Key Takeaways
1. Hollywood's Early Days: From Innocence to Infamy
For better or for worse, Hollywood would henceforth have to contend with that fatal chimera — the STAR.
Birth of a Dream Factory. Hollywood emerged from humble beginnings, transforming from a sleepy outpost of mission-style bungalows and orange groves into a burgeoning movie town. Lured by the promise of sunshine and cheap land, East Coast Jewish tradesmen established ramshackle open-air stages, laying the foundation for a celluloid bonanza.
The Star System is Born. As nickelodeons gained popularity, movie performers, once considered mere hired help, became ticket-selling assets. The Star System was born, elevating actors to adulation, fame, and fortune. This newfound status created a new royalty, the Golden People, some of whom struggled to cope with their sudden rise.
Halcyon Days and Hidden Vices. The Teens were Hollywood's halcyon days, a time of creativity, money, and fun. However, beneath the surface, "joy powder" (cocaine) became prevalent, leading to a manic movie comedy style. Gossip circulated, even about the "God of Hollywood," D.W. Griffith, but it remained largely behind the scenes.
2. Scandals Erupt: Olive Thomas, Fatty Arbuckle, and William Desmond Taylor
Scandals exploded like time bombs throughout the delirious decade of “Wonderful Nonsense,” as screen career after career was destroyed.
Olive Thomas's Mysterious Death. The shocking news of Olive Thomas's death from poison in Paris marked Hollywood's first major scandal. The investigation revealed a lurid private life that clashed with her "sweet young thing" image, sparking controversy and prompting Cardinal Mundelein to issue a warning about the dangers of Hollywood.
Fatty Arbuckle's Ordeal. Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, a beloved comedian, faced accusations of rape and murder after a party in San Francisco. The ensuing scandal destroyed his career, leading to boycotts, withdrawn films, and three trials. Though acquitted, Arbuckle was forever tainted, serving as a scapegoat for Hollywood's perceived immorality.
William Desmond Taylor's Unsolved Murder. The murder of William Desmond Taylor, a prominent director, in his bungalow sparked panic at Paramount. The investigation uncovered a web of affairs, hidden photographs, and a missing butler, further tarnishing Hollywood's image and prompting calls for a clean-up.
3. Hays Code: Attempting to Clean Up Hollywood's Image
The Hays Office issued its first djktat: films were to be purified.
The Need for Damage Control. The Arbuckle and Taylor scandals forced Hollywood to confront its tarnished image. Facing potential boycotts and public outrage, the movie moguls sought a figurehead of moral rectitude to umpire movie morals.
Enter Will H. Hays. Will H. Hays, a political chiseler with a prim facade, was appointed Czar of the Movies, becoming president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. Hays promised to purify films, eliminate immorality, and enforce morals clauses in contracts.
Hypocrisy and Undercover Investigations. Despite Hays's pious pronouncements, the moguls knew the morals clause wouldn't change the colony's ways. They launched undercover investigations, compiling a "Doom Book" of 117 "unsafe" Hollywood names due to their private lives.
4. Stars' Downfall: Drugs, Debauchery, and Despair
Wally was cured, but terribly debilitated physically. Only a return to the drug under control could have saved him. He refused.
Wallace Reid's Addiction and Death. Wallace Reid, the "King of Paramount," was revealed to be a morphine addict, leading to his confinement in a private sanitarium. His death at thirty, coupled with his wife's public campaign against drug addiction, further exposed Hollywood's dark side.
Heroin Heroines. After Reid's death, "users" in Hollywood learned discretion. Barbara La Marr, Alma Rubens, and Juanita Hansen, among others, succumbed to drug addiction, their careers and lives tragically cut short.
The Price of Fame. The stories of Reid, La Marr, Rubens, and Hansen served as cautionary tales, highlighting the pressures and temptations that led to the downfall of many stars. Despite attempts at reform, the cycle of addiction and scandal continued to plague Hollywood.
5. The New Gods: Living Legends and Lavish Excess
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends — It gives a lovely light!
Defiance and Decadence. Despite the Hays Code and cautionary tales, the revelry in Hollywood's charmed circle continued unabated. The New Gods, determined to live their own legends, engaged in extravagant displays of wealth and pleasure.
Lavish Lifestyles. The stars built opulent mansions, indulged in champagne baths, and threw lavish costume parties. Their lives were characterized by expensive tastes, multiple marriages, and a disregard for conventional morality.
