Hollywood: Did You Know?

by Alan Royle

Welcome to this my tenth book. ‘ Did You Know?’ is a collection of tidbits of information about the content or making of around 400 movies, ranging from the earliest days of the silent era to the present time. I have utilised anecdotes and comments from scores of biographies (authorised and unauthorised), as well as Internet sources, magazine articles, interviews and TV appearances. If, like me, you are fascinated by the world of movies, particularly the days of the studio system, I think you shall find more than enough items here to satisfy your curiosity. I am currently researching a second volume along similar lines. For elderly readers I should point out that there is a considerable amount of ‘bad language’ herein, simply because I quote actors and actresses verbatim. For many of them (even the so-called ‘greats’), peppering their reminiscences with expletives is commonplace. I make no apology for this, however, for I think it is important to present these individuals as they really were, minus the studio hype that tended to elevate them to the status of flawless gods and godesses. Very few lived up to their glowing reputations, I’m afraid. Having said that, I believe that the temptations ever present for these men and women who were suddenly faced with enormous wealth and universal adoration, would test the resolve of most of us, saints and all. And saints have always been few and far between in Tinsel Town. When I published my first book (Hollywood Warts ‘n’ All Volume 1) in 2005, I was accused of ‘muck-raking’, of tarnishing the reputations of deceased stars who could no longer defend themselves. I still get the occasional brickbat along those lines even today, but times have changed. Over the past 20 years or so, hundreds of books have been published about the ‘good old days’ of the studio system; not only stars’ biographies, but accounts from a diverse range of previously unheard from sources. Maids, bodyguards, chauffeurs, secretaries, bell-hops, agents, family members and acquaintances of the rich and famous etc, now put their memories into print, confirming much of what I have been writing about for almost a decade and a half. Of course, there are still those who rail against anyone who deigns to question the ‘snow-jobs’ churned out by studio publicity departments down the decades; the standard complaint being the usual one – the dead cannot defend themselves. Well, there have been more books written about Napoleon Bonaparte and Hitler than most anyone else, yet no-one complains of either man being unable to defend himself. So, again I make no apolgies for anything included in this publication, unless the reader comes across an unforseen error I may have accidentally overlooked, in which case I apologise unreservedly.

Genres: Nonfiction

462 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2018

Reviews

[Carole Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Homophobic

I could not truly enjoy the book as the constant "outing" of so called gays was quite distracting. Sorry, not nice.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Interesting Volume of Hollywood Facts

This is a brilliant read if you like Hollywood tales and stream of consciousness narration. It is a very well researched book with many other sources listed for further data of Hollywood ranging from the early talkies to a few years ago. This is told in an easy to read style with loads of little stories about the moors and the stars that make them.😊

[Michael Benfer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too intense for most!

An interesting blue book of sex and mayhem. Foul language and low morals throughout. Keep your fantasies of Hollywood stars by not opening this book. Read it if you think early stars were mostly fakes created by the star system of the day.

[Greg Howell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Conjecture fused with poor taste.

Often more interested in proclaiming misguided film critics, the author's research is questionable. Very disappointing review of Hollywood film history and their stars.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a great book or even a good book. It is like a long version of the old national enquirer. We are given rumor, innuendo and little facts about the late great stars of Hollywood.

That being said as a gossip fiend I love it

Adult themes and situations.

[krys mulgrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gossipy

Enjoyed this, snippets of scandal, some not surprises, read about them before, but quite a lot I hadn't heard of, lots going on in La - La land!

[ఇReadHead · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.. Had some interesting stories.. Had a few conflicting stories compared to Biographies & other written peices about certain people & events.. A fun read..

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, entertainment news of the past.