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Scott O'Brien was born in Ogden, Utah in 1946. In 1951, his familiy moved to Stockton, California where he received the bulk of his education. He transferred to San Francisco State in 1966 where he became part of the "love generation." After completing his B.A. in Sociology and Secondary Teaching Credential, Scott acquired his Masters in Library Science in 1973. The spirit of adventure took Scott to Scotland's Findhorn Community in 1977. He also participated in author Ken Keyes' Cornucopia Community in St. Mary's, Kentucky. Through these experiences, Scott learned to appreciate the unity between all peoples. Scott self-published two young adult books: Forestlight (1978) and The Wild Flute (1982). His love for classic film has never wavered, and in the 1990's Scott began writing articles for such publications as Films of the Golden Age. In 2006, BearManor Media released Scott's biography: Kay Francis-I Can't Wait to be Forgotten (foreword by TCM's Robert Osborne). This book was listed among Classic Images' "Book of the Year." Scott's second biography, Virginia Bruce-Under My Skin (foreword by James Robert Parish)was released in 2008. Scott resides in Sonoma County with his partner Joel. His publisher has recently released the first biography on actress Ann Harding, which includes an introduction by author/critic Mick LaSalle.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
She Deserves to be Remembered,
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This review is from: Virginia Bruce - Under My Skin (Paperback)
Ms Bruce had a long and successful career and while she wasn't up there with Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, or Jean Harlow; she appeared in many films that were excellent and she did a fine job. Most people just knew her as the last wife of John Gilbert, but when you read this book, you find that she was much much more.My only complaint is that the author spent too much time on the synopsis of her movies and not enough pages were devoted to what I (yes this is a personal preference) wanted to know. What was her relationship with her children? Why did she have her nephew as the executer of her estate rather than her son? The daughter (by John Gilbert) was living in Oregon on welfare, how much help if any did Ms bruce offer her? She had eight grandchildren, what was her relations with them? Still, the book is a good read and most hollywood buffs wil enjoy the book.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent biography of a glamorous film actress,
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This review is from: Virginia Bruce - Under My Skin (Paperback)
I thoroughly enjoyed Scott O'Brien's biography of Kay Francis (Kay Francis: I Can't Wait to Be Forgotten) and eagerly awaited his next book - a biography of another glamorous motion picture actress of the 1930's, Virginia Bruce. I'm happy to report that this volume is as fascinating as his first.Like Francis, Bruce is not as well known today as some of her contemporaries such as Bette Davis and Joan Crawford and deserves to be rediscovered. A cool blond beauty from Fargo North Dakota, Bruce more or less stumbled into the movie business. Her intention upon moving to Los Angeles with her family was to study music at UCLA. A meeting with Mrs. William Beaudine (wife of the prolific director) changed the course of Virginia's life after Mrs. Beaudine persuaded her husband to give the girl a screen test. The book follows her career in film, radio and television with both descriptions of the films and background anecdotes. In addition to being a natural actress, Bruce proved to be fine vocalist and sang in several of her films, introducing Cole Porter's sultry love song "I've Got You Under My Skin" in BORN TO DANCE (1936.) As James Robert Parish writes in the introduction, "...Bruce's off-screen life was far more exciting and exotic than any role she experienced on camera..." and O'Brien explains why that statement is true. After a short unhappy marriage to matinée idol John Gilbert, Bruce wed three more times: first to director-producer J. Walter Ruben until his early death at age 43 and then twice to aspiring Turkish writer-director-producer Ali Ipar. (The reason for the unwanted first divorce was because Ipar was conscripted into the Turkish army and as an officer he was not permitted to be married to a foreigner.) The book contains more than 130 excellently reproduced photographs, endnotes following each chapter, and complete career credits.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Do You Think When I'm Gone Anyone Will Remember That I Had Awfully Dreamy Eyes?" - Virginia Bruce,
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This review is from: Virginia Bruce - Under My Skin (Paperback)
Bear Manor Media, an independent publisher highly regarded for its rich (and refreshing)catalog of lesser known entertainment genre books and essential biographies you won't find published my mainstream (read: corporate) publishing houses has gained deserved attention for a series of recent best-selling works including the definitive biographies of Barbara Payton (Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by John O'Dowd) and Kay Francis (I Can't Wait To Be Forgotten by Scott O'Brien). A quick browse at the office site [...] will reveal an impressive list of in depth works on or by subject name. Virginia Bruce - Under My Skin is a worthy addition to that list. Biographer Scott O'Brien has selected one of the great (and greatly forgotten) names in classic Hollywood history to profile. She was one of the most breathtakingly beautiful film stars to emerge from the 1930s, yet she never reached the level of iconic stardom that contemporaries such as Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow or Myrna Loy achieved. O'Brien meticulously explores the personal and professional reasons why Virginia Bruce didn't achieve her potential by examining her motivations in public and in private (ultimately with self-destructive results). By accessing archives of magazine interviews with Bruce, re-evaluating observations reported by the like of Louella Parsons and Maria Riva (daughter of Marlene Dietrich), directly interviewing Bruce's ex-husband and various family members, O'Brien successfully brings Virginia Bruce to life in a way that is believable, intelligent and never pitiable. The greatest challenge must have been the process of separating the glamour from the girl. Here, O'Brien triumphs in making her more than an actress because he exposes the vulnerabilities and strengths of Bruce as a mother, a wife, an activist and a survivor of both savage Hollywood and an equally dramatic personal life. Under My Skin is by no means a "love letter" to Bruce, but it is a well researched, tactful and skilled examination into the tragedy of a talented, beautiful and popular figure in film history, desperate to fall in love and stay in love, at any cost. O'Brien truly impresses in his study of a name virtually unknown in 2008. He charts her cinematic endeavors and off-screen exploits with detail to chronology and relevant commentary from co-stars, industry insiders and Bruce's own reflections that read candid and (often) prophetic. In 1929, she stated, "My chief purpose in life is to fall in love. I don't know why I want to, but I do." Six years later, she would say, "Love tricks you into a false sense of security. Maybe the old fairy tales are to blame. The old idea that people got married and lived happily ever after. So we take love for granted, til that gray morning when some of us wake up to find it has vanished." For Virginia Bruce, the gray mornings were many - and for many years - whether she took love for granted or not. Loaded with plenty of rare and personal photos of Bruce, O'Brien also masterfully clears up the "Madame Wang" mystery and includes a comprehensive filmography of her radio, theatre, TV and film works. Highly Recommended. By David Ybarra
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