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Get Mahoney!: A Hollywood Insider's Memoir

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It's not easy being in the public eye. There's always someone watching, waiting for you to mess up. That's where Jim Mahoney comes in. For over 40 years, he's been the go-to guy for Hollywood's elite when they need to clean up a scandal or avoid one altogether. He knows all the tricks of the trade and he's finally spilling the beans in his new book, Get Mahoney!.

From Gable to Garland, Sinatra to The Stones, Jim has helped some of the biggest names in Hollywood keep their image squeaky clean. He's seen it all and he's not afraid to share the juiciest details. Get Mahoney! is a tell-all book like no other, packed with insider knowledge and hilarious stories that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.

If you want to know what really goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood, this is the book for you. Order your copy today!

549 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2022

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About the author

Jim Mahoney

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5 stars
138 (57%)
4 stars
70 (29%)
3 stars
26 (10%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
108 reviews
February 15, 2023
I couldn't possibly care less about the subject of this book. Or so I thought! For some reason I decided to read all about how someone did public relations for movie stars, wanna-be stars and companies large and small. It starts from the 1940s Hollywood studios and takes you into the 21st century. This is a book that will pull you in and immerse you in a world you probably had no idea even existed. Full disclosure: I am 76 years old. The references Mahoney makes throughout his wonderful memoir will probably be utterly lost to millennials and other people who have no recall or care about Hollywood's history. But for those of us who do care and do remember (at least via our parents), this is a public relations genius telling the tale of what it was like to "handle" movie stars, studios, networks and corporations. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you think you knew a thing or two about Frank Sinatra, Lee Marvin, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, MGM or any of the other stars of our entertainment universe, you have NO IDEA! Jim Mahoney tells all. And it is the truth. And it is an exhilerating read penned by a guy you really want to know. Thank you, Jim.
40 reviews
March 14, 2024
What a pleasant surprise. If you're looking for what happens behind the scenes of deal-making, muck raking and a constant barrage of PR cleanup this is your book. You can be fooled into thinking this is just about Mahoney's relationship with Sinatra but it goes way beyond that to his many, many relationships both personal and professional with the entertainment crowd. As revealing as this memior is I couldn't help but wonder about the book and dirty dealings Mahoney never wrote about. A very satisfying read.
Profile Image for Ciricola.
8 reviews
October 27, 2023
An enjoyable 'trip' back in time

This book is a great collection of reflections on movie stars and other celebrities that the author was personally involved with. The author was a well known publicist before his retirement.

It was enjoyable to be reminded of celebrities and incidents of the not too distant past. I enjoyed the author's (occasional) candid opinions; as well as learning about certain details that only an insider could provide.
Profile Image for Joyce.
9 reviews
April 18, 2025
Interesting tidbits.

I liked the interesting tidbits on old Hollywood. The pace could have been a bit faster, but then again, nah. It's a busy time for me so the pace of the book worked well with being able to pick it up and put it down. Mahoney was an artist in his craft and probably not as appreciated as much as he should have been!
450 reviews
June 19, 2025
The most interesting part of this book is the early section regarding his career with MGM.As for the rest there is far too much about Sinatra.There is a lot of ego polishing,which you would expect from a OR man.It is notable that most of the subject of his anecdotes are somewhere beyond where they can sue.
3 reviews
September 6, 2023
Loved this book

I could not put this book down. Such a great piece on the entertainment business and a peep into what’s real or not on celebrity’s lives. Who knew what magic a PR person tried to perform daily in the lives if their clients. Great read
61 reviews
December 2, 2024
This book was FASCINATING. So much inside information on old Hollywood that it was a struggle to put down. He also held no punches on good and bad behavior and the approach to dealing with it all. Will likely re read again in the future
16 reviews
April 18, 2025
A very de ASSAgood read

I don't recall why I chose to purchase this book but I'm glad I did. Lots of juicy tidbits of people from my era. I'm 81. Now, most of them are gone. I highly recommend this book.
20 reviews
April 3, 2024
Loved this book, but also for many personal reasons. And if you are a (talent) PR person, a must!
983 reviews9 followers
April 17, 2025
A marvelous telling of the clients Jim Maoney had For instance, Frank Sinatra, George C Scott, Lee Marvin etc. He pulled no punches
Great read
Profile Image for William Dury.
775 reviews5 followers
October 6, 2023
Likely too obscure for the general reader, irresistible for the film historian. Mahoney began his career by selling cokes (cokes, not coke. Jesus) and snacks to the cast and crew of “Gone With The Wind” as they filmed the burning of Atlanta down the street from his childhood home in Culver City. His dad, a house painter, somehow wrangled him the job as Clark Gable’s publicist (thru the local priest? I guess LA was smaller back then), so young Mahoney became a salaried employee at MGM. He rose continually through the business until his firing by Frank Sinatra, years later (80’s? 90’s?) for obscure reasons. A power play by Sinatra’s lawyer, I think. He was fired by golfing buddy Jim Garner for sending his wife (Garner’s) the wrong color shoes in Paris. At least he knew the reason. Didn’t matter, Mahoney was too entrenched to kill. Wonderful stories about Jack Lemmon’s wife Felicia and another with the oddball pairing of The Rolling Stones and Johnny Carson, and Lee Marvin is actually crazier than you think. The baloney detector flashes occasionally, but you can’t have a good story without the fine sauce of embellishment. The celebrities are of too distant an era for younger readers (or even middle aged ones) but it’s a wonderful rendering of a world now gone with the wind.
1 review
December 9, 2023
What a fun read! Lots of unheard stories about the stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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