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A Dark History Series
Dark History of Hollywood: A Century of Greed, Corruption and Scandal behind the Movies
"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul." – Marilyn Monroe. In 2015, it’ll be 100 years since Hollywood became the center of American cinema and, while it has always presented itself as a place of glamour and home to the beautiful and talented, from its very creation there was a darker side to Tinseltown. Film-makers didn’t just move to southern California for its sunny weather, they went West to evade the patent laws restricting the use of movie cameras. From its earliest days, Hollywood, the home of fantasy, created a hothouse of excess – too much money, too much adulation, too much expectation and too much ego. Some actors would trade sex in the, often vain, hope of career advancement, mobsters muscled in on the unions and extorted the studios, while the accountants appear to be among Hollywood’s most creative people, managing to ensure that even the Star Wars films haven’t yet shown a profit. But while stars have always been indulged, once their moment in the limelight has passed, their fall can be cruel. From the setting up of the studios by the movie moguls to the corporations that run them today, from drug addictions to McCarthy-era witch-hunts to the Mob, Dark History of Hollywood is the story of sex and excess, murder and suicide, ambition and betrayal, and how money can make almost everyone compromise. Intensively researched and superbly entertaining, Dark History of Hollywood reveals that the stories behind the silver screen are at least as gripping as many of those on it.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
26 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 30, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Dark History of Hollywood by Kieron Connolly is a well researched and informative read about the scandles and dark sides of Hollywood.
Some of the information I already knew in this book but the majority I didn't, which is always good as I love learning new things.
The book is divided into chapters covering; Founding Father's, Silent twenties, the studio system, the blacklist , the mob and sex and the stars. Its very clear the author put a lot of time and effort into this book as he's not just created content on scandles but also included political, cultural, business, and sociological information and implications through this history of Hollywood.
Dark History of Hollywood by Kieron Connolly is a well researched and informative read about the scandles and dark sides of Hollywood.
Some of the information I already knew in this book but the majority I didn't, which is always good as I love learning new things.
The book is divided into chapters covering; Founding Father's, Silent twenties, the studio system, the blacklist , the mob and sex and the stars. Its very clear the author put a lot of time and effort into this book as he's not just created content on scandles but also included political, cultural, business, and sociological information and implications through this history of Hollywood.
July 30, 2022
Well...
It isn't a proper book, it is more like reading the newspaper.
Some interesting facts but many of them were very well known, not a surprise.
The best thing: nice photos!
It isn't a proper book, it is more like reading the newspaper.
Some interesting facts but many of them were very well known, not a surprise.
The best thing: nice photos!
January 2, 2022
4 ⭐️‘s (Great).
June 9, 2021
Czytanie o skandalach w Hollywood to moje guilty pleasure. Zwykle wydaje się, że tego typu książki to jakieś katalogi plotek i przeważnie niedokładne informacje, ale byłam zaskoczona ilością rzetelnych informacji zawartych w tej książce.
Jedyny minus to chaotycznie ułożony tekst.
Jedyny minus to chaotycznie ułożony tekst.
February 14, 2023
Title: The History of Hollywood: A Century of Greed, Corruptio, an Scandal Behind the Movies
Author: Kieron Connolly
Format: eBook via Netgalley
Happy Publication Day!
Description: It is now over 100 years since Hollywood became the center of American cinema and, while it has always presented itself as a place of glamour and home to the beautiful and talented, from its very creation there was a darker side to Tinseltown. Filmmakers didn’t just move to southern California for its sunny weather, they went west to evade the patent laws restricting the use of movie cameras. From its earliest days, Hollywood, the home of fantasy, created a hothouse of excess—too much money, too much adulation, too much expectation, and too much ego. But while stars have always been indulged, once their moment in the limelight has passed, their fall can be cruel. The History of Hollywood covers it all, from the setting up of the studios by the movie moguls to the corporations that run them today, from drug addictions to McCarthy-era witch-hunts to #metoo. Intensively researched and superbly entertaining, the book reveals that the stories behind the silver screen are at least as gripping as many of those on it.
Thoughts: This is a reprint from the 2014 book The Dark History of Hollywood, with updated info such as the MCU and the #MeToo movement. It delves into the MANY scandals, coverups and corruption of Hollywood. Many of these stories I have heard before due to E!'s True Hollywood Story-esque documentaries and docuseries. The stories that I hadn't heard before were a bit of a doozy and the phrase "wtf!?" was uttered many times in reading. It's a good thing for
Old Hollywood stars that the internet and social media didn't exist then because I'm not sure Hollywood would still be around or at least not as powerful as it is today.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
I was given the advanced readers' copy via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Author: Kieron Connolly
Format: eBook via Netgalley
Happy Publication Day!
