messed with OR told what to do. On the flip side, however, there was a softness… even a vulnerability to a certain extent that draws you to her. She was also a kind, compassionate soul – traits that also draw you to her.

This type of personality is to be celebrated if you ask me.

“I was born in the last naive moment America was ever to enjoy… between the Spanish-American War and the First World War. Things were S. S.& G.- Sweet, Simple, and Girlish.” ~ Sally Rand

As a great lover of Old Hollywood biographies, I have even entertained writing one, myself, about one of my favorite actresses. The motivation would be to share her life with others, to help them understand her better, and to… certainly… draw others to her. To, through the written word, celebrate her life in the best way possible – after all a biography is a lasting legacy for generations to read.

While reading this exceptional book, I thought many times about this very thing because it is precisely what Jim Rowe has done. He has celebrated a life very much worth celebrating and left a legacy for her – an especially beautiful one, at that.

He spent years getting to know Sally Rand better and has shared this WEALTH of information with his readers. Fortunately for us, he is such an engaging writer that each and every page is a joy to read. He has a stunning knack for creating scenes and allowing your mind’s eye to see, not only Sally, but all that Sally saw.

{Continued Below…}

Ten Things I Love Best About Barefoot to the Chin

When writing Old Hollywood movie or book reviews, I try to keep it brief – I always tell myself, “Never rant and rave for as long as it’d take them to watch the movie or buy the book!” Ironically, I feel that I am going to break my own rule, here, but I do hope you’ll stick with me – I desperately want you to get to know Sally Rand better and would love to see this book read by as many people as possible.

Below are ten of the things I love best about this wonderful celebration of Sally Rand.

