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You Must Remember This: Life and Style in Hollywood's Golden Age
The legendary actor and bestselling author of Pieces of My Heart offers a nostalgic look at Hollywood’s golden age
For millions of movie lovers, no era in the history of Hollywood is more beloved than the period from the 1930s through the 1950s, the golden age of the studio system. Not only did it produce many of the greatest films of the American cinema, but it was then that Hollywood itself became firmly established as the nation’s ultimate symbol of glamour and style, its stars almost godlike figures whose dazzling lives were chronicled in countless features in magzazines like Photoplay and Modern Screen .
While these features were a standard part of the work of studio publicity departments, they told eager readers little about what life was really like for these celebrities once they stepped out of the public eye. No one is better qualified to tell that story than Robert Wagner, whose own career has spanned more than five decades and whose New York Times bestseller, Pieces of My Heart , was one of the most successful Hollywood memoirs in recent years. You Must Remember This is Wagner’s intimate ode to a bygone time, one of magnificent homes, luxurious hotels, opulent night-clubs and restaurants, and unforgettable parties that were all part of the Hollywood social scene at its peak.
From a dinner party at Clifton Webb’s at which Judy Garland sang Gershwin at the piano to golf games with Fred Astaire, from Jimmy Cagney’s humble farmhouse in Coldwater Canyon to the magnificent beach mansion built by William Randolph Hearst for Marion Davies, from famous restaurants like the Brown Derby and Romanoff’s to nightspots like the Trocadero and the Mocambo, Wagner shares his affectionate memories and anec¬dotes about the places and personalities that have all become part of Hollywood legend.
As poignant as it is revealing, You Must Remember This is Wagner’s account of Hollywood as he saw it, far from the lights and cameras and gossip columns—and a tender farewell to the people of a mythical place long since transformed, and to a golden age long since passed.
For millions of movie lovers, no era in the history of Hollywood is more beloved than the period from the 1930s through the 1950s, the golden age of the studio system. Not only did it produce many of the greatest films of the American cinema, but it was then that Hollywood itself became firmly established as the nation’s ultimate symbol of glamour and style, its stars almost godlike figures whose dazzling lives were chronicled in countless features in magzazines like Photoplay and Modern Screen .
While these features were a standard part of the work of studio publicity departments, they told eager readers little about what life was really like for these celebrities once they stepped out of the public eye. No one is better qualified to tell that story than Robert Wagner, whose own career has spanned more than five decades and whose New York Times bestseller, Pieces of My Heart , was one of the most successful Hollywood memoirs in recent years. You Must Remember This is Wagner’s intimate ode to a bygone time, one of magnificent homes, luxurious hotels, opulent night-clubs and restaurants, and unforgettable parties that were all part of the Hollywood social scene at its peak.
From a dinner party at Clifton Webb’s at which Judy Garland sang Gershwin at the piano to golf games with Fred Astaire, from Jimmy Cagney’s humble farmhouse in Coldwater Canyon to the magnificent beach mansion built by William Randolph Hearst for Marion Davies, from famous restaurants like the Brown Derby and Romanoff’s to nightspots like the Trocadero and the Mocambo, Wagner shares his affectionate memories and anec¬dotes about the places and personalities that have all become part of Hollywood legend.
As poignant as it is revealing, You Must Remember This is Wagner’s account of Hollywood as he saw it, far from the lights and cameras and gossip columns—and a tender farewell to the people of a mythical place long since transformed, and to a golden age long since passed.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
97 people are currently reading
1329 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Wagner
13 books50 followersRobert John Wagner, Jr an American actor of stage, screen, and television, best known for starring in the television shows It Takes a Thief (1968–70) and Hart to Hart (1979–84). In movies, Wagner is known for his role as Number Two in the Austin Powers trilogy of films, as well as for The Pink Panther, The Towering Inferno, and more.
Wagner was married twice to the late actress Natalie Wood and is currently married to actress Jill St. John.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Wagner was married twice to the late actress Natalie Wood and is currently married to actress Jill St. John.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
February 6, 2019
You Must Remember This, is a love letter to Hollywood in 1930's-1950's. Its a quick fun read. I love Old Hollywood and even I hadn't heard of some of these places. Robert J. Wagner does name drop A Lot but hell the man has been around forever.
The book is broken down into sections:
The Land- Which covers the founding of the town.
The Houses and Hotels- Which covers the most famous Hollywood homes and Hotels.
Playtime - Which covers the ways Hollywood actors had fun like Golfing, Costume Parties and Yachting.
Style- That one speaks for its self.
The Press- Bob seems to miss the days when the press only covered what it was told to.
Nightlife- Clubs and more importantly FOOD. This was my favorite section, I love reading about Restaurants.
You Must Remember This isn't the best written book but I liked it and that's all that matters.
The book is broken down into sections:
The Land- Which covers the founding of the town.
The Houses and Hotels- Which covers the most famous Hollywood homes and Hotels.
Playtime - Which covers the ways Hollywood actors had fun like Golfing, Costume Parties and Yachting.
Style- That one speaks for its self.
The Press- Bob seems to miss the days when the press only covered what it was told to.
Nightlife- Clubs and more importantly FOOD. This was my favorite section, I love reading about Restaurants.
You Must Remember This isn't the best written book but I liked it and that's all that matters.
October 8, 2015
Robert Wagner is a class act. It's hard to be a class act in this town. It's even harder to be a class act over the long haul. It is virtually impossible to remain a class act when tragedy strikes in the form of the death of your famous wife under conditions ripe for media speculation. Most wind up in rehab. Many leave town for a number of years. Some quit the business. He did none of that. Here is a man who, under the deceptively severe restrictions of Hollywood celebrity, has accomplished the virtually impossible.
