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Australia's Sweetheart: The amazing story of forgotten Hollywood star Mary Maguire
This is the fascinating story of Mary Maguire, a 1930s Australian ingenue who sailed for Hollywood and a fabulous life, only to have her career cut short by scandal and tragedy. Packed with celebrity, history and gossip, AUSTRALIA'S SWEETHEART is perfect for readers of SHEILA and THE RIVIERA SET.Mary Maguire was Australia's first teenage movie star and she captivated Hollywood in the mid 1930s. Mary lived on three continents and was celebrated in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Los Angeles and London. Her life was lived in parallel with seminal incidents of the twentieth the Spanish Flu; the Great Depression; the Bodyline series; Australia's early radio, talkies and aviation; Hollywood's Golden Era; the British aristocracy's embrace of European fascism; London's Blitz; and post-war American culture and politics. Mary knew everyone, from Douglas Jardine, Don Bradman, Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan, to William Randolph Hearst, Maureen O'Sullivan, Judy Garland and Queen Elizabeth II.AUSTRALIA'S SWEETHEART in an irresistible never-before-told story that captures the glamour of Hollywood and the turbulent times of the twentieth century, with a young woman at its centre. If you loved THE AMAZING MRS LIVESEY, Robert Wainwright's SHEILA and MISS MURIEL MATTERS, you will adore AUSTRALIA'S SWEETHEART.
- GenresBiographyFilmNonfiction
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 7, 2019
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3.5 stars
I suspect it would test many Australians today if we asked the question, who was Mary Maguire? I’m not sure many would be able to provide an answer. This is why author and journalist Michael Adams, who has passion for the subject of cinema history, has brought to life the tale of Mary Maguire, one of Australia’s first expats to crack Hollywood. Australia’s Sweetheart is a tribute to and a life re-imagined of this forgotten heroine of the silver screen.
Christened as Helene Teresa Maguire, but best known as Mary Maguire, or ‘Australia’s Sweetheart’ for the purposes of this book, Mary is perhaps our country’s first official female star to hit it big in Hollywood. Mary’s began her career treading the boards on a stage pantomime production of Peter Pan, but she soon became involved in the “talkies” or motion pictures. She carved a career for herself by starring in two film productions on local soil before embarking for the bright lights of Hollywood. In Hollywood and later Britain, Mary rubbed shoulders with the many well known movie stars of the 1930s and other renowned celebrities of this glamorous era. Through it all, Mary looked on as many world events unfurled around her, including the Spanish Flu epidemic and the storms of war. She negotiated a tough first marriage with husband who was imprisoned for his political affiliations and she suffered the loss of her infant son. She was the subject of intense media scrutiny and publicity. She watched her brief Hollywood star rise and fall. A short lived career revival occurred for Mary, but it was fleeting and she retreated to a quiet life, but she never came back home to the place of her birth and upbringing.
Hidden history non fiction titles always fascinate me. I was keen to delve into the secret life of Mary Maguire, a Hollywood star from yesteryear that I had no prior knowledge of until I read Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams. I can’t say I’ve really sat back and thought about who paved the way for some of our most successful Australian film and celebrity exports. But Michael Adams gets us thinking about our successful celebrities of times past. It is their time to shine, thanks to this very enlightening biography.
Michael Adams appears to be the best figure to delve into the history of one of our first official movie stars that managed to crack the illusive Hollywood market. With a career as an author, journalist, TV producer, screenwriter accompanying his vast knowledge of film, has definitely put Adams in good standing for reviving the life of Mary Maguire, a screen star many of us would not know existed. Adams admits to taking some liberties with his book, Australia’s Sweetheart, with a lack of firsthand diaries and letters, this book is a work of creative non fiction. Adams has had to fill in the gaps so to speak, drawing on archival research, along with recollections from relatives and some interviews. What emerges is an inferred history, which is fascinating but lengthy. It took this speed reader a good part of the working week to work through this book.
