Nice Guys Don't Work in Hollywood: The Adventures of an Aesthete in the Movie Business

by Curtis Harrington

A charming, often barbed observation of the evolution of American mainstream filmmaking over the course of its first century, this memoir chronicles the unusual, multidecade career trajectory of Curtis Harrington. Conveyed in a witty and campy style, it follows the strange arc of a man who created avant-garde films as part of Kenneth Anger’s inner circle, directed critically acclaimed and cult-adored horror films like Night Tide and Games , and then descended down the "slippery slope" of television work by directing episodes of Charlie’s Angels and Dynasty. As a fast-paced view of Harrington's journey through the kaleidoscope of the movie business, it acts alternately as personal memoir and cultural history from a veteran of the entertainment business. As Harrington was living as a gay man in Hollywood, the book additionally gives a rare peek into the hidden world of what was then an elite subculture. Doubling as both a serious study of film aesthetics and a gossipy tell-all, this truly unique look at the Hollywood dream includes an unlikely cast of characters, including Dennis Hopper, Christopher Isherwood, Shelley Winters, Marilyn Monroe, Stanley Kubrick, and Aaron Spelling, as it reveals a portrait of the machinations of the film and television business.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2013

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

NICE GUY REMEMBERS.
Curtis Harrington, avant-garde filmmaker, "B" movie director, devotee of Joseph von Sternberg, commercial television director, writer and unashamedly gay artist in a very straight Hollywood.
Whatever you think of his films, don't miss this fine memoir he has written about his life and career with such deep insight and refreshing modesty.

Curtis does come across as a really nice guy (and a surprisingly "normal" one) working his way in and out of the Hollywood jungle. A wonderful portrait of his life in Hollywood, New York and Europe and informative coverage of his own films: quite simply - the good, the bad and the ugly of his experiences trying to survive in the system.

And being an "artiste" of varied tastes, there are plenty of interesting times spent with non-Hollywood types including a fascinating bit about Christopher Isherwood.

I admired this book so much; I am now keenly wanting to rediscover Harrington's films. Sorry Curtis is no longer with us. Would have been nice to have had more memories and insights from one hell of a guy!

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful memoir by a man of great taste and sort of the bridge between American avant-garde filmmaking and Hollywood. It's strange one doesn't get the sense that Curtis Harrington passed away a couple of years ago by reading "Nice Guys Don't Work In Hollywood." It sounds like he is very much with us, and alas, at least in this book, he is.

For those who are not in the know, Harrington was very much into the underground and overground of American cinema. He knew and worked with everyone from Kenneth Anger to Bette Davis. My favorite film of his is "Night Tide" starring Dennis Hopper as a sailor who comes upon a mermaid in Venice, California. Or is it a mermaid? Nevertheless it is one of the great Los Angeles films, that is both haunting and beautiful at the same time. One of the great extras you get with this book is his short story that became "Night Tide." Its a great little narrative, and its nice that its included with this book, as well as his essay on the films of Josef von Sternberg, which is compact and full of information regarding the slightly decadent work of this fillmmaker. As I mentioned Harrington had taste.

My only complaint is that he didn't write more about working with Kenneth Anger or the artist Cameron. I imagine there are readers who will go to this book for more information regarding these two remarkable artists - but still, this is an enjoyable read on a figure that's important to the Los Angeles landscape.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially I thought that the book was meandering around his childhood then it got to his career in Hollywood which I found fascinating.He has the ability to state his blunt opinions about co workers which is refreshing.
Then when 70%of my ebook came to an end .There were 2 appendices.One a short story,the second an appreciation of Josef Von Sternberg, neither of which I was interested in reading

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of my best work springs directly from my unconscious, almost complete in its original conception, like a waking dream.

A wonderful autobiography by one of my favorite directors, full of behind-the-scenes drama and Old Hollywood gossip.