The Glamour Factory: Inside Hollywood's Big Studio System

by Ronald L. Davis

Hundreds of insiders--from stars to stuntmen--recall the Golden Age of Hollywood and how Tinseltown became a business dominated by four major studios. By the author of Hollywood Beauty. Simultaneous.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, History

444 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

About the author

Ronald L. Davis is professor of history emeritus at Southern Methodist University (SMU) where he served as director of the university's DeGolyer Institute for American Studies and the Oral History Program.

Reviews

[Joseph Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ronald L. Davis's "The Glamour Factory" is easily the most comprehensive, authoritative examination of the Hollywood studio system that I've ever encountered. It takes the reader on a tour of the backlots of the studios, both major and minor, to show every aspect involved in the moviemaking process. From who sat where in the film colony cantinas, to where the fabrics and costumes were kept in the warehouses on "Wardrobe Row," it's all here.

This eye for detailed minutiae will satisfy the obsessive fan, but is likely to alienate those who just want a cursory guided tour of the dream factory. And yet, for all the book's devotion to technical aspects and trade secrets, it still does a grand job of conveying what a magic and singular place Hollywoodland was during its heyday. The studio moguls could be merciless, but they were never mercenary, and each and every one of them had an appreciation for the popular art of moviemaking. The results, of course, speak for themselves, and endure to this day. Classics like "Gone with the Wind," "Casablanca," and "The Wizard of Oz," —while far less realistic than the films of today— are a part of America's collective cultural DNA.

It all eventually came crashing down (as all great things eventually do), first with the rise of television, and then with the dark, bitter days of the Blacklist when Hollywood tore itself asunder, friendships were severed and careers were irretrievably destroyed. But, oh, was it was a sight to behold in its heyday, and thankfully enough of those who saw firsthand are willing to speak about it at length in these pages. Highest recommendation. A handful of photos, usually at the beginning of each chapter.

[Helen Robare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative as well as interesting but did get a bit "dry" in some areas. If you want to learn about the moguls, producers, and directors as well as how the Hollywood classics were really run, then this book is for you. It's a very long book and you might have to put it down a time or two before you finish it. For anyone wanting to know what classic Hollywood was like under the studio system, this is the book for you.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. Divided up into chapters on the studios, directors, producers, actors (these parts are rather sketchy-seeming, since so much else has been written). But the rest of supporting players, publicity, writers, musicals, design and hairstyling, set and location stuff, editing , the lot, social life etc. are much less studied areas and are quite fascinating in getting a feel for what life was like within a studio

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the business and day to day process of making films through the Golden Age Hollywood studio system. So light on scandalous details that it will make you want to pull your hair out once or twice, but I am sure there are other books for that.

[Todd Charlton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't read the lot. When you have a chapter on directors and only two lines are dedicated to the career of Billy Wilder you know you have the wrong book. Came in handy for some research though.