Beginning with Mary’s childhood, upbringing, family background and early life living in Australia, we begin to form a picture of a young woman who was bitten by the Hollywood bug early in her life. We are privy to some of Mary’s first acting and stage work. We also learn a lot about the casting process and what it would have been like to work as an actress, especially a teenage actress on a major motion pictures back in the 1930s. Mary was a woman with ambitions and it wasn’t too long before, with the urging of her mother behind her, Mary set sail for Hollywood. Adams re-imagines Mary’s emergence into the epicentre of motion pictures. We discover what life was like for an aspiring actress, especially an actress so far from home. Mary was homesick at times, but her desire to succeed overtook this. Adams reveals Mary’s breakthrough in the world of film, along with who she encountered by the way of fellow actors, actresses, producers, directors and studio heads. This is old Hollywood at it epitome.
Mary’s star was fast to rise, but it seemed to dwindle out as quickly as it ignited. This was due to a number of factors which Adams is careful in drawing our attention to through his book. We know that female movie stars did not generally have long careers in Hollywood. They were plagued by intense scrutiny on their private lives, looks and weight. When Mary married her first husband, she made an ill choice and this decision rocked her career. Mary’s husband was a fascist and he was imprisoned for his actions and beliefs. Sadly, he was in prison when their son was born and later died. It was an event that would haunt Mary for her entire life. Once she separated from her first husband and remarried, Mary attempted to revive her faltering career. Small successes ensued but she retreated for a quiet life. Mary’s internal struggles remained until her death.
The most interesting aspect of Australia’s Sweetheart is the backdrop that is painted and matched against Mary’s colourful life. We watch on as Michael Adams describes the social and political climate of the 1930s era and the years after. We are standing right there as an onlooker as the Spanish Flu passes, the world welcomes advances to technology such as the emergence of more sophisticated air transport, the revolution in the film industry and the rise of political ideals such as fascism with the advent of war. Adams looks at these pivotal world history events within the context of Australia, the United States and Britain, which is where Mary resided at various points of her life. I came to look forward to the name dropping that occurred in this book, from Ronald Reagan to Errol Flynn, British royalty and more.
Australia’s Sweetheart is divided into four parts, segmented by Mary’s time in each continent, starting with Part One in Australia and concluding with the fascinating last section, Part Four on the Marrying Maguires (her sisters). An Afterword, Sources, Select Bibliography, Acknowledgements and Index rounds off Australia’s Sweetheart.
If you have ever felt fascinated by the origins of Hollywood and the megastars that helped bring the industry to what it is today, Australia’s Sweetheart is definitely a book to turn to. Fascinating and exuding old classic glamour of yesteryear, let Australia’s Sweetheart immerse you in a world of scandal, fame and tragedy.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
3.5 stars
I suspect it would test many Australians today if we asked the question, who was Mary Maguire? I’m not sure many would be able to provide an answer. This is why author and journalist Michael Adams, who has passion for the subject of cinema history, has brought to life the tale of Mary Maguire, one of Australia’s first expats to crack Hollywood. Australia’s Sweetheart is a tribute to and a life re-imagined of this forgotten heroine of the silver screen.
Christened as Helene Teresa Maguire, but best known as Mary Maguire, or ‘Australia’s Sweetheart’ for the purposes of this book, Mary is perhaps our country’s first official female star to hit it big in Hollywood. Mary’s began her career treading the boards on a stage pantomime production of Peter Pan, but she soon became involved in the “talkies” or motion pictures. She carved a career for herself by starring in two film productions on local soil before embarking for the bright lights of Hollywood. In Hollywood and later Britain, Mary rubbed shoulders with the many well known movie stars of the 1930s and other renowned celebrities of this glamorous era. Through it all, Mary looked on as many world events unfurled around her, including the Spanish Flu epidemic and the storms of war. She negotiated a tough first marriage with husband who was imprisoned for his political affiliations and she suffered the loss of her infant son. She was the subject of intense media scrutiny and publicity. She watched her brief Hollywood star rise and fall. A short lived career revival occurred for Mary, but it was fleeting and she retreated to a quiet life, but she never came back home to the place of her birth and upbringing.
