Hillbilly Hollywood [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Debby Bull (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2000

Though Nashville is the current Country-and-Western capital, Hollywood put hillbilly singers to work in the early years (1930s-1950s) in movies, at recording studios, and on radio shows.

Hillbilly Hollywood is a lavishly illustrated volume that examines the culture that produced costumes (like Nathan Turk, Nudie Cohen, and Manuel Cuevas) who created that famous C&W style - well tailored, elaborately embroidered or beaded clothes.

Historical text and interviews with C&W legends complement examples from Mary Stuart's extensive vintage collections as well as candid photographs (most never published before) of Elvis Presley, Gene Autry, Patsy Cline, and more. Dynamically designed, Hillbilly Hollywood is as much a collector's piece as the costumes it features.

Editorial Reviews

Review

You will adore this devastatingly visual sendup. It s almost spiritually respectful of the excesses and outrages of the singers and other performers who were drawn by the hope of glory and riches from Depression-era rural outposts to Los Angeles. The photographs are blazing with costumes that are as kitschy as anything ever worn by living humans. --The Baltimore Sun

Rhinestone cowboys and fringed cowgirls kick up their boot heels in Hillbilly Hollywood, a close look at that the author calls famous people you ve never heard of. With a rhinestone-studded and die-cut cover, the book is as flamboyant as its subject. --The New York Times

Back in the 1940s, cowboy stars like Gene Autry were Hollywood royalty. And their fancy, Western-tailored suits, flamboyantly embroidered or sparkling in sequins, left a permanent imprint on American style, former Rolling Stone editor Debby Bull writes in this curiously engaging coffee-table volume. The pictures of gussied up C&W performers are fun, and the performers themselves add some perspective. Bottom Line: An eyeful of memorable style. --People Magazine

About the Author

Debby Bull is a former contributing editor and writer at Rolling Stone magazine. A rock critic and popular-culture observer, she is also the author of Blue Jelly, a memoir.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli; First edition (July 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847822788
• ISBN-13: 978-0847822782
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,492,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beauty & brains & cool, cool, cool, February 3, 2005

By 

L. Moloney - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hillbilly Hollywood (Hardcover)

The swoon-inducing, jaw-dropping photo of young Johnny Cash at the Hollywood Bowl alone is worth the price of this book. But don't just look at the beautiful pictures (and there are many) - read the words. Well-written, insightful, and often funny, the stories from the mouths of the stars sparkle brighter than the rhinestones on the cover. Hillbilly Hollywood motivated me to search out and find the music of artists unfamiliar to me before, and I will forever be grateful to the author for introducing me to the wild brilliance of the almost-forgotten Maddox Bros. & Rose, and others like them. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves music, whether it be country-western, punk rock, or anything in between.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful in Every Way., January 18, 2005

By 

A. ALIOTO "word predator" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hillbilly Hollywood (Hardcover)

Debby Bulls book "Hillbilly Hollywood" gives us a great look at the almost-forgotten flashy country and western artists of radio and early western movies. We get a thorough insiders look at the glitz and the true 'ART' of rhinestone cowboy and cowgirl wear by the country artists of the '40's and 50's. There are wonderful color images and historical photos of my favorite country legends. The book itself would be at home on Elvis's coffee table. Yum! Yum! This book is a "Five Star" ten course feast for the eyes and soul for us wannabe cowboy and cowgirl types. A true collectors item.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hillbilly HEAVEN!!!!, January 13, 2005

By 

Murry K. Hammond "tramlines" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hillbilly Hollywood (Hardcover)

I'm a very hard girl to buy for (and a music snob to boot)but my sweetheart did a very good thing when he purchased Hillbilly Hollywood for me as an early Valentine's Day gift!
It's just GORGEOUS,well-written,and chock-full of stunning color images of several historic pieces of country couture including rare photos of artists that I just adore like Johnny Cash,The Flying Burritto Bros.,and (gasp!) Rockabilly Goddess CHARLENE ARTHUR!!!
It's very difficult these days to find any information on the designers Nudie and Manuel but this book covers it ALL!!!
SO SATISFYING!!!
Always,
Grey DeLisle (wife of Murry Hammond:)