The Grove Book of Hollywood [Paperback]

Christopher Silvester (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2002

The Orlando Sentinel described The Grove Book of Hollywood as "a marvelous overview of the mythical world of Screenland through the eyes of those who observed it firsthand." In pieces by bemused outsiders like P. G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh and consummate insiders like Jack Warner, Ben Hecht, and Budd Schulberg, it tells the story of Hollywood's birth as a dusty village outside L.A., through the blacklist, to its present-day role as a high-stakes cultural capital of power players, touchy egos, schlock, and genius. Full of priceless bits -- Jean Harlow's satire of young hopefuls, John Huston's fistfight with Errol Flynn, Frank Capra on working for Mack Sennett, and William Goldman on the ubiquitous Hollywood meeting -- The Grove Book of Hollywood is a must for anyone who loves movies. "A superb anthology.... A feast for those who love Hollywood and those who hate it." -- J. G. Ballard, The Observer (London) "Enchanting ... I marveled at [its] resourcefulness.... Have you gone out to buy this book yet?" -- David Thomson, Bookforum "....strange tribal rites, and tarnished idols of the celluloid jungles, the book is a feast." -- L. S. Klepp, Entertainment Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Grove Book of Hollywood is a richly entertaining anthology that brings Hollywood to life, in the words of the people who helped make it the city we know today. Movie moguls, embittered screenwriters, bemused outsiders such as P.G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh, and others all have their say. Organized in a chronological, decade-by-decade fashion, the pieces are fascinating not just in their own right, but also for the way they re-create the history of Hollywood and the film industry.

We encounter the first people to move to Hollywood, when it was a dusty village on the outskirts of Los Angeles, as well as the key players during the heyday of the studio system in the 1930s. We hear from victims of the blacklist and from the contemporary players who operate in an industry dominated by agents. Coming from a wide variety of sources, the personal recollections range from the affectionate to the scathing, from the cynical to the grandiose, and they offer a textured, multifaceted portrait of the city from its humble origins to the height of glamour.

Indeed, the book's scope is nothing short of astonishing. Here are John Huston on his drunken fistfight with Errol Flynn, Cecil B. DeMille on the challenges of filming The Ten Commandments, Frank Capra on working as a young man in the chaotic studio of the great comedic producer Mark Sennett, William Goldman on the strange behavior of Hollywood executives in meetings, and many more delightful selections. Perfect for browsing or reading straight through, The Grove Book of Hollywood is a must for anyone interested in Hollywood and the film industry.

"A superb anthology.... A feast for both those who love Hollywood and those who hate it."--J.G. Ballard, The Observer (London)

"Undoubtedly the best book I've ever read about Hollywood.... Silvester has created a rich tapestry to immortalize the mad, bad, wild and extravagant ways of the Babylon of the film industry."--Vincent Banville, Irish Times

"Highly entertaining and informative.... This kaleidoscope of memories, reflections, paybacks and honors is both a great read and a good popular introduction to Hollywood history."--Publishers Weekly

"The joys of this book are endless.... A masterly, magnificent anthology."--Sheridan Morley, Literary Review (London)

"A delightful collection, full of surprises."--Sean Macaulay, Mail on Sunday (London)

Christopher Silvester was born in London in 1959 and studied history at the University of Cambridge. He worked for many years as a reporter for the satirical magazine Private Eye and has written for various American publications, including Spy, The New York Observer, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker. He is also the editor of The Norton Book of Interviews. He lives in London. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press (March 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802138780
• ISBN-13: 978-0802138781
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,014,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What was Hollywood REALLY like? Read this!!!, January 2, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Grove Book of Hollywood (Paperback)

OK---I am taking the trouble to write a review because Where Else are you going to read a story about Ginger Rogers going to another studio to use the bathroom? Where Else are you going to read a story about Joan Crawford seducing a young Jackie Cooper? Or a wonderful, colorful account of a dinner party at San Simeon, complete with what people talked about. Or why "Over the Rainbow" almost got left out of The Wizard of Oz. Don't get me wrong--this isn't full of dirt. It is an intelligent, well-balanced view of the people and doings that make show business the true business it is! It is like meeting an old cameraman or other studio worker who "knew 'em all" and lived to tell YOU about it. Run, do not walk to the checkout and get a copy of this book today!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gathers over 150 recollections, March 1, 2001

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grove Book of Hollywood (Hardcover)

The Grove Book Of Hollywood gathers over 150 recollections taken from magazine articles, production logs, and oral histories alike, providing a decade-by-decade timeline of some of Hollywood's most ambitious stars and screenwriters. The use of personal recollections offers a more intimate view of Hollywood than an outsider's report could generate, providing an intriguing survey.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars myth, March 4, 2006

By 

R. DAY - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Grove Book of Hollywood (Paperback)

These are the stories of America's Myth Makers. If you want to understand Ancient Greece you go to Greek Mythology. If you want to understand America you go to Hollywood. This book collects the stories behind the myths in one glorious volume. There is nothing left to say except

thank you!