In You Must Remember This, Mr. Wagner provides a thumbnail history of Hollywood's Golden Age. Because he concentrates on land and landmarks, architecture, interior design and lifestyle, it is doubtful to prove of interest to anyone who hasn't lived in Los Angeles for awhile. You need the native neighborhood awareness to appreciate this guided tour. And it's more that sunset tour he's taking, marking the march of his life as one does when the days appear to be winding down. He's saying good-bye to his era with great fondness and very few regrets. It is indulgent, yes, and also well-deserved.
What I will recommend instead, to anyone interested, is Mr. Wagner's memoir Pieces of My Heart. It's a solid and strikingly genuine account of his life. Through a fine balance of candor and discretion, he discusses his rise in the Hollywood studio system; his friendships, his mentors, his roles, his first love Barbara Stanwyck (an actress twice his age), the advent of television as a professional venue and, of course, the sensation that was his marriage. This book includes the first and probably last commentary he'll make on the loss of Natalie Wood and the circumstances surrounding her death.
I'm always so relieved to come across an admirable soul. Many are the days I fear they're simply figments of my imagination.
In You Must Remember This, Mr. Wagner provides a thumbnail history of Hollywood's Golden Age. Because he concentrates on land and landmarks, architecture, interior design and lifestyle, it is doubtful to prove of interest to anyone who hasn't lived in Los Angeles for awhile. You need the native neighborhood awareness to appreciate this guided tour. And it's more that sunset tour he's taking, marking the march of his life as one does when the days appear to be winding down. He's saying good-bye to his era with great fondness and very few regrets. It is indulgent, yes, and also well-deserved.
What I will recommend instead, to anyone interested, is Mr. Wagner's memoir Pieces of My Heart. It's a solid and strikingly genuine account of his life. Through a fine balance of candor and discretion, he discusses his rise in the Hollywood studio system; his friendships, his mentors, his roles, his first love Barbara Stanwyck (an actress twice his age), the advent of television as a professional venue and, of course, the sensation that was his marriage. This book includes the first and probably last commentary he'll make on the loss of Natalie Wood and the circumstances surrounding her death.
I'm always so relieved to come across an admirable soul. Many are the days I fear they're simply figments of my imagination.
March 14, 2014
I suppose that when I requested this book, that I assumed it was more or less a memoir of Robert Wagner's life back in "old Hollywood", but that wasn't totally the case. I usually give a synopsis of the book first and then my personal insight, but because the book was mostly a plethora of facts, I find it easier to mix the two throughout my review and set it up by the parts of the book.
FOREWORD:
I think the foreword kind of set up my mood for the whole book and left me a bit disappointed because, don't get me wrong, I found the book very interesting, especially since I lived several years all over Los Angeles. It's just that when you are set up for one direction then you either think that the rest of the book is going to follow or it will at least come back full circle. The foreword, in my opinion, did neither of these. I guess in hindsight it was written this way to give an example of Hollywood then and now, but it was more disappointing than anything. Let me explain.
So, the book starts out with Robert Wagner as a guest at Liza Minelli and David Gest's wedding that took place in 2002. Since that wedding was twelve years ago, I don't think this would be a good comparison of Hollywood then and now, so that can't be the reason for this example. Then he talks about how Liza and David want everyone to be on time so it isn't the typical "Hollywood" wedding although she invited nearly 900 of her most intimate friends (ha!).
Of course Elizabeth Taylor, one of her matron's of honor, is running late and forgot her shoes and has to send for them, through a parade, literally. Everyone soon becomes frustrated, and Robert walks in on Michael Jackson and Elizabeth hugging as he is so protective of her, but still there is no hurry for the nuptials awaiting their arrival. Yes, this sounds odd that they are in no hurry for the already late wedding so that Michael can hug it out with Elizabeth, but it happened. With this handful of information, now I am thinking that the book is going to be about how old Hollywood was in reference to the stars and their behavior. That would also not be the case.
So, why was this even mentioned at all, especially since the book wasn't about any of this? It couldn't be as a comparison to today's Hollywood as it was twelve years ago. It also didn't come around full circle in the end, so I really don't know. The author did, however, do a small handful of comparing today to the past, with how stars now are so public with their breakdowns and drug habits. I totally agree with what he says here, but I am still a bit confused why the foreword focuses on this wedding. Maybe someone can clear that up for me.
THE LAND:
So we go from the Minelli/Gest wedding to Los Angeles when it was nothing but beans. He explains how Hollywood became Hollywood and how actors, Jews, migrants, and dogs weren't welcome in the beginning and amazingly enough it was a dry area in terms of alcohol. I mean this is crazy how people wouldn't sell to actors, the Jewish, migrants(who were probably there first), and who wouldn't love a cute dog?!
Well, we all know that didn't last long. And he explains the reasons. Mentioned are the important people who shaped the city of Los Angeles and even who named Hollywood and where the Beverly of Beverly Hills came from. It was all very interesting, especially how LA used to have trolley's and such. There were also great photos throughout the book to ponder on.
THE HOUSES & HOTELS:
This was basically an extension of the land, but now the monopoly comes into play. It was interesting to see how the Beverly Hotel came about, and how it shut down during the Great Depression. It would be an executive from Bank of America who revived it and gave it a good old Hollywood facelift. The Beverly Hotel was sold again and revamped and I like how he mentioned that anything that has longevity is basically sold and resold because nothing lasts that doesn't evolve throughout the years.