Description: It is now over 100 years since Hollywood became the center of American cinema and, while it has always presented itself as a place of glamour and home to the beautiful and talented, from its very creation there was a darker side to Tinseltown. Filmmakers didn’t just move to southern California for its sunny weather, they went west to evade the patent laws restricting the use of movie cameras. From its earliest days, Hollywood, the home of fantasy, created a hothouse of excess—too much money, too much adulation, too much expectation, and too much ego. But while stars have always been indulged, once their moment in the limelight has passed, their fall can be cruel. The History of Hollywood covers it all, from the setting up of the studios by the movie moguls to the corporations that run them today, from drug addictions to McCarthy-era witch-hunts to #metoo. Intensively researched and superbly entertaining, the book reveals that the stories behind the silver screen are at least as gripping as many of those on it.
Thoughts: This is a reprint from the 2014 book The Dark History of Hollywood, with updated info such as the MCU and the #MeToo movement. It delves into the MANY scandals, coverups and corruption of Hollywood. Many of these stories I have heard before due to E!'s True Hollywood Story-esque documentaries and docuseries. The stories that I hadn't heard before were a bit of a doozy and the phrase "wtf!?" was uttered many times in reading. It's a good thing for
Old Hollywood stars that the internet and social media didn't exist then because I'm not sure Hollywood would still be around or at least not as powerful as it is today.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
I was given the advanced readers' copy via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
April 19, 2016
I wasn't 100% sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but figured it would either be really well done or needlessly sensationalistic. I'm happy to report it was the former, though be prepared - this is not a book for those interested in the lives and careers of celebrities. Rather it's an well-written-for-the-uniformed look at Hollywood as a business. I'd not considered myself particularly interested in that subject, but I found I enjoyed learning about it and felt drawn in and attentive throughout the work.
June 7, 2017
Usually it seems these types of books are just catalogs of rumors and mostly inaccurate information, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this a bit more straightforward and not all sensationalism. I guess what I'm saying is that it's more like a book, as opposed to an edition of the National Enquirer.
May 4, 2021
I love reading about Old Hollywood scandals. It's a guilty pleasure of mine. The problem is, having read so much of this stuff over the years, there is literally nothing new to read about. It's just rehashing the same old stories and legends. You might find these tales interesting if you are new to this genre.
May 6, 2021
This book is a nice overview that falls short of exploitation and prurience. Chapters include The Founding Fathers, The Silent Twenties, The Studio System, The Blacklist, and The Mob as well as the expected chapters on Sex and on The Stars. More than a hardcover gossip collection, there are interesting historical, sociological, cultural, political, and business implications.
February 19, 2023
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Amber Books Ltd via NetGalley.
I found this to be a well-organized book and I liked the flow that the author portrayed. The pictures helped to move the progression of the book along through the ages. It was fascinating to read the behind-the-scenes of the Hollywood stars I have grown up watching.
I found this to be a well-organized book and I liked the flow that the author portrayed. The pictures helped to move the progression of the book along through the ages. It was fascinating to read the behind-the-scenes of the Hollywood stars I have grown up watching.
July 23, 2019
I knew of some of the stories talked about in the book previously but his research was far more than anything I've done. Was shocked at some of the things I didn't know and impressed with how much time and effort Kieron Connolly put into this book!
April 18, 2018
Membaca buku ini semakin banyak membuka cakrawala dan wawasan saya, karena semua kemilau, gemerlap dan kebahagiaan semu ala Hollywood kebanyakan tidak realistis dan sangat jauh dari kenyataan. Tiada kesuksesan tanpa pengorbanan. Tiada pencapaian tanpa usaha dan kerja keras.
