1939: Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’
“1939” profiles the making of six of the most significant films of 1939: “Gone With the Wind,” “Stagecoach,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Wizard of Oz,” covering each film from the origins of the script to the finished film’s debut and critical receptions.
The story of each film is illustrated with authentic production photos that give behind-the-scenes glimpses of old Hollywood at work.Covering the foibles, passions, inspirations and sometimes disordered personal lives of writers, producers, directors, actors and technicians, “1939” is a portrait of Hollywood at work and play — plus a sourcebook of movieland gossip.
“1939” also exposes the blunt social and business realities that built the Hollywood dream factory. Besides giving a full account of the artistic creation of each film, “1939” describes the business deals that made each film possible, the Hays Office censorship that mandated careful handling of social and sexual themes, the marketing and political pressures that shaped films, and the titanic egos and career ambitions that drove the men and women who made the movies.
Available from bookstores, online booksellers and Craven Street Books (1-800-345-4447, CravenStreetBooks.com).
