Stardust and Shadows [Hardcover]

Charles Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

"You'll like Louis Mayer," Mary Pickford told Charles Foster in 1943. "He is from Canada, too." As Foster was soon to discover, Mayer was not alone: a great many of those who helped shape Hollywood into the movie capital of the world were Canadian.

Stardust and Shadows brings together the stories of 18 Canadians who were celebrities during Hollywood's formative years. Most of those profiled were known to Foster, and stories they told him about Hollywood's early days, enhanced by many years of research and interviews with other living performers and directors from the silent movie era, reveal a never-before-seen look at what the movie industry was really like in those early days.

This is Canadian history that has never been told, and many of the startling stories and secrets of Hollywood's past are revealed here for the first time.

Celebrities profiled:

May Irwin, Al and Charles Christie, Joe and Sam De Grasse, Marie Dressler, Allan Dwan, Florence La Badie, Florence Lawrence, Del Lord, Louis B. Mayer, Sidney Olcott, Jack Pickford, Mary Pickford, Marie Prevost, Mack Sennett, Douglas Shearer, Norma Shearer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Its pleasantly gossipy yet nonetheless admiring tone makes it a lot of fun to read."

From the Publisher

Frank Shuster's comments from the back jacket:

“It is a wonderful book. I read every word, fascinated to meet again the stars I used to watch in my father’s small movie house in Niagara Falls. It’s the most interesting book I have ever read on Canadians who were in Hollywood all those years ago.”

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 406 pages
• Publisher: Dundurn (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550023489
• ISBN-13: 978-1550023480
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,127,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taylor Murder Finally Solved, September 30, 2000

By 

Kenneth Henderson (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stardust and Shadows (Hardcover)

Can it be true? The unsolved 1922 murder of director William Desmond Taylor is really solved! Charles Foster, writer of this intriguing book about the silent era and its stars claims to have heard a confession, with others present, by the killer. I won't spoil your fun by telling you the murderer's name, but Foster has convinced me the murder is now solved. But there is much more in this remarkable book from a writer who met and befriended many directors, stars an technicians in Hollywood in 1943.Want to know why W.C. Fields enjoyed being hit in the face by a pie thrown by Three Stooges director Del Lord? Or why an actor named Sam De Grasse got a lifetime contract with Douglas Fairbanks as both actor and dentist? I consider myself an avid silent movie buff but have learned more fascinating things in this wonderful book than I learned in a lifetime elsewhere.The book moves from silents to early sound and reveals a lot of heartbreak and a lot of triumph. A totally readable book. I sat up to 3 a.m. finishing my copy and regretted reaching the final page. This is a must book for every movie enthusiast who wants to know the truth about early Hollywood. Kenneth Henderson

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood Babylon revisited, November 15, 2002

By 

Libris "Libris" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stardust and Shadows (Hardcover)

I thought that the subject of this book was interesting, and a book which explores it long overdue. Always cautious, I decided to get it from my university library before buying it. I am so glad I didn't waste my money on it. This book has good intentions but is full of unsubstantiated rumors-there are no source listings, there is no bibliography. The author bases his "information" on 60 year old meetings, and the readers are supposed to believe that his famous subjects revealed (to someone they just met) their deepest, darkest secrets. Did it happen? Perhaps, but I'd like to see some proof, any proof, for some of his wilder rumors. This is okay if you want a light, quick read - but for those with a serious interest in film history or who are looking for a scholarly discussion of the subject, look somewhere else. If you are interested in unsubstantiated rumors-this is just the read for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who might think it hard to believe, October 22, 2011

By 

BCM Beckett (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stardust and Shadows (Hardcover)

I happen to know Charles Foster personally and am well acquainted with his vast collection of memorabilia from the early Hollywood era. He is 'not' of the ilk of the present-day celebrity hounds and, no doubt, because of that, many persons of the era were very relaxed and unguarded in his presence. His knowledge and familiarity of the subject and persons are "first-hand" and, for those interested in "real history", he and his may be considered a 'primary' source. The proof many seek is Charles himself. When one enters his home and regards his library and office replete with letters, photographs, and priceless memorabilia, one knows for certain they are in the presence of the real thing. I wish you only the same privilege one day. An entertaining read to be sure.