Bab pertama dan bab kedua lebih mengupas awal² keberadaan Hollywood dan skandal² bintang² film bisu spt Charlie Chaplin yg kecanduan gadis² belia yg nyaris di bawah umur (dan ternyata banyak aktor terkenal lain sezamannya yg mengidap penyakit ini spt Clark Gable dan Errol Flynn). Bab ketiga ttg sistem kontrak panjang pd masa awal th 20-30an dimana para kru film spt kerja bakti utk para studio film dan menerima honor seadanya. Blm lagi pelecehan² terhadap para aktris pendatang maupun yg sdh terkenal, ketika mereka berhubungan dgn monster² yg berkuasa, yg bisa mengangkat mereka menjadi bintang dlm sekejap atau menjatuhkan sebelum menyadarinya. Bab ke-4 menceritakan momok komunis di periode thn 40-50an (yg kira² situasinya mirip di Indonesia sejak kejatuhan PKI minus bunuh²an, yg di buku ini justru masuk penjara bergantian dan panggilan pengadilan tak berkesudahan).
Bab ke-5 lebih menceritakan pd cengkraman para mafioso dan politikus dlm penetrasi mereka di Hollywood pd kurun waktu th 50-60an. Dan bab selanjutnya ttg seks dan para bintang merupakan klimaks cerita yg paling seru dan paling mencengangkan. Daya pikat seks dan kharisma memang bisa menjadikan seseorang mencapai ketenaran abadi bahkan setelah meninggal cukup lama. Contoh terbaik adalah Marilyn Monroe, artis yg sama sekali tidak berbakat tetapi sangat kondang dgn pemberitaan seputar kehidupan pribadinya yg serba miring pd zamannya. Banyak contoh dari artis² lainnya sbg dampak ketenaran yg melesat terlampau cepat mengakibatkan mereka terpuruk dan kandas lebih karam daripada kapal Titanic. Banyak yg meninggal secara tragis krn overdosis narkoba atau tewas/cacat akibat ngebut dll. Di layar perak mereka tampil memukau, tetapi di baliknya mereka menyimpan kesengsaraan dan penderitaan akibat tekanan bertubi-tubi dari berbagai pihak. Maka tidak heran obat penenang adalah barang paling laris dikonsumsi di Hollywood krn merupakan obat paling mujarab utk melarikan diri dari kenyataan sekaligus paling laknat.
Kesimpulannya, apa yg anda pilih akan menentukan. Silakan pilih jadi Marilyn Monroe yg tidak berbakat dan selalu punya kecenderungan bunuh diri tetapi kekal abadi namanya selamanya. Atau menjadi sosok yg tidak tenar lagi selamanya krn dibungkam yg disebabkan anda lebih memilih idealistis dan mengindahkan moralitas? Banyak tokoh yg jatuh bangun atau terkapar selamanya di buku ini. Semuanya adalah pilihan hidup.
Bab pertama dan bab kedua lebih mengupas awal² keberadaan Hollywood dan skandal² bintang² film bisu spt Charlie Chaplin yg kecanduan gadis² belia yg nyaris di bawah umur (dan ternyata banyak aktor terkenal lain sezamannya yg mengidap penyakit ini spt Clark Gable dan Errol Flynn). Bab ketiga ttg sistem kontrak panjang pd masa awal th 20-30an dimana para kru film spt kerja bakti utk para studio film dan menerima honor seadanya. Blm lagi pelecehan² terhadap para aktris pendatang maupun yg sdh terkenal, ketika mereka berhubungan dgn monster² yg berkuasa, yg bisa mengangkat mereka menjadi bintang dlm sekejap atau menjatuhkan sebelum menyadarinya. Bab ke-4 menceritakan momok komunis di periode thn 40-50an (yg kira² situasinya mirip di Indonesia sejak kejatuhan PKI minus bunuh²an, yg di buku ini justru masuk penjara bergantian dan panggilan pengadilan tak berkesudahan).
Bab ke-5 lebih menceritakan pd cengkraman para mafioso dan politikus dlm penetrasi mereka di Hollywood pd kurun waktu th 50-60an. Dan bab selanjutnya ttg seks dan para bintang merupakan klimaks cerita yg paling seru dan paling mencengangkan. Daya pikat seks dan kharisma memang bisa menjadikan seseorang mencapai ketenaran abadi bahkan setelah meninggal cukup lama. Contoh terbaik adalah Marilyn Monroe, artis yg sama sekali tidak berbakat tetapi sangat kondang dgn pemberitaan seputar kehidupan pribadinya yg serba miring pd zamannya. Banyak contoh dari artis² lainnya sbg dampak ketenaran yg melesat terlampau cepat mengakibatkan mereka terpuruk dan kandas lebih karam daripada kapal Titanic. Banyak yg meninggal secara tragis krn overdosis narkoba atau tewas/cacat akibat ngebut dll. Di layar perak mereka tampil memukau, tetapi di baliknya mereka menyimpan kesengsaraan dan penderitaan akibat tekanan bertubi-tubi dari berbagai pihak. Maka tidak heran obat penenang adalah barang paling laris dikonsumsi di Hollywood krn merupakan obat paling mujarab utk melarikan diri dari kenyataan sekaligus paling laknat.
