- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: University Press of Mississippi (1 April 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1578069610
- ISBN-13: 978-1578069613
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 15.7 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 969,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Joan Blondell: A Life between Takes (Hollywood Legends)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This volume provides a dedicated mailing and e-mail campaign to targeted film related media & organisations.Born into an established vaudeville family, Joan Blondell (1906-1979) was an effervescent, scene-stealing actress who found success in everything from Hollywood movies and Broadway theatre to television and radio.With her stellar smile, casual sex appeal, distinctive voice, and flawless timing, she became a Hollywood favourite, co-staring alongside everyone from James Cagney, Clark Gable, and Humphrey Bogart to Barbara Stanwyck, Judy Garland, and Bette Davis. By the time of her death, she had starred in more than 100 films in a glittering career that spanned more than 50 years.This superb volume is meticulously researched, expertly weaving stories from her public and private life, and featuring numerous interviews with family, friends, and colleagues.
About the Author
Matthew Kennedy teaches film history at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and anthropology at the City College of San Francisco.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
When Joan Blondell published Center Door Fancy in 1972, it was labeled a novel, but everyone knew better. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
When Joan Blondell published Center Door Fancy in 1972, it was labeled a novel, but everyone knew better. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I suppose I'm biased about a Joan Blondell biography, already being of the opinion that she remains the prettiest girl to work in Hollywood ever. That was my cue to buy anyway, but I was certainly surprised by much of what I read. Particularly the very moving accounts of her uncompromising first husband who was determined to deny her children.
And, at least in personal terms - well, it is a Life Between Takes -the story of Joan's three marriages is fascinating, and you have to feel much sympathy for her. George Barnes, the dapper but emotionally frosty first, the entrepreneurial Dick Powell whose business mind was at odds with her homeloving side, and Mike Todd, another charmer with a hard streak.
Anyone who has seen such notable turns as Joan Blondell gave in A Tree Grows In Brooklyn and Nightmare Alley will find this a good read. It seems desperately sad that Joan Blondell's name isn't up there with the best known of Hollywood's leading ladies (where it most certainly could be), but Matthew Kennedy explains why very admirably in this book. The price is very reasonable for a discerning fan and the nature of her life through the good and bad times mix together to give a book that interests from start to finish. And fitting in Joan's centenary year too; this sits very well on my bookshelf.
And, at least in personal terms - well, it is a Life Between Takes -the story of Joan's three marriages is fascinating, and you have to feel much sympathy for her. George Barnes, the dapper but emotionally frosty first, the entrepreneurial Dick Powell whose business mind was at odds with her homeloving side, and Mike Todd, another charmer with a hard streak.
Anyone who has seen such notable turns as Joan Blondell gave in A Tree Grows In Brooklyn and Nightmare Alley will find this a good read. It seems desperately sad that Joan Blondell's name isn't up there with the best known of Hollywood's leading ladies (where it most certainly could be), but Matthew Kennedy explains why very admirably in this book. The price is very reasonable for a discerning fan and the nature of her life through the good and bad times mix together to give a book that interests from start to finish. And fitting in Joan's centenary year too; this sits very well on my bookshelf.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One of the problems in writing a biog of an actress who has been dead for nearly 30 years is that for a substantial part of her life there will be no one to interview for their recollections.So for the period from the subject's birth till around 1940 we have to make do with cuttings ,studio archives and Blondell's own book.So there are large holes in the story and many unexplained actions.for example why did George Barnes continue to insist that Blondell seek abortions whenever she fell pregnant.It is not till the 1940s that the author is able to rely upon the recollections of her children,friends and coworkers.that the book really comes to life.However what we have here is a rather familiar sad story.Namely an actress at her peak in an era when her bargining power was limited by the depression and the power of the studio.Giving up her career for a failed marriage to Mike Todd,who abused her and took most of her money.Then trying to restart her career in her 40s when she was no longer a drawing card.I have read this same story many times.Ones that come to mind because of their similarities are the biogs of Joan Bennett and Veronica Lake.So if you enjoy Warners films of the 30s in general and Joan Blondell in particular then this is the book for you.Otherwise it is still a good read but nothing out of the ordinary.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a good book. It goes through a lot of details about her early life and career and there are a lot of details about her 3 marriages.
A must for Joan Blondell fans.
A must for Joan Blondell fans.
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