Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes About the Stars and Legends of the Movies! - Blockbuster New Releases Information

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D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) –

  

  

  

Well finally someone wrote a book, a collection of tales and anecdotes about Hollywood and the people who work and dwell there that is actually readable and believable. I must admit that when I first received this work I was terribly skeptical and actually put if off for a awhile. I am a bit old, a bit jaded and the normal Hollywood “tell all” type of book bores me to tears…well actually, not to tears so much, due to the fact that I normally fall asleep before I finish the first few pages.

Not so this wonderful collection! These stories about our acting “nobility” are quite down to earth. Some (actually many) are extremely funny, others rather whimsical and a few sort of down right sad. The author, Stephen Schochet has a wonderful no nonsense writing style that is absolutely refreshing in this genre. No lurid and off color stories which usually come from the mind and pen of `wishful thinking’ so called authors wanting to sell books; no, these are bits of history; pieces of lore taken from what has been and is a strong and influential institution in our country. Like it or not, our entire society has to one extent or another, been influenced by the actors, directors, producers, writers and other workers in Hollywood or film industry.

Each story is smartly written and a delight to read. The author covers the entire gambit of our film industry from the old silent films right up to current times. While not every actor that ever made a film is featured here, literally hundreds upon hundreds are, along with many producers, directors and film makers. There is a bit of something is this work for everyone. There are even stories from T.V. land and its stars to pick from. These little anecdotes are for the most part brief. Many are about a paragraph long…a few extend past a page. Each story though shines in that it is quite obviously being told by a master story teller and a very fine writer. All in all, this is a very impressive bit of work.

For myself, I enjoyed the historical aspect of the work. I must admit that I learned much in that the writer takes us behind the scenes time and again to reveal little quirks, bright remarks, banter between actors and in many cases, why a film was made and how. All of these little tidbits add so much the enjoyment of a movie; both of those you have seen in the past, and those you will in the future.

This work can easily be read from cover to cover; non stop, or it can be picked up at random, a few stories read and set aside to savor another time. The problem I had though; like my title above indicates, this book and these stories were like a bowl of pistachios setting in front of me. I am one of those people who simply cannot eat just one of the darn things, no, no, no…I will eat until each shell is cracked and each nut gobbled. I simply cannot stop. That was the way of this book! Once I started reading the thing, I simply had to go on and on and on.

If you enjoy films, or are interested in film history, or just want a good belly laugh here and there, then you certainly will want to add this one to your reading list soon.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

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Alejandra Vernon “artist & illustrator” (Long Beach, California) –

  

  

  

Culled from author Stephen Schochet’s Hollywood Stories One Minute Radio Feature, which is syndicated across North America (and can also be seen on YouTube), along with oodles of added Extras written for this riveting book, Schochet has given his readers a real page turner. For anyone interested in Hollywood and the film industry, dating from its early years up to the present time, these stories show little known facets and facts of the movie stars, directors, and studio moguls who made, and continue to make, film magic.

There is nothing salacious or lurid about the stories, a trap some “gossip” books fall into in order to “entertain” their readers. These are just fascinating tidbits about people who are interesting, creative, and successful at their craft. Schochet is an excellent writer for this genre. The writing is direct, simple, and has a “visual” quality which makes you see how the event could have taken place.

The book starts with Great Hollywood Comedians, from Chaplin to Bill Murray, moves on to Science Fiction and Horror (marvelous story with 3 Extras on director Ridley Scott filming Blade Runner and Gladiator), Oscar Tales (such an interesting piece on Forest Whitaker while filming The Last King of Scotland!), Great Movie Anecdotes (Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe!), Western Vignettes (from John Ford to Clint Eastwood), the genius of Walt Disney in a section of his own, Moguls and Directors (Wilder, Hitchcock, Orson Welles), Silents to “Talkies” (what a transition that was!), Television Tales (the Kirk Spock feud with lots of Extras!), Singers and Dancers (from Astaire to Madonna), Drinking Tales (with a Peter O’Toole in Ireland story!), a Miscellaneous section, and a Leading Men and Leading Women Lore section (a long piece on Ronald Reagan and so much more).

This a book you can read cover to cover, or just open up at random and enjoy, or look through the index for favorite stars and directors. Any way you read it, you’ll be intrigued and very entertained.

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Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) –

  

  

  

When this book fell into my hands, I must admit that I was unimpressed – it’s not my normal type of book. I mean, reading about pretentious Hollywood blowhards? Please!

Well, when I broke down and cracked the book open, I must admit that I was very pleasantly surprised. In point of fact, the book is extremely entertaining. The author had many entertaining anecdotes, some of which are quite interesting, and many of which are downright hilarious. I enjoyed each section, from Great Hollywood Comedians, through Television Tales and finishing up with Leading Men And Leading Ladies Lore.

Yep, it’s a very good book, and I don’t hesitate to recommend it!

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