Kesimpulannya, apa yg anda pilih akan menentukan. Silakan pilih jadi Marilyn Monroe yg tidak berbakat dan selalu punya kecenderungan bunuh diri tetapi kekal abadi namanya selamanya. Atau menjadi sosok yg tidak tenar lagi selamanya krn dibungkam yg disebabkan anda lebih memilih idealistis dan mengindahkan moralitas? Banyak tokoh yg jatuh bangun atau terkapar selamanya di buku ini. Semuanya adalah pilihan hidup.
January 10, 2019
“Dark History of Hollywood: A Century of Greed, Corruption, and Scandal Behind the Movies” (A Dark History Series) by Kieron Connolly
…
Some intense stuff! Contrasts the positive and negative of some of our favourite actors and the influential choices they made.
“Rebel Without A Cause” (1955) – by the time of the film’s release, its star, James Dean, was already dead.
After … the studio system, Dean, like Brando, spoke and moved the way people did in real life. (p184)
MGM’s head of production, Irving Thalberg, like many Americans of the 1930s, feared Communism more than Fascism.
Anita Page’s career waned in the 1930s. she later claimed that refusing the sexual demands of MGM’s Louise B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg had wrecked her career.
Alfred Hitchcock developed an obsession for Tippi Hedren (The Birds).
“Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
“On returning to Hollywood after serving as a bomber pilot during World War II, James Stewart …worked independently, rather than committing to another long studio contract. And when Stewart made “Winchester ‘73” in 1950 … Stewart would give up his fee for the film in return for a percentage of the film’s profits.
…
…
Some intense stuff! Contrasts the positive and negative of some of our favourite actors and the influential choices they made.
“Rebel Without A Cause” (1955) – by the time of the film’s release, its star, James Dean, was already dead.
After … the studio system, Dean, like Brando, spoke and moved the way people did in real life. (p184)
MGM’s head of production, Irving Thalberg, like many Americans of the 1930s, feared Communism more than Fascism.
Anita Page’s career waned in the 1930s. she later claimed that refusing the sexual demands of MGM’s Louise B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg had wrecked her career.
Alfred Hitchcock developed an obsession for Tippi Hedren (The Birds).
“Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”
“On returning to Hollywood after serving as a bomber pilot during World War II, James Stewart …worked independently, rather than committing to another long studio contract. And when Stewart made “Winchester ‘73” in 1950 … Stewart would give up his fee for the film in return for a percentage of the film’s profits.
…
November 13, 2018
If tabloid articles are your thing, this book will probably be a true treasure-trove. Personally I found content of this book, consisting mainly of a rehash of old stories and author's unfounded speculations, of no interest whatsoever. Furthermore, author's sensationalistic writing style was directly off-putting. 'Quitting on a book' is very unusual for me and I actually can't recall last time I did that, but in this case the decision came rather naturally after slogging through about one fifth of this volume.
I also need to remark that Kindle edition of this book is quite unreadable simply because of layout issues. I assume that the book in its physical format is filled with vignettes/inserts encapsulated in boxes. While it may work in printed version, in digital format those elements are simply thrown in haphazardly and without any afterthought, constantly disrupting natural reading flow of 'main text mass'. Even if the content of this book would have been of interest to me, the layout of its Kindle edition would have made it a damn hard reading.
I also need to remark that Kindle edition of this book is quite unreadable simply because of layout issues. I assume that the book in its physical format is filled with vignettes/inserts encapsulated in boxes. While it may work in printed version, in digital format those elements are simply thrown in haphazardly and without any afterthought, constantly disrupting natural reading flow of 'main text mass'. Even if the content of this book would have been of interest to me, the layout of its Kindle edition would have made it a damn hard reading.
