Hollywood, Treading the Boards, and Camera Lights!

 

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In honour of the Oscars 2021, I thought I would take a little look at my bookshelves and pull out a few books in which feature acting, Hollywood, and tales of fame! Here's three of them, for your consideration . . .

Seize the Day by Saul Bellow

In Seize the Day, we meet Tommy Wilhelm, a fading charmer. In his forties, he is separated from his wife and children, at odds with his father, failed in his acting career (a Hollywood agent once having described him as 'the type that loses the girl') and in a financial mess. In this story, we see how the course of a single day brings him a little hope . . .

Not a tale of popping camera bulbs and champagne corks, but of a man who has gone to Hollywood and fallen.

You can purchase Seize the Day here from bookshop.org

Absolute Pandemonium: My Louder Than Life Story by Brian Blessed

In this autobiography, we meet the actor, film star, trained undertaker, unlikely diplomat, secret romantic, martial artist and mountaineer in his own words. He tells tales of love, fights, Flash Gordon, and travels. This is an autobiography for those looking for something full of film stars, humour, warmth, and life-affirming.

This is one for those looking for tales from the world of acting - and beyond - that want to travel there in the company of a unique voice. And, what a unique voice it is, indeed!

You can purchase Absolute Pandemonium here from bookshop.org

Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

The Hollywood that Philip Marlowe, licensed private investigator, inhabits is on of thieves, gangsters, and murderers. In this, the second of Chandler's Philip Marlowe mystery novels, Marlowe meets Malloy, who has just got out of prison, one hot day in Hollywood. Malloy wants Marlowe's help in finding the woman he loved . . .

This one's for those that like their Hollywood tales to come wrapped up in smoky bars, whisky, and murder!

You can purchase Farewell, My Lovely here from bookshop.org

I do hope that this handful of books has given you some ideas. What's your favourite book featuring Hollywood, fame, or the acting world?