Sally Rand is treated with the UTMOST of respect. It would be easy (given this particular beautiful subject’s penchant for sex appeal and nudity) for an author to make “Junior High School” type jokes or to drift, even briefly, to crude words that equate to wolf calls. I mean, let’s face it, Sally was a knock out. The girls who danced in her circles? Knock outs. The author, however, never even hints at sensationalism, crudeness, or howling. She is treated as she should be treated, as an entertainer and with great respect. As a female, as a mother of females, and as a fan of Sally’s, I love this to distraction and appreciate it greatly.
There were NO shortcuts with anything associated with this book. Whether it’s the incredible research (many years of research, at that), the gorgeous cover, the stunning photographs throughout the book, or the mere fact that each and every chapter is filled with spellbinding content – the reader is never short-changed in any way possible. You’re given so much more than you dared to expect. Counting the Epilogue, this book is 718 pages in length. It is the type of book you lose yourself in. The type of book that, even while cooking supper, your mind is thinking, “When can I get back to Sally!?“
The photographs are an absolute JOY. As I often point out with my reviews, one of my biggest goals (second to telling my readers what they’ll love about the book in question) is to be certain not to give anything away. I am obsessive when it comes to this! Authors, editors, and illustrators put so much time, effort, energy, and passion into making a book exactly as they want it to be – from the manner in which they share their information to the pictures they share. That’s why I’m not photographing and sharing any of the wonderful pictures from this book. (When you click through Barefoot to the Chin: The FANtastic Life of Sally Rand and read about the book on Amazon, you’ll find a few pictures.) The main reason, when it comes to books like this is, the mere fact that these wonderful, wonderful pictures (I especially love the ones of Sally as a child) are almost always from a loved one’s private collection. My reasoning is, if they want the pictures on the internet, they’ll put them there! Suffice to say, the pictures and the history they tell and the lives they share are breathtaking.
You never know who you’ll meet along the way. Those of us who love, love, love biographies like this get a special thrill out of reading about other stars and/or historical figures as we follow our subject’s life. In Barefoot to the Chin, not only do we get to know Sally Rand ever so much better, we also get to know familiar names and faces along the way better than we knew them before. In the vein of not giving too much away, I will just throw a few names out there – Elvis, Teddy Roosevelt, Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford… there are many more than these giants, but I simply cannot allow myself to name any more. I’m already clearly breaking one of my own rules as it is.
The author is a GREAT author! Have you ever read a biography about someone and thought, “This is great research… I love the star the book is about.. but the author is so dry dirt is envious of him/her!” I have. While non-fiction is my favorite thing to read, and the only thing I read (aside from my Agatha Christie obsession), I have found that it takes a special talent to tell about someone’s life and make it as compelling to read as a great novel. Jim Lowe has done just that. This wonderful book, in fact, it could be a great, best-selling novel – IF you didn’t know the larger than life heroine actually existed. Boy, did she ever.
Mental Spark Plug… When is the last time you learned something new? Do you remember how exhilarating it was? I find that when I’m learning something new or taking my mind in an entirely new direction, it feels like a natural high. The world of burlesque dancers and showgirls is a pretty new world to most of us. But it is so fascinating you’ll wonder why you haven’t been reading about these ladies all your life. As I said earlier, they are now a new personal interest and I cannot read enough about them or this era. Learning new things and reading about new people acts like spark plugs for your brain. And, come on, who doesn’t need that kind of action?!
I love that this book is unique and filled a void. Certain stars seem to have countless biographies. Not that I’m complaining, mind you, very often a fresh voice can give you a fresh understanding of someone you only thought you knew. However, I also LOVE when stars who have comparatively little written about them have their time to shine.
This book would make an EXCELLENT gift. Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday, or Christmas, gifting a book lover with Barefoot to the Chin would be a extraordinary idea. While lovers of Classic Hollywood or history would, obviously pass out from delight with this book, so would your average bookworm. My oldest daughter, for example, prefers fiction but I can’t wait for her to read Barefoot to the Chin. She is forever talking about her favorite authors – how some hold your attention better than others, etc. She is going to love this author so much. In fact, I have a feeling he’ll make a non-fiction fan out of her!
I love the research that went into this book. I can only imagine all the effort and time that went into researching, not just Sally, but her family, friends, and contemporaries as well. Frankly, there isn’t a lot out there. After I recently read another biography about Sally Rand and Faith Bacon, I was ravenous for more information about them as well as other dancers and showgirls. There simply isn’t much information to be found. To turn up all this fascinating information is just phenomenal – and I hung on every word. When you read this book (and I certainly hope you do), be sure to go slowly and enjoy each step. This book is a journey and journeys aren’t meant to be rushed through, they’re meant to be savored.
Last but certainly not least… Sally. Make that SALLY. She was intelligent, beautiful, complex, creative, brave, SASSY, and bold. Reading about her life was a joy and I plan to reread the book (after my daughter reads it) this summer. Sally’s life (as told beautifully and thoroughly through this book) would make a phenomenal movie – I can’t tell you how much I’d love for that to happen! Getting to know Sally better while walking along with the author through her colorful life has made me a huge Sally Rand fan (and an author can’t really ask for more than that).

I truly hope you’ll grab a copy of Barefoot to the Chin: The FANtastic Life of Sally Rand right away. I’m so anxious for others to get to know this wonderfully entertaining woman. She’ll make you laugh, make you gasp, and make you cry. One thing is for certain – you won’t forget her.

Sally Rand was once named the most beautiful girl in America by Cecil B. DeMille!

See Sally Rand Fan Dancing at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair!

Audrey Hepburn in Words and Pictures: Gorgeous Book that Celebrates a Gorgeous Life

March 22, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I’ve added quite a few books to my Golden Age of Hollywood collection already this year (I’d have ever so much more money in my purse if I’d stay off Amazon and out of bookstores!) and you’re looking at one of my favorites. Audrey Hepburn in Words and Pictures is the sort of visually beautiful book she deserves.

Description:

Through discussions of her films, charity work, reminiscences from friends, and photographs of her looks over the years Audrey Hepburn reveals the woman and the icon.

Nearly two decades after her final film appearance, film star, style icon, and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn continues to captivate the world with her beauty, grace, image, and activism. One of the most successful and popular actress in the world, some of the greatest leading men in Hollywood shared the screen with Audrey. She was also one of the first activist stars as the public face of UNICEF for over twenty years.

Yet her life was not a complete fairy tale. She endured early life in Nazi-occupied Netherlands, and saw many children her own age shipped off to concentration camps. She suffered miscarriages and failed marriages, yet throughout maintained her grace and dignity as a public figure.

