Degrees of Affection

When I was growing up, the 80s and 90s - even some of the 70s - didn't exist when it came to movies. Oh, we watched the latest Disney movie but what I grew up with were classic movies. Even before TCM was created, John Wayne, Cary Grant, Maureen O'Hara, Judy Garland, and so many others were my favorite actors. It really threw me when I realized the actors I loved no longer looked like this or might even no longer be alive. So these figures and even some of these scandals were familiar to me. However, the depth of her research is incredible and I think nearly all readers - regardless of their knowledge - will find something new to them.

The book covers many famous Hollywood scandals, stretch from the silent era with Mary Pickford and Fatty Arbuckle, through the studio system with Gable & Lombard and Judy Garland, to the beginning of the modern movies with Marlon Brando and James Dean. The scandals are often paired together in a way that helps further understanding by comparing and contrasting the events, such as under the section "The Blonde Menace" that covered Jean Harlow and Mae West.

Much of the source material comes from the fan magazines of the day, with the facts and insights we've now gained about many of these situations helping to read between the lines. The author works to frame our understanding in the culture/society of the day and largely, does a good job.

I found some of the analysis a bit too "they should have done better" and I hate the way the notes are set up. But the book had notes, so I call that largely a win.

A quick and interesting read; I hope to see the author do more like this.