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Hollywood Private Lives Uncensored
An uncensored look at aspects of the private lives (and deaths) of the stars of Hollywood's Golden Age and beyond. Hollywood minus the hype and hokum.
- GenresNonfiction
672 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2016
470 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 22, 2017
Ho Hum
Okay if your memory goes back to some real old timers. I'm no spring chicken but a lot of these people are millennia before my time. Not all of us remember silent film stars. The author(s) seem to have a particular liking bordering on obsession, for naming gay or bisexual people while maintaining a holier than thou "non judgmental" attitude. Very high moral tone. However when he/they get to slightly more modern characters like Sean Penn, whose political views they obviously share, they are presented as of almost godlike virtue. Ho Hum! Wouldn't waste my money on any more tomes from these people. A lot of it seems to have been gleaned from trawling the internet and I very much doubt that much of it is factually accurate.
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Okay if your memory goes back to some real old timers. I'm no spring chicken but a lot of these people are millennia before my time. Not all of us remember silent film stars. The author(s) seem to have a particular liking bordering on obsession, for naming gay or bisexual people while maintaining a holier than thou "non judgmental" attitude. Very high moral tone. However when he/they get to slightly more modern characters like Sean Penn, whose political views they obviously share, they are presented as of almost godlike virtue. Ho Hum! Wouldn't waste my money on any more tomes from these people. A lot of it seems to have been gleaned from trawling the internet and I very much doubt that much of it is factually accurate.
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April 3, 2020
Complete and total fluff about Hollywood, from the silent days to the present. Exactly what I need during quarantine. I'm going to read some more of his books now.
July 1, 2022
Terrible Book
If I could give this book a zero I would. I rarely write reviews. Usually I stick with star ratings. This author was a huge disappointment. The title is sensationalism at its worst and an overarching one at that. This was more of an overextended opinion piece than a book. The stories were demeaning to the people who were most likely victims. Actors/actresses who were victimized at early ages and then repeatedly by the Hollywood studios. The author puts much of the blame on these victims and debases them by calling them sluts, losers and users. There was very little consistency nor flow in this book other than cheap shots at mostly dead people.
Rarely were any facts given and the writer’s opinions dominated this book.
Do yourself a favor read a tabloid instead. At least you know what you’re getting.
If I could give this book a zero I would. I rarely write reviews. Usually I stick with star ratings. This author was a huge disappointment. The title is sensationalism at its worst and an overarching one at that. This was more of an overextended opinion piece than a book. The stories were demeaning to the people who were most likely victims. Actors/actresses who were victimized at early ages and then repeatedly by the Hollywood studios. The author puts much of the blame on these victims and debases them by calling them sluts, losers and users. There was very little consistency nor flow in this book other than cheap shots at mostly dead people.
Rarely were any facts given and the writer’s opinions dominated this book.
Do yourself a favor read a tabloid instead. At least you know what you’re getting.
November 16, 2017
Very Well Written
If you have an interest in old Hollywood and the studio system this book is for you. The stories are well written and the book itself if a light, breezy read. Alan Royle is an excellent writer w/o knows how to tell stories succinctky and yet, with amazing detail. The stories are shocking but true. Royle is an excellent researcher and must have spent years putting this book together.
If you have an interest in old Hollywood and the studio system this book is for you. The stories are well written and the book itself if a light, breezy read. Alan Royle is an excellent writer w/o knows how to tell stories succinctky and yet, with amazing detail. The stories are shocking but true. Royle is an excellent researcher and must have spent years putting this book together.
January 1, 2025
The book covers a multitude of Hollywood people and how they died or, in some cases, are still alive. Some of the general topics include the casting couch, utter corrupt movie studios, how witnesses, lawyers, police and judges got paid off to keep things hidden, brothels, Hollywood and Scientology, 'fixers', was Lana Turner a murderer, Who Killed Superman and a Bibliography.
I thought it would be interesting to keep track of how these celebrities died. There is some overlap in that there were more than one factor in their death so this list is sort of general. Anyhow, here's what I cam up with as far as cause of death.
Accidental death: 34
Suicide, heart attack, airplane crash: 14
Drugs and/or alcohol: 13
Burned to death: 12
Murdered: 11
Cancer: 10
Drowned, AiDS, other health problems: 3
The most outstanding aspect of the book is the length to which studios would to to protect the reputations of their actors and actresses and how often than involved rather illegal activities.
I thought it would be interesting to keep track of how these celebrities died. There is some overlap in that there were more than one factor in their death so this list is sort of general. Anyhow, here's what I cam up with as far as cause of death.
Accidental death: 34
Suicide, heart attack, airplane crash: 14
Drugs and/or alcohol: 13
Burned to death: 12
Murdered: 11
Cancer: 10
Drowned, AiDS, other health problems: 3
The most outstanding aspect of the book is the length to which studios would to to protect the reputations of their actors and actresses and how often than involved rather illegal activities.
June 7, 2017
Andy's review
I downloaded this book through Prime Reading and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually laughed out loud after reading the piece on Dame Joan Collins, and I never realised the late Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli had such shady connections. I enjoyed it so much as soon as I can afford I intend to download some of his other books.
I downloaded this book through Prime Reading and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually laughed out loud after reading the piece on Dame Joan Collins, and I never realised the late Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli had such shady connections. I enjoyed it so much as soon as I can afford I intend to download some of his other books.
January 14, 2023
Amazing!
This book has put forward some very plausible theories for some of Hollywood's most notorious mysteries. I'm so glad I happened upon it. It is certainly a lot more believable than babylon, and it is written in a nice informal language. My only criticism - a few sections could have had a little more detail. Still - well worth a read!
