Focusing on the rise and struggles of a prominent acting family, the narrative unfolds with Richard Bennett's early success on the New York stage, overshadowed by his daughters, Constance and Joan. Constance became the highest-paid actress of her time, transitioning from melodramas to comedy, while Joan transformed her image to become a celebrated temptress. Their careers flourished amidst personal turmoil, including court battles and scandals. The story also highlights sister Barbara's decline from a promising dancer to alcoholism, showcasing the complexities of fame and family dynamics.
The book offers an insightful exploration of the life and career of a pivotal movie critic from the twentieth century. It delves into their influential role in shaping film criticism and the broader cinematic landscape, presenting a narrative that is both engaging and informative. Through a detailed analysis, it highlights the critic's impact on the industry and their lasting legacy in the realm of film.
A lively and colorful biography of Hollywood’s first superagent—one of the most outrageous showbiz characters of the 1960s and 1970s whose clients included Barbra Streisand, Ryan O’Neal, Faye Dunaway, Michael Caine, and Candice BergenBefore Sue Mengers hit the scene in the mid-1960s, talent agents remained quietly in the background. But staying in the background was not possible for Mengers. Irrepressible and loaded with chutzpah, she became a driving force of Creative Management Associates (which later became ICM) handling the era’s preeminent stars.A true original with a gift for making the biggest stars in Hollywood listen to hard truths about their careers and personal lives, Mengers became a force to be reckoned with. Her salesmanship never stopped. In 1979, she was on a plane that was commandeered by a hijacker, who wanted Charlton Heston to deliver a message on television. Mengers was incensed, wondering why the hijacker wanted Heston, when she could get him Barbra Streisand.Acclaimed biographer Brian Kellow spins an irresistible tale, exhaustively researched and filled with anecdotes about and interviews more than two hundred show-business luminaries. A riveting biography of a powerful woman that charts show business as it evolved from New York City in the 1950s through Hollywood in the early 1980s, Can I Go Now? will mesmerize anyone who loves cinema’s most fruitful period.