Hidden history non fiction titles always fascinate me. I was keen to delve into the secret life of Mary Maguire, a Hollywood star from yesteryear that I had no prior knowledge of until I read Australia’s Sweetheart by Michael Adams. I can’t say I’ve really sat back and thought about who paved the way for some of our most successful Australian film and celebrity exports. But Michael Adams gets us thinking about our successful celebrities of times past. It is their time to shine, thanks to this very enlightening biography.
Michael Adams appears to be the best figure to delve into the history of one of our first official movie stars that managed to crack the illusive Hollywood market. With a career as an author, journalist, TV producer, screenwriter accompanying his vast knowledge of film, has definitely put Adams in good standing for reviving the life of Mary Maguire, a screen star many of us would not know existed. Adams admits to taking some liberties with his book, Australia’s Sweetheart, with a lack of firsthand diaries and letters, this book is a work of creative non fiction. Adams has had to fill in the gaps so to speak, drawing on archival research, along with recollections from relatives and some interviews. What emerges is an inferred history, which is fascinating but lengthy. It took this speed reader a good part of the working week to work through this book.
Beginning with Mary’s childhood, upbringing, family background and early life living in Australia, we begin to form a picture of a young woman who was bitten by the Hollywood bug early in her life. We are privy to some of Mary’s first acting and stage work. We also learn a lot about the casting process and what it would have been like to work as an actress, especially a teenage actress on a major motion pictures back in the 1930s. Mary was a woman with ambitions and it wasn’t too long before, with the urging of her mother behind her, Mary set sail for Hollywood. Adams re-imagines Mary’s emergence into the epicentre of motion pictures. We discover what life was like for an aspiring actress, especially an actress so far from home. Mary was homesick at times, but her desire to succeed overtook this. Adams reveals Mary’s breakthrough in the world of film, along with who she encountered by the way of fellow actors, actresses, producers, directors and studio heads. This is old Hollywood at it epitome.
Mary’s star was fast to rise, but it seemed to dwindle out as quickly as it ignited. This was due to a number of factors which Adams is careful in drawing our attention to through his book. We know that female movie stars did not generally have long careers in Hollywood. They were plagued by intense scrutiny on their private lives, looks and weight. When Mary married her first husband, she made an ill choice and this decision rocked her career. Mary’s husband was a fascist and he was imprisoned for his actions and beliefs. Sadly, he was in prison when their son was born and later died. It was an event that would haunt Mary for her entire life. Once she separated from her first husband and remarried, Mary attempted to revive her faltering career. Small successes ensued but she retreated for a quiet life. Mary’s internal struggles remained until her death.
The most interesting aspect of Australia’s Sweetheart is the backdrop that is painted and matched against Mary’s colourful life. We watch on as Michael Adams describes the social and political climate of the 1930s era and the years after. We are standing right there as an onlooker as the Spanish Flu passes, the world welcomes advances to technology such as the emergence of more sophisticated air transport, the revolution in the film industry and the rise of political ideals such as fascism with the advent of war. Adams looks at these pivotal world history events within the context of Australia, the United States and Britain, which is where Mary resided at various points of her life. I came to look forward to the name dropping that occurred in this book, from Ronald Reagan to Errol Flynn, British royalty and more.
Australia’s Sweetheart is divided into four parts, segmented by Mary’s time in each continent, starting with Part One in Australia and concluding with the fascinating last section, Part Four on the Marrying Maguires (her sisters). An Afterword, Sources, Select Bibliography, Acknowledgements and Index rounds off Australia’s Sweetheart.