A Candle Burning at Both Ends. The excesses of the stars reflected a cynicism and defiance characteristic of the Jazz Age youth. Bitterness and darkness often lay just beyond, but their attitude seemed to be "So What!"
6. Chaplin's Nymphs: The Dark Side of a Genius
Is it true what all the girls say—that you’re hung like a horse?”
Chaplin's Enigmatic Persona. Charles Spencer Chaplin, a solitary figure dedicated to the Film as Art, remained an enigma amidst Hollywood's excesses. While he attended parties, he never threw them, preferring to focus on his craft.
Scandal Comes to Chaplin. Despite his dedication to art, scandal found Chaplin in the form of his relationships with women. His name was linked to numerous actresses, and his reputation as a "chicken hawk" grew.
Lolita: The Ultimate Nymphet. The most scandalous of Chaplin's relationships was with Lillita McMurray, later known as Lita Grey. Their "shotgun marriage" in 1924, when Lita was sixteen and pregnant, became a Hollywood Scandal of the Year.
7. Hearst's Power: Covering Up Scandal and Protecting Marion Davies
Hollywood Must Stop Using San Francisco for a Garbage Can.”
The Ince Incident. In November 1924, movie producer Thomas H. Ince died on William Randolph Hearst's yacht, the Oneida. Rumors of a cover-up swirled, implicating Hearst in Ince's death due to jealousy over Marion Davies.
Hearst's Influence. Hearst's power and wealth allowed him to suppress the story in his newspapers and magazines. The incident became a sardonic joke in the film colony, with the Oneida known as "William Randolph's Hearse."
The Price of Silence. The Ince affair highlighted the extent of Hearst's influence and the lengths to which he would go to protect his interests and the reputation of Marion Davies. The truth remained shrouded in mystery, a testament to Hearst's control over the press.
8. Valentino's Death: Questioning Masculinity and Mourning a Legend
And now, do I act like a pink powder puff?”
The Death of a Dream Lover. Rudolph Valentino's death in 1926 sparked a wave of scandalous rumors, ranging from arsenic poisoning to syphilis. The public mourning was intense, with women attempting suicide and streets becoming a ghoulish carnival.
Challenging Gender Norms. Valentino's effeminate style and ambiguous sexuality made him a target of ridicule and speculation. The press questioned his virility, contributing to his bitterness and ultimately, his tragic end.
A Legacy of Insecurity. Valentino's death exposed the anxieties surrounding masculinity in the 1920s. His image, both celebrated and mocked, reflected a society grappling with changing gender roles and sexual identities.
9. Von Stroheim's Orgy Scenes: Pushing Boundaries and Provoking Censors
Hollywood Must Stop Using San Francisco for a Garbage Can.”
The Enigmatic Erich von Stroheim. Erich von Stroheim, a stormy individualist, directed notorious "orgy scenes" in his films, pushing boundaries and provoking censors. These scenes, shrouded in secrecy, fueled speculation and rumor.
Deluxe Bordellos and Decadent Excess. Stroheim's sets were known for their extravagance, featuring squab, caviar, real champagne, and hand-picked extras. The resulting footage, often heavily censored, left audiences wondering what truly transpired behind closed doors.
A Battle Against Pygmies. Stroheim's clashes with studio bosses over his artistic vision and extravagant spending led to his downfall. His story became a symbol of the struggle between artistic integrity and commercial constraints in Hollywood.
10. Tabloids and Gossip: Feeding the Public's Appetite for Scandal
Hollywood is the national school of masculinity. Rudy, the beautiful gardener’s boy, is the prototype of the American male.
The Rise of Gossip Columns. Hollywood scandals sold newspapers, and gossip columnists like Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper became powerful figures. They fueled the public's appetite for celebrity dirt, shaping perceptions and influencing careers.
The Graphic and the "Filth Parade." Tabloids like the Graphic painted Hollywood as a modern-day Babylon, filled with wild parties, drug use, and moral decay. These sensationalized stories catered to the public's fascination with the dark side of fame.
The Power of Innuendo. Gossip columnists used innuendo and insinuation to titillate readers, often blurring the line between fact and fiction. Their influence extended beyond entertainment, shaping public opinion and impacting the lives of those they targeted.
11. Clara Bow's Scandals: The "It" Girl's Downfall
Hollywood Must Stop Using San Francisco for a Garbage Can.”
Clara Bow: The Embodiment of the Jazz Age. Clara Bow, the "It" Girl, epitomized the flapper era with her carefree spirit and overt sexuality. However, her personal life became fodder for scandal, leading to her downfall.
