‘Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom’ by Leonard Maltin – Book Review
Category: Books and Music
Film expert aficionado Leonard Maltin’s newest book, Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom, is filled with facts and interesting stories from the movies. Maltin has been studying and covering Hollywood since his days as a teen. This man has spent his life immersed in film and actors. He’s the “go to” man when you want to know anything about the history of Hollywood.
Learning about his beginning in the business is interesting. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to be part of the movie industry. Covering Hollywood was his destiny. He began interviewing celebs as a teenager. His heart was with the movies.
The book contains backstage info on many different “oldies.” Maltin has taken different aspects of the industry and dissected them. For instance, when you think of the music in Casablanca, what comes to mind? Well, of course the song, “As Time Goes By.” But what you might not remember are the background songs that weave their way through the classic film.
And when TV came on the scene it revitalized the careers of many of the old time actors. Television was the place where many people were introduced to the silent films and silent film stars. TV provided a format for the old films and a place where the old stars could get a second fan base.
What I found most interesting were his Q&A sections. Instead of writing editorial about his interviews, Maltin published the interview sessions with direct questions and answers. This format is not always an interesting read for many of us, however in this instance it is brilliant. Readers learn so much from reading exactly what the actors had to say about their careers and lives in Hollywood. It’s more enlightening in this format than had Maltin simply written about the interviews. And readers also get a flavor of the interviewees this way.
The final section is dedicated to RKO, the old studio that turned out plenty of magnificent films. The defunct studio was part of the “Golden Age” of Hollywood, yet today’s generation has no idea about the studio, the films, the actors associated with the studio and the impact it had on the movie industry.
There’s no doubt this book is a “must read” for anyone interested in the history of Hollywood, the movies, and the industry. Maltin is one of the preeminent experts and his latest book will not only educate but also entertain readers who are interested in the old days of the movie industry. There are plenty of intriguing little factoids from cover to cover.
Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom
Author: Leonard Maltin
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Paladin Communications (July 2, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0998376396
ISBN-13: 978-0998376394
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about books and entertainment, products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
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