Hollywood Babylon by Kenneth Anger (1983, Paperback, Reprint)

First time I read this book I read it cover to cover in one sitting. It's that good and fascinating. Each chapter is another life of a famous movie star. Each story gets more and more shocking. Kenneth Anger has found all the behind the scenes and makeup stories, and puts it out there for all to see

The stars we were lead to believe were pure as the driven snow, heros and heroines to us all; had illegitimate children, drinking or drug problems, were gay when it would end their career if found out. Others where in porn movies, went to orgies or were bisexual and literally did ANYTHING to get into movies. And surprisingly, a few became huge stars.

Find out what the real story behind Fatty Arbuckle's rape/murder case was. And how it ended his career even after he was found innocent ... 3 times!
What Joan Crawford did to get into movies and how it helped her career.

Bonus chapter is about the Black Dahlia and the only pictures ever released of the body.... as it was found!!!
Gross but you can't help but look! You can not believe one person did that to another.

Hollywood Babylon and it's sequel Babylon II with more recent stories, are a must in any Hollywood buffs collection. While others believe the rumours and PR of the industry, you will know what was really happening at the time.

A book worth the price to collect and read.

This is a great must-read book for anyone who is intrigued by the underside of Hollywood in it's earliest days. I am myself intrigued with all that went into creating a separate reality that still is Hollywood today.

It is jammed pack of over the top drama of love triangles, operatic suicides, along with some unsolved murders. You could almost say each chapter is a vignette in a movie.

I recently gave this book to a younger friend who had quickly become enamored with Old Hollywood, and she brought it in to her reading group. It was then I realized I didn't have this book in my own library. So, I ordered one for myself as well.

It's one of those must-reads. For me it quickly morphed into a must-have.

I read this years ago and now it will be a gift for someone who is as curious as I am. Thanks. I have shared many stories from it but now she can do so for herself.