Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood



The Hollywood we know of today is a far cry from the Hollywood 40 plus years ago.
 
While today’s movies are all about the actors and actresses, special effects, box office draws and the business of movie making the films of yesteryear (while created to make a profit) were of a different caliber.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood by Juliette Michaud and published by Flammarion, explores the Hollywood of decades gone past.

It was a different time. The studios ran Hollywood, actor and actress scandals and personal lives were kept secret and movies were made to entertain.  Every aspect of film making were controlled by the studios from contract players to the type of movies made-some tailored to fit a particular actress or actor’s public persona.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood delves into the movie making past where images were carefully tailored, where studio executives decided who starred in films and where careful attention was given to the public image practiced by the actors and actresses.  Scandals were kept secret or at a minimum, studios took great pride in public appearances by their directors, actors and actresses that supported various charities and especially during war time efforts.

Lovingly assembled and crafted the book celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the first feature length movie, explores the various film genres, spotlights key actors and actresses and pivotal films and follows the slow progression of the studios as they changed with the times and eventually abandoned total control.

Hundreds of photos, interviews and insightful text make One Upon A Time In Hollywood a ‘must read’ for any film fan.