This book has put forward some very plausible theories for some of Hollywood's most notorious mysteries. I'm so glad I happened upon it. It is certainly a lot more believable than babylon, and it is written in a nice informal language. My only criticism - a few sections could have had a little more detail. Still - well worth a read!
August 6, 2017
Fascinating! Enjoyed every moment of it! It's not often I get to read about the lives of famous celebrities in their heyday.
Fascinating! I was glued to every story as if I was there! It was a great read! I could read this book a thousand times and still become fascinated.
Fascinating! I was glued to every story as if I was there! It was a great read! I could read this book a thousand times and still become fascinated.
January 30, 2020
Interesting, but poorly written
There was a lot of interesting stories and the author obviously really loves movies, but it is so poorly written it becomes annoying. Also, in a number of stories, the dates given for birth and death don't t gibe with what is written in the story.
There was a lot of interesting stories and the author obviously really loves movies, but it is so poorly written it becomes annoying. Also, in a number of stories, the dates given for birth and death don't t gibe with what is written in the story.
July 17, 2020
No surprises.
There's nothing new in this book but the stories of tragedy are well written and I'm certain if you've only read or heard of some of these stories it would be an engrossing and entertaining book!
There's nothing new in this book but the stories of tragedy are well written and I'm certain if you've only read or heard of some of these stories it would be an engrossing and entertaining book!
November 17, 2021
Juicy and salacious
Easy read. Hollywood gossip at its best. Entertaining and riveting. Author provides alternate scenarios where crimes committed seemingly appear. Greatly recommend.
Easy read. Hollywood gossip at its best. Entertaining and riveting. Author provides alternate scenarios where crimes committed seemingly appear. Greatly recommend.
June 3, 2024
Very Interesting!
I shouldn’t be, but was amazed at the corruption in Hollywood! It makes me not want to watch my favorite movies! The writer did a great job and I felt I could trust most of what was written..at least not be surprised.
I shouldn’t be, but was amazed at the corruption in Hollywood! It makes me not want to watch my favorite movies! The writer did a great job and I felt I could trust most of what was written..at least not be surprised.
July 5, 2018
Well written, lots of juicy gossip.
November 2, 2018
Interesting. An easy read.
August 25, 2021
What a great way to pass sometimes,real bit of mental fluff
November 11, 2022
a tongue in cheek read.
A fun read. Just don’t take it seriously. I believed about a third of it but enjoyed most of it.
A fun read. Just don’t take it seriously. I believed about a third of it but enjoyed most of it.
February 20, 2023
Hollywood bare knuckled
If you want to learn some of the workings of Hollywood this should be one of the you need to read
If you want to learn some of the workings of Hollywood this should be one of the you need to read
August 18, 2023
Loads of info
This was very interesting. A lot of information that I was not aware of. Very direct and written well. Bravo!
This was very interesting. A lot of information that I was not aware of. Very direct and written well. Bravo!
May 5, 2024
It’s basically Wikipedia.
Read
June 3, 2025A condescending book with lots of errors. Don't bother with this author
October 21, 2016
O.k. book, but too long.
This book is great for people who are interested in gossip about the stars, but it is not always the same story that you thought you knew.
This book is great for people who are interested in gossip about the stars, but it is not always the same story that you thought you knew.
May 1, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book , although there were parts that I had read in his previous book. It was more in depth in some of the backgrounds of the murders and deaths of some stars. I enjoy reading about all the stars of yesteryear a nd now. It was worth reading!
I would recommend this book and like this author and his interpretation of what a t happened so many years a go!
I would recommend this book and like this author and his interpretation of what a t happened so many years a go!
December 3, 2016
Certainly dishes the dirt
Short stories of scandal ,murder and suicide amongst Hollywood's elite and lesser known wannabes . Certainly tarnishes Tinseltown and exposes the Hollywood studios and the Moguls that organized the cover ups for their stars in order to protect their wholesome image. A must read for lovers of old Hollywood.
Short stories of scandal ,murder and suicide amongst Hollywood's elite and lesser known wannabes . Certainly tarnishes Tinseltown and exposes the Hollywood studios and the Moguls that organized the cover ups for their stars in order to protect their wholesome image. A must read for lovers of old Hollywood.
July 6, 2016
Very enjoyable read
I really enjoyed reading these bite sized bits about lots of Hollywood people. It peaked my interest in finding out more about a few stars, so I look forward to delving into more in depth bios about them.
I really enjoyed reading these bite sized bits about lots of Hollywood people. It peaked my interest in finding out more about a few stars, so I look forward to delving into more in depth bios about them.
August 16, 2016
I am not a nice person. So I adore these books that uncover the debauchery and all around bad behavior of the idols of the silver screen. As well as the producers, writers and studio owners
This book covers lots of people from the early days of Hollywood up until today.
This book covers lots of people from the early days of Hollywood up until today.
June 18, 2016
Good Read
Interesting look at the sleazy side of early Hollywood and the hold that the bosses of the studio's had over every aspect of people's lives.
Interesting look at the sleazy side of early Hollywood and the hold that the bosses of the studio's had over every aspect of people's lives.
April 17, 2017
Good Reading & interesting
Good read & interesting info would be interest in other Goths by this author. Interested fact surrounding Marilyn Monroe. Couldn't put book down.
Good read & interesting info would be interest in other Goths by this author. Interested fact surrounding Marilyn Monroe. Couldn't put book down.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews