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Nice Guys Don't Work in Hollywood
What other filmmaker has a) created influential avant-garde films alongside friends like Maya Deren and Kenneth Anger, b) directed critically acclaimed and cult-adored horror films like "Night Tide" and "Games,"
and c) directed episodes of "Charlie’s Angels" and "Dynasty"?
The answer can only be Curtis Harrington.
"Nice Guys Don’t Work In Hollywood" is the fast-paced tale of Harrington’s journey through the kaleidoscope of the movie business, acting alternately as personal memoir, Hollywood tell-all, and cultural history from a veteran of the entertainment industry. Included in this volume are Harrington’s 1949 “Index of the Films of Josef von Sternberg,” originally published in "Sight & Sound," and the short story “The Secrets of the Sea,” which became the basis for the screenplay of his haunting debut feature "Night Tide."
and c) directed episodes of "Charlie’s Angels" and "Dynasty"?
The answer can only be Curtis Harrington.
"Nice Guys Don’t Work In Hollywood" is the fast-paced tale of Harrington’s journey through the kaleidoscope of the movie business, acting alternately as personal memoir, Hollywood tell-all, and cultural history from a veteran of the entertainment industry. Included in this volume are Harrington’s 1949 “Index of the Films of Josef von Sternberg,” originally published in "Sight & Sound," and the short story “The Secrets of the Sea,” which became the basis for the screenplay of his haunting debut feature "Night Tide."
- GenresFilmNonfictionMemoir
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2013
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105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 4, 2024
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!
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!
June 26, 2013
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.
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.
April 12, 2025
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
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
January 30, 2020
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.
A wonderful autobiography by one of my favorite directors, full of behind-the-scenes drama and Old Hollywood gossip.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews