Scan barcode
booksuperpower's review against another edition
5.0
Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film Fandom by Leonard Maltin is a 2018 publication.
If you are a film buff with a healthy appreciation for old movies and old Hollywood, you simply must treat yourself to this book!!
Having based a successful career around the movie industry, all his knowledge about the business, the information he gleened from interviews, and the critical eye he was required to apply to his movie reviews, could have left Maltin feeling a little jaded. After all, it is a job, just like any other, but this book makes it obvious the author is still enthalled with his subject. Despite the professional approach, the movie fan in Maltin still shines through.
Maltin has been interviewing actors and actresses since he was in high school, and he certainly has a knack for it. He’s been doing interviews and reviewing movies for over fifty years. So, naturally, during that time, he’s learned quite a few interesting tidbits and trivia about Hollywood, some of which he has compiled here in this book, along with some of his early interviews.
I found the interview with Burgess Meredith quite interesting. I only knew him in a few roles- mainly ‘Batman’, a role he was quick to say he enjoyed playing. However, I was surprised by the depth of his career. I was also impressed by the amount of time he sat with Maltin and the interesting answers he gave.
And... I love Joan Blondell-
Many may know her from the movie "Grease" but, her career spanned over fify years.
She once did 32 pictures in 27 months!! She gave an interesting, blunt, and insightful interview, as well.
The ‘Conversations’ section differs slightly from in the interview segment, the main difference being that Maltin’s subjects were given more latitude, and the answers were much lengthier with many more interesting details, opinions and impressions.
Other interesting conversations for me were from people whose names I did not recognize.
I was not familiar with Madge Evans or Peggy Webber ,but found their careers and interviews very intriguing. As it turns out Peggy’s career was quite long, as she ‘looped’ and ‘dubbed’ for many films.
But, perhaps the most interesting part of the book is the section about RKO Studios. RKO stopped making movies in the 1950’s, and as Maltin says- the corporate name lived on, but it was in many respects the ‘forgotten’ studio. But, RKO studio had some real blockbusters back in its prime- like ‘King Kong” for example.
But, here, Maltin takes a closer look at some lesser known gems- some of which even the most avid film buff may not be aware of, or if they are, wouldn’t know half of the information Maltin as provided for us here. The pre-code gems were a fantastic addition to the list. I’ve seen some pre-code media and it’s amazing what was allowed on film- especially for those of us who have always lived under the strict ratings system we have today.
To tell the truth, I’ve long ago given up on the movie industry, but the rest of my family are avid movie fans. For me, the older movies are the only ones I will spare time for. Old Hollywood has always been fascinating to me, and I tend to gravitate towards books, fiction or non-fiction, that explore that era of time. This book, then, was very fun for me, and I discovered many movies I had not heard of, learned many interesting facts about actors and actresses I was aware of, and of course a few I was unfamiliar with.
The book is well organized and packed with a wealth of little -known facts and frank conversations, which may also make it appealing to those who enjoy history, pop culture, nostalgia, or to those who thrive on trivia.
This book can be read straight through, but I enjoyed picking up between reads and savoring it a little at a time. This is a book I will keep as a reference from time to time, or to simply reminisce.
I love books like this one. It appeals to my love of history, old Hollywood, and my ever -increasing fascination with anything off the beaten path or obscure, lost or forgotten. Maltin’s first -hand experience adds that special added touch of magic, and even feels a little poignant, as well.
4.5 stars
If you are a film buff with a healthy appreciation for old movies and old Hollywood, you simply must treat yourself to this book!!
Having based a successful career around the movie industry, all his knowledge about the business, the information he gleened from interviews, and the critical eye he was required to apply to his movie reviews, could have left Maltin feeling a little jaded. After all, it is a job, just like any other, but this book makes it obvious the author is still enthalled with his subject. Despite the professional approach, the movie fan in Maltin still shines through.
Maltin has been interviewing actors and actresses since he was in high school, and he certainly has a knack for it. He’s been doing interviews and reviewing movies for over fifty years. So, naturally, during that time, he’s learned quite a few interesting tidbits and trivia about Hollywood, some of which he has compiled here in this book, along with some of his early interviews.
I found the interview with Burgess Meredith quite interesting. I only knew him in a few roles- mainly ‘Batman’, a role he was quick to say he enjoyed playing. However, I was surprised by the depth of his career. I was also impressed by the amount of time he sat with Maltin and the interesting answers he gave.
