Golden Age of Hollywood Book Club discussion

Welcome to the group! Feel free to introduce yourself here!

My name is Jamie. I love old movies, fashion, history and old books. I feel like this group encompasses all my favorite things! I have two other groups, The 1700-1939 Book Club! and Fashion Book Lovers!. I hope everyone enjoys this group!

The 1700-1939 Book Club!:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Fashion Book Lovers!:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

What a great idea for a book club! I absolutely love old Hollywood. I have ever since I was a kid. Since I have always been a big reader I naturally read whatever books that I could get my hands on that were related to old movies and/or movie stars. I am really looking forward to discussing all of it with everyone!

Hi Jamie and thanks for the invite. I am unsure how active I can be as my reading time is limited. I work a minimum of 54 hours/week, I am an obsessed knitter and I am learning how to sew but I'm a complete beginner.

Steve wrote: "Hi Jamie and thanks for the invite. I am unsure how active I can be as my reading time is limited. I work a minimum of 54 hours/week, I am an obsessed knitter and I am learning how to sew but I'm a..."

Welcome to the group Steve! No problem! I would like this to be a group where we read books occasionally with varied topics pertaining to the movies and mostly discuss our favorite aspects of old movies using books as references. I would love to learn to knit and start sewing more.

Kassak wrote: "What a great idea for a book club! I absolutely love old Hollywood. I have ever since I was a kid. Since I have always been a big reader I naturally read whatever books that I could get my hands..."

Great! Thanks for joining!

Hi all- I'm Sandy but go by my middle name, Phair, here on GR. I'm well into my own "golden age" now, have been a library director for over 4 decades and love reading, movies & TV as well a historic costume. Jamie, you come up with the best ideas for groups!

Hi Jamie, I saw this new group posted on the 1700-1939 Book Club and I wanted to join. I love watching old movies.

Phair wrote: "Hi all- I'm Sandy but go by my middle name, Phair, here on GR. I'm well into my own "golden age" now, have been a library director for over 4 decades and love reading, movies & TV as well a histor..."

Thanks! I'm glad you joined!

Brian wrote: "Hi Jamie, I saw this new group posted on the 1700-1939 Book Club and I wanted to join. I love watching old movies."

Thanks for joining Brian!

Ryan wrote: "Hey All, I'm Ryan and I love classic movies. Just started getting into it a couple of years ago, but I am definitely increasing my knowledge. As an Architect I really like to watch movies with good..."

Welcome Ryan! I hope you enjoy the group. I would love to know your favorite movies from a architectural perspective :)

Rhonda wrote: "Hey everyone!

I am Rhonda, and I LOVE classic movies!! I was glad to find a book group like this! :)"

Welcome to the group Rhonda!

I am Rama, and I love movies of golden era/silent era. Love watching movies on Turner Classic Movies cable channel, and strongly interested in history of Hollywood. I especially like to read books about life and career of women of 1920s and 1930s movies.

Welcome Rama! I love TCM and the 1920s-1930s! I hope you enjoy the group!

Hi, I love old movies and books! I especially love World War Two era and Comedies. This group seems right up my alley! :)

Betty wrote: "Hi, I love old movies and books! I especially love World War Two era and Comedies. This group seems right up my alley! :)"

Welcome Betty! I'm glad you found us and feel free to nominate a book for the group to read :) (under the nominations folder)

Kathryn wrote: "Hi, I'm Kathryn and I'm coming over from the 1700-1939 book group. I love movies, but especially the old ones. I enjoy reading a book and then watching all the movie versions of it."

Welcome Kathryn! I so glad you joined us! I also love to read a book and watch all the movie versions of it ;)

Hello, I'm Lori and I adore old Hollywood. I love bios about old hollywood stars. "Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud" is one that I read a few months ago. I couldn't put it down.