I enjoyed reading about the home of Fairbanks and the leading lady of silent films, Mary Pickford. The name of their estate was Pickfair and many parties were thrown here although alcohol was not encouraged.
These are just two examples, but a great deal of the book is about the houses and hotels. Actually more than half of the book is about the land and houses/hotels. And it was this that led me to believe that the title of "You Must Remember This", is mainly about the development of Hollywood more than the people.
PLAYTIME:
At this point, I am thinking 'finally, the juice'. Let me first explain that I rarely follow any gossip in Hollywood. That wasn't always the case, but it is now, especially after living in Hollywood. I have a difficult time seeing people, whether the press or people using their phones for photos/videos, as vultures preying on someone just because they are celebrities. I don't think that it is just that side of it that disgusts me as much as I just don't like how we build celebrities up and then wait anxiously on the sideline to create/watch their demise once we feel that they have too much of our attention. I find it disturbing and inhumane, really. I have had friends who are celebrities and I can assure you that they do have feelings and probably more sensitive ones than most non-celebrities, as they rely on opinions of other's for their careers. I've heard people say, "They are famous, and they knew they were getting into this...". So then, what gives those people the excuse to rip them to shreds or even idolize them in the first place? We complain about how the Kardashian's are famous, but that's what we attract. Classy actors are not going to be sending out selfies in their skivvies or walking drunk in the streets. But most of this comes into play when he gets to the press. Okay, back to the review...
There isn't much juice here, and by juice I mean, who was married to whom, who was cat-fighting with whom, etc. The stuff the stars create on themselves and not what we do to them. The stuff that makes them seem human to us mere mortals. There was a little of this in the book, but it was random. There is quite a bit on golf, horse racing, and croquet, if you are into that kind of stuff.
STYLE:
What I basically took from this was that the Duke of Windsor was the icon of fashion back in the day until Frank Sinatra comes along with his own personal style.
THE PRESS:
It was interesting to find out that the press wasn't always those morons jumping out of bushes or flying over a wedding in a helicopter to get a picture. In the beginning, it was staged and much calmer.
It wasn't until around the 50's that two rivaling women created their own gossip-style press that all of the previous methods would basically diminish. And so, although celebrities were not fond of these women, they couldn't really come out and say it, for fear of retaliation. So, they were the Perez Hilton's of their time.
In some ways, I prefer the old Hollywood to today's. I don't find it the least bit interesting whether a celebrity gets into or out of a car without underwear on. Meh.
NIGHTLIFE:He goes into more of the creation and demise of particular clubs and focuses basically on the clubs themselves. I didn't really find it particularly interesting, unfortunately.
GOOD-BYE TO ALL THAT:
Here, the author goes into the hollywood shift where television becomes popular and Hollywood isn't strictly about movie stars any longer. But not much more.
Eventually he notes,
"I've spent a lot of time here talking about place, about ambience, but I have to be honest-when I think of those days, I think mostly of people."
Then he gives a list of people. This is where I became frustrated. If that's what he missed the most and what most readers like to hear about (coming from a Hollywood icon), then why didn't he focus on that and use the place and ambience as a backdrop?
Maybe it was the foreword or the lack of what I consider the real "Hollywood" (the people) that threw me off, because I did find most of the information interesting. I guess that it just wasn't what I was expecting. So, all-in-all, I would definitely recommend this book, but would make it clear that the old Hollywood that will be described is based mostly on places, architecture, and entrepreneurs.
June 9, 2017
Breezy memoir of life in old Hollywood by an actor I've admired for many years. Not so much about his own life as it is about the way Hollywood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, etc. used to be in the early to mid-20th century. Lots of info on places, homes, restaurants, clubs, and plenty of anecdotes about notables like Darryl Zanuck, Samuel Goldwyn, John Barrymore, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Marion Davies, etc. Scads of name-dropping throughout. It was informative in a fun, easy to digest narrative, a good light read. For anybody wanting to know more about the "golden age" of Hollywood.
May 9, 2014
I listened to Wagner read his book YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS (Goodreads doesn't reference the excellent production of the audiobook read by Wagner and produced by Patti Pirooz.) R J does a wonderful job “escorting” his readers and listeners through an enviably luxurious old Hollywood era. He shares an insider’s view of the truly good old days and lets one relive the time when stars were especially celestial and their world was elegant. As in his first memoir, he comes off as genuinely good guy, not judgmental, telling us how it was without bad mouthing any of the players, including some of the surly characters like Harry Cohn, Jack Warner. His appreciation for the world into which he was welcomed at a young age makes him a terrific guide and storyteller and will make you long to know more about why Los Angeles had to change for the worse.
February 25, 2025
I would love for Wagner to do a vintage Los Angeles travel guide. He had mentioned a place that I have visited and another I have on my list to visit - of course added more. I may need to get a non-audio copy to create my own tour. I was reluctant to read this at first because I have mixed feelings about Wagner and his involvement in Natalie Woods death. He does talk about her fondly in this book, but this is more about old Hollywood than his life.
How did this book find me? Scott Eyman is going to be our guest at the Kansas Silent Film Festival held February 28 - March 1. I wanted to get all the audio versions of his books read before the event.
How did this book find me? Scott Eyman is going to be our guest at the Kansas Silent Film Festival held February 28 - March 1. I wanted to get all the audio versions of his books read before the event.
