Post by kims on Apr 30, 2024 19:51:58 GMT
This is a self-promotional film more than a doc. Narrated by Dick Cavett, it covers the selling off of MGM's props, costumes etc. and a wistful look at the gods and goddesses of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Like the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT films it pronounces that America loved the stars though they flouted wealth and luxury during the Great Depression. And this will probably be the perception people will have for many years.
I completely believed that as well-I'd heard that often. Bette Davis pricked that balloon for me. Possibly on Dick Cavett's show, she told about going on a WB promotional train ride with other stars. Publicists told her and the others that people wanted to see their favorite stars. After only a few stops, Bette said, they hate us. I can believe both versions. I'd be one of those disgruntled people if I were destitute, looking at those rich, spoiled people trying to convince me to worship them. As long as Hollywood handles its own PR, Bette's version will probably be lost.
In the credits was listed prominently "Security Pacific National Bank." I had to look that up. I don't remember a bank being a major source for info on Hollywood. The bank collected photos for many decades. The collection is housed at the LA Public Library. Many photos are on the library's website: not just the studios, there are photos of cars, landscapes, young girls with the long ringlet hair from pre WWI. It's an interesting look of California early days. Now I'm on a search to learn why this bank was collecting photos.
I completely believed that as well-I'd heard that often. Bette Davis pricked that balloon for me. Possibly on Dick Cavett's show, she told about going on a WB promotional train ride with other stars. Publicists told her and the others that people wanted to see their favorite stars. After only a few stops, Bette said, they hate us. I can believe both versions. I'd be one of those disgruntled people if I were destitute, looking at those rich, spoiled people trying to convince me to worship them. As long as Hollywood handles its own PR, Bette's version will probably be lost.
In the credits was listed prominently "Security Pacific National Bank." I had to look that up. I don't remember a bank being a major source for info on Hollywood. The bank collected photos for many decades. The collection is housed at the LA Public Library. Many photos are on the library's website: not just the studios, there are photos of cars, landscapes, young girls with the long ringlet hair from pre WWI. It's an interesting look of California early days. Now I'm on a search to learn why this bank was collecting photos.