Hello, I am passionate about old movies and watch Turner Classic movies every night after work and have read about a dozen biographies on old Hollywood stars. I am 52 years old and not many people my age are interested in movies of the 1930s and 40s so I am thrilled about finding this forum.

Welcome Maria! I love TCM :) If I could only have one channel that would be it! I am in my twenties so imagine how I feel! I hope you enjoy the group!

Hi Jamie,
My obsession with TCM began when I was about 23 years old and grows ever stronger. When I met my future husband we bonded over old movies as we still do now, 23 years later! This weekend we watched Jane Eyre. Orson Wells was vey sexy, and Joan Fontaine so sweet and pretty. This morning we watched "Now, Voyger"with Bette Davis (gorgeous gowns). I read the bio "Elizabeth" and would add to my recommended list. "Natalia," Natalie Woods' bio was also very good!

For those who love fashion, I would love to hear whose clothes you love from which movie. For example, Jean Harlow's gown in "Dinner at Eight" and Rita Hayworth's in "Gilda."

Maria wrote: "Hi Jamie,
My obsession with TCM began when I was about 23 years old and grows ever stronger. When I met my future husband we bonded over old movies as we still do now, 23 years later! This weekend..."

How wonderful! Hopefully there are places around you that occasionally play old movies. What a fun date night :)

Maria wrote: "For those who love fashion, I would love to hear whose clothes you love from which movie. For example, Jean Harlow's gown in "Dinner at Eight" and Rita Hayworth's in "Gilda.""

I really think fashion plays a huge part in why people today love old movies. I know there is so much more but I will suffer through a bad movie if the clothes are beautiful! I loved the clothes in Sex in the City with Natalie Wood and love 30s glamorous fashions. Rita Hayworth is beautiful! You may like my other group Fahion Book Lovers! disscusion of fashion in movies and on TV: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hi. I am new to this group. I am an avid Golden Age of Hollywood book collector and TCM fan. Although now I am bummed because I am a Dish TV subscriber and TCM is now off the air. I am currently reading Warner Bros: Hollywood's Ultimate Backlot.

Lisa wrote: "Hi. I am new to this group. I am an avid Golden Age of Hollywood book collector and TCM fan. Although now I am bummed because I am a Dish TV subscriber and TCM is now off the air. I am currently re..."

Welcome! I hope you enjoy the group! I would have to cancel dish. I almost switched to them so I'm glad I didn't ;)

Hi Everyone,

I'm a lover of everything old Hollywood; the glamor, the glitz and all the scandals. I'm also a writer of the Kate Stanton Hollywood Mystery Series and I'm happy to have found your group.

Marta wrote: "Hi Everyone,

I'm a lover of everything old Hollywood; the glamor, the glitz and all the scandals. I'm also a writer of the Kate Stanton Hollywood Mystery Series and I'm happy to have found your g..."

Thanks for joining our group and I will check out your books!

Jamie wrote: "Marta wrote: "Hi Everyone,

I'm a lover of everything old Hollywood; the glamor, the glitz and all the scandals. I'm also a writer of the Kate Stanton Hollywood Mystery Series and I'm happy to hav..."

Thanks for the welcome, Jamie.

Monica wrote: "Hello,
Would love to participate is discussions about old Hollywood if this group is still active. Been a fan of classic Hollywood since childhood.
I am a school teacher who loves literature, old ..."

Welcome Monica!

We are not very active on here but just one person can always change that by prompting conversation! I have three groups and have become less active on Goodreads overall due to life, haha! I love that you are a teacher with common interest as me. I recently quit my job and am now a substitute teacher and I plan on getting my masters in elementary education!

greetings, I am fairly new to goodreads(already obsessed!)but still I am surprised I didn't see your groups sooner... I can't decide on your fashion group or this one, so I'm joining both! (oh no, where will I post when the world's collide!? as so often they do!) ;)
I watch more old hollywood than I will ever watch new and so I look forward to having someplace to make mention of whatever :) might be pertinent, since so many in my personal circles have NO idea (or interest! in)what I am talking about!!

