Old Hollywood Book Reviews | Hollywood Yesterday

Marlene Dietrich Photographs and Memories (Extraordinary Book!)

July 17, 2022 By Joi

Marlene Dietrich Books

While I collect and treasure many types of books, there’s a special place in my heart for biographies and autobiographies, including my old Hollywood books. I read them cover to cover and visit and revisit them again and again and again.

When an actor, actress, or other historical figure is one of my favorites, I have a particular system in place… I collect every single book and magazine I can about them. Whether it’s Harriet Tubman or Abraham Lincoln or Marlene Dietrich or Maureen O’Hara, I believe having a “library” of books on a particular individual provides you with a far better education on them than just one book, alone.

It’s far better (when possible) to have their own words as well as the words of others. In fact, I think you often arrive at the truth and the whole picture when both are at your fingertips. After all, even the most honest stars were known to exaggerate every now and again!

Marlene Dietrich Photographs and Memories

The book you see above, Marlene Dietrich Photographs and Memories is the type of book I wish was available for all of my favorite stars. It is beyond wonderful and is a genius way to pay tribute to an individual.

Simply put, this gorgeous book is like having a Marlene Dietrich museum at your beck and call. One that’s never closed, you have entirely to yourself, and doesn’t mind in the least if you browse through the collection in your pajamas with coffee in hand.

Marlene Dietrich Photographs and Memories is FILLED with photos of the beautiful legend from childhood to her days in Hollywood – many photos I had never seen and, trust me, I am more than a little familiar with Marlene Dietrich (one of my all-time favorites).

This Marlene Dietrich museum… I mean this Marlene Dietrich book.. features many of the gorgeous costumes Marlene wore in her films, jewelry, trinkets, keepsakes, and private letters in her collection. To see the costumes in living color is something particularly exciting.

From the Back Cover:

Marlene Dietrich never threw anything away. She kept her good-luck rag doll (it appeared with her in The Blue Angel and followed her to dressing tables on every movie set). She kept the letters she received from, friends, colleagues, lovers, and her husband of fifty-three years. She kept every article of clothing made for her by the great French couturiers and many from legendary Hollywood costume designers. She kept everything.

After Dietrich’s death, all of the memorabilia were cataloged—25,000 objects and 18,000 images. Marlene Dietrich: Photographs and Memories brings together her treasures as depicted in 289 photographs from her own collection and features extended captions by her daughter and sole biographer, Maria Riva. We see Dietrich across the years and roles of her life: a child, a young actress in Berlin, a newlywed, a devoted American, a mother, and of course, a glamorous Hollywood legend.

An intimate look into the life of an unforgettable star, this collection offers fans more than just photos and memorabilia—it shares perspective from Marlene herself.

Marlene Dietrich Photographs and Memories

I love that the majority of the written content in this fascinating and richly informative book accompanies photographs. It makes for a delicious “coffee table” book that even the most casual old Hollywood fan would find impossible to put down.

Naturally, there are many other stars and familiar faces you will bump into on your visit. To see them interact with Marlene and read her thoughts about them and their thoughts about her makes the experience especially juicy!

Marlene Dietrich Photographs and Memories

Marlene Dietrich was extraordinarily charismatic, engaging, complex, and colorful… so much so that it would be very difficult for an author to capture all of the facets of her on paper. This particular approach works brilliantly for this actress because it allows you to stroll through her life and allow it to speak for itself.

And does it ever.

This is an exciting book, a gorgeous book, and one that you will be honored to have in your collection. The only problem is, as I said, you’ll find yourself wishing ALL of your favorites had such a tribute.

Find this and other Marlene Dietrich biographies and books on Amazon (Amazon link) or The University Press of Kentucky.

Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992) was a German American actress best known for her performances in The Blue Angel (1930), Shanghai Express (1932), I Love a Soldier (1936), Manpower (1941), and Witness for the Prosecution (1957). During World War II, Dietrich toured domestically to sell war bonds and became well-known for her front-line efforts to support Allied troops. After the war, she received recognition both domestically and internationally for her efforts and was awarded the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (France, 3 ranks), the Medal of Valor (Israel), and the Medal of Freedom (USA) among many others.

Upcoming Old Hollywood Book Reviews… So Many Wonderful Books to Tell You About!

June 15, 2022 By Joi

Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel

I am putting the “Pictures of the Day” on pause for a few weeks while I focus on a couple of extraordinary books I want to finish reading and review. As I often say on here as well as on Twitter, I actually enjoy reading old Hollywood and classic television biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs as much I love watching old movies (and that’s a LOT!).

I also love reviewing these wonderful books because, honestly, what better way to keep these wonderful stars’ names and faces alive and well than to introduce them to others?

I am currently reading three biographies that are among the best I’ve ever read and cannot wait to tell you all about them.

One of a biography of one of my top 10 favorite all-time actresses, Ann Dvorak. To make the deal even sweeter, it’s written by one of my favorite authors, Christina Rice. Needless to say, I’m enjoying every single word of this one and am anxious for the entire journey I’m taking with Ann and Christina.

I’m nearly finished with another fascinating biography, Natalie Wood: A Life by an author that is new to me, Gavin Lambert, but one that I will now seek out EVERY book written by him.

I also have a few others I have recently finished that I want to tell you all about in the coming days as well.