If you have ever felt fascinated by the origins of Hollywood and the megastars that helped bring the industry to what it is today, Australia’s Sweetheart is definitely a book to turn to. Fascinating and exuding old classic glamour of yesteryear, let Australia’s Sweetheart immerse you in a world of scandal, fame and tragedy.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
March 20, 2020
An interesting and informative work of ‘creative non-fiction’ (according to the author, Michael Adams) about the ambitious, social-climbing (and now hidden from history) Irish-Australian Maguire family. Helene-Therese (later Peggy, then Mary) enjoyed a brief flurry of stardom in Australia, before leaving for Hollywood in 1936, aged 17 and the book traces her uneven and, at times, tragic life until her death in 1974.
At its best, ‘Australia’s Sweetheart’ is a fascinating slice of social history and Adams’s light, gossipy style suits the book well. At times,the endless name-dropping is unnecessary and you wish that the author would provide some in-text sources for his material - but these are academic quibbles in an otherwise very readable and entertaining piece of well-researched investigative journalism.
At its best, ‘Australia’s Sweetheart’ is a fascinating slice of social history and Adams’s light, gossipy style suits the book well. At times,the endless name-dropping is unnecessary and you wish that the author would provide some in-text sources for his material - but these are academic quibbles in an otherwise very readable and entertaining piece of well-researched investigative journalism.
October 3, 2024
A fascinating story - even without the movie star dreams. A dark, cautionary tale about
what happened to a beautiful girl who wanted to be a movie star and whose parents
both were determined to make it happen - for their own glory as well. While Bina
and Mick both came from impoverished backgrounds they were driven - Bina
especially was fiercely determined to make sure that her children moved in only the
best circles.
When Mary and her father travelled to Hollywood (after Mary had made a splash in
Australian cinema) they sailed on the Mariposa which was described as a floating palace
and the fares were around $24,000 in today's money. So even though
Mary managed to secure a Warner's contract (with the influence of Miles Mander) within
weeks of arriving, I don't feel she had the drive to succeed that so many stars from
impoverished backgrounds had. The studio wanted to get her out and about - attending
premieres, being seen at night clubs and I think socializing won the day.
The author mentioned that because of a working visa bungle (Mary's father hadn't
thought it important enough to get the necessary papers back in Australia) when
it finally came through she had already lost the important ingenue role in "Kid
Galahad" to Jane Bryan and the writing was on the wall. Even though Bryan wasn't
driven (she left films in 1940 for marriage) she had caught the eye of Bette Davis
who became a mentor and saw she was able to garner some nice ingenue parts.
Also reviews, while commenting on Mary's breath-taking beauty, all seemed to agree
that she needed to sharpen her acting skills. With burning the candle at both ends came
mystery illness (later diagnosed as T.B.), a breakdown as well as on the set accidents -
and it became clear that while Warners had initially high hopes for her, the many
illnesses pegged her as unreliable and after 10 movies her career was over.
The author felt that the visa problem was at the root of Mary's career failure - I think
it was her marriage to a man who was a fascist and virulent anti-semite. She'd been
in London, under contract to Fox and I think making better pictures than she had been
given in Hollywood when she was introduced to him by her friend Miles Mander. She
mentioned he swept her off her feet - seeing photos of him, I can't understand it but
anyway.... Even though she often commented that her husband's views were not her own,
it's pretty hard to understand how she could not have held some of those views - and I
don't think she could have ever returned to Hollywood even when divorced!!
The very sad thing I thought was how alone she must have felt in the last decades - she
remarried but both she and her husband became hopeless alcoholics. I feel so sad that
she didn't have the support of any of her family when she had made all the wealth they
enjoyed possible.
what happened to a beautiful girl who wanted to be a movie star and whose parents
both were determined to make it happen - for their own glory as well. While Bina
and Mick both came from impoverished backgrounds they were driven - Bina
especially was fiercely determined to make sure that her children moved in only the
best circles.
