THIS WAS HOLLYWOOD offers obscure tales of Tinseltown
If you have dared to venture down the darkened steps via my movie pod, Cinematic Crypt, my next statement will come as no surprise: I have a thing for dead people.
The present is often too much for me to handle, so I find an escape to the past comforts me. I become electrified when I dig up a movie or an actor from the great beyond that I did not know about previously. It sends a tingle down my spine to delve into a filmography or biographical account of a person that is lying in the grave. Of corpse, after I have done my hours upon hours of hiding out in the “cinema immersion tank” (thank you Ashley Jane for this wonderful phrase, compliments of Welcome to the Basement) nothing gives me more thrills ‘n chills than sharing my findings with my movie pals. Via my shared tales, it makes me feel like a modern day Dr. Frankenstein and that I am giving the dead life once more. Which is exactly what I feel Carla Valderrama does with her debut book, This Was Hollywood.
While on my recent adventure to the Turner Classic Film Festival, my film pal Liz Locke and I took a jaunt to the illustrious Larry Edmunds Bookshop on Hollywood Boulevard. It was here that I stumbled upon Carla’s glorious book. I was immediately enamored with the overall style and design. Within the beautiful pages one is given a plethora of knowledge about forgotten stars and obscure Hollywood tales.
What I found most enjoyable is that each segment shares a snippet about that person or animal’s life without getting too lost in the details. For someone that may just be getting interested in classic cinema, this would be an amazing find as it will provide wonderful points of entry. With that said, though, even the most seasoned cinephile will find something to sink their teeth into. Through the use of interviews, historical research, and captivating photos, readers are given the chance to learn stories of Tinseltown that were previously lost or rarely told. Personally, I believe it may be next to impossible to finish this book without finding a new favorite star that will inevitably take you on a journey to a film that is sure to be treasured.
Three of my favorite discoveries after reading were the following:
Eleanor Powell: For one, she was in a film entitled, Rosalie (1937). Upon learning this, I immediately reserved the DVD from my local library. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that Eleanor was an extremely talented dancer that even managed to give hoofer, Fred Astaire a run for his money.
John Garfield: Before reading, I didn’t know about John’s tragic tale in Hollywood and unfortunate demise due to being named as a communist. Now, having knowledge of this gave me an appreciation for this actor and made me realize I need to catch up with the blindspots I have in his filmography. First on my list is, Body and Soul.
Puzzums the Cat: I have a fondness for black cats, so learning that there once was a noir sable feline that starred in silent films was enough to make my heart go pitter pat. Just look at his little glasses… they are precious!
I’ve been told that my love for cinema is infectious and I think that Carla might have that characteristic as well. For anyone that picks up this book it is guaranteed they will find it hard not to take a trip to Hollywood’s past.
To learn more about the author Carla Valderrama and to purchase This Was Hollywood click, here.