As for the Pictures of the Day, there will still be pictures and they will still be under the category “Pictures of the Day,” they just won’t be daily. This book fanatic wants to focus on the books. Summer is the perfect time to escape into the delicious, adventuresome, and fascinating world of old Hollywood and I have some extraordinary books to tell you about!

The Natalie Wood biography review should be published in a few days and Ann Dvorak will be right on her heels.

Hope you’re enjoying the beautiful, warm weather! ~ Joi

Natalie Wood Biography

John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars by Eve Golden (Review)

May 16, 2022 By Joi

John Gilbert Biography by Eve Golden

I’ve often said that reading about the stars that made old Hollywood so magical is as much of a joy for me as watching their films. This particular book (John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars by Eve Golden, Amazon link) reminded me of this very truth. The book was absolutely fascinating – as in every single page – and gave me what felt like a complete college education in John Gilbert as well as Silent Films.. with a minor in Greta Garbo!

Before I get back to the wonderful and colorful John Gilbert, I want to say that Greta Garbo serves as the perfect point for another thing I love about old Hollywood biographies. When a great author (which is precisely what Eve Golden is) researches and writes about a particular star, they also shine a fresh light on other stars within their star’s galaxy. The wonderful thing is, we often get a new look (a fresh angle, if you will) at the star in question – often a different one from, say their own biographies or memoirs.

The Greta Garbo I met in this particular biography makes her even more intriguing and lovable to me. Was she perfect? No… but she was perfectly delightful in many ways and Eve Golden fleshed her out beautifully.

I only wish she’d write a Greta Garbo biography!

The relationship between the two stars is one of the most fascinating things about this book. Suffice to say, Greta Garbo turned our hero inside out!

(Review continued below….)

Greta Garbo and John Gilbert in Queen Christina

One of the things I always mention in my biography reviews is that I refuse to give too much away – it isn’t fair to the author OR you. I want you to be able to come across great information, quotes, and delicious surprises just as I was able to.

I very much want you to have the same, “Holy cats! I didn’t know that!” moment… whether or not you actually use the phrase holy cats or not.

Probably not?

John Gilbert was one of the world’s most recognizable and beloved actors during the silent era. He had a couple of famous romances with Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich and seemed to have a tendency to fall for his leading ladies!

He was a very colorful individual who, like most people, had personal demons he had to keep at bay – sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much. He was known for flareups with Louis B. Mayer (Gilbert got as deeply under Mayer’s skin as Garbo did his own, with equally unsettling results). He turned to alcohol as a means of both entertainment and escape and it wasn’t as fond of him as he was it.

Before reading John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars (Amazon link), I knew very little about John Gilbert. I knew he was a wonderful actor and meant a great deal to silent films. I knew he had been in love with Greta Garbo and had been linked to Marlene Dietrich and a few other co-stars. I also knew he had a drinking problem (which I’m sure he’d reply with, “Actually, I didn’t have any problem drinking at all!”). I also knew that, once talkies came onto the scene, John Gilbert was one of the stars who faded away, unfortunately.

I’d always believed the old tale that his voice wasn’t suitable for talkies… I am so relieved that this actually wasn’t the case. We all want our heroes to have nice voices, after all.

Author Eve Golden allows us to meet John (“Jack”) Gilbert as a youth and journey with him to Hollywood. We are allowed to meet other colorful stars along the way and, remarkably, in spite of reading so many biographies on each one – Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, Mae Murray – Even Golden somehow gives readers a fresh, wonderful look at each star.

I truly have EVEN more fondness for Greta, Norma, and Joan than I did before.

I also enjoy the behind the scenes looks at each of John Gilbert’s films – what he thought of many, how he interacted with various directors and co-stars, etc.

This is a fascinating book about a fascinating actor. Just be warned, you’ll want to see every film he made after this biography!

This is the fifth Eve Golden book I’ve read so far (all wonderful old Hollywood biographies), and it is my favorite. While I love them all, there’s something extraordinary about this book. Unless I miss my guess, John Gilbert is a star who holds a great deal of fascination for the author and it comes through on each and every page.

I was sent this excellent book from The University Press of Kentucky in exchange for telling you about it. The review, the words, and all the rest was left up to me. I hope you’ll read John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars (Amazon link) very soon – I am so anxious for more people to “meet” this colorful, complex, and deliciously entertaining actor! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars

More Old Hollywood Biography and Memoir Reviews on Hollywood Yesterday.

Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise by Scott Eyman (Book Review of a Fascinating Biography)

January 24, 2022 By Joi

The Garner Files and Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise

Before I get to my review of the extraordinary Cary Grant biography by Scott Eyman, I’ll remind anyone who reads my Old Hollywood and Classic TV Book Reviews that I go to great lengths to keep from giving anything away (including not showing any of the pictures inside the book).

I want the reader to experience the book as I did – with the luxury of making their own lovely discoveries along the way! It’s what’s best for the reader and what’s best for the author. An author, after all, devotes years to writing about their subject, carefully planning everything from the title of the book to the photos used inside. For anyone to give away or over-share what they’ve worked so hard to put together is, in my opinion, about as wrong as wrong gets.