This is the first group I searched for and I'm happy I found it! I'm an aspiring author who's working on her Bachelors degree in English and Creative Writing. I am obsessed with old Hollywood and have so many ideas for books! Thanks for letting me join :-) Cheers!

Shana_Lyn wrote: "This is the first group I searched for and I'm happy I found it! I'm an aspiring author who's working on her Bachelors degree in English and Creative Writing. I am obsessed with old Hollywood and h..."

That's great! Welcome Shana_Lyn!

Hi, I'm Lee- a retired US Navy physician and currently a writer, historian, and lecturer. I'm a big fan of Hollywood classic movies and I'm a frequent viewer of TCM. I'm glad to have found this group.

Lee wrote: "Hi, I'm Lee- a retired US Navy physician and currently a writer, historian, and lecturer. I'm a big fan of Hollywood classic movies and I'm a frequent viewer of TCM. I'm glad to have found this group."

Welcome Lee! I'm glad you joined our group and hope you enjoy! Unfortunately, we are not very active but I hope that changes soon! I love seeing how many people love classic movies! Also, I will check out your books! I am also interested in History and would love to read more historical books.

Hi, I'm Hugh Centerville, just joined. I'm a big fan of old Hollywood and with no one to talk to about it. (When I gush over old movies, friends and family look at me as if I were just arrived from outer space.) Favorites include Tallulah, Coop, Chaplin, the 2 Irish Maureens, and my all-time favorites, Bill Powell, Myrna Loy and Asta. Looking forward to many scintillating conversations.

welcome aboard!

Hugh wrote: "Hi, I'm Hugh Centerville, just joined. I'm a big fan of old Hollywood and with no one to talk to about it. (When I gush over old movies, friends and family look at me as if I were just arrived from..."

Welcome Hugh! I love Powell & Loy, especially in the Thin Man movies!

...speaking of Powell and Loy: they're also good together in non-Thin Man flicks, too. In total, they appeared in 14 films!

'Love Crazy' (1941) is charming, but my fave is 'Double Wedding' (1937) which is a HOOT

Another really good Myrna Loy-William Powell non Thin Man movie, a classic screwball comedy, is Libeled Lady. Jean Harlow is terrific!

that's exactly how I recall that film--as a vehicle for the great Jean Harlow. I always forget the other players.

And I rarely remember either that she and Powell were together.

My fave Harlow flicks are the ones with Gable as her co-star...

Hello! Love old Hollywood, esp biographies of the old stars! Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Welcome Crystal!

Hi, Crystal, highly recommend Robert LaGuardia's bio of Montgomery Clift (1977,) if you can find it. I believe it's out of print. The book captures the tragedy of Monty's life, the meteoric rise (bigger than Brando) and the descent into hell.

Re: #48. the natural comparison between Clift and Brando --at this late date--sounds surprisingly odd to my ears. Although Clift was the bigger star he's almost in a vacuum off in his own self. He never became a pop icon the way Brando and Dean were. I don't think anyone ever went around quoting Clift's dialog or putting posters of him on their bedroom walls or mimicking his wardrobe or mannerisms. Yet--as you say--a meteoric rise.

Hello. I'm a longtime TCM addict, studied film history, worked in film production, was an actress, and now I'm a novelist. Heroine of my next book is someone you will all know, mostly associated with MGM. For (probably) the next one, I'm deep into study of RKO & Twentieth Century Fox. Current reads: The Glamour Factory, The RKO Gals, and Ginger Rogers's autobiography. Always looking for suggestions!

I am a big Old Hollywood (or any classic cinema) fan. Check out my lists and reviews on rateyourmusic.com. Here's one:
https://rateyourmusic.com/list/spence...

Here is my profile:
https://rateyourmusic.com/~spencerrich

Welcome!

Hi Jamie. Big fan of old Hollywood. Love the old black and whites.

Welcome!