September 1, 2022
A fairly interesting look into an unexplored part of Hollywood history. My biggest gripe is that Wagner looks back on this without any sense of nuance and only fondness. There is very little to acknowledge the rarity of his lifestyle and privilege there in, let alone condemnation of the opulence, excess, racism, and sexism of the time. I was mostly onboard until he took the last couple pages to go on a "good ole days were better and people had character back then because they wore suits and flaunted their money," rant. Get over yourself man, the future isn't ruined because movie stars don't exclude themselves from the "peasants."
did-not-finish
April 29, 2018Did Not Finish
This wasn't what I expected -I thought it would be a gossipy treat about well known movie stars. The audience for this book is probably someone closer to Robert Wagner's age who remembers all these long-gone people and places he mentions. After a while I just flipped through it, reading a bit here and there when something caught my attention and looking at the photos.
This wasn't what I expected -I thought it would be a gossipy treat about well known movie stars. The audience for this book is probably someone closer to Robert Wagner's age who remembers all these long-gone people and places he mentions. After a while I just flipped through it, reading a bit here and there when something caught my attention and looking at the photos.
December 22, 2017
Nice, quick read with lots of Hollywood history from a guy who was actually there.
July 12, 2017
Hollywood's hometown boy gives an extensive but conversational tour of and reminiscences about the film capital, its sites and personalities.
July 14, 2017
If you've ever said "They don't make them like that anymore!" referring to celebrities, films, houses or fashion, then this book is definitely for you. This book is 3/4 history lesson on Hollywood and the surrounding areas, and the film industry, and 1/4 memoir. Wagner shares his experiences at each hotel, restaurant, celebrity home, or playing each sport, wearing each tailor, etc., but also gives you the facts from his memory and research. The architecture section got a little long for me (just lots of detail), but this book was still a fun read and really enjoyable. One thing to mention was that I was really looking forward to the "Style" section to read about women's dress as a lover of vintage fashion and fashion history, but when I got to that chapter, it only covered men's fashion, which was understandable since Wagner would have had that experience. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes classic Hollywood or just the "good old days" in general.
October 4, 2016
Robert Wagner just may be one of the last stars who can claim they were a part (or at least got up close) to the golden age of Hollywood. I don't know much about Robert Wagner, I think my first exposure to him was Austin Powers, but he had his moment in the sun and he's still working so good for him. This book isn't about him specifically or his life but a short history of Hollywood in terms of its homes, dining and nightlife. He tells the history while weaving in his own personal experiences. If you're a fan of the period and the history of Hollywood you'll enjoy this - it's fun to hear about the places all the stars went for a good meal or the extravagant houses they lived in. Wagner has definite opinions about this Hollywood - mainly that it's better than the one that exists today. I agree with him, mostly. Everything was just larger than life then - seemed really magical. Today everything is just so accessible it's hard for people in the industry to have a private life and frankly it's hard to keep Hollywood from feeling like a group of individuals who sometimes exploit their fame (or become famous with little to no talent). But honestly that was happening in the golden age of Hollywood too - we just didn't really see it, it wasn't really reported on, and maybe as a society we didn't really care.
This book is a celebration of a past Hollywood gone but luckily not forgotten and well worth a read.
This book is a celebration of a past Hollywood gone but luckily not forgotten and well worth a read.
February 17, 2015
My Thoughts...
I'm not sure I would call this a 'memoir' in the true sense of the word. I found it more like a guided tour of vintage Hollywood during its golden age, from the 1930s through the 1950s. Studio publicity departments made sure that fans knew little about celebrity life outside the public eye. (So different from what we have to endure of so-called celebrities in this day and age.)
The book is filled with memories of famous people, hot spots like the Brown Derby, Ciros, and other famous nightclubs of that era. There are anecdotes including Judy Garland singing Gershwin at a dinner party thrown by Clifton Webb and golf games with Fred Astaire.
You Must RememberThis is Wagner's tender farewell to a legendary era. It was a charming tribute to Hollywood's glory days. If you are looking for a tell-all book about the stars of yesteryear you will have to look elsewhere, R. J. has to much class to write a tell-all book.
I enjoyed the book, I'm not sure it's for all people but if you enjoy reading history about old Hollywood stars etc. you will enjoy this book. I enjoyed it enough to award it 4 "Golden Age" stars.
I own this book and it is a part of my personal library.
I'm not sure I would call this a 'memoir' in the true sense of the word. I found it more like a guided tour of vintage Hollywood during its golden age, from the 1930s through the 1950s. Studio publicity departments made sure that fans knew little about celebrity life outside the public eye. (So different from what we have to endure of so-called celebrities in this day and age.)
The book is filled with memories of famous people, hot spots like the Brown Derby, Ciros, and other famous nightclubs of that era. There are anecdotes including Judy Garland singing Gershwin at a dinner party thrown by Clifton Webb and golf games with Fred Astaire.
You Must RememberThis is Wagner's tender farewell to a legendary era. It was a charming tribute to Hollywood's glory days. If you are looking for a tell-all book about the stars of yesteryear you will have to look elsewhere, R. J. has to much class to write a tell-all book.
I enjoyed the book, I'm not sure it's for all people but if you enjoy reading history about old Hollywood stars etc. you will enjoy this book. I enjoyed it enough to award it 4 "Golden Age" stars.
I own this book and it is a part of my personal library.