I love watching old movies and classic television with an unmeasured passion and I love reading biographies and autobiographies of the stars with an equal passion. I am ALWAYS in the middle of at least two “new to me books,” while carrying around at least 4 additional books for cross-referencing the new books and researching for posts or Tweets.

I take this commitment to keeping these wonderful stars’ legacies alive and well very seriously!

Fortunately there are authors such as Scott Eyman who feel just as strongly. If I had been a star from the Golden days of Hollywood, he’s one of the first authors that comes to mind when I think of the one I’d want to write about me. He’s thorough, fair-minded, and never writes with even an ounce of salaciousness or judgment. He doesn’t try to sensationalize the star’s life and seems to always remember that the star was, first and foremost, a human being.

When I’m reading an old Hollywood biography, there is one word that comes to the forefront of my mind when I begin reading and it stays there until the end. The word is respect. If I ever detect that the author does not respect the individual they’re writing about, I throw the book out, simple as that. It has happened before and I’m, unfortunately, sure it’ll happen again.

Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise

Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise (Amazon link)

Scott Eyman’s biography, Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise (Amazon link), is… understandably.. a must have for Cary Grant fans but it’s also a must have for anyone who loves old Hollywood. Through the fascinating exploration of Cary Grant’s life, you bump into a whole world of other stars – something that always intrigues me. You often get to see a whole other side of a star when you bump into them this way. For example, a June Allyson autobiography gave me more beautiful insight into Judy Garland than any Judy Garland biography I’d ever read.

The same is true with this compelling book. Seeing Cary Grant’s co-stars through his experience is an eye-opener and I find myself EVEN bigger fans of two in particular: Grace Kelly and Ingrid Bergman. I already adored Katharine Hepburn to distraction or she’d be right there with them.

One of the things I love most about this biography is the fact that, while I knew a great deal about “Cary Grant who was once known as Archie Leach,” I knew next to nothing about “Archie Leach who would one day be known as Cary Grant.”

In fact, something occurred to me about half way through the book. You know the incredible performance Hayley Mills gave in The Parent Trap (1961)? The way she convinced you there really WERE two actresses playing the roles?! I am fascinated by the way author Scott Eyman presented what often seemed to be two personas (Archie and Cary) yet, at the same time, blends them together to give us the legend we only thought we knew.

We see early on things that shaped Archie Leach‘s life that HAD to have lasting effects on the man who he’d become, Cary Grant.

I’ll be honest with you, this Archie guy was every bit as interesting! The way his mind worked and the level of confidence stopped me in my tracks a few times. His audaciousness will always stick with me – and I do not mean that in a bad way, whatsoever.

Was Cary Grant perfect? Did he always make the best decisions, say the right things, and do only reputable things? Heck no! And frankly, I’m glad of it – what a boring book that would have made! I’m sure a great author like Scott Eyman could have made it interesting, of course, but I’m relieved Cary Grant didn’t make that necessary as there was no part of his life that was ordinary or even remotely boring.

This amazing, hard to put down biography is nearly 500 pages in length and is the definitive biography on Cary Grant. There are 56 photos which are truly remarkable – many I’d never seen, in spite of spending a GREAT deal of my life’s waking hours in Old Hollywood. Well, non-waking hours too, if we’re being completely honest.

I truly hope you’ll grab a copy of Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise (Amazon link) as soon as possible. I’m very anxious for more people to see just how complex and interesting Cary Grant was. There was so much more to him than most of us realize and I am forever grateful that author Scott Eyman brought it to light.

While this book would be a wonderful addition to your own library, it would also make an excellent gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Valentine’s Day.

Thanks so much for reading my review. You’re going to absolutely love this book! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise (Back Cover)

Mean…Moody…Magnificent! by Christina Rice (Fascinating Book about Jane Russell)

November 15, 2021 By Joi

Mean…Moody…Magnificent! by Christina Rice

Before I go any further…. about the eye-catching title: This is not an assessment of Jane Russell by the author or publisher! When you see, early in the wonderful book, where the title comes from, you’ll get a kick out of it.

It may seem unusual for someone like me (completely immersed in all things old Hollywood) to say, but Jane Russell is a star I’ve never been particularly familiar with. Naturally, I’ve always known who she was and certainly knew she was very beautiful and very talented. We simply haven’t crossed paths often as I have not seen many of her films.

After reading Christina Rice‘s (link to the author’s Amazon profile) fascinating biography, however, I plan to see each and every one.

Description

By the early 1950s, Jane Russell (1921–2011) should have been forgotten. Her career was launched on what is arguably the most notorious advertising campaign in cinema history, which invited filmgoers to see Howard Hughes’s The Outlaw (1943) and to “tussle with Russell.” Throughout the 1940s, she was nicknamed the “motionless picture actress” and had only three films in theaters. With such a slow, inauspicious start, most aspiring actresses would have given up or faded away. Instead, Russell carved out a place for herself in Hollywood and became a memorable and enduring star.

Christina Rice offers the first biography of the actress and activist perhaps most well-known for her role in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Despite the fact that her movie career was stalled for nearly a decade, Russell’s filmography is respectable. She worked with some of Hollywood’s most talented directors—including Howard Hawks, Raoul Walsh, Nicholas Ray, and Josef von Sternberg—and held her own alongside costars such as Marilyn Monroe, Robert Mitchum, Clark Gable, Vincent Price, and Bob Hope. She also learned how to fight back against Howard Hughes, her boss for more than thirty-five years, and his marketing campaigns that exploited her physical appearance.

