Review: Betty Grable: The Girl with the Million Dollar Legs

Betty Grable: The Girl with the Million Dollar Legs by Tom McGee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book a long time ago. I remember it was paperback, I remember loving it. I did not remember the details because I took no notes on it, so I am very glad to read it again. I had forgotten that this book made Betty (and maybe she was) a great person. A person who was still humble even though for a time she was the most popular lady in America. Famed for her gorgeous legs, many forget that she was also a gifted actress. One of my favorite films ever is Pin-Up Girl, it is fun and this book gave us a peek into Betty's life as she was making the film. I am glad I stumbled upon this book later on in life after I had seen many of Betty's films and could really appreciate her contributions to the great world of classic movies.

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Review: Norma: The Story of Norma Shearer

Norma: The Story of Norma Shearer by Lawrence J. Quirk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have waited for years to read this book (it was written in the late 80's) and I am glad I can mark this off my TBR list. This one wasn't as sanitized as many the bios for the olden movie stars are often written. It was a bit, there were many parts of Norma's life and affairs that I think are vacant, not because I know but because I have read about them in other books. This one seemed to be honest about how Norma and Irving got together and about their love and I enjoyed that. It did leave out how she got the part in The Divorcee...or the story I have always heard about.

I think that Gavin Lambert's Norma book is supposed to be the best one written about Norma, but since I have yet to put my hands on that one this one will have to do for now.


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Review: Gwen Verdon: A Life on Stage and Screen

Gwen Verdon: A Life on Stage and Screen by Peter Shelley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The cover is amazing, the subject is perfection, but the book was not great. I forced myself to finish because, in all my years of loving Fosse, I have NEVER seen a book on Gwen. I needed to love this book. I am so let down. It was more a chronological listing of things she had done and what she wore with a bit of her real-life person sprinkled in. I just needed more about Gwen and Fosse, Gwen and her other loves, Gwen and her childhood. I needed more. I am not going to tell you to read this book unless you are a HUGE fan, because you won't finish it if you aren't. I am so sad to say that.

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Review: Big Eyes: The Screenplay

Big Eyes: The Screenplay by Scott Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adored this book. It was the screenplay for the film so if you liked the film, you will like this. I have only seen the film once, but I believe it is the true screenplay of the movie.

If you are not familiar with the movie, it is based on a true story. Margaret is a single mom trying to make ends meet and she meets Walter. Walter sweeps her off her feet and keeps her from losing her daughter in a custody battle. Walter loves that she can paint because he is a painter too. He has ideas that they sell their painting together. He arranges for a "show" to sell their paintings. Folks are only interested in the "Big Eye" paintings of children that Maggie had done. Walter though tell everyone that he did them. Here is where it all starts to get good. I won't spoil it for you in case you have never heard of the tale, but it is a true story and very sad.



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Review: Bus Stop

Bus Stop by William Inge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the play version of the movie. I knew most of the dialogue because I have seen the movie soooo many times. I thought it was brilliantly written. I can see why it was made into the movie. It is about a 1 hour 45-minute read, but quite enjoyable.

Bo has kidnapped the lady of his dreams, Cherie (he calls her Cherry). She is trying to escape with the aid of the people that work in the bus stop where the bus was stranded due to road conditions ahead. Grace, the bus stop owner, may have had an affair with the driver, the sheriff may have assisted Cherie in getting some assistance and the cowboy may have been put in his place. Oh, but there will be a good ending to the tale. If you have seen the film you can figure it out, but if you have not, why not read the screenplay and then go see Miss Monroe in one of her finest roles.



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Review: The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide

The Actor's Life: A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kind of out of my realm of knowledge because this is more a guide to being an actor. I do think she would have great tips for anyone trying to be in the business.

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Review: The Beautiful Strangers

The Beautiful Strangers by Camille Di Maio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW just WOW!!

I was interested in this book because of the grand cover. Then I saw it would be set at the place where Some Like it Hot was filmed and that Marilyn Monroe was going to have a small part...this book was a no brainer for me.

The story was very neat it weaves in and out the early 20th century and 1958. Kate Morgan longs to do more than just work in her family's restaurant, but her circumstances prevent her from doing anything about it. That is until she has a conversation with her grandpa about a Beautiful Stranger. After this conversation Kate will embark on a journey she longed to take but never thought she would.

In the past, we met another Kate Morgan that was murdered. She is a ghost that hangs around the hotel that is really the main character of this book and I love how the book ends on August 5, 1962.

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Review: Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool: A True Love Story

Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool: A True Love Story by Peter Turner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I like Gloria Graham in the picture show, and I have never seen this film, but the Gloria I know is seductive, funny, perky...this lady was sad and sick. I felt so sorry for her. She was also alone! It was just a sad tale for me. I can't say I enjoyed it and can't say I didn't. All I can say is I have wanted to read it for some time and now I have.

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Review: The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow

The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow by Laini Giles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was fun. It started out a little different than I expected it to, but when it ended....ZOWIE!!! I loved how the story wrapped up and then I saw it was based on a true person (Daisy DeVoe) and this really happened. I am not sure how much liberties the author took with the true story, but it the book read like a "it happened but it's hard to believe it did" tale. I very much enjoyed this, as I do the series. I am hoping so much that the author pulls off a Forgotten Actress story on Norma Shearer or Thelma Todd, or even Carole Landis.