December 20, 2023
"The History of Hollywood" by Kieron Connolly offers an enthralling journey through the captivating yet tumultuous evolution of American cinema. Delving beyond the glitz and glamour, Connolly unveils a narrative woven with shadows, exposing the darker underbelly of Tinseltown. From the industry's inception, Hollywood thrived on ambition, excess, and exploitation. This book masterfully chronicles the rise of movie moguls, the intrusion of mobsters, and the intricacies of power struggles within the industry. Connolly skillfully navigates through scandals, addictions, and the disheartening plight of fallen stars, shedding light on Hollywood's profound complexities. Seamlessly blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling, "The History of Hollywood" unveils the gripping and often surprising tales that linger behind the silver screen. It's a captivating exploration of how money, fame, and ambition intersect, compelling readers to reassess the allure and the darker truths of this cinematic powerhouse.
May 13, 2023
Princess Fuzzypants here: For someone who is fairly cognizant of the history of Hollywood, there were really no big surprises in this book. I was well aware of the various scandals that involved the stars who were covered. Most were from the silent or golden age as I am sure there is at least another book or two with the current lot.
I did appreciate though that the author took care to preface some of the allegations that there was no solid proof. Naturally, there is no way that anyone can tell what the actual facts are since everything written is subjective. Still it is an interesting book that perhaps someone less aware of the history might find more fascinating. Four purrs and one paw up.
I did appreciate though that the author took care to preface some of the allegations that there was no solid proof. Naturally, there is no way that anyone can tell what the actual facts are since everything written is subjective. Still it is an interesting book that perhaps someone less aware of the history might find more fascinating. Four purrs and one paw up.
April 26, 2024
🎬Kieron Connolly - Holivudo istorija 🎬
Pripažinkite, nuo pat vaikystės žodis ,,Holivudas" skamba labai prabangiai ir mistiškai. Šis žodis reiškia visą kino industrijos grietinėlę, skandalus, gandus ir pašaipas. 👌
Briedis leidykla sumąstė lietuviams atskleisti šydą ir papasakoti visą tiesą nuostabiai iliustruotoje didelio formato kietais viršeliais puoštoje kolekcinėje knygoje.🌱
Čia autoriaus dėka rasite ne vien populiariuosius skandalus, bet ir politinės, kultūrinės bei socialinės tam metui aktualios informacijos.
Rekomenduoju!❤️
#knyga #apžvalga #Holivudas #Briedis #aptarimas #skandalas #politika #kinas #filmas #informacija #kamile_strach
Pripažinkite, nuo pat vaikystės žodis ,,Holivudas" skamba labai prabangiai ir mistiškai. Šis žodis reiškia visą kino industrijos grietinėlę, skandalus, gandus ir pašaipas. 👌
Briedis leidykla sumąstė lietuviams atskleisti šydą ir papasakoti visą tiesą nuostabiai iliustruotoje didelio formato kietais viršeliais puoštoje kolekcinėje knygoje.🌱
Čia autoriaus dėka rasite ne vien populiariuosius skandalus, bet ir politinės, kultūrinės bei socialinės tam metui aktualios informacijos.
Rekomenduoju!❤️
#knyga #apžvalga #Holivudas #Briedis #aptarimas #skandalas #politika #kinas #filmas #informacija #kamile_strach
February 22, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The History of Hollywood by Keiron Connolly. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
The History of Hollywood is a well-written book that hits all the big scandals of early Hollywood. It also looks into how the Hollywood system created the toxic lifestyles that led to most of the scandals and then covered them up. I give this book 5/5 stars.
The History of Hollywood is a well-written book that hits all the big scandals of early Hollywood. It also looks into how the Hollywood system created the toxic lifestyles that led to most of the scandals and then covered them up. I give this book 5/5 stars.
May 2, 2019
It's only interesting if the first thing that you learned about Hollywood. I'm an avid reader and I've read a lot of biographies about Hollywood stars. So most was not news. Other than that it's definitely readable.
November 11, 2024
I enjoyed this book because it tells you everything about Hollywood from Silent films to modern Hollywood and how most silent film actors lost their jobs once they started putting voices in movies.If you prefer watching older movies instead of modern movies then I recommend this book.
January 20, 2025
Kokybiškai išleista knyga, kurioje trumpai aprašyti skandalingiausi Holivudo istorijos faktai. Man buvo įdomu, nes apie Holivudo pradžios istoriją žinojau labai mažai (jei žmogus daug domisi, tai kažko naujo nesužinos). Nepatogi knyga skaitymui, labiau panaši į albumą.
November 12, 2020
I always like this type of book and it was interesting.