August 23, 2017
I don't know why I decided to read another book by Wagner. I like old Hollywood, but I don't want to hear him tell me about it. First, he is horrible in talking about female stars. It's about whether he thought they were pretty or not or fat or not. Right off the bat he starts talking about "fat" actresses, which turned me off. Then he likes to talk about how much he loves Natalie Wood (who we know he killed, come on) and his daughters, but it's just weird dissonance when he talks about women so disrespectfully (read his "I loved her in the movies"). He also has an arrogant tone and likes to complain about the world today. There are lots of differences for the good and the bad, but there is some condescending tone when he talks about it that irks me. Third, this book is all over the place and poorly organized. He talks a good deal about old restaurants and homes, but if you haven't lived in LA, I think you might get lost. I listened to the audiobook so I'm not sure if there were pictures or anything to help the reader along. Most of what he talked about had little reference to me. The premise of discussing LA in this time period is interesting, but he needed more guidance on how to write it out.
August 11, 2014
This is a book I bet I would have enjoyed more if I had listened to the audio version of it instead of reading it. The book is snippets of stories about the people, places and times in Hollywood from the 1930s and the 1950s. Instead of going chronologically in order, Wagner chooses sections of Hollywood life to talk about at a time, like "Houses and Hotels" or "Nightlife" and covers all decades pertaining to that subject in that chapter.
This reads like an old man tell stories of his life and memories (which, it mostly is). And while that can be entertaining, it can also make it easy to be lost when it comes to reading the sections. There were many names mentioned I recognized (Clark Gables, James Dean, Jean Harlow, Fred Astaire to name a few) but many more I was unfamiliar with. I'm sure someone with a much more in-depth knowledge of old Hollywood would pick up on quips and jokes along the way that I did not.
For now, I'm taking a break from non-fiction! I'm non-fictioned out!!! Hoping to find some good fiction reads in the next few I've selected.
June 1, 2014
Robert Wagner's auto-biography/memoir was a pure delight. I rather think this book has much more specialized audience. It's interesting to learn how Hollywood evolved from an almost uninhabited desert to the golden age of extravagant homes, elegant clothes and, from what I can tell, the stars lack of appreciation/exposure to excellent restaurants and food. That was then--up to the end and slightly past WWII. Wagner evidently felt compelled to remind us how it was. We have to make the comparisons to today. As for the future--who knows. I view the book as kind of an outline. Many of the sections could be the subject of serious research. If you're looking for gossip, this isn't the place. To tell the story, Wagner had to use names you've probably never heard. It's a short book. The question is--how important is it for you to understand Old Hollywood?
February 17, 2014
I won this book in a good reads giveaway. It's full of interesting stories about how Hollywood changed over the years...the fashion, restaurants, architecture. For the most part it's very entertaining and you feel like the author is writing about dear friends and fond memories, which he is. It is organized into chapters based on subject, for example, the chapter on fashion. The only time it dragged was when it seemed like a paragraph was all about name-dropping but it's probably hard not to come off that way when you're writing about stars! :) Overall I really loved reading this book. It gave a glimpse into a world that not many people get to see and since the author loved his subject it wasn't a scandal-divulging book about Hollywood stars which is so common today.
March 21, 2014
YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS
Robert J. Wagner
The golden age from the 1930's to the 1950's is known as the most beloved era of Hollywood by the majority of movie goers. It firmly established Hollywood as the county's ultimate symbol of glamour and style.
This is Mr. Wagner's intimate tale of a bygone time that includes the history of the town, the men who built it and the changes that have taken place in the world and in the industry. He features the stories of the magnificent homes, luxurious hotels, opulent night clubs and restaurants, and the stars and people who created them.
This is a wonderful tribute and affectionate description of Mr. Wagner's memories and personal observations of an era that helped create the memorable and golden Hollywood legends.
Robert J. Wagner
The golden age from the 1930's to the 1950's is known as the most beloved era of Hollywood by the majority of movie goers. It firmly established Hollywood as the county's ultimate symbol of glamour and style.
This is Mr. Wagner's intimate tale of a bygone time that includes the history of the town, the men who built it and the changes that have taken place in the world and in the industry. He features the stories of the magnificent homes, luxurious hotels, opulent night clubs and restaurants, and the stars and people who created them.
This is a wonderful tribute and affectionate description of Mr. Wagner's memories and personal observations of an era that helped create the memorable and golden Hollywood legends.
July 2, 2015
Lots of fun. He was just in time to luck into an acting career in hollywood just before the old studio system came to an end. He also grew up golfing, boating, playing tennis and horseback riding, so he fit right in with the old guard who befriended him.
It's nice that he takes the opportunity to give credit to non-movie industry types who played a big part in shaping the town the way it was: the hoteliers and restaurateurs, the tennis and golf pros, etc.
It's nice that he takes the opportunity to give credit to non-movie industry types who played a big part in shaping the town the way it was: the hoteliers and restaurateurs, the tennis and golf pros, etc.
October 1, 2016
I liked this book about Hollywood in the 40's and 50's, and I was familiar with most of the names and places. The book told about the landscape( a group of Methodists founded the town to have an alcohol-free environment), the buildings and mansions (many of which have been torn down), the restaurants, the press and the early movie entrepreneurs. I wouldn't have read this if it hadn't been our book club discussion book, but I learned a lot. Thus, this is why I enjoy my group.
January 20, 2015
Not your typical memoir, but an interesting survey of Hollywood history and sites from an insider who wistfully remembers his boyhood and stardom there. Not too much dish, but some inside dope and commentary. I think he self-censored the juiciest stuff. I liked that he included pictures. He lightly touches on Natalie.
January 1, 2023
Great book for Golden Age Hollywood buffs.