Love Balms and Long Lists. Revelations about Bow's numerous affairs, gambling debts, and a scandalous relationship with her secretary, Daisy DeVoe, tarnished her image and damaged her career. The tabloids reveled in her misfortunes, further fueling the controversy.
The End of an Era. Bow's scandals marked the end of an era, as Hollywood tightened its grip on its stars' private lives. Her story served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of unchecked excess and the fickle nature of fame.
12. The Crash and Its Aftermath: Hollywood's Reckoning
We are traveling the highway to better things in filmdom ... soon there will be a model Hollywood ... I have faith that unfortunate incidents will be things safely of the past. . . ”
The End of the Golden Age. The stock market crash of 1929 brought an end to Hollywood's "Golden Age," exposing the fragility of its wealth and the excesses of its stars. Many film folk lost their fortunes, and the industry faced a period of austerity.
The Rise of the Hays Code. In response to the scandals and the economic downturn, Hollywood doubled down on its efforts to clean up its image. The Hays Code became more strictly enforced, further restricting creative expression and reinforcing moral conservatism.
A New Era of Uncertainty. The Twenties' exuberance gave way to a more cautious and self-conscious era. The stars who survived the transition faced new challenges, navigating the constraints of the Hays Code and the changing tastes of a Depression-era audience.
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FAQ
1. What is "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger about?
- Scandalous history of Hollywood: The book is a notorious exposé of Hollywood’s darkest secrets, scandals, and tragedies from the silent era through the 1950s.
- Focus on the underbelly: Anger delves into the private lives, crimes, addictions, and downfalls of movie stars, directors, and moguls, revealing the sordid side of the film industry.
- Tabloid style storytelling: Written in a sensational, gossipy tone, the book blends rumor, fact, and urban legend, often blurring the lines between them.
- Cultural critique: Beyond gossip, Anger critiques the myth of Hollywood glamour, exposing the cost of fame and the hypocrisy of the industry.
2. Why should I read "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger?
- Iconic pop culture artifact: The book is a cult classic, referenced in countless discussions about Hollywood’s history and the origins of celebrity culture.
- Unfiltered look at stardom: It offers a raw, unvarnished perspective on the price of fame and the destructive forces at play in early Hollywood.
- Influence on later works: "Hollywood Babylon" inspired generations of writers, filmmakers, and journalists to explore the darker side of show business.
- Entertaining and shocking: The book’s lurid stories and dramatic style make it a gripping, if controversial, read for anyone interested in film history or celebrity gossip.
3. What are the key takeaways from "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger?
- Fame’s dark consequences: The pursuit of stardom often led to addiction, exploitation, mental breakdowns, and even death for many Hollywood figures.
- Scandal as spectacle: Scandals were not just private tragedies but public entertainment, fueling the rise of gossip columns and tabloid journalism.
- Hypocrisy of the industry: Hollywood’s moral posturing (like the Hays Code) often masked a reality of vice, corruption, and cover-ups.
- Enduring myths and legends: Many stories in the book, whether true or exaggerated, have become part of Hollywood’s enduring mythology.
4. How is "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger structured and what is its style?
- Episodic, themed chapters: The book is divided into short, punchy chapters, each focusing on a specific scandal, star, or theme (e.g., "The Clutching Hand," "Fat Man Out," "Heroin Heroines").
- Tabloid-inspired prose: Anger writes in a sensational, sometimes mocking tone, using headlines, photos, and captions to mimic the style of scandal sheets.
- Mix of fact and rumor: The narrative often blends documented events with hearsay, urban legend, and innuendo, making it both entertaining and controversial.
- Richly illustrated: The book is filled with rare photos, newspaper clippings, and visual ephemera that enhance its lurid atmosphere.
5. What are the most infamous scandals and stories covered in "Hollywood Babylon"?
- Fatty Arbuckle trial: The book details the rape and manslaughter accusations against silent film comedian Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and the resulting media frenzy.
- Olive Thomas’s mysterious death: Anger recounts the suspicious overdose of the Ziegfeld Follies star and the rumors of drug addiction and marital strife.
- William Desmond Taylor murder: The unsolved murder of the director is explored, including the involvement of stars like Mabel Normand and Mary Miles Minter.
- Rudolph Valentino’s sexuality and death: The book discusses rumors about Valentino’s masculinity, his relationships, and the hysteria surrounding his funeral.
- Thelma Todd’s death: Anger investigates the mysterious circumstances of the actress’s death in her garage, suggesting possible murder.