Audrey Hepburn explores her amazing life, with a special focus on her iconic films and fashion styles.

While the beautiful pictures are extraordinary, I also love all of the information about Audrey Hepburn, her movies, her wonderful charity work, and (of course) the always inspiring Audrey Hepburn quotes.

Speaking of the gorgeous photographs, there are many candids and behind the scenes photos I have, personally, never seen before… and this from someone who has been obsessed with Audrey Hepburn since the crib!

Audrey Hepburn in Words and Pictures is a stunning celebration of an incredible woman and activist – someone who left the world a better place. I found my copy at my local Books a Million, but you can also click the links within this post for more information AND buying information.

Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars (Review)

March 6, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars

As I said in my last post, I’m an avid collector of all things “Old Hollywood” – books, dvds, magazines, photos, artwork, coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, dolls… Books are something I add to my collection almost weekly. What can I say? Books are as big of an obsession for me as old movies are, so combine the two and I can’t stop myself or even slow myself down!

The book you see here, Movie Star Chronicles is one of the newest ones to join my collection. Naturally, my beloved Audrey caught my eye and into the cart it went. I LOVE that the publisher put three of “our” stars on the cover – Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Marlon Brando.

Beautifully done!

Audrey Hepburn’s Photo Spread

Many stars (“our” stars as well as modern-day stars) are featured in photo spreads like the one Audrey has (above). The stars have a “timeline” that features their filmography, including release dates and genres.

While I love the information, the gorgeous pictures are my favorite thing about this one. Look at the stunning photo of Greta Garbo below. Wouldn’t this photo make a gorgeous art print?!

Greta Garbo as Elizabeth Dohna

Book Description from Amazon:

Movie Star Chronicles promises to satisfy the curiosity of moviegoers, cinephiles, and the Hollywood-hungry fans that fuel today’s entertainment news industry. For film students, it is a practical reference to the most important actors in cinematic history.

Entries illustrated with film and television stills and other archival material chart the careers of 330 actors from the era of silent film to today’s blockbusters. Expert text gives an entertaining overview and color-coded timelines provide an at-a-glance guide to the actor’s career, their roles, movie release dates, earnings and awards.

With 576 pages and more than 2,500 illustrations for only $29.95, Movie Star Chronicles is an outstanding value. It includes:

A to Z coverage of 330 movie stars, with extended entries for 100

20 feature articles on popular movie trends, including vampires; western heroes; singers turned actors; femmes fatales; saints and sinners; acting dynasties; combat stars; cops and more

30 lavish double-page photo spreads showing cinema’s most influential stars at work and how film has evolved from silent black- and-white to color 3-D

20 illustrated features on genres and trends, such as Superheroes, Acting Dynasties, Screen Sirens, and Movie Villains

Color-coded timelines showing the arc of an actor’s career, including release dates and types of features, such as Criminal, Romantic Drama, and Thriller

Best Actor awards: Oscars, BAFTA, Cesar (France), Goya (Spain), David Di Donatello (Italy), Golden Horse (Asia), Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance.

Covering Hollywood, Bollywood and world cinema, Movie Star Chronicles is truly international and comprehensive. Sure to attract a wide readership, it is an essential purchase.

Audrey Hepburn Timeline (continued on the next page in the book)

This big, beautiful book is an excellent coffee table book – one guests would love to lose themselves in. It would also make a gorgeous and much-appreciated gift, whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas.

Greta Garbo’s Photo Spread

I found my copy at the Ollie’s in town but I haven’t seen this one in any bookstores. They do have it on Amazon, of course, however. Pretty sure they have everything.

Take a closer look at Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars on Amazon. I highly recommend it.

The Old-Time Radio Book: Fans of Old Radio Shows Will LOVE this Book

March 3, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

The Old-Time Radio Book

My fanaticism for the Golden Age of Hollywood, Classic TV, and Silent Movies is legendary. I have, over the past few years, become just as infatuated with and devoted to Old Radio shows. I barely remember hearing radio shows as a child. I mostly remember an old Christmas radio show they aired each Christmas that was one of our most cherished traditions.