I expected this to be a book of celebrity stories similar to David Niven's entertaining "Bring On the Empty Horses." Plenty of stars are mentioned and there are some good stories. However, there's a great deal more scene-setting than story telling. He opens with a wonderfully wacky story of Liza Minnelli's 2002 wedding. Any wedding with Elizabeth Taylor as Matron of Honor and Michael Jackson as Best Man is guaranteed to produce strange moments. Wagner claims it was the event that convinced him that "show business had gone crazy."
He seems to be arguing that show business wasn't crazy before, which is debatable. As promised in the title, the book concerns various aspects of lifestyles during the "Golden Age" of movie making. How interesting you find the various sections depends on how interested you are in American history, architecture, fashion, leisure activities, and restaurants.
Wagner is an intelligent man and he brings a unique viewpoint to his story. Unlike many of the people he worked with, he didn't arrive in Hollywood as an adult, hell-bent on becoming a movie star. On the other hand, he wasn't a "nepo-baby", either. His family was solidly mid-western and moved to Hollywood when he was a child. His father was in business, but not in the move-making business.
The family lived in Bel Air. They were well-off, but not wealthy. In other words, they belonged to a country club, but their only son caddied on the golf course and bussed tables in the dining room. He didn't grow up poor, but he wasn't a trust-fund kid. He was signed to a contract with a major studio in 1949 and has worked steadily since then in movies and television.
He mentions that he's always been close to people who were fifteen or twenty years older than he, although he never explains exactly why. He does say that the older Hollywood stars (including the British "Raj") tended to be more formal in dress and entertaining than the younger ones. Maybe that formality appealed to him or perhaps he just felt comfortable with it.
Whatever the reason, it accounts for the fact that many of his friends were from an older generation of movie royalty and were middle-aged by the time he was getting started. He's good-looking (obviously) and attractive to both men and women. He's an out-going man with an active social life who enjoys tennis, golf, boating, and other sports. Consequently, he knew a lot of people.
I was fascinated by the section about the beginnings of Hollywood and how it morphed from a Prohibition haven for strict Methodists to a pull-out-all-the-stops movie-making town. I'm also interested in architecture and home styles, so I liked that part, too. I'd heard of the various neighborhoods (Beverly Hills, Bel Air, etc) but didn't know how they got started and how they developed into distinct areas.
I was also aware that some sections of Los Angeles were originally closed to actors, directors, etc. Groucho and Harpo Marx experienced discrimination, both as Jews and as actors. This book does a good job of showing the low opinion in which "show folks" were held and how that gradually changed. Pivotal was the Great Depression, since the movies were affordable and more popular than ever. Those employed in movie-making continued to earn huge salaries, opening many doors that were shut before.
There's a great deal about the Hollywood "press machine" and how the powerful studios controlled publicity about their employees. Wagner admits that the process was sometimes down-and-dirty, such as the time a press agent gave a columnist a story that ruined the career of a minor actor in exchange for the columnist NOT printing an article about Rock Hudson's sexual preferences. It was all about the money, with the big-name (big salary) actors being protected.
Wagner argues that this system was beneficial to actors on the whole and that the death of the powerful studios has made life harder for current celebrities. This isn't a surprising stance, considering that Wagner was skewered by the Hollywood press after the death of his wife Natalie Wood. Whatever the truth of that tragedy, the author is probably correct in believing that he would have been protected had the death occurred a decade or so earlier.
I enjoyed some of the parts about the leisure activities of Hollywood celebrities, especially the growth of the gambling industry in Mexico and (once the Mexican government pulled the plug on the casinos) the switch to Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm not interested in fashion, so I skimmed through the lengthy section on who-wore-what. Same thing with the section on the famous restaurants in Hollywood. If you're interested in those things, you'll eat up his detailed accounts.
I don't begrudge the two bucks I spent for it, but it wasn't what I expected. Prospective buyers should be aware that it's NOT an autobiography. Wagner wrote "Pieces of My Heart" in 2008 and this book was a follow-up in 2014. He makes some references to his life (especially his birth family and childhood) but that's not the emphasis of the book.
It's well written and has value as a coherent look at the movie industry at its peak. How much you like it will depend on how much of a Golden Age movie fan you are.
I expected this to be a book of celebrity stories similar to David Niven's entertaining "Bring On the Empty Horses." Plenty of stars are mentioned and there are some good stories. However, there's a great deal more scene-setting than story telling. He opens with a wonderfully wacky story of Liza Minnelli's 2002 wedding. Any wedding with Elizabeth Taylor as Matron of Honor and Michael Jackson as Best Man is guaranteed to produce strange moments. Wagner claims it was the event that convinced him that "show business had gone crazy."
He seems to be arguing that show business wasn't crazy before, which is debatable. As promised in the title, the book concerns various aspects of lifestyles during the "Golden Age" of movie making. How interesting you find the various sections depends on how interested you are in American history, architecture, fashion, leisure activities, and restaurants.
Wagner is an intelligent man and he brings a unique viewpoint to his story. Unlike many of the people he worked with, he didn't arrive in Hollywood as an adult, hell-bent on becoming a movie star. On the other hand, he wasn't a "nepo-baby", either. His family was solidly mid-western and moved to Hollywood when he was a child. His father was in business, but not in the move-making business.
The family lived in Bel Air. They were well-off, but not wealthy. In other words, they belonged to a country club, but their only son caddied on the golf course and bussed tables in the dining room. He didn't grow up poor, but he wasn't a trust-fund kid. He was signed to a contract with a major studio in 1949 and has worked steadily since then in movies and television.
He mentions that he's always been close to people who were fifteen or twenty years older than he, although he never explains exactly why. He does say that the older Hollywood stars (including the British "Raj") tended to be more formal in dress and entertaining than the younger ones. Maybe that formality appealed to him or perhaps he just felt comfortable with it.