When Mary and her father travelled to Hollywood (after Mary had made a splash in
Australian cinema) they sailed on the Mariposa which was described as a floating palace
and the fares were around $24,000 in today's money. So even though
Mary managed to secure a Warner's contract (with the influence of Miles Mander) within
weeks of arriving, I don't feel she had the drive to succeed that so many stars from
impoverished backgrounds had. The studio wanted to get her out and about - attending
premieres, being seen at night clubs and I think socializing won the day.
The author mentioned that because of a working visa bungle (Mary's father hadn't
thought it important enough to get the necessary papers back in Australia) when
it finally came through she had already lost the important ingenue role in "Kid
Galahad" to Jane Bryan and the writing was on the wall. Even though Bryan wasn't
driven (she left films in 1940 for marriage) she had caught the eye of Bette Davis
who became a mentor and saw she was able to garner some nice ingenue parts.
Also reviews, while commenting on Mary's breath-taking beauty, all seemed to agree
that she needed to sharpen her acting skills. With burning the candle at both ends came
mystery illness (later diagnosed as T.B.), a breakdown as well as on the set accidents -
and it became clear that while Warners had initially high hopes for her, the many
illnesses pegged her as unreliable and after 10 movies her career was over.
The author felt that the visa problem was at the root of Mary's career failure - I think
it was her marriage to a man who was a fascist and virulent anti-semite. She'd been
in London, under contract to Fox and I think making better pictures than she had been
given in Hollywood when she was introduced to him by her friend Miles Mander. She
mentioned he swept her off her feet - seeing photos of him, I can't understand it but
anyway.... Even though she often commented that her husband's views were not her own,
it's pretty hard to understand how she could not have held some of those views - and I
don't think she could have ever returned to Hollywood even when divorced!!
The very sad thing I thought was how alone she must have felt in the last decades - she
remarried but both she and her husband became hopeless alcoholics. I feel so sad that
she didn't have the support of any of her family when she had made all the wealth they
enjoyed possible.
October 16, 2020
Totally engrossing. I'd never heard of Mary Maguire but her story makes for an interesting read in this well written book
February 3, 2020
I read this book months ago and really enjoyed it. I had never heard of Mary Maguire and she had an interesting life to say the least. One of 5 beautiful sisters known as the 'marrying maguires' There are illustrations throughout the book. Interesting point, the father Mick was one of the youngest players to play vfl/afl at 15 years and 328 days, he played for Richmond football club. Would recommend as a light read set from the early 20th century
May 12, 2022
I am currently obsessed with Mr Adams’s podcasts and was quite surprised that our local library even had this book.
Just like his other work, this is thoroughly researched and very well written. I could even hear his voice as I read it.
Australia needs to become more aware of all aspects of our history. I do hope there’s a few souls who still remember this bright star.
Just like his other work, this is thoroughly researched and very well written. I could even hear his voice as I read it.
Australia needs to become more aware of all aspects of our history. I do hope there’s a few souls who still remember this bright star.
August 19, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I had not heard of this lady at all and her story was fascinating.
July 5, 2024
I am just a little in love with the Hollywood golden years.
THE GLITZ✨! THE GLAMOUR🤭! THE MARRIAGES😲! THE FASHION👗! THE AWARD SHOWS🙌!
But thats just me getting off track. Previously on my extended deep dive into Autobiograpies of forgotten Hollywood Icons (yes that was with a capital because, ICONS 🤭❤️🙌✨✨), I have read Ava Gardners one, Esther Willaims gorgeously written memoir, but when i found this book at an op shop, i knew i must venture to a relm of forgotten Hollywood Stars i'd never entered.
That of a fallen star.
Mary Maguires story was so beautifully written, i felt as though i was there, entering the glitz and promise of Hollywood in the 30s. But no, i am a girl reading at 1 am. Alas.
Her fall from grace was wonderfully written, showing many sad dives, and frequent attempts to resurrect herself.
