| Vernon and Irene Castle's Ragtime Revolution
Fans of the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers movie The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle learn here the real story of the very modern couple who invented modern social dance and promoted ragtime. Here is a tale of vaudeville, race relations, the birth of jazz, animal rights, World War I, and monkeys — lots of monkeys.
Reviews
"A fascinating study of modern fame...Has a you-are-there feel, painting a compelling portrait of early 20th-century American entertainment." -- Fern Siegel, The New York Post
A solidly researched book, Ragtime Revolution is a boon to show-biz buffs." -- Encore Magazine
"[Golden] has an uncanny ability to humanize her long-dead subjects, injecting equal parts humor, knowledge and common sense...Ragtime Revolution floats along like a good dance step." -- Laura Wagner, Classic Images
Vernon and Irene Castle's Ragtime Revolution
University Press of Kentucky, 2007
315 pages, 66 photos
Hardcover, $40
Buy this book online from Amazon.com or Borders.com!
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| Vernon and Irene Castle in 1913 |
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| Irene visiting Vernon in London during his war service, May 1916 |
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| John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars
The handsome, mercurial matinee idol who inspired the 2010 film The Artist, John Gilbert was MGM's top male star till talkies destroyed his career. The question ever since has been, why? His voice, a feud with Mayer, changing tastes, or his own hubris? A sympatheic but honest portrait of the man who was loved by Garbo, Dietrich, Leatrice Joy, Virginia Bruce, Ina Claire, Lupe Velez, Laurette Taylor, Barbara La Marr and many others.
Reviews
"One of the virtues of Eve Golden's smart, funny biography of John Gilbert is that she doesn't make him seem too pathetic . . . Golden adds nuance to every element . . . readers know that, for all his weaknesses, Gilbert had a bully time while his heyday lasted."--The Washington Post
"This warm, even enchanting book is a heartfelt return to the magic of an era long gone."--Booklist
"A first-rate job. Golden has the personality of a no-nonsense dame from the 1930s."--The Palm Beach Post
John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars
University Press of Kentucky, 2013
384 pages, 62 photos
Buy this book online from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com!
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| John Gilbert in his back yard, 1924 |
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| John Gilbert in 1927 |
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