Before I Love Lucy, Audrey Hepburn, and Fred & Ginger shook the world, families gathered around their radios each night to be entertained. Just the thought of a family excitedly gathering around a radio brings a smile to my face! Sometimes I think “progress” isn’t much of a “progress” after all, but that’s another hill to climb on another day.

Wonderful radio programs, comedies, westerns, dramas, and soap operas delighted people of all ages for years. Then they disappeared forever… or so we thought. With the internet, podcasts, YouTube, and a WONDERFUL Sirius station devoted entirely to these engaging shows, old time radio is here with us today to give us just as much happiness and entertainment as ever.

You can, literally, access your favorite old radio show(s) as easily as you can watch a favorite old movie. And, boy, do I ever!

My personal favorite old radio shows are:

Nero Wolfe/New Adventures of Nero Wolfe (Sydney Greenstreet)
Candy Matson
I Love Lucy (Lucille Ball)
The Six Shooter (James Stewart)
The Sharp Shooter
Gunsmoke (William Conrad)
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok
Cisco Kid
Fort Laramie (Raymond Burr)
Hopalong Cassidy
Have Gun Will Travel (John Dehner)
Hercule Poirot
The Lone Ranger
Richard Diamond (Dick Powell)
Abbott & Costello
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar
Dragnet
Whistler
The Saint (Vincent Price on some of these)
Bob Hope
Sherlock Holmes
Casey Crime Photographer
Laurel & Hardy
Philip Marlowe
Boston Blackie

Quite a list, huh? I told you I was a fanatic! The crazy thing is, there are still A LOT of radio shows I want to explore but haven’t had the chance yet…. okay, maybe I’ve had the chance, I just can’t pull myself away from my favorites. The truth always comes out, doesn’t it?

When I do check out the others that have caught my eye, I’m sure I’ll have to come back and add to this list.

Just as I collect books, photos, and memorabilia from Old Hollywood and Classic TV, I collect anything related to Old Radio. The Old-Time Radio Book is the newest addition to my cherished collections.

I found this wonderful book from a used book seller (Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit) on Amazon. When I order used books, I always use Amazon. There are also A LOT on eBay – I’m just an Amazon addict, truth be told. When you order used books on Amazon, be sure to select “Like New” or “Very Good” as the conditions you’re interested in.

I order a lot of my Old Hollywood (especially Old Radio) books “used” on Amazon and have never been disappointed.

I really love The Old-Time Radio Book – it’s even better than I expected. It’s in wonderful condition (even better than described online) and it has so much more inside than I expected.

Don’t you just love when you get more than you bargained for?!

I had no idea, for example, there’d be so many wonderful photos. The fact that some of my absolute favorites showed up on these pages made it even sweeter. Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead (check out the gorgeous picture of Agnes below!), Jane Wyman, Lana Turner, Susan Hayward, Ginger Rodgers… I gasped each time I found a new favorite on the pages – some of these pictures I’d never seen before.

Speaking of Agnes Moorehead for a moment, she was an absolutely phenomenal actress – on radio, in movies, and on tv (you may know her best as Endora). When you hear her on Old Radio, you will be blown away by her angelic voice. NOT AT ALL ENDORA-LIKE!

When I first heard her on an old radio show, I had no idea who the actress was. All I knew was that I could listen to her beautiful voice for hours. I couldn’t wait for the end of the program to hear the announcer say her name. When he said, “Agnes Moorehead,” my jaw dropped right into my strawberry sundae (another addiction). Beautiful face, beautiful voice, beautiful person.

No wonder I’m such a huge fan of her’s. She had it all and then some.

The big, beautiful photo of Susan Hayward (below) is another one I had never seen. In fact, there are a lot of pictures in this book I’m sure most people have never seen before. I’m not sure all of them have even been published before.

If you are a fan of Old Radio, this is a book you will love as much as I do. If you’re a fan of Old Hollywood, you will love seeing the pictures of the stars you are familiar with. In fact, if you’re an Old Hollywood fan, you may be lured into Old Radio when you see the names associated with the shows (many are listed in my list of favorites above).