Beyond the screen, Rice reveals Russell as a complex and confident woman. She explores the star’s years as a spokeswoman for Playtex as well as her deep faith and work as a Christian vocalist. Rice also discusses Russell’s leadership and patronage of the WAIF foundation, which for many years served as the fundraising arm of the International Social Service (ISS) agency. WAIF raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, successfully lobbied Congress to change laws, and resulted in the adoption of tens of thousands of orphaned children. For Russell, the work she did to help unite families overshadowed any of her onscreen achievements.

On the surface, Jane Russell seemed to live a charmed life, but Rice illuminates her darker moments and her personal struggles, including her empowered reactions to the controversies surrounding her films and her feelings about being portrayed as a sex symbol. This stunning first biography offers a fresh perspective on a star whose legacy endures not simply because she forged a notable film career, but also because she effectively used her celebrity to benefit others.

Mean…Moody…Magnificent! by Christina Rice

As you can tell from the three photos in this post, Christina Rice and Jane Russell spent this past summer with me. We tended to flower beds, herb beds, vegetables, and then we’d crash and escape into the world old Hollywood. It was glorious and they were excellent company.

While I never like to swim in controversial waters… heck, I don’t even like to wade into them… I feel I must get something out of the way. When one Christian (as Jane Russell was and as I am) takes a stance or voices their opinion, that opinion casts a large blanket over all of Christianity and the words tend to stick to all Christians…. as though we had said them ourselves (when, many times, we are as taken aback by the words as anyone). Why is this? I have no idea. It doesn’t happen with… say… Leos, Texans, brunettes, Democrats, Republicans, Australians, Vegetarians, Tree huggers (raises hand), the Keto crowd (guys, how can you live without potatoes?!?) or other groups of people. It seems pretty exclusive to religious groups. I often read something along the lines of, “all Catholics believe….” or “when Christians say…”

Basically, if you want to know what an individual (who happens to live within a particular group of people) believes, you need to get that from them. Not someone else. That’s all.

I want to thank Christina Rice for realizing this. Many authors take what one person believes or says and tattoos everyone else with it. This simply isn’t reality. The author, as any mature individual would do, treats her subject with respect, whether she agrees with everything the legendary star said or not.

That’s class. That’s decency. That’s appreciated.

As someone who wasn’t very familiar with this fascinating star, I was very anxious to meet her and boy did she exceeded my expectations?! The lady was an absolute joy and what a study in contrasts! If I had had a thought bubble over my head as I read this book, you’d have seen the word “Fascinating!” a million times.

Not only did Jane Russell, herself, leave me gobsmacked, so did the gorgeous photos, the author’s enthusiasm, and the stroll through old Hollywood.

You meet the most wonderful people along the way.

Christina Russell gives more than just a glimpse into Jane Russell’s life and experiences, you also get to know others better through the process.

After reading a book – whether it’s an old Hollywood biography, historical non-fiction, or Agatha Christie mystery – something always, always, always stays with me from the book. If it’s a biography or autobiography, facets from the star’s life or words from their lips stick with me. Often, however, something from the author will also become a lifelong companion. In this case, Jane Russell’s boldness and contrasts will permanently reside in my mind and heart. She truly was a remarkable woman and did a LOT of good that transcends Hollywood.

Something else from Mean…Moody…Magnificent will stick with me and that’s the manner in which the wonderful author, Christina Rice, handled her star – with great, great respect mixed with an understandable level of amusement and enjoyment! She did what any great author should do – she fully told the story of her subject, holding nothing back. A great author is like a great journalist – they give the facts and keep themselves out of the story…. rather, allowing the reader to make up their own minds about events, quotes, and choices.

That’s class. That’s decency. That’s appreciated.

You can find Mean… Moody…. Magnificent by Christina Rice on University Press of Kentucky’s website (if you’re fast, you can take advantage of their great Holiday Sale!). This would be a gorgeous gift idea for any film lover in your life.

You can also find Mean…Moody…Magnificent (Amazon link) on Amazon… where I just saw that Christina Rice has an Ann Dvorak biography?! (I told Ann I would be right back, and that’s where I’m headed!)

~ Thanks so very much for reading! Joi (“Joy”)

Mean…Moody…Magnificent! by Christina Rice

Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway by Eve Golden

June 16, 2021 By Joi

Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway

I have been on a glorious roll when it comes to reading exceptional old Hollywood biographies and delicious books about film history lately. Vitagraph (link to my review of Vitagraph), for example, opened my eyes to a whole new world from early Hollywood I had pictured entirely incorrectly!

I didn’t expect to read (and thoroughly enjoy) another book that opened up a whole new world right on the heels of Vitagraph, but here we are. Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway by Eve Golden is also from The University Press of Kentucky and, like Vitagraph, introduced me to people I have never “met,” while introducing me to people I only thought I knew.

Before going any further, I have to say how gobsmacked I am by the research that went into this book. While writing, say, a biography about Farrah Fawcett or Ava Gardner would be difficult, the level of difficultly would (in no way) compare with doing the necessary research to dig deep into the past. Furthermore, when individuals span several continents during their lifetime (as was the case for Vitagraph and Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway), it adds even more challenges.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am that Eve Golden took the both the time and the (great) effort that went into writing such an exceptional book.

