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Mammoth Book of Hollywood Scandals
This compilation showcases the most famous murders, suicides, unexplained deaths, scandalous romances, illegitimate children, cover-ups, and more. Starting in the 1920s and going right up to the present day, it brings forward some of the most notorious events in Hollywood's history.
529 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2013
218 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Morgan
117 books80 followersMichelle Morgan is the author of The Ice Cream Blonde, The Mammoth Book of Hollywood Scandals, Marilyn's Addresses, and Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed. She has been interviewed on dozens of radio stations and featured on many television programs, including the BBC National News.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 2, 2019
I was expecting a lot of trashy writing from this book (you only have to look at the cover) but was surprised to find that there were quite a few people I have never heard of (and I'm a seasoned golden age movie fan). Some of the sections are really interesting, some are to do with murder, others are to do with sexual assault, and some are strange and mysterious deaths. Who knew that Mary Pickford's sister was a right little daredevil in her time? As we get further on in the book, my interest decreased, because I am much more interested in stars of the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s than more recent celebrities. However, there were still some interesting stories to be read, and I quite liked the way the author wrote.
November 3, 2013
Michelle Morgan can tell a story... a gripping story, a page turner. However, her stories are true, and when in doubt, she presents all evidence and lets the reader decide instead of taking an agenda and flying away with it. She respects her readers enough to make up their own minds, even when she says what she thinks.
That is why her book on Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed) is yet to have a rival biography that is so honest. (See separate review). These shorter stories of Hollywood Scandals also present evidence and viewpoints from all parties involved in the said scandal.
She has chosen the most interesting scandals (though one wonders why Heath Ledger is not there....), and I have to admit there are a LOT of people I didn't even recognize and new stuff to learn. Also from scandals I was familiar with - but had only read stories that had a one-sided point of view. For example in the case of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle I remember reading stuff that only believed in his guilt, but under the light of this evidence that Michelle gives, I have had a change of heart. Not that she forced me to - I just thought about things again.
Therefore, if you want to read about scandals, but from an honest source and be hugely entertained as well as moved... this is the book for you!
That is why her book on Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed) is yet to have a rival biography that is so honest. (See separate review). These shorter stories of Hollywood Scandals also present evidence and viewpoints from all parties involved in the said scandal.
She has chosen the most interesting scandals (though one wonders why Heath Ledger is not there....), and I have to admit there are a LOT of people I didn't even recognize and new stuff to learn. Also from scandals I was familiar with - but had only read stories that had a one-sided point of view. For example in the case of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle I remember reading stuff that only believed in his guilt, but under the light of this evidence that Michelle gives, I have had a change of heart. Not that she forced me to - I just thought about things again.
Therefore, if you want to read about scandals, but from an honest source and be hugely entertained as well as moved... this is the book for you!
January 13, 2015
Not much to say about this one; it is what it is. Fun and trashy (if not quite trashy enough for my taste.) It was a bit too overstuffed with "scandals" that weren't really scandals. Several chapters could have been condensed into one on several occasions. However, Morgan is much fairer and more skeptical than most authors of these sorts of books, which was appreciated. Not the worst scandal book, but not the best either.
July 26, 2020
First of all the cover of this book does not do it justice and Michelle Morgan is excellent at doing her research concerning stories about some of the most famous stars of Hollywood. This book covers a 100 year period starting with Fatty Arbuckle and other stories include stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Clara Bow, Jean Harlow and many people unheard of in Tinseltown right up to more recent tales of Tom Cruise, Madonna, George Michael and River Phoenix. The stories were all extremely well-written and in some cases rewrite previously untrue stories of stars.
Michelle writes in a way that is not exploitative but honest, intelligent and shows a genuine understanding in the topic and shows how Hollywood treated some of their stars in a very underhand manner who were earning the studios huge sums of money. If you are at all interested in Hollywood you must read this book and don’t let the front cover put you off!
Michelle writes in a way that is not exploitative but honest, intelligent and shows a genuine understanding in the topic and shows how Hollywood treated some of their stars in a very underhand manner who were earning the studios huge sums of money. If you are at all interested in Hollywood you must read this book and don’t let the front cover put you off!
January 3, 2020
Needs Updating...
Or perhaps another edition. The early sections are interesting for silent film buffs. I admire the research the author has accomplished to put this book out there.
Or perhaps another edition. The early sections are interesting for silent film buffs. I admire the research the author has accomplished to put this book out there.
May 24, 2020
You can tell its from a while ago from the fact the most interesting recent scandals are zsazsa gabor slapping a policeman and Kelsey Grammar had a divorce on a tv show, neither of which would make the cut nowadays methinks.
August 22, 2020
Fantastic and enlightened
I chose this book because I am like every other person. I wanted to see what happens in the Hollywood rich and famous. It didn't disappoint. Best book I have read in a long line of books about the rich and famous.
I chose this book because I am like every other person. I wanted to see what happens in the Hollywood rich and famous. It didn't disappoint. Best book I have read in a long line of books about the rich and famous.
March 23, 2022
It took me forever to finish this. I marked it currently reading in February, but I'm pretty sure I started it in 2021.
It's not that it's bad, it's just that I'm the kind of person who can't read stuff like this without stopping to look up pictures and videos and do my own mini research. And the items from far before my time took the most effort.
This is a pretty interesting read, I must admit. The stories stop in 2012, 2013 at the latest, so obviously there's a lot that's happened in the almost 10 years since. It makes for some outdated last updates, but that kind of adds to the fun.
I don't know if it's a recommended read, but it's definitely fun to pick up and nibble on occasionally.
It's not that it's bad, it's just that I'm the kind of person who can't read stuff like this without stopping to look up pictures and videos and do my own mini research. And the items from far before my time took the most effort.
