Joan Blondell: A Life between Takes (Hollywood Legends)
"Terrific . . . . Joan Blondell: A Life between Takes [is] one of the best actor bios ever . . . . Kennedy fully achieves the challenging task of making the reader feel as if we know the subject personally. It is a loving and inspiring tribute to a wonderful person and performer." --The National Board of Review"I wouldn't have thought it possible for anyone to produce a genuinely personal book about this popular actress so many years after her death, but Matthew Kennedy has done just that . . . . he has written a warm, appreciative, and amazingly intimate biography . . . . Kennedy is a genuinely good writer who knows the language as well as he does vintage Hollywood movies. This book gets my highest recommendation." --Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy"dishy and well-researched" --The Village Voice"Kennedy's research, not only of Joan's early career but also her personal life, is second to none . . . it reads like a tale that could transition into a big screen drama . . . . Kennedy takes us through Joan's life like a tour guide. His approach is highly effective, in that he skillfully paves the way for surprises but never sways toward a mechanical commentary. The true sign of a good book is one that appeals to all audiences. There are a great number of fascinating twists between this 300-page biography, which could never be done justice in a regular review." --The Midnight Palace"[Blondell's] life and work finally get their due . . . Kennedy's biography reminds us of Blondell's great success in the film industry and provides fascinating insight into the struggles faced by an actor who is never quite able to reach the top. Recommended for all academic and public libraries." --Library Journal--This text refers to thePaperbackedition.