At 15, Linda Darnell left her Texas home to live the Hollywood dream promoted by fan magazines and studio publicity offices. She appeared in dozens of films and won international acclaim for "Blood and Soul" (opposite Tyrone Power), "Forever Amber", "A Letter to Three Wives", and the original version of "Unfaithfully Yours". Driven by a stage mother to become rich and famous, but unable to cope with the career she had longed for as a child, Darnell soon was caught in a downward spiral of drinking, failed marriages, and ...
Read More
At 15, Linda Darnell left her Texas home to live the Hollywood dream promoted by fan magazines and studio publicity offices. She appeared in dozens of films and won international acclaim for "Blood and Soul" (opposite Tyrone Power), "Forever Amber", "A Letter to Three Wives", and the original version of "Unfaithfully Yours". Driven by a stage mother to become rich and famous, but unable to cope with the career she had longed for as a child, Darnell soon was caught in a downward spiral of drinking, failed marriages, and exploitative relationships. By her early twenties she was an alcoholic, hardened by a life in which beautiful women were chattels, and by the time of her death at 41, she was struggling for recognition in the industry that once had called her its "glory girl". "Hollywood Beauty" begins in the Southwest during the Depression, when Pearl Darnell became obsessed by the glitter of the movie world that would dominate her childrens' lives. We follow Linda's path from her Texas childhood and first public success - during the state centennial in 1936 - through her contract work with Twentieth Century-Fox. Davis documents Darnell's discovery and marriages, the adoption of her daughter, the making of many well-known films, and her emotional difficulties, leading up to her tragic death by fire. The book examines America's public worship of movie stars and superficial success - its motives and consequences - and the addiction to escapism that this worship represents.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-library book, usual markings. Hardback with dust cover. Well read copy with some dust cover wear. Colouring of page edges due to age. Quick dispatch from UK seller.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine+ in Fine+ dust jacket. 0806123273. Top corners bumped else Book and DJ New. No notes. No markings of ANY kind. Unclipped, unpriced DJ.; Photos, film clips; 214 pages.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Seldom seen bio. of the likeable and beautiful actress Linda Darnell who mostly played tough girl roles and is best remembered for her terrific performance in "A Letter To Three Wives." Ms. Darnell sadly died in a terrible fire at the young age of 41. 20pgs. pgs. of photos and stills + filmog. Small blind stamp with ink notation on the bottom of the title pg. Fine/fine.
I always thought she was a terrific beauty and actress. I liked her style. What you find out in this book was that she was a home town girl who made it happen.
cookie13
Mar 13, 2008
Hollywood Beauty: Linda Darnell and the American
I thought this was a well written book and I enjoyed it. If you are a fan of the stars of the 40s and 50s this is a worthwhile read. You can see how much the star system affected the lives of the stars of this era. It is interesting to read the background of the stars and how the industry was controlled by various factions of that era. Since reading this book I have picked up some of her old films and have enjoyed watching them too. I recommend this book and think anyone would enjoy it.