Many of the greatest stars in Hollywood were the greatest stars on radio. Check them out – they will not let you down!

Books for Fans of Old Radio:

The Old-Time Radio Book

The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (one of the ones on my list to buy)

The Top 100 Classic Radio Shows

You can find many more on Amazon as well as eBay.

Websites for Fans of Old Radio:

Radio Spirits

Old Radio Programs

Old Radio World

Forever Lucy: A Must Have for Lucille Ball Fans and Collectors

January 24, 2019 By Joi 1 Comment

Being the obsessive Lucille Ball fan that I am, I add to my Lucille Ball Collection regularly. I recently added another magazine to the collection, Forever Lucy.

Everything about it is perfectly wonderful… just like Lucille, herself.

I’m actually wishing I’d grabbed two – one for reading cover to cover multiple times and one for the pictures, alone. Many are full-size and would be absolutely gorgeous framed. I do this often with calendars and the gorgeous pictures in Forever Lucy would be just as stunning.

I told you I was obsessive. I didn’t lie.

I love that the book (seems far too elaborate to refer to it as a magazine) focuses on all of the many facets of what made Lucille Ball… well… Lucille Ball.

Those of us who are fans and collectors of this amazing actress run into the same frustrating thing time and time again – publications that only want to focus on Lucy Ricardo and the phenomenal I Love Lucy. Don’t get me wrong, I love the character and show as much as anyone and more than most. However, to even hint that one sitcom defines this woman lies somewhere between an oversight and a sin against humanity!

She was intelligent, beautiful, incredibly bold, fashionable, loving, AND funny. She was, as they say, the total package and this book celebrates the total package the way it should be celebrated.

There are wonderful candids, gorgeous glamour shots, scenes from movies as well as television, Lucille Ball quotes, and articles you’ll find yourself lost in.

Basically, if I had put together a bookazine (there, I’ll compromise), this is exactly the one I would have put together, myself. Big, glorious pictures (some that even I have never seen), fascinating facts and quotes, and so much more.

And, yes, thankfully, there is plenty in here about the greatest sitcom ever made…. I Love Lucy.

If you can’t find Forever Lucy in your favorite store, Amazon is here for you. Click the link for more information. This is a must, must, MUST have.

Feuding Fan Dancers: Faith Bacon, Sally Rand, and the Golden Age of the Showgirl

January 21, 2019 By Joi 3 Comments

Feuding Fan Dancers

Feuding Fan Dancers: Faith Bacon, Sally Rand, and the Golden Age of the Showgirl is the latest book from actress and author Leslie Zemeckis and it is breathtaking. One of my favorite pastimes is reading Old Hollywood biographies and autobiographies, so when I was offered a copy of Feuding Fan Dancers in exchange for telling you about the book, I jumped at the chance so fast I startled both the cat in my lap and the one on the back of my chair.

Like many people who spend a great deal of their time in Classic Hollywood, I was somewhat familiar with Sally Rand. I had not heard of Faith Bacon, however. While my knowledge of Sally was limited (I knew she had danced with feathers and that she’d been in a couple of movies), at least I could put a face to the name. I couldn’t have told you who Faith Bacon was if I’d had to.

Clearly I needed an education on the Golden Age of the Showgirl and Leslie Zemeckis provided it. I assure you, no other textbook could compare to this one – or even come close!

From the Inside Cover:

Leslie Zemeckis continues to discover the forgotten feminist histories of the golden age of entertainment, turning her sights on the lost stories of Sally Rand and Faith Bacon―icons who each claimed to be the inventor of the notorious fan dance

Some women capture our attention like no others. Faith Bacon and Sally Rand were beautiful blondes from humble backgrounds who shot to fame behind a pair of oversize ostrich fans, but with very different outcomes. Sally Rand would go on to perform for the millions who attended the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, becoming America’s sweetheart. Faith Bacon, the Marilyn Monroe of her time––once anointed the “world’s most beautiful woman”––would experience the dark side of fame and slip into drug use.

It was the golden age of American entertainment, and Bacon and Rand fought their way through the competitive showgirl scene of New York with grit and perseverance. They played peek-a-boo with their lives, allowing their audiences to see only slivers of themselves. A hint of a breast? A forbidden love affair? They were both towering figures, goddesses, icons. Until the world started to change. Little is known about who they really were, until now.

