I was out running a Half Marathon this morning, so someone else beat me to it.

Deanna is certainly a very good example, and I guess Garbo is another. Although maybe she realised her style of films were going out of fashion as America entered the War after the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

Grace Kelly was on top when she married her Prince and retired, she wanted to come back on Hitchcock's Marnie but Rainier wouldn't allow it.

Jane Fonda was still a big name when she retired at 52 in 1990 to marry Ted Turner of TCM. She made a come back 18 years later, but her name didn't mean much when she took second billing to Jennifer Lopez in Monster-in-Law.

Walter which is the best book written about Barbara, I know you have probably mentioned it in this thread but it has too many postings to look back. (that's my excuse anyway).

I've got a long flight coming up this week and want something good to read.

As an alternative perhaps a book about the hollywood actresses of that era.

Thanks

I wish that I could tell you that there was a good book on Barbara, but there is not one that I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Probably the best is "Starring Miss Barbara Stanwyck" by Ella Smith, but that it more about her career, and not much about the lady herself.

I had high hopes of the last book published on her, "A Life of Barbara Stanwyck Steel - True - Volume One - 1907 - 1940" by Victoria Wilson. This contains over 800 pages, and only gets up to 1940, and as it took 15 years to write, I have a feeling that Volume 2 won't be published in my lifetime.

The only problem with recommending my favourite books is that many of them have been out of print for a few years, although you can often find them on Amazon.

One of my favourite books is actually on a British actress, this is "Once a Wicked Lady" A Biography of Margaret Lockwood by Hilton Tims.

I also enjoyed the following books very much:

"Olivia and Joan - a Biography of Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine" by Charles Higham.

"No Bed of Roses" An Autobiography by Joan Fontaine

"The Passionate Life of Bette Davis" by Lawrence J Quirk

"No Guts, No Glory - Conversations with Bette Davis" by Whitney Stine

"Bette and Joan - The Divine Feud" by Shaun Considine

"All About All About Eve - The Complete Behind the Scenes Story of the Bitchiest Film Ever Made" - by Sam Staggs

"Joan Crawford" - A Biography by Bob Thomas

"Conversations with Joan Crawford" by Roy Newquist

"Marlene Dietrich" - A Biography by her Daughter Maria Riva

"Merle" - A Biography of Merle Oberon by Charles Higham

"Ida Lupino" A Biography by William Donati

"Life is a Banquet" An Autobiography by Rosalind Russell

"Vivien Leigh" A Biography By Hugo Vickers

"Susan Hayward" A Biography By Beverley Linet

"Natalie Wood - A Life" By Gavin Lambert

"Golden Boy - The Untold Story of William Holden" By Bob Thomas

"A Rose for Mrs Miniver - The Life of Greer Garson" By Michael Troyan

"Get Happy - The Life of Judy Garland" By Gerald Clarke

Judy Garland - World's Greatest Entertainer - By John Fricke

"By Myself" An Autobiography by Lauren Bacall

"Change Lobsters and Dance" An Autobiography by Lilli Palmer

"A Life On Film" -An Autobiography by Mary Astor

"Lana - The Lady, The Legend, The Truth" - An Autobiography By Lana Turner

Of all the many hundreds of books in my collection, I would say that the most visually beautiful is

"Lana Turner: The Memories, The Myths, The Movies" By her Daughter Cheryl Crane

This sumptuous coffee table book will be enjoyed by any fan of Lana and her films, beautifully illustrated, this is a wonderful tribute to Lana from her daughter.

Thanks Walter, you always give such comprehensive answers. From your impressive list I have narrowed it down to the Ida Lupino and Susan Hayward books.

You are very welcome, I have just looked on Amazon and I see that the Susan book entitled "Susan Hayward - Portrait if a Survivor" is available for just £2. 28 in hardcover.

I see that the author has another interesting biography which I will be ordering later today, "Ladd, The Life, The Legend, The Legacy of Alan Ladd,"

The Ida Lupino biography is more expensive, the cheapest copy is £11.99.

I should also have mentioned "Dirk Bogarde - The Authorised Biography" by John Coldstream which is selling for just one penny, postage £2.80.

Yeah I was disapointed when Jane stepped back from her acting career when she did,obviously her personal reasons are her own but as a film buff Janes is the one I think was the biggest lose.

I have wondered how happy a marriage Princess Graces was given the conflict between her desire for a return to the silver screen and royal protocol.Shes not a favourite of mine but shes undeniably a cinema legend and hollywood gold .

PS Walter have you really read all those books from cover to cover!

Im heavily impressed Sir!
Hope all is going well with your marathon training.

Thanks again Walter, the Dirk Bogarde book also sounds interesting, {as they all do), but I'll paying more than a penny as it's for my Kindle.

