The Bad & The Beautiful: Hollywood in the Fifties

The Bad and the Beautiful: Hollywood in the Fifties by Sam Kashner and Jennifer MacNair was a different book than what I was expecting. I expected stories about movies from the fifties -- but instead I got a more interesting story of Hollywood, movies, and stars of the 1950s in a definite gossipy tone.

The chapter titles should have given away the more lurid tone of the book. The Bad and the Beautiful uses a lot of Confidential Magazine, an early tabloid, to cover the exploits of Hollywood stars, including the lavendar closet, which contained the gay stars. There's also chapters on the assorted "Juniors" -- Manny Robins (Edward G. Robinson's son), Sydney Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's son), Charlie Chaplin Jr. (duh), and John Barrymore Jr. They also talk about how Rock Hudson became a star, despite being gay, and his marriage. Some other highlights -- Lana Turner and the story behind Peyton Place and Sammy Davis Jr.'s interracial relationship with Kim Novak.

I'd recommend The Bad and the Beautiful only if you're really interested in Hollywood, or enjoy lots of old Hollywood gossip. For me at least, it was somewhat eye-opening, especially with the mention of Confidential Magazine. I have seen L.A. Confidential and knew about Hush-Hush, the magazine Danny DeVito's character ran, and after reading this book, I realized that it must have been based on Confidential. After reading this book, you definitely won't think that the '50s were an idyllic time any more. A definite revealing look at Hollywood.

FILE UNDER: Books on Film