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I have been a fan of film for fifty years and read countless books on Hollywood and it's Stars. So it is remarkable that any new book could come along that could take my breath away in its quality. If they gave Oscars for book writing Carla Valderrama would win won for this outstanding achievement.
There is a wonderland of stories presented in her book. While it covers the history and growth of film into the art form it becomes, she did not resort to a chronology or a historical treatise on the subject. Instead she chose a set of stories of events and of stars, many forgotten, to take you back in time and use those to tell the history. The stories are chosen to literally help you feel what Hollywood was like in those glorious golden years of development. Many of these stories have been told before but usually as sound bites. Carla has taken them and expertly pieced together a more comprehensive storyline that provides for a much more complete picture. She seems to know the exact length to make a story so that it keeps your interest and you are left still wanting a little bit more because it was so good. She draws you in with great suspense at stories that are simply remarkable.
There are stars and events that should have been given much more due than they were. There are reasons why they weren’t and so it is with the deepest gratitude that I appreciate Carla for finally letting these be known. A woman director that was every bit as great as D.W. Griffith or Cecil B. DeMille but couldn’t fit the “Old Boys Club” or the child star that may have exceeded all of the others in career had it not been for walking away from “the casting couch”. And her treatment of John Garfield during the time of the Hollywood Blacklist was a masterpiece.
What is equally extraordinary is the format of this book - it is simply gorgeous. It reminds me of the movie magazines of old and includes a cornucopia of beautiful photos and layouts. Everything so meticulously researched from newspapers, original fan magazines, to actual interviews with those still alive to tell the story. It is true archive level research.
This book is a masterpiece. My one hope is that I can one day meet this author who clearly shares a love of Hollywood as I have for most of my life. And if I had one question to ask her it would be why she thinks these golden age films touch us old souls in such a way that new films simply can’t despite their increased level of sophistication and technology. I have never been able to adequately express why and after reading her work I have faith that she might actually be able to put this into words.
If you are a fan of Hollywood, do yourself a favor and buy this book.
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From the Publisher
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Customers say
Customers find this book fascinating and filled with great information, praising its thorough research and well-written content. The illustrations receive positive feedback, with one customer noting the rarely seen photos that provide a wonderful peek into the past. Customers appreciate the classy layout and design of the book, and one customer describes it as the "BIBLE OF HOLLYWOOD'S GLORY DAYS."
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81 customers mention content, 77 positive, 4 negative
Great book very interesting and well written.. full of the forgotten people who helped make Hollywood happen. I highly recommend this book 👍👍👍👍Read more
I found the book to be very interesting. Good stories and great pictures. The problem is that it's written with the smallest print possible....Read more
...I cannot put it down. Great stories and pictures. Historically accurate but also really fun to read. A great gift!Read more
Awesome book. Learned a lot. Worth it if you're a Hollywood historian.Read more
29 customers mention informative, 28 positive, 1 negative
...Carla’s writing is entertaining, informative, and flows well. The unknown history of Hollywood is just amazing, and I learned so much....Read more
Very well researched and written book, very absorbing....Read more
This Was Hollywood is a MUST BUY. With empathy, humor and thorough research, Valderrama effectively unpacks the glamour, allure, secrecy and scandal...Read more
The writer must have done an excellent research....Read more
26 customers mention illustrations, 26 positive, 0 negative
I found the book to be very interesting. Good stories and great pictures. The problem is that it's written with the smallest print possible....Read more
...I cannot put it down. Great stories and pictures. Historically accurate but also really fun to read. A great gift!Read more
...Truly captures the old Hollywood spirit and legends. Beautiful pictures and amazing tidbits. ImpressiveRead more
...the stories were well researched and new to her, and the illustrations were great. Thank you!Read more
23 customers mention writing style, 21 positive, 2 negative
Well written not very salacious. Obscure people maybe more of a personal memorial by authorRead more
...stories and incredible detail, this expertly researched and written book is a must buy!...Read more
Interesting, sometimes funny, and all very well written! If you are interested in old Hollywood you’ll want to read this.Read more
...For anyone who loves film and the oldies this is so well written. Looking forward to the next one! It would also make a great Holiday gift!...Read more
9 customers mention design, 9 positive, 0 negative
...There is no ax to grind. Also worthy of mention is the layout of the book....Read more
...Written in an engaging style, and lovingly designed in homage to the classic fan magazines of yesteryear, this is one addition to your library that...Read more
Really enjoyed this this book. The layout is so cool and there’s a lot to learn, she chose a lot of unique stories to write about....Read more
...From the impeccable and classy layout to the limitless information here, this book is a reminder that to those of us who think we know just about...Read more
7 customers mention hollywood history, 7 positive, 0 negative
This book is an absolute treasure. It captures the pizazz and glory of old Hollywood and has many interesting stories about stars that have been...Read more
Better than expected. Truly captures the old Hollywood spirit and legends. Beautiful pictures and amazing tidbits. ImpressiveRead more
...Highly recommend for any fan of Hollywood, history, celebs of the past, and/or little known film facts....Read more
...It reminds me of the movie magazines of old and includes a cornucopia of beautiful photos and layouts....Read more
This Book is Very Enjoyable !
This Book is Great ! Lot's of Information to Read and Enjoy ! HIGHLY RECOMMEND ! Thanks Very Much Amazon !
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book is Marvelous, Dahhlingg, just Marvelous. “This Was Hollywood” is classically fabulous. The history and presentation is really well done. Carla’s writing is entertaining, informative, and flows well. The unknown history of Hollywood is just amazing, and I learned so much. The quality of her resources is respectful, and the information has me fall into love deeper with stars and see them even more human. I have a background in photography and graphic design, and I was blown a way by the genius and style of the design It was honestly beautiful to see a book design like this have the quality it did, it’s rare, usually poor quality. I felt with ‘This Was Hollywood’ as if I was waking down downtown LA in the 40s, and saw a magazine with Rita Hayworth I needed to have. I received an advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review. Truly a wonderful experience reading this, and absorbing it.
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Top reviews from other countries
- R. MooreReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2021
Fantastic book !
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase - SoumyaReviewed in India on March 27, 2021
Must buy for Old Hollywood fanatics
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase - Linda T.Reviewed in Canada on August 7, 2025
This is a fascinating book with loads of important information!
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase -
SQReviewed in Spain on April 28, 2021
Un libro 10 sobre r en l Hollywood clásico
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase - Mike DavisReviewed in Australia on May 16, 2025
an impressive looking hard cover
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