January 10, 2022
The first half was good, the second was a confused mess.
February 16, 2022
It was okay. It wasn't a super thrilling read and it wasn't anything I didn't already know from watching documentaries on Oxygen or E network.
Read
July 7, 2023DNF
The same stories found in many other books on Hollywood especially books on it's darker side.
The same stories found in many other books on Hollywood especially books on it's darker side.
July 10, 2025
Un buen recuento histórico de lo bueno, lo malo, lo horrible y lo despreciable que ha sido Hollywood desde sus inicios, y sigue siendo ahora.
February 28, 2023
The History of Hollywood by Kieron Connolly is a book with potential in the right hands, but those hands don't belong to Connolly.
This history is not a film history or cinema history, nor does it claim to be, but a history of the sensationalistic side of the industry. Things that, when about current events, are called gossip but as we move further back in time, and more facts are known, become simply a history of the personal and industry flaws. Nothing more and nothing less. Some of the things impacted film history, most are just footnotes. It is, however, all quite interesting.
This isn't so much an attempt to uncover new information but to gather the various stories and rumors together into a single narrative about the underbelly of the film industry. As such the useful aspect is placing these events in relation to each other. What trends, if any, seemed to present themselves? How did what was happening in society at large affect what was happening behind the scenes? The book succeeds to a large extent in this regard.
But Connolly is an annoying writer who insults both the memories of the stars as well as his readers. I am just going to concentrate on one section, namely because he chose to capitalize on Marilyn Monroe's image to entice people to look at his book. First, in this section, he goes out of his way to cite only those sources that denigrate Monroe. When he uses the famous shot with Monroe's billowing skirt to go off about "Knickers," he calls grown women girls. Connolly has been an editor, and editors have to know what is current usage and what is considered insulting, which means this was a choice on his part. Must have to compensate for his shortcomings, I guess. Since he is a boy (I assume if calling a grown woman a girl is acceptable he doesn't mind being called by his mental and emotional label, a boy) I guess maybe it is okay. Then, just to make sure he slams her as much as possible before putting her on his book cover, he claims "[a]part from Some Like It Hot...none of her films is screened much or even rated that highly." The same AFI list that has Some Like It Hot rated number one also has The Seven Year Itch rated number fifty-one. I guess Connolly knows better than AFI about films. And of course Gentlemen Prefer Blondes doesn't have an iconic scene that has been referenced in everything from music videos to other films, not to mention Fassbinder calls it one of the 10 best films ever. But again, Connolly is to be trusted more. NOT!! His misogyny is showing big time, which makes every single comment in this book unreliable.
While I would still recommend this to many readers, I would suggest they use it as a timeline then find reliable sources to get any actual stories or background. Connolly is unreliable and sexist, at best.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
This history is not a film history or cinema history, nor does it claim to be, but a history of the sensationalistic side of the industry. Things that, when about current events, are called gossip but as we move further back in time, and more facts are known, become simply a history of the personal and industry flaws. Nothing more and nothing less. Some of the things impacted film history, most are just footnotes. It is, however, all quite interesting.
This isn't so much an attempt to uncover new information but to gather the various stories and rumors together into a single narrative about the underbelly of the film industry. As such the useful aspect is placing these events in relation to each other. What trends, if any, seemed to present themselves? How did what was happening in society at large affect what was happening behind the scenes? The book succeeds to a large extent in this regard.
But Connolly is an annoying writer who insults both the memories of the stars as well as his readers. I am just going to concentrate on one section, namely because he chose to capitalize on Marilyn Monroe's image to entice people to look at his book. First, in this section, he goes out of his way to cite only those sources that denigrate Monroe. When he uses the famous shot with Monroe's billowing skirt to go off about "Knickers," he calls grown women girls. Connolly has been an editor, and editors have to know what is current usage and what is considered insulting, which means this was a choice on his part. Must have to compensate for his shortcomings, I guess. Since he is a boy (I assume if calling a grown woman a girl is acceptable he doesn't mind being called by his mental and emotional label, a boy) I guess maybe it is okay. Then, just to make sure he slams her as much as possible before putting her on his book cover, he claims "[a]part from Some Like It Hot...none of her films is screened much or even rated that highly." The same AFI list that has Some Like It Hot rated number one also has The Seven Year Itch rated number fifty-one. I guess Connolly knows better than AFI about films. And of course Gentlemen Prefer Blondes doesn't have an iconic scene that has been referenced in everything from music videos to other films, not to mention Fassbinder calls it one of the 10 best films ever. But again, Connolly is to be trusted more. NOT!! His misogyny is showing big time, which makes every single comment in this book unreliable.
