Reviewer Dr. Wesley Britton: Dr. Britton is the author of four non-fiction books on espionage in literature and the media. Starting in fall 2015, his new six-book science fiction series, The Beta-Earth Chronicles, debuted via BearManor Media.
In 2018, Britton self-published the seventh book in the Chronicles, Alpha Tales 2044, a collection of short stories, many of which first appeared at a number of online venues.
For seven years, he was co-host of online radio’s Dave White Presents where he contributed interviews with a host of entertainment insiders. Before his retirement in 2016, Dr. Britton taught English at Harrisburg Area Community College. Learn more about Dr. Britton at his WEBSITE
Author: Robert Hammond
Publisher: New Way Press (August 4, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0615680550
ISBN-13: 978-0615680552
Author: Robert Hammond
Publisher: New Way Press (August 4, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0615680550
ISBN-13: 978-0615680552
On the first page of C.B. DeMille: The Man Who Invented Hollywood, Robert Hammond claims:"
The following work
combines satire, historical fiction, creative nonfiction, apocryphal
accounts, allegory, parable, fable, urban legend, mythology, poetic
license, scholarly research, fair use, works in the public domain,
and the author’s fertile imagination. Although inspired by the real
life and work of the visionary director Cecil B. DeMille, certain
situations, characterizations, and conversations were created for
literary entertainment and educational purposes.
That’s a tall order for a book of 160 pages. In fact, as it’s such a fast read, I’m not sure “book” or “novel” fit the bill—perhaps novela or novelette are closer to describing the story.
In fact, The man Who Invented Hollywood is a series of fast-cut scenes with minimal description, the characters are only briefly sketched, and the episodes are so hit-and-run that their importance is often only implied. Of course, there’s something to be said for word economy and impressionistic scriptwriting techniques. But a chapter can consist of Cecil B. DeMille entering an office, getting word he has a budget approved for a film—chapter over. Or a chapter begins with DeMille’s wife returning after a separation by walking in the door, sending the children to bed, inviting her husband to follow her to the bedroom—chapter over.
The story is ostensibly
that of film director Cecil B. DeMille from the beginning of his
career through his death and his first steps into the afterlife. In
very few pages, DeMille moves his family to the West Coast, starts a
movie, duels with mogul Adolph Zukor, has several affairs, and yells
at extras and cameramen through his megaphone. He invented Hollywood?
How? As compared to whom?
Cecil B. DeMille: The Man Who Invented Hollywood is an entertaining read that will take less time to read than watching any of the master’s films. However, you may feel you just heard and saw a trailer for an epic. Or perhaps a shortened radio adaptation of a two hour movie. Intriguing, appetite whetting, but only a taste of the full script.
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