1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Volume 1

"Today, filmgoers may not wish to go back to a simpler era, where jazz and big band music reigned supreme, or when black and white movies were the norm. The golden age of 30's Hollywood's dead. Nevertheless, if the majority of film fans in modern times favor present film releases, over the past, then why does Hollywood go back in time? There seems to have been more films made about the decade known as the 30's, than any other decade, aside from perhaps films that dealt directly with WWII, and even today modern day filmmakers continue to dabble in 30's themed films." (pg ii).

For those craving old time gossip, and for vintage movie connoisseurs who enjoy reading about 30s films written in a commentary style format, along with exploring riveting Tinseltown old-fashioned stories, this trilogy entitled, 1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly is for you. Get a chance to revisit those golden moments from Hollywood's past through this concise book from Frank N. Brathwaite. He offers a chapter geared to take a look back at the magazine headlines from the 1930's from such notables as Photoplay, Hollywood Reporter along with Modern Screen the fed the insatiable appetite of the public's curiosity pertaining the private and public lives of the stars.

The 1930's offered the public an escape from the challenges of dealing with the results of the Great Depression. Movies offered that outlet as the changes came from silent movies to "talkies." Gossip, news, and other timely related articles, were fodder for an increasingly demanding public. Some snippets from the decade include:

1930 February - Charlie Chaplin was rumored to have turned down an offer of $680,000 to perform twenty-six shows, all which were duration of 15 minutes each. August - 23: The anniversary of  Rudolph Valentino's death, the surreptitious lady in black made her first appearance to his crypt. Her arrival would reportedly be the first of many. The word on the street screams, MGM has finally picked their Tarzan. Clark Gable was strongly considered for the part, henceforth; the studio liked what they saw in Johnny Weissmuller, and signed him for the role.

1932 February - MGM purportedly hands Buster Keaton his walking papers. They feel that his best work was in silent pictures; however, the word on the street is they canned him because of his excessive drinking, and failure to complete work assignments in a timely manner! Ironically, Keaton had just finished the picture What No Beer? (1933) Before he was shown the door by the studio.

There is so much great detail about Hollywood's past that you get to experience as if you have stepped back in time in this amazing book. A true MUST HAVE for anyone who loves Vintage Hollywood Films and their stars! There is also an amazing chapter on Frank Capra, a depression era director who went on to make such movies like It's A Wonderful Life, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and You Can't Take It With You. Learn why Lionel Barrymore was moved from using crutches in You Can't Take It With You into a wheelchair in It's A Wonderful Life and so much more of what it took to even direct pictures in 1930's while the big studios were just being created.

I received 1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Volume 1 by Frank N. Brathwaite compliments of Outskirts Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. Being a huge movie lover more so now that I am older, I thoroughly enjoyed the behind the scenes look at what life was like not only for the celebrities, but also directors, writers and movie studios. You'll learn who was difficult to work with, how movies made it to the big screen and some insider secrets you'll have to pick up this book to enjoy. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for Mr. Brathwaite to write his next volumes in this series!!

For more information about 1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Frank N. Brathwaite or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

1930's Hollywood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Frank N. Brathwaite

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (September 4, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1432799304
• ISBN-13: 978-1432799304
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches