LANA: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies [Hardcover]

Cheryl Crane (Author), Cindy De La Hoz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 2008

Lana Turner was the ultimate personification of the term “movie star.” The actress and world-class beauty lived the glamorous life to the hilt, and was part of one of the most notorious scandals in Hollywood history. Lana’s daughter, Cheryl Crane, now tells her mother’s story for the first time, featuring hundreds of never-before-seen photos from her private family collection.

Lana: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies will chronicle her life and 50-year career, starting with the Cinderella story of a girl discovered at a soda shop at age fifteen and made a star overnight. From blonde bombshell to box-office queen of the ’40s, Lana led a whirlwind life marked by seven marriages and a murder trial that made her and her daughter infamous.

While Lana’s private adventures inspired the press, her talent and provocative presence shone on the silver screen. Her films The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Imitation of Life are extensively covered as part of a complete filmography. And from chapters on her lovers to her makeup tips, Lana will show the complete spectrum of the woman, at work and at play. The gorgeous photographs throughout showcase not only the stunning glamour of one of Hollywood’s classic celebrities, but also reveal her other facets: as a mother, a wife, an adventurer, and above all, a woman with a zest for life.
 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Crane, only child to legendary movie star Lana Turner, here delivers an illustrated biography of the Hollywood luminary that belongs at the top of fans' holiday wish lists. The book has the charm of a treasured, well-thumbed scrapbook; it begins with the charming story of Turner's "discovery" at 15, sipping a Coke at the Hollywood Schwab's soda fountain. In short order, she had set off the "sweater girl" trend and was dubbed a "sex symbol" at 16. Turner survived a long career on waves of excess and scandal, entertaining countless suitors and seven husbands ("When she fell in love, she married"). The most prominent of those scandals, which would dominate headlines for months and follow mother and daughter throughout their lives, involves Crane herself: in 1958, at the age of 14, Cheryl stabbed and killed her mother's abusive boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, a story she relates with humility and grace. The book's greatest draw is the photos-publicity stills, candids and behind-the-scenes shots-that adorn nearly every page; a section on "Lanamours" features page after page of boyfriends (Ronald Reagan, Errol Flynn, Howard Hughes, etc.), and the "Friends" section highlights contemporary actresses, each one more beautiful than the last.
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Review

Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
“There has never been a movie star book as drop-dead gorgeous, nor as personal, as Lana: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies. This lush, lavishly illustrated, 400-page volume is a coffee table book that demands its own coffee table -- maybe a plinth or pedestal with a tiny, discreet light.”

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (October 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762433167
• ISBN-13: 978-0762433162
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #465,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candid & Unusual, October 16, 2008

By 

Camperkat "Camperkat" (Long Island, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: LANA: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies (Hardcover)

Some might say that Lana Turner would not be well-known today if it weren't for her daughter...and they would be right for two reasons: the lingering memory of the sensationalized press, myth and aftermath surrounding the Stompanato killing--and Cheryl Crane's reflective, revealing, forgiving and ultimately all-loving books--the first being "Detour"--and now, this latest effort.

This new book is everything a Lana fan could hope for--lots of unretouched, seldom-seen, candid and family photos--with pages of interesting "you are there" style commentary. The coffee table-sized book is glossy and glamorous, just like Lana--and down-to-earth, thoughtful, intimate and organized--like Lana's daughter. The book is beautifully designed, thoroughly researched--and, by the way--priced very low for the quality.

As an aside: how they managed to get this high level of production value for this price is beyond me, but I will take advantage of it and buy several for holiday and birthday gifts :)

Final note: Attention all Lana fans: this is THE book for you.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dazzling Brilliant Tribute to Lana Turner, October 15, 2008

By 

Jennifer Davenport (Laguna Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LANA: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies (Hardcover)

Cheryl Crane, daughter to the incredible icon of Hollywood glamour Lana Turner, gave a gift to both fans and her mother in this beautiful book. Overflowing in beautiful glossy MGM photos and even more never-before-seen photos, this is the ultimate tribute to Lana Turner.

The book is extremely well planned and seems to answer every question a Lana Turner may have had. Several sections highlight the Loves of Lana Turner with many accompanying photos, the family, behind the scenes. It is a Must Have for any Lana Turner fan!!

Every Hollywood star should have such a beautiful tribute to their life! Congratulations to Cheryl Crane for a beautiful, very well-done book!!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL BOOK - FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!, October 16, 2008

By 

classicmoviedame (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: LANA: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies (Hardcover)

Lana Turner's new book is beautifully illustrated and written by Cheryl Crane and Cindy De La Hoz. I love it! The cover art is beautiful. It is so unique from any other autobiography/film books in the way it's presented and written. It's so original. It's exquisite with lots of original photos, facts and information. I am totally enthralled by the uniqueness of this book. As a classic movie fan for many years, this book has surpassed any biography/film books that I have read in the last 15 years. I highly recommend it to all Lana fans and those who love classic movies. This is an excellent example of how autobiographies should be done. Congratulations to both authors!! Five stars all the way!

P.S. Be sure to read Lucy at the Movies: The Complete Films of Lucille Ball also by Cindy De La Hoz who does a beautiful job.