At the end, i had a new love for The Truly Forgotten Hollywood Star, Mary Magurie.
THE GLITZ✨! THE GLAMOUR🤭! THE MARRIAGES😲! THE FASHION👗! THE AWARD SHOWS🙌!
But thats just me getting off track. Previously on my extended deep dive into Autobiograpies of forgotten Hollywood Icons (yes that was with a capital because, ICONS 🤭❤️🙌✨✨), I have read Ava Gardners one, Esther Willaims gorgeously written memoir, but when i found this book at an op shop, i knew i must venture to a relm of forgotten Hollywood Stars i'd never entered.
That of a fallen star.
Mary Maguires story was so beautifully written, i felt as though i was there, entering the glitz and promise of Hollywood in the 30s. But no, i am a girl reading at 1 am. Alas.
Her fall from grace was wonderfully written, showing many sad dives, and frequent attempts to resurrect herself.
At the end, i had a new love for The Truly Forgotten Hollywood Star, Mary Magurie.
September 20, 2019
- thanks to @hachetteaus for sending a copy my way ❤️
Even though I had never heard about Mary Maguire before this book, I was really looking forward to get to know more about the life of a young Australian lady with a big dream: becoming a Hollywood star.
I think this is my first time ever reading a biography so I honestly didn't know what to expect. Exploring a new genre is always a bit tricky, specially for me when I am always reading fiction, however, I had a pleasant surprise reading about Mary’s life. It did take me a while to get used to the format of the biography - no dialog at all so the book felt dense at times and it took me almost a week to finish it, even though I was reading it daily. I think I had to take several breaks because I couldn't process all the information, the dates, facts and names of people I've never heard before.
.
This biography was by far, one of the most unique books I've read. Apart from struggling with the density of the writing, I found myself enjoying it a lot. Mary was the average Melbourne teenager that in the ‘20s wanted to become a Hollywood star. Slowly and after a lot of hard work, her dreams started to became reality and probably she got to where she wanted to be. Although I can't say Mary's story is a happy one, it was also enjoyable to read how money, fame, contacts and extravagance do not guarantee happiness or health! I feel I've learned so much about what was going on in a kind of parallel world during the Second World War, where people was dying around the world when others where worried about the next movie to hit the theatres. It was enjoyable to get to know more about a very tough and difficult time for humanity.
Overall I enjoyed my time getting to know Mary, especially that fighter side of her. She went against the odds and she made it anyway, proving everyone that no matter who you are or where you’re from, our possibilities are limitless.
Even though I had never heard about Mary Maguire before this book, I was really looking forward to get to know more about the life of a young Australian lady with a big dream: becoming a Hollywood star.
I think this is my first time ever reading a biography so I honestly didn't know what to expect. Exploring a new genre is always a bit tricky, specially for me when I am always reading fiction, however, I had a pleasant surprise reading about Mary’s life. It did take me a while to get used to the format of the biography - no dialog at all so the book felt dense at times and it took me almost a week to finish it, even though I was reading it daily. I think I had to take several breaks because I couldn't process all the information, the dates, facts and names of people I've never heard before.
.
This biography was by far, one of the most unique books I've read. Apart from struggling with the density of the writing, I found myself enjoying it a lot. Mary was the average Melbourne teenager that in the ‘20s wanted to become a Hollywood star. Slowly and after a lot of hard work, her dreams started to became reality and probably she got to where she wanted to be. Although I can't say Mary's story is a happy one, it was also enjoyable to read how money, fame, contacts and extravagance do not guarantee happiness or health! I feel I've learned so much about what was going on in a kind of parallel world during the Second World War, where people was dying around the world when others where worried about the next movie to hit the theatres. It was enjoyable to get to know more about a very tough and difficult time for humanity.
Overall I enjoyed my time getting to know Mary, especially that fighter side of her. She went against the odds and she made it anyway, proving everyone that no matter who you are or where you’re from, our possibilities are limitless.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews