Legends and Lipstick: My Scandalous Stories of Hollywood's Golden Era

by Nancy Bacon, Staci Layne Wilson (Editor)

Nancy Bacon, gossip columnist and editor of Confidential magazine tells her inside account from her humble beginnings as one of nine children growing up on a farm in Washington State, and what happened after all the fun and games in Hollywood were over – she went through divorce, depression, and a botched radical double-mastectomy… and she overcame it all.

Her life is one of stunning extremes. The author tells her whole story of what it was like to have love affairs with the likes of Paul Newman, Errol Flynn, Tommy Smothers, Rod Taylor, Vince Edwards, and Hugh O’Brian, plus exciting friendships with the Rat Pack, Judy Garland, Bobby Kennedy, Jay Sebring, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, and Marilyn Monroe (to name only a few!).

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2017

Reviews

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book--at first I was anticipating a light, fluffy tale about the rich, the famous, and those who use and abuse them. There is a lot of that, but Legends and Lipstick is--at its heart--a tragic cautionary tale that manages to end on a triumphant, inspiring note of a survivor.

As a pin-up model, entertainment journalist, and wife of Ventures front man Don Wilson, Bacon met and befriended some of Hollywood's greatest stars, including Judy Garland, Liz Taylor, Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe, and Paul Newman, with whom she had an infamous affair. Rather than paint a glamorous picture of their enviable lives, Bacon tells it like it is, and the result is heartbreaking--her portrait of a sad, lonely, childlike Monroe made me cry.

This memoir stirred up many emotions in me. I was furious at all the men who felt they could grab a random young woman and do whatever they want to her just because they were famous. I was sickened by the twisted machinery of Hollywood that chewed up and spit out child stars like Garland. And I cringed in sympathy at Bacon's struggles with a horrific series of breast cancer surgeries and her resulting alcoholism.

Even though Bacon isn't sure why she was driven to write this memoir, I'm glad she did. It's an indelible, colourful record of the "golden days" of Hollywood, and a poignant reminder that the stars we worship are real people with all-too-real struggles. All that glitters is definitely not gold.

Powerful.

[Jim Dooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not generally a fan of the “tell all” Hollywood gossip books. It’s not that I don’t enjoy a good gossipy story about famous people. The problem tends to be that they are poorly written with many crude remarks included because the writer has an axe to grind. This one suffers from poor proofreading and typesetting errors.

Refreshingly, the writer is not out for revenge. Her book is filled with accounts of unrestrained sex and drugs in Hollywood ... and she really enjoyed herself until the fast life caught up with her. If the Reader sees the names Rod Taylor, Tommy Smothers and Paul Newman only to think, “Who?” then these revelations and many like them won’t have much of a kick.

The other issue is passing along second-hand and third-hand information. For instance, she relates some instances of visiting with Marilyn Monroe. Does that give her an inside track on what happened during the last night of Marilyn’s life? Not really. So, some observations need to be taken with a grain of salt.

There are some excellent insights, though, and I found those to be a reason for a recommendation. She talks about the impact of the Manson killings on the Hollywood royalty. She holds nothing back in describing her battle with cancer. Most chilling of all is a powerful segment on experiencing alcohol addiction, and the horrendous toll it took on her and those around her. That section alone would have merited a recommendation.

Hollywood abounded with the rich and beautiful who often caught a break and found themselves with an exalted sense of fame and importance. Some merited the adulation ... and the writer does point out those who she believes were the true royalty. Others drifted along living hedonistic lives until chance or fate stepped in and reversed fortunes. The writer doesn’t spend much time condemning, but there were some stories that had me shaking my head.

Regardless of why you’re reading this, you won’t be bored ... although you probably won’t always feel good about it, either.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contains some interesting material, but it's odd how the author will provide every excruciating, embarrassing detail about a person in her life (and name them), then follow it with, "the son of a famous star, himself a musician, was necking with the son of a famous actress." I have to assume that the amount of slime depends on if the person being discussed is alive or dead.