Whatever the reason, it accounts for the fact that many of his friends were from an older generation of movie royalty and were middle-aged by the time he was getting started. He's good-looking (obviously) and attractive to both men and women. He's an out-going man with an active social life who enjoys tennis, golf, boating, and other sports. Consequently, he knew a lot of people.
I was fascinated by the section about the beginnings of Hollywood and how it morphed from a Prohibition haven for strict Methodists to a pull-out-all-the-stops movie-making town. I'm also interested in architecture and home styles, so I liked that part, too. I'd heard of the various neighborhoods (Beverly Hills, Bel Air, etc) but didn't know how they got started and how they developed into distinct areas.
I was also aware that some sections of Los Angeles were originally closed to actors, directors, etc. Groucho and Harpo Marx experienced discrimination, both as Jews and as actors. This book does a good job of showing the low opinion in which "show folks" were held and how that gradually changed. Pivotal was the Great Depression, since the movies were affordable and more popular than ever. Those employed in movie-making continued to earn huge salaries, opening many doors that were shut before.
There's a great deal about the Hollywood "press machine" and how the powerful studios controlled publicity about their employees. Wagner admits that the process was sometimes down-and-dirty, such as the time a press agent gave a columnist a story that ruined the career of a minor actor in exchange for the columnist NOT printing an article about Rock Hudson's sexual preferences. It was all about the money, with the big-name (big salary) actors being protected.
Wagner argues that this system was beneficial to actors on the whole and that the death of the powerful studios has made life harder for current celebrities. This isn't a surprising stance, considering that Wagner was skewered by the Hollywood press after the death of his wife Natalie Wood. Whatever the truth of that tragedy, the author is probably correct in believing that he would have been protected had the death occurred a decade or so earlier.
I enjoyed some of the parts about the leisure activities of Hollywood celebrities, especially the growth of the gambling industry in Mexico and (once the Mexican government pulled the plug on the casinos) the switch to Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm not interested in fashion, so I skimmed through the lengthy section on who-wore-what. Same thing with the section on the famous restaurants in Hollywood. If you're interested in those things, you'll eat up his detailed accounts.
I don't begrudge the two bucks I spent for it, but it wasn't what I expected. Prospective buyers should be aware that it's NOT an autobiography. Wagner wrote "Pieces of My Heart" in 2008 and this book was a follow-up in 2014. He makes some references to his life (especially his birth family and childhood) but that's not the emphasis of the book.
It's well written and has value as a coherent look at the movie industry at its peak. How much you like it will depend on how much of a Golden Age movie fan you are.
February 22, 2017
Foreword: This new Hollywood sucks. All people care about is box office figures and money.
Book: Look how much money we all had! Our houses were so big and we still didn't know where to spend the rest!
Book: Look how much money we all had! Our houses were so big and we still didn't know where to spend the rest!
June 14, 2015
Kind of boring--he listed all the homes --and addresses --where former stars lived and restaurants where they ate. Nothing juicy!!!
September 9, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book about the history of Hollywood during the 1930’s to the 1950’s written by Robert Wagner.
He writes about a number of changes that took place over time from when it was settled to how it grew into the movie town it became. For instance, when Hollywood was settled, it was by people who were who would be called “teetotalers” who did not drink. As time passed, the movie executives started to move west from New York to set up movie studios because the weather was better, especially during the winter months. The settlers of the area didn’t take kindly to the influx of movie people. Along with prejudices of the era, many of the people refused to sell land or rent to anyone involved in the movies. Once movie stars were settled in the area, the large hotels and huge homes started sprouting up. According to Robert Wagner, it was Douglass Fairbanks and his then wife Mary Pickford that stated the trend of gaudy homes. They were the first “stars” of the movie industry, and others started to follow suit, forever changing the landscape and the expectations of how stars were to be treated. As time passed, there additional changes in Hollywood society. Things that started to become for commonplace in Hollywood included drinking, extramarital affairs, divorces, fancy attire, and parties. Also during this time, the Press was not out to get the stars like today’s paparazzi. The stars expected to have little of their private life exposed, (unless it was studio authorized and white-washed), and they were able to even do their own shopping. (I wonder how many of today’s current stars would even want to do this, which may make this a change that they don’t really care about.) Essentially the press and police would keep information out of the public eye and received a side payments or advertising for compensation.
All in all, this was a quick and fun book to read about the early times in Hollywood, written by one of the actors that lived, worked and played there. It is not a tell-all book, (though there were certainly some gossipy parts of it), so readers looking to find out about Wagner’s thoughts on Natalie Wood’s death will be disappointed. This is more of a story reminiscing about a prior time, about the changes that have inevitably happened, and what the time was like. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about the history of an area, especially if the area is Hollywood.
He writes about a number of changes that took place over time from when it was settled to how it grew into the movie town it became. For instance, when Hollywood was settled, it was by people who were who would be called “teetotalers” who did not drink. As time passed, the movie executives started to move west from New York to set up movie studios because the weather was better, especially during the winter months. The settlers of the area didn’t take kindly to the influx of movie people. Along with prejudices of the era, many of the people refused to sell land or rent to anyone involved in the movies. Once movie stars were settled in the area, the large hotels and huge homes started sprouting up. According to Robert Wagner, it was Douglass Fairbanks and his then wife Mary Pickford that stated the trend of gaudy homes. They were the first “stars” of the movie industry, and others started to follow suit, forever changing the landscape and the expectations of how stars were to be treated. As time passed, there additional changes in Hollywood society. Things that started to become for commonplace in Hollywood included drinking, extramarital affairs, divorces, fancy attire, and parties. Also during this time, the Press was not out to get the stars like today’s paparazzi. The stars expected to have little of their private life exposed, (unless it was studio authorized and white-washed), and they were able to even do their own shopping. (I wonder how many of today’s current stars would even want to do this, which may make this a change that they don’t really care about.) Essentially the press and police would keep information out of the public eye and received a side payments or advertising for compensation.