And... I love Joan Blondell-
Many may know her from the movie "Grease" but, her career spanned over fify years.
She once did 32 pictures in 27 months!! She gave an interesting, blunt, and insightful interview, as well.
The ‘Conversations’ section differs slightly from in the interview segment, the main difference being that Maltin’s subjects were given more latitude, and the answers were much lengthier with many more interesting details, opinions and impressions.
Other interesting conversations for me were from people whose names I did not recognize.
I was not familiar with Madge Evans or Peggy Webber ,but found their careers and interviews very intriguing. As it turns out Peggy’s career was quite long, as she ‘looped’ and ‘dubbed’ for many films.
But, perhaps the most interesting part of the book is the section about RKO Studios. RKO stopped making movies in the 1950’s, and as Maltin says- the corporate name lived on, but it was in many respects the ‘forgotten’ studio. But, RKO studio had some real blockbusters back in its prime- like ‘King Kong” for example.
But, here, Maltin takes a closer look at some lesser known gems- some of which even the most avid film buff may not be aware of, or if they are, wouldn’t know half of the information Maltin as provided for us here. The pre-code gems were a fantastic addition to the list. I’ve seen some pre-code media and it’s amazing what was allowed on film- especially for those of us who have always lived under the strict ratings system we have today.
To tell the truth, I’ve long ago given up on the movie industry, but the rest of my family are avid movie fans. For me, the older movies are the only ones I will spare time for. Old Hollywood has always been fascinating to me, and I tend to gravitate towards books, fiction or non-fiction, that explore that era of time. This book, then, was very fun for me, and I discovered many movies I had not heard of, learned many interesting facts about actors and actresses I was aware of, and of course a few I was unfamiliar with.
The book is well organized and packed with a wealth of little -known facts and frank conversations, which may also make it appealing to those who enjoy history, pop culture, nostalgia, or to those who thrive on trivia.
This book can be read straight through, but I enjoyed picking up between reads and savoring it a little at a time. This is a book I will keep as a reference from time to time, or to simply reminisce.
I love books like this one. It appeals to my love of history, old Hollywood, and my ever -increasing fascination with anything off the beaten path or obscure, lost or forgotten. Maltin’s first -hand experience adds that special added touch of magic, and even feels a little poignant, as well.
4.5 stars
jroberts3456's review against another edition
4.0
Real rating: 4.00
Link to original review on Nightmarish Conjurings:
http://www.nightmarishconjurings.com/book-reviews/2018/10/8/book-review-hooked-on-hollywood
The Please-Don’t-Make-Me-Click-Your-Link TLDR:
Maltin is and always has been a movie watcher of singular voracity and an interview of tenacious spirit. Hooked on Hollywood showcases the best of Maltin’s abilities from throughout his career. Though maybe not of interest to the lay reader, any cinephile of any depth will find a lot to love and rifle through here. It is, if nothing else, an ode to and reminder of what it should really mean to be a fan.
Link to original review on Nightmarish Conjurings:
http://www.nightmarishconjurings.com/book-reviews/2018/10/8/book-review-hooked-on-hollywood
The Please-Don’t-Make-Me-Click-Your-Link TLDR:
Maltin is and always has been a movie watcher of singular voracity and an interview of tenacious spirit. Hooked on Hollywood showcases the best of Maltin’s abilities from throughout his career. Though maybe not of interest to the lay reader, any cinephile of any depth will find a lot to love and rifle through here. It is, if nothing else, an ode to and reminder of what it should really mean to be a fan.
efbeckett's review against another edition
4.0
Not a new piece of writing with a specific theme, but a collection of articles, interviews, and reviews that Maltin wrote for the various independent magazines he has run over the years, dating back to his precocious teen movie-addict days. I acquired the book before looking at the table of contents and my reaction to that list was disappointment: other than Casablanca and Gold Diggers of 1933, no major classics are covered, and a good number of the interviews are with people who are forgotten by all but TCM junkies. However! Enthusiasm is not a thing Maltin has ever lacked and he recognizes interesting material, so I enjoyed every single piece in here. Me being a sucker for tales of all the behind the scenes machinations that lead to a screen property mutating into an often misbegotten final product, I found much of it very pleasing indeed.
More...