Feuding Fan Dancers tells the story of two remarkable women during a tumultuous time in entertainment history. Leslie Zemeckis has pieced together their story and―nearly one hundred years later― both women come alive again.

Those last five words jumped off the page at me when I first opened the book, “…both women come alive again.” That’s my personal mission when it comes to Hollywood Yesterday. Few things excite me more than seeing stars from yesterday shining just as brightly as they did when they walked the earth. Through the pages of Feuding Fan Dancers, each beautiful showgirl is with us as we read about their heartbreaks and triumphs, their bold creativity and talent, and even their masterful twisting of reality (especially entertaining).

When doing book reviews, I am always mindful of several things – telling the reader why he or she should read the book is, obviously, right up there, but I also put a lot of effort into not giving anything away. When an author writes a book, they unveil truth and information in a particular, well thought-out manner. They put a lot of time and effort (often years) into research and writing and I have zero intention of letting any secrets out of the jar. The author has earned that right to lift that lid.

I will say that you’ll be amazed by the things life threw at these ladies as well as the things they threw back at life.

Feuding Fan Dancers is an especially fascinating book and is a joy to read. It reads at a very fast-pace as each star’s life unfolds before the reader’s eyes. The two showgirls come alive on each page and they bring a lot of fascinating people with them… many of whom you have heard of.

A VERY impressive amount of research went into this wonderful book. I am blown away by the facts the author was able to piece together from so long ago. As I hinted at earlier, both Sally Rand and Faith Bacon got pretty creative with their “facts.” Truth be told, they were almost as creative with reality as they were feathers. The fact that Leslie Zemeckis was able to travel back in time and sift though all of the information is truly remarkable.

I love everything about the way the book is written. Each woman’s life is told separately, culminating to the point where each became… for better or worse… aware of the other.

As I said, I knew of Sally Rand before reading Feuding Fan Dancers but had never heard of Faith Bacon. After reading this remarkable book, however, I’ll never forget Faith Bacon. There was something mesmerizing about her – a mixture of strength and vulnerability. While Sally often displayed even more strength – she never seemed as vulnerable as Faith Bacon, which, given the time and circumstances, is a real testament to her self will and confidence.

I’ll never forget either lady and I am profoundly glad to have gotten the chance to know each better. In fact, I have grown so fond of them that I’ve already started reading the book a second time! While I often re-read my favorite biographies, I seldom begin a second time through on the very day I finish, but this was the case with Feuding Fan Dancers.

Their lives turned out differently, I look forward to revisiting them a second time and seeing what circumstances and even people could have helped them reach such horrifyingly different destinations.

About the Author: Leslie Zemeckis is an entertainer, author and award-winning documentarian, specializing in early American forms of entertainment (from burlesque to the circus). With an impressive burlesque collection.

Zemeckis wrote/produced/directed the critically acclaimed documentary shown on Showtime “Behind the Burly Q” the true story of old-time burlesque. Her second film, “Bound by Flesh” about Daisy and Violet Hilton, sideshow “freaks” won many festival awards as both best documentary and best director and can be seen on Netflix. Her current film “Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer,” is about the world’s first female tiger trainer.

Her book “Goddess of Love Incarnate; the Life of Stripteuse Lili St. Cyr” is the best-selling in-depth story of the influential burlesque dancer in Hollywood in the ’30s-50s, Montreal nightclubs, and Swinging 52nd Street in New York.

Zemeckis is co-staring in the film “Welcome to Marwen” opposite Steve Carell Dec 2018.

Her latest best-seller FEUDING FAN DANCERS is about Sally Rand, Faith Bacon and the golden age of the Broadway showgirl. She extensively interviewed and researched both fan dancers ground-breaking performances, the history of the American world’s fairs and early Hollywood. Find more at lesliezemeckis.com.

Read more about Feuding Fan Dancers by clicking the links. You’ll find many glowing reviews – which the book and author both certainly deserve.

More Classic Hollywood Book Reviews on Hollywood Yesterday.