Scandals of Classic Hollywood
By Anne Helen Petersen
What a great book!! I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but this was so good! To copy from the synopsis "Compulsively Readable" & "a collection of the most notorious clashes and controversies" This definitely was a compulsive read! Juicy and interesting, it was hard not to read it all in one sitting (life and all that getting in the way ;))
This book has some really tantalizing tales from old Hollywood. This book delves into the gossip that created and haunted some of our well known Hollywood actors. James Dean, Clara Bow, Clark Gable, and Judy Garland are just some of the people who are deliciously discussed in this book. Why are we so fascinated with these stars still today?
One story that I found super intriguing was about Jean Harlow.
Jean Harlow was Classic Hollywood's first platinum blonde. In fact she was the reason that phrase came to be. (before Marilyn) She was accused of bleaching her hair, and she repeatedly stated she was a a natural. (The book states her hair was almost an eerie shade of blonde.." "the exact shade evaded description, not silver exactly, about the color of pale salt water taffy, startingly bizarre and quite beautiful" Apparently there was a whole craze (kind of a contest across the country) to duplicate the shade in salons or at home. This resulted in lots of tears and burned hair. When she died, some people state that it was from years of inhaling bleach, but others believe that it was from kidney disease. I believe she WAS a Natural , evident in the fact that she penciled in her eyebrows (had no eyebrows to speak of )
This is JUST one chapter in a book chock full of intriguing, and sometimes surprising stories from these beautiful golden age stars. I found myself jotting down all of the movies mentioned so I can put paper to face. THIS was a really great read! & now I want more. I think I just barely skimmed the surface on this subject
No comments:
Post a Comment