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Review: The Forgotten Flapper: A Novel of Olive Thomas

The Forgotten Flapper: A Novel of Olive Thomas by Laini Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my word! I have waited forever to read a book on Olive Thomas. I have been intrigued by her since childhood. This was written as if Olive was telling us the story. Fiction that reads like nonfiction. Written in a style most celeb autobios are written in...."I make good choices but those around me don't." It was a perfect way to tell a story about a big celebrity that no one now knows because she died in 1920. She was a big star before talking pictures were a thing and married a Pickford. A Ziegfeld girl, the most beautiful woman alive...Olive was royalty at the beginning stages of Hollywood. Her death was horrible and it is featured in this book just as horribly as I have imagined it.

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Review: The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel

The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hedy has always fascinated me. Toted by the film studios as "the most beautiful woman in the world". Just look at her in Ziegfield Girl and you have to believe that statement is true. Then when I started studying old movies I discovered she was very smart too. NO FAIR! Brains and Beauty.

This story will show you both of the brains and beauty. We see Hedy trying to first please her family and then we see her try to save their lives and then she works on the lives of all Americans.

I knew she had been married many times, but never knew of the first one. I knew the first one came before she was a big star. This whole thing was very interesting and really may have gone down in the way depicted here.

This was a short read and you will get a nice story on The Most Beautiful Woman in the World.

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Review: The Girl on the Velvet Swing: Sex, Murder, and Madness at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century

The Girl on the Velvet Swing: Sex, Murder, and Madness at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century by Simon Baatz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was WILD!! It reads like fiction because some of the facts are so unbelievable. I had a slow spot in the middle but then the book got crazy again and crossed country lines. I did find myself asking, "is this really true?". Bizarre incidents that were all over the place....and remember while you are reading this book...it happened in like 1905ish!!!!!



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Review: Closing Credits

Closing Credits by Martin Turnbull
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't believe it's over

I tried to extend this as long as I could. I have enjoyed this ride so much. A great ending to a wonderful series, thank you, Martin.

This ending ties up the futures of our three friends in a nice red bow. There were things I did not expect and things I wanted. I am not going to tell you anything except pick up the first book and get started. Any fan of Old Hollywood will not be sorry.



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Review: My Girls: A Lifetime with Carrie and Debbie

My Girls: A Lifetime with Carrie and Debbie by Todd Fisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book!!! There things in here about not enabling family members with bipolar, about drug use, about growing up the child of a world-famous actress, about crappy relationships, Princess Leia, and giving up on a life-long dream. I loved every second of this journey. Never once did Todd portray himself as perfect. Never once did he try to tell us how great he is and how sucky we commoners are (as most celeb bios do)....no, he told us where he made mistakes. He told us what he did wrong and how he found a way out with the love of his two girls intact and strong. You could feel the hurt as he described the last days of Carrie and Debbie and he also talks about the bond that the two of them had. He never sounded like he felt left out either. He sounds like he is grounded, but realizes he isn't perfect and never will be. I appreciate his openness about the bipolar Carrie. She was open about it, but it was hers to own. He was open about how to deal with it and even though he didn't try (or I think he didn't) he helped me see some things.

A brilliant tribute to your mom and sister, Mr. Fisher. May God bless you and your family.

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Review: Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love & Baking Biscuits

Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love & Baking Biscuits by Reese Witherspoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun journey to the south (mainly Nashville). There is a little too much country music, but the photos, the southern charm, and the recipes are fantastic!!!!! I love so many of these southern dishes and will be making them soon (watch out family!) Reese is adorable, fun, and a gracious host by allowing us into her home and her life and giving us tips on how to be our best, manage it all and read a book while we are doing it!



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Review: The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow

The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow by Laini Giles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was fun. It started out a little different than I expected it to, but when it ended....ZOWIE!!! I loved how the story wrapped up and then I saw it was based on a true person (Daisy DeVoe) and this really happened. I am not sure how much liberties the author took with the true story, but it the book read like a "it happened but it's hard to believe it did" tale. I very much enjoyed this, as I do the series. I am hoping so much that the author pulls off a Forgotten Actress story on Norma Shearer or Thelma Todd, or even Carole Landis.

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Review: The Affair: An enthralling story of love and passion and Hollywood glamour

The Affair: An enthralling story of love and passion and Hollywood glamour by Gill Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected this book to be full of the tales of Liz and Dick as they fell in love on the set of Cleopatra. What I got was a book where that happened...PLUS, there was a Dateline twist! I loved that little surprise. Diana was hired to be the historian on the set of the epic film. She's married to an older man and disappointed he didn't want to go to Rome with her. She left her man at home and had all kind of adventures. These adventures changed her life forever.

I very much enjoyed this journey.

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Review: Tiny Little Thing

Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So far this is my favorite Beatriz books. I love Tiny and Pepper. I loved how they fixed up a car together and how Tiny realizes that she doesn't have a perfect life. She is living just for status, with a man who prefers the company of others which could ruin his career in the day and age the story takes place. Cap (Caspian) is incredible. I love every part about him. He is just the dude you want to come into stories like this.

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Review: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was as perfect as I expected it to be! Loved the adventure with Neil (with an I). I read it a couple of times. I did this with Choose Your Own Adventure books as a child reader.....you read it a second and third time only choose new adventures. Neil was just as entertaining as a writer as he is on the screen.

Excellent! I will be reading this one again.

I did and seriously this is the most creative autobiography that I have ever read.

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Review: Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3

Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3 by Robert Matzen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vivid, nerve racking, unreal , sorrow.....I felt all of this. I knew the story, but I didn't know the story. The wreckage is unreal and a bit morbid, but you need this detailed account to see just what Flight 3 did to so many families. I very much enjoyed the mini bio about Carole in between the horrific story of her passing. It was the good in all that bad.

I knew of Clark's sorrow, how it changed him....but I teared up reading just how miserable he was.

I have had this book on my to read book list for a long time and now I said "why did you wait so long?" Excellent!

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