Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Conversations with Classic Film Stars

Interviews from Hollywood's Golden Era

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

James Bawden: Seeing the way people behave when they're around you, is it still fun being Cary Grant?

Cary Grant: I don't like to disappoint people. Because he's a completely made-up character and I'm playing a part. It's a part I've been playing a long time, but no way am I really Cary Grant. A friend told me once, "I always wanted to be Cary Grant." And I said, "So did I." — from the bookIn Conversations with Classic Film Stars, retired journalists James Bawden and Ron Miller present an astonishing collection of rare interviews with the greatest celebrities of Hollywood's golden age. Conducted over the course of more than fifty years, they recount intimate conversations with some of the most famous leading men and women of the era, including Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joseph Cotten, Cary Grant, Gloria Swanson, Joan Fontaine, Loretta Young, Kirk Douglas, and many more.

Each interview takes readers behind the scenes with some of cinema's most iconic stars. The actors convey unforgettable stories, from Maureen O'Hara discussing Charles Laughton's request that she change her last name, to Bob Hope candidly commenting on the presidential honors bestowed upon him. Humorous, enlightening, and poignant, Conversations with Classic Film Stars is essential reading for anyone who loves classic movies.

  • Creators

  • Series

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      Starred review from March 1, 2016

      Here retired TV journalists Bawden and Miller join forces, presenting their updated and reformatted original conversations with Hollywood stars from the silent era through the 1950s. Figures interviewed include former A-listers; notably Cary Grant, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, and Irene Dunne; rarely heard from character actors; and genre favorites, including "singing cowboys" Roy Rogers and Gene Autry; plus cult film actors such as Jane Greer. With surprising frankness, the performers discuss their career beginnings, big breaks, missed opportunities, comebacks, the siren call of television, and the years when fame faded. They also recall the pleasures and pitfalls of the old studio system, in addition to timely reflections on racial stereotyping, from Asian actor Keye Luke. One revelation here is the gulf between screen images and reality. Tough guy Rory Calhoun comes across as thoughtful, while wicked witch Margaret Hamilton is warm and funny. VERDICT With this wide range of interview subjects, it's natural that the actors would comment on fellow thespians featured (producer David O. Selznick and actor Spencer Tracy come off the worst; Carole Lombard is remembered fondly). Now that almost all of them have passed on, the book serves as a significant portrait of Hollywood history. Highly recommended.--Stephen Rees, formerly with Levittown Lib., PA

      Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook
  • Open EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Loading
Check Out What's Being Checked Out Right NowThe Ohio Digital Library is a program of the State Library of Ohio and is supported in whole or in part by federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds, awarded to the State Library of Ohio.