This is a pretty interesting read, I must admit. The stories stop in 2012, 2013 at the latest, so obviously there's a lot that's happened in the almost 10 years since. It makes for some outdated last updates, but that kind of adds to the fun.
I don't know if it's a recommended read, but it's definitely fun to pick up and nibble on occasionally.
July 6, 2023
A Great Overview Of Hollywood’s Sordid Past
If you’re looking for an introduction to the seamy side of Hollywood, this book is a great place to start. It covers a myriad of scandals from the days of silent pictures to around 2013, when it was published. Personally, it was the older scandals that I found most interesting, having never heard of several of them. The newer stuff I had lived through, so it wasn’t as compelling, but the stories from the 1920s, ‘30s, ‘40s and 50s were fascinating. The book is written in a clear, easy-to-read style, neither too sensational nor or judgmental. The author provides all the necessary details but doesn’t go overboard with extraneous facts. All in all, an enjoyable read about a side of Hollywood that continues to intrigue us.
If you’re looking for an introduction to the seamy side of Hollywood, this book is a great place to start. It covers a myriad of scandals from the days of silent pictures to around 2013, when it was published. Personally, it was the older scandals that I found most interesting, having never heard of several of them. The newer stuff I had lived through, so it wasn’t as compelling, but the stories from the 1920s, ‘30s, ‘40s and 50s were fascinating. The book is written in a clear, easy-to-read style, neither too sensational nor or judgmental. The author provides all the necessary details but doesn’t go overboard with extraneous facts. All in all, an enjoyable read about a side of Hollywood that continues to intrigue us.
July 10, 2020
Interesting read.
If you love the glamour and scandal of Hollywood then this is the book for you. Thoroughly enjoyed the separate chapters of stories from the silent film era to modern film era.
If you love the glamour and scandal of Hollywood then this is the book for you. Thoroughly enjoyed the separate chapters of stories from the silent film era to modern film era.
April 29, 2021
Enjoyed the chapters related to Golden Age of Hollywood. When the later chapters focused on current celebrities it was similar to reading stories in tabloid newspapers with back dated info. Book needs to be updated. Good overall.
March 24, 2023
Just ok
This would have been better if there were more recent stories instead of so many taking place in the 20's and 30's. Also, there's way too much back story about the celebrities, just cut to the chase!
This would have been better if there were more recent stories instead of so many taking place in the 20's and 30's. Also, there's way too much back story about the celebrities, just cut to the chase!
March 12, 2018
Too much Madonna
October 13, 2019
Some Scandals are Totally Disgusting.
Some of the scandals were on tv so many times, you kind of know the conclusions in advance. But a fun, interesting read.
Some of the scandals were on tv so many times, you kind of know the conclusions in advance. But a fun, interesting read.
December 9, 2019
Good read enjoy it
October 11, 2020
Being to me started off great then it was like reading a supermarket tabloid
January 21, 2021
Great book
Great read while relaxing before sleeping. Enjoyed the mixture of old and quite recent.. recommendations to anyone who likes old Hollywood
Great read while relaxing before sleeping. Enjoyed the mixture of old and quite recent.. recommendations to anyone who likes old Hollywood
March 14, 2021
Very interesting book about numerous people. Gave short descriptions of a lot of people that I now want to read more about. At 500 plus pages it was still pretty easy reading.
April 3, 2021
Great entertaining read
Although some of the latter chapters are a little out of date this book is an easy to read entertaining book
Although some of the latter chapters are a little out of date this book is an easy to read entertaining book
July 12, 2021
It is a large book. Most of the stories I had read before; although there were some new ones.
July 14, 2022
Roddel en kletspraat in 100 jaar Hollywood.
December 31, 2023
Delivers what you want, a book on multiple Hollywood scandals, decently written, a lot of stories about old Hollywood like 1910s, 1920s - very interesting.
May 18, 2024
This was very informing and interesting and shocking at times
March 15, 2015
This was way better than I expected. The author did a lot of serious research, and included some great items from the silent era which were not familiar to me.
I found it interesting that her take on Elvis Presley was the exact opposite of any American books I've read on him. (The author is British.) She talks about how spiritual he was, and how the people around him dwelt on the negatives like drug use. Americans usually pronounce his guru a phony and an opportunist, and stress Presley's addictions.
I found it interesting that her take on Elvis Presley was the exact opposite of any American books I've read on him. (The author is British.) She talks about how spiritual he was, and how the people around him dwelt on the negatives like drug use. Americans usually pronounce his guru a phony and an opportunist, and stress Presley's addictions.
May 27, 2015
Obviously written to order and cribbed together from internet searches and designed for people who only have the one book in their house, proudly on display like it some sort of priceless Van Gough. It doesn't feel like the author has any greater understanding or context to what she is writing about. Although wanting to sell based on Scandal the publisher doesn't want to seem too grubby so any mention of death is prefixed by the work "tragically" or "sadly". Avoid and just try Wikipedia if you're that interested.
February 9, 2014
Very good book about some of the more interesting scandals from Hollywood. A bit of a 'could not put it down' read.
Liked the fact that they separated fact from fiction and rumour as well.
Liked the fact that they separated fact from fiction and rumour as well.
May 26, 2014
Although I had already read about many of these scandals the book was still trashy fun. I really enjoyed it.
February 1, 2015
Interesting, well-written and fairly comprehensive. I really enjoyed it.
February 13, 2015
sad that such base people are so exalted in our society. exactly what you would expect a book on Hollywood to be. author is not a Christian so book is from secular perspective.
December 11, 2014
I am a sucker for books like this, SHUT UP. I only wish there had been pictures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews