Lively, entertaining reviews of, and essays on, old and newer films and everything relating to them, written by professional author William Schoell.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

FALLEN ANGELS: THE LIVES AND UNTIMELY DEATHS OF 14 HOLLYWOOD BEAUTIES


FALLEN ANGELS: The Lives and Untimely Deaths of 14 Hollywood Beauties. Kirk Crivello. Citadel Press; 1988.

In this very interesting book, Crivello examines the often tragic lives of several different actresses, then has a round-up of dozens more at the end, amply illustrating the dark side of Hollywood fame -- and infamy. Along with such famous women as Monroe, Mansfield, Natalie Wood, and Sharon Tate, Crivello covers the careers, trials and tribulations of Barbara Payton, Gail Russell, Barbara Bates and several others. Some of these stories are so heart-breaking that they really hit you in the gut. It's a shock to read about actress Suzan [sic] Ball, her struggles with disease, and then learn that after all she'd been through she was only 22 when she died. These women had fame, beauty, talent and promise, but they all came to sad ends -- some due to accidents, some to suicide -- and many were just abandoned by Hollywood and couldn't deal with it.

Verdict: A sad, absorbing read. ***.

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