The Grove Book of Hollywood

Book Overview

The Orlando Sentinel described The Grove Book of Hollywood as a marvelous overview of the mythical world of Screenland through the eyes of those who observed it firsthand. In pieces by bemused outsiders like P. G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh and consummate insiders like Jack Warner, Ben Hecht, and Budd Schulberg, it tells the story of Hollywood's birth as a dusty village outside L.A., through the blacklist, to its present-day role as a high-stakes cultural capital of power players, touchy egos, schlock, and genius. Full of priceless bits -- Jean Harlow's satire of young hopefuls, John Huston's fistfight with Errol Flynn, Frank Capra on working for Mack Sennett, and William Goldman on the ubiquitous Hollywood meeting -- The Grove Book of Hollywood is a must for anyone who loves movies. A superb anthology.... A feast for those who love Hollywood and those who hate it. -- J. G. Ballard, The Observer (London) Enchanting ... I marveled at [its] resourcefulness.... Have you gone out to buy this book yet? -- David Thomson, Bookforum ....strange tribal rites, and tarnished idols of the celluloid jungles, the book is a feast. -- L. S. Klepp, Entertainment Weekly

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802138780
• ISBN13: 9780802138781
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 720 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

myth

These are the stories of America's Myth Makers. If you want to understand Ancient Greece you go to Greek Mythology. If you want to understand America you go to Hollywood. This book collects the stories behind the myths in one glorious volume. There is nothing left to say except thank you!

What was Hollywood REALLY like? Read this!!!

OK---I am taking the trouble to write a review because Where Else are you going to read a story about Ginger Rogers going to another studio to use the bathroom? Where Else are you going to read a story about Joan Crawford seducing a young Jackie Cooper? Or a wonderful, colorful account of a dinner party at San Simeon, complete with what people talked about. Or why "Over the Rainbow" almost got left out of The Wizard of Oz. Don't get me wrong--this isn't full of dirt. It is an intelligent, well-balanced view of the people and doings that make show business the true business it is! It is like meeting an old cameraman or other studio worker who "knew 'em all" and lived to tell YOU about it. Run, do not walk to the checkout and get a copy of this book today!

Gathers over 150 recollections

The Grove Book Of Hollywood gathers over 150 recollections taken from magazine articles, production logs, and oral histories alike, providing a decade-by-decade timeline of some of Hollywood's most ambitious stars and screenwriters. The use of personal recollections offers a more intimate view of Hollywood than an outsider's report could generate, providing an intriguing survey.