All in all, this was a quick and fun book to read about the early times in Hollywood, written by one of the actors that lived, worked and played there. It is not a tell-all book, (though there were certainly some gossipy parts of it), so readers looking to find out about Wagner’s thoughts on Natalie Wood’s death will be disappointed. This is more of a story reminiscing about a prior time, about the changes that have inevitably happened, and what the time was like. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about the history of an area, especially if the area is Hollywood.
January 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, LA is my hometown, I am a native in California, raised in LA and spent most of my life there so hearing Robert Wagner's perspective years earlier was fascinating to me. Also I love movies, I have studied the history of the movies both in my own reading and at school so to have a such a wonderful guide to the creation of Hollywood and how it came about and who were the people that were essential to it.
Most of the book takes place before I was born, but it is funny how many of the buildings, streets, clubs, restaurants, famous homes and studios I recognize. Some from just living LA I knew where they were or my parents told me about them, or I saw them in TV shows and movies. Also, a lot of the buildings are still there but they changed names. Ciros is now The Comedy Store, Chasen's is sadly gone it is now a grocery store.
Some of the homes are still there, in the flats of Beverly Hills but most of the homes in Bel Air and Brentwood are gone. Sadly, and it breaks my heart they knock down the old buildings and build new ones. I always find it really upsetting when it happens. It still happens, the new owner of Betty Whites home in Brentwood knocked it down completely it is gone.
So what Robert Wagner's book is a time capsule, it shows how Hollywood used to be, the lives they lived, even the clothes they wear. It is a fascinating peek at how it was. If you love history, movies and Los Angeles, then this should be your cup of tea.
Most of the book takes place before I was born, but it is funny how many of the buildings, streets, clubs, restaurants, famous homes and studios I recognize. Some from just living LA I knew where they were or my parents told me about them, or I saw them in TV shows and movies. Also, a lot of the buildings are still there but they changed names. Ciros is now The Comedy Store, Chasen's is sadly gone it is now a grocery store.
Some of the homes are still there, in the flats of Beverly Hills but most of the homes in Bel Air and Brentwood are gone. Sadly, and it breaks my heart they knock down the old buildings and build new ones. I always find it really upsetting when it happens. It still happens, the new owner of Betty Whites home in Brentwood knocked it down completely it is gone.
So what Robert Wagner's book is a time capsule, it shows how Hollywood used to be, the lives they lived, even the clothes they wear. It is a fascinating peek at how it was. If you love history, movies and Los Angeles, then this should be your cup of tea.
May 3, 2018
I probably should’ve paid more attention to the title when I purchased the book. I assumed this was a biography of the author. Instead he shares his insight combined with research on old Hollywood history. It was interesting, learning about which restaurants were frequented by which super famous folks. I enjoyed learning about the different styles of architecture and art work that were appreciated back in the day. However our author bemoans how times have changed and really doesn’t share too much about his personal history within the Hollywood community. I found myself googling different people and places and making a side note for which places are still around that I would like to see. Otherwise, I could’ve received the same information from any “old tales of old Hollywood book.”
February 17, 2019
This is a good, gossipy (but not salacious or unkind) book about the old days in Hollywood, from the time it came into being until recently. Wagner had lived there from about age 10, having been born in about 1930, and added research about the time before he became an actor. If you want to know more about Wagner's life and career, and his relationships with wives Natalie Wood (and her tragic death) and Jill St. John, you should read his other book, Pieces of My Heart: A Life. This book was mostly about things that even I, at 64, am too old to remember, but it's a light, interesting read with some interesting insights into the days before the papparazzi and social media made every celebrity's life the privacy-deprived ordeal that it can be now.
September 3, 2019
Just so you know, this book is *not* Robert Wagner's autobiography. However, I have an easy, five-question quiz to see if you might like the book. 1.Do you like Robert Wagner?; 2. Do you like old movie stars?; 3. Do you like old Hollywood glamour?; 4. Do you like architecture and urban planning?; 5. Do you like grandpa stories, such as "you darn kids, in my day, that was a bean field, not a Starbucks!" If you answered Yes to at least three of these questions, you will probably like this book. (By the way, I answered Yes to all five questions, in case you were wondering.)
March 11, 2024
I really enjoyed!
I was a bit surprised but pleasantly as I really thought of Robert Wagner as quite the 'rich kid grown up snob). He sounds like a really good person. I'm glad I read this book because this was a very good read. Extremely well written, he and his 'ghost writer' wrote an excellent, easy to read and really picture everything that was described. I loved hearing about the REAL movie stars - which include Mr. Wagner. Reading about Hollywood in it's hay day was so interesting. Yes, a whole new respect for Mr. Wagner.
I was a bit surprised but pleasantly as I really thought of Robert Wagner as quite the 'rich kid grown up snob). He sounds like a really good person. I'm glad I read this book because this was a very good read. Extremely well written, he and his 'ghost writer' wrote an excellent, easy to read and really picture everything that was described. I loved hearing about the REAL movie stars - which include Mr. Wagner. Reading about Hollywood in it's hay day was so interesting. Yes, a whole new respect for Mr. Wagner.
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