From the Back Cover:

Anna Held was America’s most popular musical comedy star during the two decades preceding World War I. In the colorful world of New York theater during La Belle Époque, she epitomized everything that was glamorous and provocative about turn-of-the-century Broadway. Overcoming an impoverished life as an orphan to become a music hall star in Paris, Held rocketed to fame in America. From 1896 to 1910, she starred in hit after hit and quickly replaced Lillian Russell as the darling of the theatrical world. The first wife of legendary producer Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., Held was the brains and inspiration behind his Follies. Together, they brought the Paris scene to New York, complete with lavish costumes and sets and a chorus of stunningly beautiful women, dubbed “The Anna Held Girls.”

While Held was known for a champagne giggle as well as for her million-dollar bank account, there was a darker side to her life. She concealed her Jewish background and her daughter from a previous marriage. She suffered through her two husbands’ gambling problems and Ziegfeld’s conspicuous affairs with showgirls. With the outbreak of fighting in Europe, Held returned to France to support the war effort. She entertained troops and delivered medical supplies, and was once briefly captured by the German army. Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway reveals one of the most remarkable women in the history of theater. With access to previously unseen family records and photographs, Eve Golden has uncovered the details of an extraordinary woman’s life in 1900s New York.

Below are the things I love most about this meticulously researched book.

You Can Hear Their Laughter and See Their Faces

The entire era of showgirls and Ziegfeld has always fascinated me but finding really quality books is a challenge. I love a book that feels like you’ve stepped back in time to this particular era, so much so that you can practically hear their laughter, smell their p and see their faces. Few books, for whatever reason, have ever achieved this for this era – I have no idea why other than, perhaps, it’s all but impossible to send a reader back to a place you have never, yourself, visited.

Unless Eve Golden is a time-traveler, she simply has visited the era simply with exceptional research and unparalleled passion. Personally, I prefer the thought of her time-traveling but I’ll go with the latter explanation.

Anna Held Can, Finally, Have Her Story Told

Anna Held has always.. well, sorry for the pun, but she has always held my attention. The way I see it, Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was such a fascinating man, surrounded by so much beauty, that any woman he was drawn to must have been a real force of nature. It’s fairly easy to find information about actress Billie Burke (Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. was married to Billie Burke from 1914 to his death on July 22, 1932), but Anna has always been presented in, sadly, a one-dimensional way. Even sadder, she has often been treated almost as comic relief. As in Ziegfeld and Billie Burke are the ones to be taken seriously, while Anna was a curvy, naughty clown.

I’m sure you can see now why I am BEYOND thrilled that Anna Held has been so respectfully and even affectionately brought to life as a flesh and blood human-being – one as capable of highs and lows as the rest of us. She had wonderful qualities and she had not-so-wonderful qualities… and boy could the lady stretch the truth!?!

Frankly that’s one of the things I love the most about her – she was a deliciously entertaining little star who loved the spotlight and lived by her own rules. Rules that she made up along the way.

The fact that she has finally received what she deserved, to have her story told, makes me ecstatic.

You See More of the Real Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.

It’s up to the reader, of course, to decide whether the insightful, fleshed out look into Florenz Ziegfeld Jr makes him more or less likable to them, but (for me personally), I think I like him even better. Was he perfect? Oh, heck no… the man may not have been able to spell the word! But, let’s be honest, the same can be said for most people – especially people who are thisclose to all the fame and fortune they dared ever hope for.

Who wouldn’t do all in their power to grab all they can while they can?!

Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway

The Book Reads Like a Fascinating Historical Novel

My favorite books to read are non-fiction, however, I do love an occasional work of fiction. About halfway through this book, it occurred to me that it read like a scrumptious blend of the two – the details, history, and wonderful fascination of a biography but with the drama, mystery, romance, and intrigue of a great historical fiction novel.

I can’t wait to read everything this wonderful author has written because I am in love with her writing style, attention to detail, and humor. Most of all, I am enthralled with her ability to place you in the setting. Whenever Anna unleashes her charms on members of the media, for example, you fall just as prey to them as they do.

I don’t want to give anything away that I very, very much want you to experience for yourself as you read the book, so allow me to simply say this: Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld’s Broadway, by Eve Golden absolutely has to be the next book you read.

You can read more about the book on the University Press of Kentucky’s Website or find the book on Amazon.

Hollywood in Kodachrome: A Book You MUST Have if You Love Old Hollywood

August 10, 2020 By Joi

Hollywood in Kodachrome

I believe I’ve mentioned on the Old Hollywood blog (as well as on my Old Hollywood Twitter page) just how cruel July treated me. Obviously, I’m in the same quarantine boat with everyone else as this global pandemic tragically carries on. However, July gave me a few more blows. My MUCH loved 17 year old cat died in my arms (gut-wrenching to say the least), and then the next day (while cooking and crying… not a good mix), I badly burned my arm and chest with hamburger grease.

Talk about pain! The emotional and physical pain sort of battled it out to see which one would bring me down first. Naturally, this lasted for weeks… long, long weeks.