I was never a fan of Grace either, although I liked the way that she matured in her later years. She would probably have been far more interesting as an actress if she had been allowed by her husband to make a comeback.

Yes, I promise that I have read all of those books from cover to cover, and a lot more, they were only a few of the hundreds that I have in my collection.

I bought my first film book when I was eleven years old, it cost me eight shillings and sixpence, and I still have it. It is called Hollywood Film Portraits, and has illustrated biography's of the top Warner's stars of 1948 They were Barbara, Bette, Joan, Lauren Bacall, Bogart, Ida Lupino, Errol Flynn, and Zachary Scott.

The training is going very well thanks, I was out with my running partner at 9am, and we covered 15 miles in just over three hours. He could have done it in about two hours, but like the good friend he is, he stayed with me. I feel shattered and haven't moved off my couch since we got back at midday. I have a day's rest tomorrow, then have to run another 8 miles on Friday, and 17 on Sunday. It is tough, but it has to be done, there are no short cuts if you want to complete a Marathon, and it will all be worthwhile when I (hopefully) get that medal in just over 6 weeks time.

Im mightily impressed Walter,but which golden era star would you say was the most honest and open about their lives in their autobiography?

Has any hollywood star from this era been subsequently shown by later developments/revelations to have told a few porkie pies,embellished the truth?!

Before Grace Kelly married was there ever any talk of her marrying any fellow hollywood actors?

You will need a well deserved rest and holiday after the marathon!

I did feel that Lauren Bacall was pretty honest in her intelligent and very enjoyable autobiography, "By Myself."

Lana Turner was another who was very frank, admitting to two abortions, and a suicide attempt in 1951.

I love these quotes from her, "I like the boys and the boys like me," and "My goal was to have one husband and seven children, but it turned out to be the other way around".

Bette Davis's autobiography "The Lonely Life" was hailed as being refreshingly honest when it was published in 1961. However, it was later revealed that quite a lot of criticism about her mother was cut out of the final publication when she died suddenly shortly before. The result was that the mother ended up sounding like a rival to Mother Teresa.

There were rumours of Grace Kelly marrying Bing Crosby at one time. She certainly had a penchant for older men, probably because of the difficult relationship that she had with her own father. She was said to have affairs with several of her leading men apart from Bing, including Bill Holden and Ray Milland, who was so smitten with Grace that he separated from his wife for a short time.

Where there ever rumours about Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra?

Thats a brilliant quote from Lana
I dont suppose that any of Lanas leading men are,still alive?

We were talking about omissions the other week from the Oscar memorials but are there any glaring or even less glaring omissions from the stars on the hollywood walk of fame,Are there any stars from the past who should have had a star of their own but for some reason havent?

If we are to believe him, Grace's first lover Don Richardson said that she screwed everybody who could help her get on. She dumped him when she showed him the emerald studded gold bracelet given to her by Prince Aly Khan. Gary Cooper, another conquest that she was a cold dish with a man until you got her pants off, then she would explode. She had affairs with Clark Gable, Tony Curtis, David Niven, Marlon Brando, and Sinatra, before and after her marriage to Rainier. It was rumoured that she even had an affair with her bridesmaid's husband.

Several of Lana's leading men are still alive, and coincidentally the first five are my favourite's of all her films. Kirk Douglas - The Bad and the Beautiful, Roger Moore, Diane, Sean Connery - Another Time, Another Place, John Gavin - Imitation of Life, Madame X - Keir Dullea, George Hamilton - By Love Possessed, Hugh O' Brian - Love Has Many Faces, George Chakiris - The Big Cube.

These are just some of the names who don't have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Clint Eastwood, is said to have no interest in the fanfare of the ceremony, neither is George Clooney, and I believe these days you have to put your name forward. Neither Al Pacino or Robert Redford have a Star either, and these are all Oscar winners for either acting or directing.

I was rather disappointed to find Barbara's Star up on Hollywood and Vine, instead of on the main Boulevard. She was entitled to two, as she had a whole new career on TV, and was a three times Emmy winner. Some stars who had a musical career had three.

At least she and her ex husband Robert Taylor had their hand and footprints in the cement on the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. I have several photo's of them at the ceremony in 1941.

Sorry for the delayed reply Walter!
Wow it seems Grace really did enjoy her time in Hollywood in abundance -but was she the biggest sinner in this regard and did her reputation reach the public at the time?

I will respond to other points after shower and breakfast but I'm shocked that Clint Eastwood is so reluctant.

You are forgiven, don't let it happen again!

Grace was well known as a nympho in Hollywood, but all that didn't come out to the public until long after she had died.

I guess the reason that it was a surprise was because it didn't go with her white gloved, Miss prim and proper image.

Saint Ingrid Bergman was another who went against her image when she left her husband and daughter, had an affair with director Roberto Rossellini, and had twins born out of wedlock.

