Bill O'NeillSecret Hollywood: Crazy and Interesting Stories about the Rich and Famous

Author Bill O’Neill has authored many books on Trivia and stands as somewhat of an expert in this field! His topics include movies, football, baseball, wars, rock music, simply random trivia facts and US States. Now with a nod to providing interesting reading material while passing the time at home, Bill offers a plethora of stories that provide not only entertaining but also so educational topics – tidbits of unbelievable but true crazy nonsense that result in a wakeup jolt – followed by a guffaw! His newest contribution to material to lighten our day is SECRET HOLLYWOOD – a real winner!Providing an overview of the topics of interest in this book, Bill outlines his content in the Introduction – ‘Who doesn’t love the movies? If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that a few hours of escapism in front of our favorite film – be it comedy, a romance, a horror, or whatever else we’re in the mood for – is the perfect was to spend a night out, or a lazy night in. But if there’s one thing we’re also guilty of, then it is wanting and needing to know a little more about everything that goes on – off set and off screen – when the cameras stop rolling. For as long as there have been movies, audiences have been just as interested in the lives, loves, and exploits of our favorite stars as we have in the roles they play. Dozens of these Hollywood scandals and stories are collected together here, from the early days of the silent era to the fantasy blockbusters and comic book movies of the 2000s. ‘Bill shares true stories and details of the lives of Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle, Lon Chaney, the romance between Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, Sophia Loren and Cary Grant, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, problems with King Kong, It Happened One Night, Gone with the Wind, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Batman series, the James Bond franchise, the Avengers and Hulk, and so many more fascinating bits of information about films and their controversial stars. “The lives of all our favorite stars, it seems, are just as intriguing and as exciting off screen as they are on.’Not only is the book entertaining – it is also very instructive. For those familiar with Bill O’Neill’s talent for tickling the brain, this book is a must read – one of his best. For those who are simply looking for solid entertaining reading to while away the hours, welcome to the field expert! Highly recommended – especially during these times… Grady Harp, March 21

A great read for movie buffs! Seeing and appreciating these movies much more , may result from reading all this fascinating trivia! Research for all of these chapters must have been very difficult. Bravo to the author for holding one’s attention through some movie franchises I missed, and now need to see!

I read it; it was interesting, but barely. The old Hollywood stories are too well-known, and new Hollywood stories only mildly interesting. Sadly, the errors in grammar, punctuation and accuracy were very distracting.

The product itself is fine except the front cover was folded up in the shipping envelope and it looks used now. Plus the package was partially opened. It’s a gift for someone who wouldn’t care so much about it but I’d liked to have given an undamaged guft.

This is an excellent interesting book. I learned some interesting information that I did not know before reading this book. I read this book for my personal pleasure and for my personal knowledge. I agree with the author of the book that Frank Capra's 1946 movie It's A Wonderful Life is regularly listed as one of the greatest films of all time. Some of the interesting information in this book includes the following information: Charlie Chaplin's mother was committed to an insane asylum Charlie Chaplin came to America at the age of 19 years old. Clark Gable's Oscar for It Happened One Night was the only Oscar of his entire career. The Wizard Of Oz took the work of five directors. Judy Garland almost missed out getting the role of Dorothy Gale. Shirley Temple was reportedly MGM's first choice for the role of Dorothy Gale. However, she was already signed up with Warner Brothers. Orson Welles claimed concerning the role of Mr. Kane in the film Citizen Kane was not entirely based on William Randolph Hearst, bur rather a composite character inspired by several notable media figures including Mr. Hearst and others.

Most of the stories were well known but additional info added new insights into the workings of the wonderful world of entertainment

I’m a movie buff going back to the days of the silents, so really wasn’t expecting to read anything new in the way of cool gossip beyond that which I had read about before. Pleasantly surprised at the amount of new stuff I learned about movies old and new! I particularly like all the quotes from the stars tucked in between chapters here and there. The only reason I knocked it down a star was because of the number of typos, but really would rate it at 4.5 if we were able to do that. Enjoyed it a lot!

Bill is such a resourceful researcher and his books are always so much fun to read. I finished this entire book in 3.5 hours. This Hollywood book is all about the back stories, interesting tidbits, scandals about directors and movie stars. I think the book would be appreciated most by older generation as 2/3 of the books about movies and stars from the 20s, to the 50s, way before my time. I did not know these people so they don't resonate with me as much as the last 1/3. I know why Toy Story 2 was almost destroyed, or why Joker kept licking his lips or why The Conjuring was rated R despite it contained no R rated content. Very interesting book. I read a few of his other books loved them too. In this Hollywood book, I love the Quotes & Quips (there are 5); they are so funny.

If, like me, you love reading the true stories behind the making of films, you'll love this book.I'd thoroughly recommend it if you're interested in old Hollywood and also up to date film making.I loved that you could read the bite size chapters, yet still the writing kept your attention.Definitely recommended and it will definitely make me want to read more of this writers books.

I like this book a lot .As good as his other books. There are a lot of facts and figures though out the book .I loved it.

Bought this as a gift for my mum one story talks about the film house boat and its mixed up peoples names Cary Grant and Clark Gabel , she hasn't finished the book but I hope there no more mix ups as its bit off putting when she's trying to read it .

Loved this book for proving how crazy Hollywood is. From the silent movies up to modern day blockbuster. Stories that will amaze you. Trivia Bill at his best.

Excellent fun book. Interesting read with an insight to the golden age of movies. I would certainly recommend for the nostalgia and intrigue