While I would still recommend this to many readers, I would suggest they use it as a timeline then find reliable sources to get any actual stories or background. Connolly is unreliable and sexist, at best.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 10, 2023
There are good and bad points about this book and overall I’d say it’s a good read but it isn’t really a ‘history’ of Hollywood. Researching the author, I realised that the book is a reissue and was previously called "A Dark History of Hollywood" and that makes more sense. The subtitle here is a nod to that. The book dwells very definitely on the murders, exploitation, gangsters, corruption, and sex scandals of the early days of Hollywood and there are prurient elements here that I wasn’t fond of - talking of sex and homosexuality can get a little titillating.
Where Mr Connolly looks at the change from silent to talkies or the use of contracts for actors, he really does develop some fascinating stories. I hadn’t really thought of the emotional impact of the talkies on silent actors who were considered unsuitable for the new era. They had been big stars, stalwarts of the industry, and were effectively out of work overnight. Actresses and actors on contracts who refused to work on a film had that added to their term so a 10 year contract could last much longer than 10 years and the refusal months while that film was made with other actors were unpaid…
There is a lot here to like but I didn’t love it. A good place to start maybe to give you a basis to research stories you develop an interest in.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley
Where Mr Connolly looks at the change from silent to talkies or the use of contracts for actors, he really does develop some fascinating stories. I hadn’t really thought of the emotional impact of the talkies on silent actors who were considered unsuitable for the new era. They had been big stars, stalwarts of the industry, and were effectively out of work overnight. Actresses and actors on contracts who refused to work on a film had that added to their term so a 10 year contract could last much longer than 10 years and the refusal months while that film was made with other actors were unpaid…
There is a lot here to like but I didn’t love it. A good place to start maybe to give you a basis to research stories you develop an interest in.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley
March 14, 2023
If you're looking for a comparatively short yet surprisingly comprehensive view behind the headlines & scenes of Hollywood, from its humble beginnings, through the golden age of cinema, to today, then look no further. I already knew about some of the stories in the book, but there were others covered that I had never heard about before. There are scandals, murders, rumoured dealings with the Mob, the McCarthy witch-hunts, right up to #MeToo, & Hollywood facing competition from the smaller screen & changing audience behaviours with people preferring to stream movies at home, etc. Let's face it, premieres don't seem to hold quite the fascination & prestige that they did - today's Hollywood (or at least the public version) is rather bland I think, I much prefer the Hollywood of James Dean & Marilyn Monroe.
This is a book that you can dip in & out of. There's lots of great photographs too which adds to its appeal, & it has a very laidback, almost 'having a gossip with friends' feel to reading it. If you're a Hollywood history buff then there might not be enough new information here for you, but for anyone like me who loves the whole mystique of the vintage Hollywood scene but hasn't read tons about it yet, then I'd recommend it as a starting point.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Amber Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This is a book that you can dip in & out of. There's lots of great photographs too which adds to its appeal, & it has a very laidback, almost 'having a gossip with friends' feel to reading it. If you're a Hollywood history buff then there might not be enough new information here for you, but for anyone like me who loves the whole mystique of the vintage Hollywood scene but hasn't read tons about it yet, then I'd recommend it as a starting point.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Amber Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
February 8, 2023
This is a reprint with some updating from a previously published 2014 version. The original title refers to it as the “Dark History” and that is really the focus. This isn’t sensationalized but it focuses on the scandals, monopolies and corruption especially in the early days of Hollywood. The section headings include: Founding Fathers, Silent Twenties, Studio System, Blacklist, The Mob, Sex, Stars and Modern Hollywood. The book is very readable and the photos are great. I was aware of many of the scandals and corruption of the early days of Hollywood so not much of this is new for me. And if you don’t know stars like Grant, Gable, Pickford, Fairbanks, Sinatra etc. this may not be the book for you. There has been some add ins with mentions of more recent scandals like Woody Alan or Weinstein and the #MeToo movement. But the main focus is on the earlier days of Hollywood when studios welded almost unlimited power. I found it easy to read and follow. I would for sure check this out from a library but it is not something I’d choose personally for my coffee table or book shelf. Thank you to Amber Books Ltd., for the temporary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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