"How could she?" asked her indignant fans, this was the woman who had portrayed a Nun and Saint Joan.

Ava and Lana who made no secret of their sexual proclivities, and Lana even survived the scandal of her lover being stabbed to death by her 14 year old daughter. She went on to have her biggest ever success on screen in Imitation of Life, when she played a mother who was having trouble with her daughter.

A perfect example of Art imitating life.

I believe that Gloria Grahame was involved in an even bigger scandal.

Well Walter, I'm in Canada for the next few months and apart from it's many other attractions I am able to watch the U.S. version of TCM. The other night I watched the delightful Jean Arthur in The More The Merrier with Joel Macrae and Charles Coburn followed by a discussion about the movie by Robert Osborne and Sally Field.
Sally Field seems to be a big fan of Jean Arthur.

I guess you are referring to Gloria being found in bed with her 13 year old stepson, Anthony Ray, and after she divorced his director father Nicholas Ray eight years later, she married him.

I envy you being able to watch the U.S version of TCM, I have several recordings sent to me of the marvellous Robert Osborne's discussion's, if only we could see them over here.

Walter are you aware if any of Land Turners leading men from your list who are still with us have written autobiographies and if so what did they have to say about Land?

In terms of the Hollywood walk of fame have they ever given a star posthumously and if so to whom?
It feels not right Robert Reford, Clint Eastwood not having one-piece they don't want one could they give them one once they've passed on and aren't in a position to object?!

I haven't read Kirk Douglas's autobiography, but he did say in a TV interview that Lana was wonderful in The Bad and he Beautiful, and indeed she was.

Roger Moore said that she taught him to kiss correctly in front of the camera's, and not to use too much pressure so that the leading lady doesn't end up with a close up of a double chin.

Sean Connery got on very well with Lana, and knocked out Johnny Stompanato, her abusive boyfriend who was threatening her, and who was later stabbed to death by her 14 year old daughter.

I believe that one posthumous Star is awarded every year on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I only know of one of the recipients, and that is Dennis Hopper.

You'll be pleased to hear that I watched The Lady Eve tonight Walter. It was FABULOUS! The chemistry between Barbara and Henry was electric, really felt a spark between them. Kudos to Henry for all the slapstick, was very funny.

A thoroughly enjoyable film. Bringing Up Baby and The Heiress to watch next.

That is great, I am really pleased that you enjoyed my all time favourite film.

You can see Henry Fonda at his AFI Award tribute on YouTube admitting to the star studded audience that he fell in love with Barbara when they were filming The Lady Eve. Barbara is sitting in the audience smiling proudly, obviously delighted with his loving tribute.

So Walter would you say then that despite appearances to the contrary that actually Lana Turner was in real life a fair bit classier and ladylike than Grace Kelly?

Grace is seen or was seen as the epitome of classy elegnance but I'm not sure how secret that would be if she had her time in Hollywood today!

Her death at a relatively young age was tragic but is the subject of some speculation and mystery but no where near as much as Princess Dianas is.
In a way and this may sound harsh or cruel but in terms of the global media interest Dianas arrival on the international royal scene in 1981 was really in a sense their new focus for a glamorous young female royal,Diana filled that quota/role that Princess Grace once filled and thus Graces death a year later had a sad but striking "pattern " to it if that makes sense?

I think that Lana was more upfront and honest, she liked men and admitted it. She was also a great romantic, she thought that every new love would last forever, so she usually married them.

She had one thing in common with Grace, she never really knew her father, who was murdered for his winnings in a card game when she was nine years old. Grace's father always criticised her, never praising her, not even when she won her Oscar. This made them both insecure, and constantly looking for love and approval.

Diana and Grace were also similar in some ways, both marrying into a Royal family which they hoped would bring them love and security, and neither marriage was what they had hoped for, and both met untimely deaths in car accidents. I remember seeing Diana weeping at Grace's funeral service, it seems that they met at a reception at Buckingham Palace in 1981 when Charles and Diana had just got engaged. Grace saw that Diana was very ill at ease and asked her to accompany her to the ladies room. Diana was quite tearful, and Grace hugged her saying, "Don't worry dear, you'll see, it will only get worse."

There are 2 posthumous stars being awarded this year, both to writers: Raymond Chandler and Bob Kane (creator of Batman).

I have just discovered that Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, Roy Rogers and Tony Martin have stars in four categories.

Gene Autry, of all people has FIVE! - for Radio, Recording, Motion Pictures, Television, and Live Theatre, including Rodeo performances.

More than 30 personalities have three stars, including Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin.

Am I right ok in thinking that Rita Hayworth also married royalty or was her husband a senior political or religious figure in the middle east?

When exactly was the Hollywood walk of fame established and who received the first ever star? Anyone know?