[wrkatreading · Rating 1 out of 5]

utter trash

I had to stop at 69%. This person wrote a book telling of all her liaisons with stars married or not and the sordid details of sleeping with them. The woman who wrote the forward thanks her for her open and honest telling of her free and easy ways. That’s all fine and dandy but Nancy Bacon whored herself out for opportunities to meet rich and famous people. After I read about her affair with Paul Newman I had to stop. I stopped out of respect for his wife and mother of his children.
Reminds of rock star groupies

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Name dropping fascinating book

I thought that this book was good. Ms Bacon lead a very star filled and sexually drenched life. Lots of stars entered her path.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about a flash in the pan one time pinup girl who seems to have her only claim to fame is that she was easy and slept with lots of celebrity actors. Not only was this book written with lots of clichés and tawdry get-togethers, but the author says she has no regrets. Well this book should be at the top of her list for regrets. I know in this day and age of women being sexually independent and boosting your insecurity by sleeping with as many people as you want to and shouldn’t be judged for that. Since we don’t live in Utopia I will say I do judge those who give away such intimate moments at the drop of a hat in with anyone they deem worthy. This includes Nancy bacon. Although I have heard of many of the people she claims to have slept with, I have never heard of her and I am a big fan and read a lot of books of the golden era of Hollywood. I know the gossip columnist have a hopper… I know Lauren the lake… I have never heard of Nancy bacon until this book. Let’s keep in mind everyone she says she has slept with is dead and can’t deny or confirm her allegations. Not to mention they should be tall as a warning tail for those who want to hit the Hollywood and become famous. She says she really wanted to be an artist at Walt Disney, but only mention this in passing never when she leaves her hometown not while she’s working at the movie theater only as a footnote. If you read the book it will seem like she went to Hollywood to sleep with as many people as she could… Mission accomplished. The only sad thing I read was that when she ran away to go to Hollywood she was still in a training bra… So why11, 12? That is so so sad and this book is written so badly.

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

For most of the book, she discussed in detail her romantic and sexual encounters with lots of celebrities in the 60’s and 70’s. She also wrote about her alcoholism and double mastectomy. In addition, she was a pinup model, starred in some movies, and was a writer.

I will say that I enjoyed the autobiography by her daughter, Staci Layne Wilson, much better.

[K B]

Had to read sooner or later for the Paul Newman dish, little did I know how juicy the memoir would be on the whole. Unfortunately, it’s only enjoyable to a point— I’m not sure I needed this much information about Jay Sebring’s sexual predilections, for example. Surprise, everyone was gross in one way or another!

[Hope Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirt on old Hollywood

I like to read about the old Hollywood. It seems crazy to think that it was more tame than present day. It wasn't. It's interesting to read someones memories of when they were young. Their perspective of things that happened during their youth.

[Julie L. Franke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tales

Liked the book but I'm always fascinated when people are so stoned or high and can recall so many details so specifically. But enjoyed the old Hollywood stories and accounts.

[Ginger Garneau · Rating 2 out of 5]

OVERWHELMINGLY SAD

This book was difficult to get through. Written by a hedonistic alcoholic proud of her sexcapades with everyone and anyone. I skimmed through most of it. It left me feeling very sad for a life so completely wasted.

[Randolph Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Bacon Had a Hell of a Life

It was eye opening to find out that stars like Paul Newman were heavy drinkers and unabashed womanizers. Nancy Bacon had a very wild early life and later on she was a Breast Cancer Survivor. Besides surviving Cancer, she also conquered Alcoholism.

[Andie Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely could have used a better editor, but aside from that it's an entertaining read. Lots of fun stories about old Hollywood actors that Bacon counted as friends and paramours. Good for what it is.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun look into the glamorous life

She isn't afraid to say it like it is, no sugar coating. If you love old Holliday stories this is your book

[Tony Puglielli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...

A period gossip book. Some interesting tales, but all in all not my cup of tea. Glad it was a freebie.

[Philippe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing at times but not much is believable. I think she had a hard time making relationships.

[G Keith Talley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read! Hated it to end!

[Monique Farah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yessssss. If you love old Hollywood this woman gives you so much. Very personal and so well written.

[Ann Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting life

I'd not heard of this lady before this book but what a life she led. Never one to clinch about the ups & downs , it's an always entertaining read

[Sony Wilson]

okay...interesting...