My daughter Brittany bought me a book (the gorgeous one you see here, Hollywood in Kodachrome by David Wills) to lift my spirits. The fact that she DID it lifted them sky high (I swear, I have the sweetest family – I thank God for them every single day). Each time I look at the book – which sits out, prominently, because it’s such a work of art, I think about Brittany and smile.

(Review Continued Below….)

Judy Garland and Lena Horne

I’ve been anxious to tell y’all about Hollywood in Kodachrome (link to the book on Amazon) because it’s one I know you’ll love as much as I do. I look through it so often and, each time, notice something about a photograph or star I hadn’t noticed before.

I love to look at the photographs and dissect the colors used, the makeup (when applicable… literally), clothes, props, lighting, etc. Like acting, SO much goes into photography… and yet, when it’s done extraordinarily well, you don’t see the effort… you just see the magic.

This book is one work of magic after the other after the other after the other.

Book Description from Amazon:

Hollywood in Kodachrome is a stunning portfolio of the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, captured in rich, deeply saturated color photographs reproduced from original Kodachrome negatives and curated by collector David Wills and designer Stephen Schmidt, the creative team behind Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis and Audrey: The 60s.

From Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, and Rita Hayworth to Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, and Gregory Peck—and many more—the silver screen’s elite are all here, in the full blush of youth, captured as if they were taken yesterday. But the true star is the medium itself: late-1940s sheet Kodachrome, a film stock that remains legendary for its rich tonal range, precise color, and detail.

Including a foreword by Golden Age star Rhonda Fleming, and featuring more than 200 photos from classic films and publicity shoots, Hollywood in Kodachrome is a magnificent tribute to Hollywood’s most beloved icons, captured at their glamorous best.

There are 329 pages in this extraordinary book – savoring the photos reminds me of walking through my kind of art gallery… one with only photos of Old Hollywood stars!

Some of the stars include:

Maureen O’Hara
Rita Hayworth
Lucille Ball
Lena Horne
Judy Garland
Yvonne DeCarlo (one particular photo that’ll make your jaw drop!)
Humphrey Bogart
Lauren Bacall
Clark Gable
Bette Davis
Frank Sinatra
Errol Flynn
Lana Turner
Elizabeth Taylor
Marilyn Monroe
and just about every star from the 40s you can name… with many featured more than once.

Many of the publicity shots are never-before-seen… something I can attest to and vouch for. I’ve spent my life up to my chin in Old Hollywood photographs and films and there are countless photos in this gorgeous book I’ve never seen before.

I don’t want to post many of the inside photographs, here, for several reasons:

It wouldn’t be fair to the authors, publishers, or photographers. I wouldn’t want people using the photos online without their consent. These professionals work extremely hard and give us so much – I want to always be fair to them. I only use the gorgeous Judy Garland and Lena Horne photos (above) to give you an idea just how big and gloriously beautiful the photos are. I carefully cropped them in a manner where they can’t be used anywhere online and made certain to leave the photographers’ names intact. I also thought these two photos illustrated what I was talking about when it comes to looking at the background colors, clothing, and makeup. Their lipsticks just pop with the colors around them!
I want you to have the same extraordinary experience I did each time I turned the page, wondering who I’d “meet” next! It was unspeakably fun to come across so many unexpected pictures and stars. I want you to experience that for yourself.

(Review Continued Below…)

Hollywood in Kodachrome

I also love the “outtakes” (previously unpublished) of stars in famous ad campaigns (Max Factor, Lipton, Lucky Strike, Lux, Royal Crown Cola…).

I took the picture above to try and give you an idea just how big this magnificent book is – by using one of my coffee mugs and a tumbler as comparison… and yet I’m still not convinced it captures just how big and beautiful this book is!

This is simply a breathtakingly beautiful collection of photographs of the greatest stars the world has ever known. It’s a celebration of their lives, their spark, and their magic.

You can find Hollywood in Kodachrome (link to the book on Amazon) on Amazon. When you click through the link, you’ll notice it is available “used” as well as “new.”

I couldn’t possibly recommend this showcase any more than I do. It not only lifted my spirits when they needed them most, it provides joy on a regular basis.

And Lauren looks so gorgeous sitting out to greet me each time I walk into the room!

Hollywood in Kodachrome (link to the stunning book on Amazon)

Great Gift Idea for Fans of Classic Hollywood: Renegade Women in Film & TV

November 23, 2019 By Joi

Renegade Women in Film & TV

I love my family. Okay, that should probably go without saying, but seriously… I really, really love my family.

Not only because they’re the coolest, most colorful, and lovable group of people you could ever hope to meet but also because they’re uncommonly thoughtful, kind, generous, and… well…. DARN good. Not just good. DARN good.

The book you see here is an early Christmas gift from my youngest daughter Stephany. She and her two sisters (Emily and Brittany) have contributed to my Old Hollywood book and dvd collections tremendously and I love that they love supporting my obsessive habit!

They’ve helped create the monster behind these words.

Renegade Women in Film & TV is an absolutely remarkable book. Not only is it gorgeous (hardcover and packed with colorful illustrations of the women it celebrates), it is an exceptionally inspiring read.

