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Hollywood

The Oral History

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About this listen

Hollywood: The Oral History covers the history of Hollywood from the Silent era up to the 21st century.

What makes this book unique from any other survey of Hollywood's history is that it is the history of an art form through the words of those people who created it—from Harold Lloyd to Katharine Hepburn to Warren Beatty to Jane Fonda and beyond, including directors, writers, producers, editors, designers of sets and costumes.

As such, the authenticity of the text is irrefutable.

The material in the book—gathered over the decades by the American Film Institute—has never been published before, has never been heard before.

It is comprehensive—a monument that will never age nor be surpassed.

©2022 Sam Wasson (P)2022 Faber & Faber Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Modern Celebrity Entertainment
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Love that this exists, but, occasionally, the quotes were akin to hearing what goes into a ham & cheese sandwich. And the lady narrator sounds like she has one eyebrow cocked at all times. Oh, and they really should have called it Hollywood Babbles On.

Hollywood Babbles On

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I am a fan of Basinger and of Hollywood history so this was a must-have for me. But the fragmentary nature of the book doesn’t work well (in my opinion) for an audiobook. But the worst problem was accents (Vincente Minnelli given a cliched Italian accent when he was American, born and bred) and odd pronunciations of quite well known actors (eg David Niven).

A fascinating curate’s egg but narration jarred at times

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Kubrikc, Preminger, gaudy, toots - those are only a few of the names and words that are mangled by one of the readers - I believe it is Timothy Andres Pabon - of this otherwise excellent tome on Hollywood history. Beautifully researched by Sam Wasson and Jeanine Basinger, this is an edition to the must have books on your shelves and in your library. Going from the very genesis of the industry, we hear how it really was - or as from one of Fatty Arbuckle's ex wives, who says she should know - as an antidote to the toxic glamour of Babylon, etc. The readers are clear, the variation is well selected and the chapters are well laid out. A lot to hear, a lot to learn and a lot to enjoy here. Just please, get the words correct (unless, of course, there is no one way to say the word 'gaudy').

Mispronunciations galore but good otherwise

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Overall the narration was very good. However, I would have preferred more accurate accents for those who were not American. Also, it was jarring to hear David Niven's surname being misprounced twice. Nonetheless, an impressive and fascinating endeavour..

Fascinating Interviews

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Interesting content ruined by the overacting of the female narrator. Putting too much into every line.

Overacted

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