Fred Lawrence Guiles (1921–2000)

In her heyday Joan Crawford was probably the most imitated woman in the world. Magazine covers featured her face, and high school and college girls copied her makeup and clothing. Her remarkable progression from silent films to talkies to television exemplified her ability to adapt, chameleonlike, to the ever-changing demands of the industry that in many senses invented her. Joan Crawford: The Last Word does not cloak the dark side of Crawford's nature. This unbiased account restores the show more much-needed balance between those who regard her as the monster depicted in Mommie Dearest and the truth about a legendary star. show less

An intriguing look into the life of Marion Davies, silent screen star and the hostess of some legendary house parties at Hearst Castle. This book traces Marion from her origins in Brooklyn, her work as an actress on Broadway, and her success as a silent screen star. Of course, the book also delves heavily into her involvement and relationship with William Randolph Hearst. In today's world, her name is synonymous with his and his fantastic castle on a hill. The book also describes how Marion show more actually helped to save Hearst from financial ruin. I loved how the book gives us a glimpse of a time gone by. show less

A loving biography of the creative half of my favorite comedy duo, Laurel & Hardy, well-written and illustrated with a small sampling of photographs. It was fascinating to me to discover how much of the creativeness of this legendary team flowed from Stan Laurel, and gratifying to learn that the impression one gets from their films was essentially true: that the two are genuinely nice and polite men, anxious only to get along in a hard world without hurting anybody, and with a genuine show more affection for each other that shines through the slapstick and mild violence toward one another. Includes a catalogue of their films. Includes Stan Laural's immortal last words to his nurse as he lay dying: "I'd rather be skiing than doing this," he told her. "Oh, do you ski, Mr. Laurel?" "No," he said, "but I'd rather be doing that than this." A moment later he was dead. show less

My mother purchased this biography about Marilyn Monroe when I was in high school. She was one of my mothers favorites...I really enjoyed reading about her life and even in high school thought that she was mysterious and and intriguing individual. A well written book....