Within the pages I was reminded of just how remarkable some of my favorites are (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Dorothy Dandridge, Hedy Lamarr, Hattie McDaniel, Dorothy Arzner, Mary Pickford, Rita Moreno, Anna May Wong, Marlo Thomas, Oprah…). I also learned a lot about some ground-breaking women I knew very little about (Ida Lupino, Mae West, Edith Head, Barbra Streisand, Susan Harris, Mary Tyler Moore, Lesley Visser, Barbara Walters, Geena Davis…) and met ladies I knew nothing about and a few I’d never heard of before but will never forget now.

(Continued Below Lucille Ball… how mesmerizing are those eyes??)

Lucille Ball

As expected, there are outstanding women who are missing that I’d have LOVED for them to have included..

Olivia de Havilland
Bette Davis (she gets a mention at the end)
Greta Garbo
Betty White
Etc.

However, the ones who AREN’T there should not and do not detract from the ones who are. Besides, maybe there’ll be a follow-up. I certainly hope so!

Renegade Women in Film & TV would make the most wonderful gift for fans of Old Hollywood and/or Classic TV imaginable. You will, however, want to get your hands on a copy for yourself, too, trust me.

But, here’s the thing… you may want TWO copies. I know I do. One for enjoying and keeping whole (it would make a perfect coffee table book) and one for removing the gorgeous photos for framing. They are truly stunning.

See Renegade Women in Film & TV for more information.

Renegade Women in Film & TV

One of the Best Old Hollywood Biographies I’ve EVER Read: June Allyson’s Autobiography

October 21, 2019 By Joi

June Allyson by June Allyson

My husband has a passion for BBQ that is, in my opinion, completely unrivaled. The man can smell a BBQ restaurant three miles away – when he locates one, we either visit it right away or, if we’ve recently eaten, he instantly make plans for when we WILL be back.

Sometimes he even tells it, on the way by, that we’ll be back.

When he has a plate of BBQ in front of him, it’s quite the production. JUST the right amount of sauce is added (after first tasting it to see how much will be required), the perfect amount of onions and perfect number of pickles are invited to the party, the napkin placed in his lap and… he dives in without a care in the world. It’s one of his greatest passions and seeing him “BBQ happy” makes me happy.

This is very much how I am with cats, chocolate, strawberry sundaes, fried catfish, old movies, classic tv and radio, and old Hollywood biographies/autobiographies. Fortunately, for cats, I only eat three of these passions.

As I’ve often said in my Hollywood Yesterday Book Reviews, I am always, always, always in the middle of at least 3 books at any given time. I can’t help myself, I just love them that much.

I recently read one that is, now, officially one of my all-time favorites: June Allyson by June Allyson.

First, a few words about how I feel about June Allyson. She’s my Doris Day. Is that a strange thing to say? Well, stick with me, kid, you’ll get used to it. I say a lot of strange things – sometimes within one sentence.

Doris Day is sunshine, personified to many people. Perhaps they were going through a rough patch in their life when they saw her in a movie and her rays of sunshine broke through their clouds. Or, maybe they didn’t have any dark clouds to break through – maybe she simply caused the sun to seem brighter.

I have nothing against the wonderful Doris Day, mind you – but June Allyson is MY personal Doris Day.

Except she’s my June Allyson.

I warned you about me.

June Allyson and Her Beloved Husband, Dick Powell

My parents both died far too young. My dad was just in his 50s (after a long illness) and my mom was in her early 60s (complications from diabetes and heart disease – both of which are monsters). June Allyson movies were like medication on both occasions.

Recently, one of my beautiful daughters had a high-risk pregnancy that had this mother hen beside herself. I can’t even begin to tell you how many June Allyson movies I watched!

Naturally, I watch June Allyson even when my world isn’t turned upside down. I just adore her and everything about her. Whether she brings Van Johnson or Dick Powell with her into my den, it doesn’t matter -she is always, always, always welcome.

Her wonderful autobiography, June Allyson is as sunny, honest, and unpretentious as she was. It was an absolute joy to read every single step of the way.

In fact, I did something after finishing this one that I have never done before. Instead of placing her on one of my Old Hollywood book shelves, I turned back to page one so I could enjoy the journey through her life one more time.

I say “one more” but there will be other journeys – and plenty of them.

June Allyson pours her heart out in this poignant autobiography. She takes us inside her early days in Hollywood with wonderful stories about Mickey Rooney, Van Johnson, and her very close friend Judy Garland. As is the case with all exceptional memoirs, you meet household names along the way and, in this case, you get to enjoy their presence as well as June’s adorable instances of being starstruck.

Stars you’ll meet along the way: Lucille Ball, Dick Powell, Judy Garland, Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford, James Stewart, Van Johnson, JFK, Peter Lawford, Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan, Alan Ladd (oh boy, is there some Alan Ladd content), Merle Oberon, Rita Hayworth, Susan Hayward, Joan Blondell (who happened to be Dick Powell’s glamorous wife, then ex-wife during the course of the book), Charles Boyer, Mary Pickford, Jack Benny, Ronald Colman, Gracie Allen, George Burns, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Margaret O’Brien, Gloria DeHaven, Louis B. Mayer, Kathryn Grayson… and more.

Reading about the movie “The Conqueror” (the deaths of John Wayne, Dick Powell, Susan Hayward, Pedro Armendariz, and Agnes Moorehead have all been tied to the making of this film) was unsettling and interesting at the same time.

