The Power of Glamour: The Women Who Defined the Magic of Stardom

by Annette Tapert

From Annette Tapert, the coauthor of the popular The Power of Style , comes a book that is just as beautiful and entertaining but that redefines an attribute even more intangible. In word and image, it evokes a unique Hollywood era and eleven of its goddesses who lived, and left as their legacy, the Power of Glamour.
        
When the Glamour Era met the Golden Age of cinema, it cast a spell on a public beaten by the Depression and the threat of war. But the key ingredient in 1930s glamour was personality. Annette Tapert's movie-queen profiles, rich with fresh insights, reach beyond the star-making machinery, fan magazines, fashions, and cosmetics to the essence of each women: the carefully molded image of Gloria Swanson, who started it all . . . Marlene Dietrich's siren persona on and off screen . . . the "reverse glamour" of Katharine Hepburn and Greta Garbo. Their power--and that of Joan Crawford, Carole Lombard, Norma Shearer, Claudette Colbert, and the long-neglected Kay Francis, Dolores Del Rio, and Constance Bennett--lay in using style, wit, and guile to outsmart the studio system and enchant the world. In these pages we see how, veiled in intrigue and mystery, they brought glamour very close to its original meaning: witchcraft.

Genres: Fashion, Biography, Nonfiction, Film

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 1998

Reviews

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, frothy little read with more substance than I expected. This is one of those books with gorgeous photos, heavy paper and just generally beautiful design. The book covers some of the mainstays of glamour from classic film, including Carole Lombard, Gloria Swanson, Norma Shearer, Kay Francis, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and more. Each actress has her own chapter and a stunning set of photos. The text surprised me--each chapter gave a short biography of the actress and was surprisingly substantial. The chapters included anecdotes and information on the actress's personal style and on-screen style. Well written and lovely to behold.

[Creolecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to have this book simply because I want any and everything that has to do with Kay Francis and her clothes. Great up close and detailed photos explaining why she was the best dressed woman in Hollywood. Stunning photos of Carole Lombard, Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford (including a great photo of her freckles),Gloria Swanson and her shoes, and more. I love this book!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so. Brief bios of some excellent 30s stars. Those I'm less familiar with (Dolores Del Rio, Constance Bennett) were interesting; the others seemed heavily abridged from other sources (I'm looking at you, Gloria Swanson) and so were less enlightening. The pictures were nice, although many of those were familiar, too.

[Stela Zoric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is a book I enjoyed very much! It's stylish, informative, with incredible insight by the author! I am a old movie buff, specializing in old actresses, and know a great deal about them - yet, this book gave me a new outlook and appreciation for the women profiled. The only think I would like to have been more in-depth information - EX. Norma Shearer had a whole process of making herself beautiful, from the way she was photographed to the way she dressed. Wile some of the stuff was touched upon here, many of the tidbits were not presented. But this is only a minor complaint, having such a comprehensive book about such a neglected subject is top! Will read more books from this enchanting author for sure!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Great style is ultimately a result of great content; it’s the woman inside those clothes we admire and will continue to revere.”

Glamour apparently means “I think I’m really special and I will make a huge deal about tiny things because I am self absorbed.” Or at least that what this collection of 11 women have in common. I will say, it is a fascinating era the late 20s to the 40s and I love these bad ass chicks. And I love how Annette writes about them. It’s more than just fashion, it’s their personas. And she does well giving us the overview of what made them truly glamorous.

[Irene Xandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. A series of portraits that go beyond the biographical details, analyzing instead the personalities of these actresses, as an explanation for their significance on the glamour scene.
There are lots of interesting details, stories, quotes about these women that define them beyond their personal tastes in fashion and appearance.
A very entertaining read and a nice choice of photos to delight the eye.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this....love any books about vintage Hollywood!

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talks about important Hollywood stars for whom fashion and glamour were an important part of their appeal. In silent era, includes Swanson, Shearer, Dolores del Rio, Garbo. Large chapter on Kay Francis,is rather depressing, though.

[Mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book... needs more photos. I love the inclusion of lesser known old-time stars, but I would've included some others (like Donna Reed, Katy Jurado, Linda Darnell, etc. as well as more obvious choices, like Rita Hayworth, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Elizabeth Taylor.)

[Tove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy and yet well researched synopsis of many silver screen stars' little publicized obsessions with their appearance, and the lengths they went to conceal their perceived flaws.