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163 reviews for:
Scandals of Classic Hollywood: Sex, Deviance, and Drama from the Golden Age of American Cinema
Anne Helen Petersen
3.53 AVERAGE
163 reviews for:
Scandals of Classic Hollywood: Sex, Deviance, and Drama from the Golden Age of American Cinema
Anne Helen Petersen
3.53 AVERAGE
I was a fan of the Scandals of Classic Hollywood column on The Hairpin, and so I was happy it got made into a book. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more included that hadn't already been addressed in the column, but I did enjoy the ways in which she linked the articles, and the extra analysis that went into the book.
But I sort of missed the blog format, with the photos and the embedded videos.
But I sort of missed the blog format, with the photos and the embedded videos.
informative
medium-paced
Exceptionally written essays but really should have been called "select, brief Hollywood biographies" rather than "Scandals of Classic Hollywood."
I liked it, but the reason it gets a three star instead of a four star is partially my fault because I should have known that, with AHP, it's going to be veer more academic than gossip. However, it's August and I was kind of looking forward to more salacious detail than deep analysis, but if that's your thing, this is a great book for you!
Although even with that being said, I think sometimes Petersen gets bogged down by her own analyses. The book is divided into a few archetypes ("Silent Sex Symbols" or "Blonde Menace") that are also in chronological order, starting with Mary Pickford and ending with James Dean. While its interesting to chart how public perception and media manipulation evolved throughout time, I think because the book is thus divided, the individual examples chosen don't necessarily exemplify the era she is writing about - or at least there are some glaring omissions. Also, some examples almost feel pigeon holed into the different parts of the book.
At the risk of sounding like Gaston, I also wish the pictures were interspersed into the book rather than gathered in a section at the end (this, btw, could be an ebook thing rather than the physical book thing, in which case, my b). However, I think when discussing such a visual medium, not just in film, but advertising and entertainmenta journalism, Petersen's words about Montgomery Clift's handsome looks and its subsequent decline just aren't enough, especially knowing that the imagery is out there. Because I hadn't scrolled immediately to the end, at the beginning of each example-chapter, I would actually first Google Image the actor or actress before moving ahead so I could get a visual, especially for audiences that don't come with a deep knowledge of classic Hollywood.
That being said, while as a fan, I would have loved an in depth analysis on Katharine Hepburn, Petersen did also focus on some stars that are oft forgotten or just never heard of and in that sense, I did learn about other cinematic icons. Rather than selling it as scandals, I would wager that the book is far more educational for anyone interested in a career in being an entertainment spin doctor.
ONTD Reading Challenge August: "The Gossip is Priceless" (Book about fame/show business/Hollywood)
Although even with that being said, I think sometimes Petersen gets bogged down by her own analyses. The book is divided into a few archetypes ("Silent Sex Symbols" or "Blonde Menace") that are also in chronological order, starting with Mary Pickford and ending with James Dean. While its interesting to chart how public perception and media manipulation evolved throughout time, I think because the book is thus divided, the individual examples chosen don't necessarily exemplify the era she is writing about - or at least there are some glaring omissions. Also, some examples almost feel pigeon holed into the different parts of the book.
At the risk of sounding like Gaston, I also wish the pictures were interspersed into the book rather than gathered in a section at the end (this, btw, could be an ebook thing rather than the physical book thing, in which case, my b). However, I think when discussing such a visual medium, not just in film, but advertising and entertainmenta journalism, Petersen's words about Montgomery Clift's handsome looks and its subsequent decline just aren't enough, especially knowing that the imagery is out there. Because I hadn't scrolled immediately to the end, at the beginning of each example-chapter, I would actually first Google Image the actor or actress before moving ahead so I could get a visual, especially for audiences that don't come with a deep knowledge of classic Hollywood.
That being said, while as a fan, I would have loved an in depth analysis on Katharine Hepburn, Petersen did also focus on some stars that are oft forgotten or just never heard of and in that sense, I did learn about other cinematic icons. Rather than selling it as scandals, I would wager that the book is far more educational for anyone interested in a career in being an entertainment spin doctor.
ONTD Reading Challenge August: "The Gossip is Priceless" (Book about fame/show business/Hollywood)
I can't believe that this is Anne Helen Petersen's only publication about film! I need more.
I found this book randomly when I was looking at some second-hand novels online. I'm so glad I decided to buy this one. Even with a film studies degree, there were some scandals in here that I hadn't heard of.
It is a brilliant exploration of how a star's image is completely constructed by the society they lived in. What could have been a book of gossip and rumours, Peterson dives into the true accounts of the time with a truly moral and sympathetic approach. I found this book to be such an exciting read of how starts were mistreated and symbols of the time they lived in.
The press played a tremendous part in the construction of a person's star image and even more of a role in maintaining that image, no matter what the cost. It is an interesting comparison to see what happened in the Golden Age of Hollywood and how it isn't too different from now!
I found this book randomly when I was looking at some second-hand novels online. I'm so glad I decided to buy this one. Even with a film studies degree, there were some scandals in here that I hadn't heard of.
It is a brilliant exploration of how a star's image is completely constructed by the society they lived in. What could have been a book of gossip and rumours, Peterson dives into the true accounts of the time with a truly moral and sympathetic approach. I found this book to be such an exciting read of how starts were mistreated and symbols of the time they lived in.
The press played a tremendous part in the construction of a person's star image and even more of a role in maintaining that image, no matter what the cost. It is an interesting comparison to see what happened in the Golden Age of Hollywood and how it isn't too different from now!
I received an advanced uncorrected proof of this book from the publisher. The title intrigued me and I was expecting a juicy tell-all in the manner of "Hollywood Babylon." This book, however, was written by a woman who got a Ph.D. in "the history of the gossip industry" (?). So the book, while lavishly provided with footnotes, isn't really what I was expecting. Most of the scandals that are included are already well-known (Fatty Arbuckle, Clara Bow, James Dean, etc.) so this book didn't really cover much new ground. The main focus of the book was how powerful gossip columnists covered potentially damaging information, but there really wasn't much debunking or exploration of some well-known scandals (Clara Bow and the football team escapade wasn't even mentioned, nor was there any speculation as to the reason for the suicide of Jean Harlow's husband). So if someone has never done any reading about old Hollywood scandals, this might be an interesting starting point. But for anyone who is already familiar with these stories and was hoping for new information, you'll be disappointed.
Anne Helen Peterson is great, but Karina Longworth did it better. It looks like You Must Remember This (the podcast) came out at almost the same time this was published so there was no way to know. If you prefer to read a book, this was fine. I listened to it on audio and that didn't help.
I think my interest in each section varied, so that's why it took me so so long to get through this book. It was very informative, and I think my lack of interest has more to do with my own ignorance of classic stars than anything. I liked how the author linked the lives of these stars to the celebrity/film trends of the time and today.
When I first read Anne Helen Petersen's Hairpin column, I was like, oh dang, I want to get drunk with this broad and listen to all the Old Hollywood gossip. And I still think that! I would knock back a lot of wine and talk about Marlon Brando for HOURS. It's just that this book doesn't really inspire that feeling - it's like the sober, respectable version of the column, and while it's always interesting, it's never quite as fun.