6. How does Kenneth Anger portray the rise and fall of Hollywood stars in "Hollywood Babylon"?
- Meteoric rises, tragic falls: Many stars are depicted as rising quickly to fame only to be destroyed by addiction, scandal, or personal demons.
- Victims of the system: Anger suggests that the Hollywood machine chewed up and spit out its stars, with little regard for their well-being.
- Recurring themes of exploitation: The book highlights how young hopefuls were often exploited by producers, directors, and even their own families.
- Cycle of replacement: As one star fell, another was always waiting in the wings, emphasizing the industry’s ruthless nature.
7. What role do drugs, sex, and crime play in "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger?
- Drugs as coping mechanism: Cocaine, heroin, and alcohol are shown as common tools for stars to deal with the pressures of fame and the demands of the studio system.
- Sexual exploitation and scandal: The book is filled with stories of affairs, casting couch encounters, and sexual blackmail, often involving underage or vulnerable women.
- Crime and cover-ups: Murders, suicides, and mysterious deaths are frequent, with Anger alleging that studios and police often conspired to hide the truth.
- Moral hypocrisy: Despite public campaigns for decency, the private lives of Hollywood’s elite were often anything but.
8. How does "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger address the role of gossip and the media in Hollywood?
- Birth of the gossip column: The book traces the rise of figures like Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper, who wielded enormous power through their columns.
- Media as kingmaker and executioner: Anger shows how the press could make or break careers, often amplifying or inventing scandals for circulation.
- Public’s appetite for scandal: The book argues that the American public was complicit, eagerly consuming stories of sin and downfall.
- Manipulation and payoffs: Studios often paid off journalists or planted stories to protect their stars or sabotage rivals.
9. What is the significance of the Hays Code and censorship in "Hollywood Babylon"?
- Reaction to scandal: The Hays Code was introduced as a response to public outrage over Hollywood scandals, aiming to clean up the industry’s image.
- Morality clauses: Stars were forced to sign contracts promising good behavior, but these were often ignored or selectively enforced.
- Censorship’s limits: Anger argues that censorship did little to change the real behavior of Hollywood’s elite, serving more as a PR move than a moral reform.
- Backlash and subversion: Filmmakers and stars found ways to circumvent or mock the code, and the public’s appetite for scandal remained undiminished.
10. How does "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger explore the theme of suicide and self-destruction among Hollywood figures?
- Frequent tragic endings: The book is filled with stories of stars who took their own lives, often after career setbacks, addiction, or public disgrace.
- Symbolic locations: The Hollywood Sign and other landmarks become sites of suicide, reinforcing the link between failed dreams and self-destruction.
- Societal pressures: Anger suggests that the relentless pressure to succeed and maintain an image contributed to many breakdowns and suicides.
- Cycle of oblivion: The narrative emphasizes how quickly stars could be forgotten, their deaths serving as cautionary tales for the next generation.
11. What are the best quotes from "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger and what do they mean?
- “Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.” – Highlights the industry’s skewed values and the cost of fame.
- “The great big golden illusion ripped open on October 29, 1929.” – Refers to the stock market crash and the end of Hollywood’s “Golden Age.”
- “The public’s craving for a nonstop movie-star titillation fix was mainlined and bylined day by day by that syndicated, sob-sister, mutant, deadlining hunt-and-pecker: the Hollywood Gossip Columnist.” – Critiques the media’s role in feeding the public’s appetite for scandal.
- “Genius is often an infinite capacity for survival.” – Suggests that those who lasted in Hollywood did so through resilience, not just talent.
12. How accurate and reliable is "Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger as a source of Hollywood history?
- Mix of fact and fiction: The book is notorious for blending documented events with rumors, urban legends, and outright fabrications.
- Controversial reputation: Many historians and critics have challenged the accuracy of Anger’s stories, though some have been corroborated over time.
- Cultural impact over accuracy: Its value lies more in its influence on pop culture and the mythology of Hollywood than as a factual record.
- Read as entertainment: Readers are advised to approach the book as a work of sensational storytelling rather than a definitive history.
Review Summary
Hollywood Babylon is a controversial book detailing scandals of early Hollywood stars. Reviews are mixed, with some praising its salacious content and entertaining writing style, while others criticize its lack of factual accuracy and sensationalism. Many readers find it a guilty pleasure, offering a glimpse into the dark underbelly of Golden Age Hollywood. The book's layout and writing quality are often criticized, but its cultural impact and historical significance are acknowledged. Some view it as an important, if not entirely truthful, piece of Hollywood history.
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