Most compelling (for me, anyway) was the love story between her and Dick Powell. Their marriage lasted 17 years – until his death. When she lost her soulmate, she had a horrifying downward spiral – understandably. Her book tells how her friends helped her find her way out of the devastating darkness.

With a personality few stars could even hope to rival, spending time with June Allyson, the author, is as joyful as spending time with June Allyson, the actress.

While you journey through the valleys and mountaintops with this wonderful lady, you can’t help but be awestruck how she survived it all. One of the things I love most is that it all ends on a mountaintop with her husband Dr. David Ashrow. It may sound like a Hallmark greeting card but there’s only one way to put it: He helped her find happiness again.

As I often say, one of my greatest and perhaps guiltiest pleasures with autobiographies and memoirs is hearing about the other stars. When an actor or actress tells about their experiences with fellow stars, you learn a lot about the stars they are referring to as well as the one doing the reminiscing. Katharine Hepburn, June Allyson, and Fred Astaire are three that come immediately to mind when thinking about stars who were kind to other stars.

There are one or two stars who June Allyson doesn’t shine an especially favorable light on, but it isn’t, shall we say, an unflattering light we didn’t already know about!

Overall, she is extremely positive about everyone she knew along the way and I love that about her.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about June Allyson (the book or the actress!). Every word is a delight – whether it makes you feel warm, happy, shocked (two words: Alan Ladd), or sad. You’ll laugh out loud in places and probably swipe at a few tears in others (I certainly did). You’ll come to love stars you already loved even more (for me: Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, James Stewart, Rita Hayworth, Van Johnson, Ronald Reagan, Susan Hayward, John Wayne) and you’ll become a fan of stars you didn’t know much about before but want desperately to know them better now (for me: Alan Ladd, Alan Ladd, Alan Ladd, and Alan Ladd).

You’ll also find that some of your favorite stars were as complex and multi-layered as you always suspected (for me: Joan Crawford, Joan Blondell). I love that June doesn’t attempt to judge anyone – she knows something I always preach: Everyone fights their own battles in their own ways. Period.

In addition to the wonderful writing and priceless memories and stories, the pictures in this book are extra wonderful. I have been a huge fan of June Allyson and Dick Powell for years and there were many pictures I have never seen.

Read more about June Allyson by June Allyson on Amazon. As for me, I’m going to kick back and read another chapter right now. Yes, for the second time. What can I say… she’s my Doris Day.

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes by Bob Hope with Linda Hope (Review)

October 19, 2019 By Joi

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes

One of my favorite entertainers of all time is synonymous with the word, itself: Bob Hope. The man was simply brilliant in everything he did – every word, every joke, every film… brilliant.

Not only was Bob Hope a wonderful actor and entertainer, like some of my other favorites, he was also all class – with some to spare. James Stewart, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Hattie McDaniel, Maureen O’Hara, Olivia de Havilland… some stars were such high quality people that it makes being a fan as easy as an autumn breeze.

The book above, Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes by Bob Hope with Linda Hope is one of my all-time favorite books in my collection. It’s like sitting down in your favorite chair with a hot cup of tea (or tall glass of iced raspberry tea, depending on the season) and having Bob Hope, himself, stand in the middle of your room making you laugh until your sides ache.

“I was destined to be an actor. The day I was born, I stood up and took a bow. Really. When the doctor slapped me, I thought it was applause “

The stories, jokes, and vintage Bob Hope self-deprecating humor are such a joy, I’m really at a loss for words. If you, or anyone in your life loves to laugh, this book is a must have…. if you love to laugh and are a fan of the wonderful Bob Hope, Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes is an absolute MUST HAVE.

To comedians, ‘material’–their jokes–has always been precious, worthy of protecting and preserving. On stage, a good vaudeville routine could last years as it was performed on tour across the country. On radio, a year’s vaudeville material might be fodder for one week’s broadcast. Bob Hope used new material not only for his weekly radio series, but also for the several live charity appearances he made each week.

Organized by the stages of his life, accompanied by black-and-white photographs, this book gives readers a chance to enjoy the very best of Hope’s jokes, from his early years in vaudeville, his top-rated radio show in the ’30s and ’40s, his legendary television appearances, and much more.

Bob Hope’s wonderful, one-of-a-kind personality comes shining through on every page of this delightful and fun book.

“I knew the troops would be glad to see me. I said, ‘Look at me, fellas, these are the kind of clothes you’ll be wearing when you get home!’ Fifty guys re-enlisted.”

About the Authors

Bob Hope was in the forefront of the entertainment industry for virtually his entire life. Primarily a comedian, he also acted, sang, and even danced, hosted his own radio and television shows, and starred in sixty movies. Bob Hope’s dedication to and love for the American GI is legendary. He traveled around the world to entertain the men and women in uniform during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. No individual in the history of show business journeyed so far–and so often–to entertain so many. He received more than two thousand awards and citations for his humanitarian and professional efforts, and was honored and befriended by every U.S. president since Franklin Roosevelt.

Linda Hope, Bob and Dolores Hope’s daughter, is chief operating officer of Hope Enterprises, Inc., and producer of her father’s television specials for the last twenty-five years.

“Jobs didn’t come easy. For months at a time, I forgot what kind of work I was out of.”

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes is absolutely hilarious and would make a perfect gift idea for anyone. They broke the mold when Bob Hope came along and this collection is a perfect reminder of this very fact.