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#4534849 in eBooks 2007-04-16 2007-04-16File Name: B000UYWL30
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. After a polemical opening chapter which makes one fear the worst of this approach the book settles down into a ...By JimHall examines the life and career of the Mexican Hollywood star through the lens of race and gender. After a polemical opening chapter which makes one fear the worst of this approach the book settles down into a mostly well-researched; well-written biography with authorial insights both incisive and arguable. Unfortunately there are several errors regarding Hollywood history. She cites Universal chief Carl Laemmle as the director of "The Whole Towns Talking." The director was his nephew; Edward Laemmle (a perhaps understandable error. As Ogden Nash famously said; "Uncle Carl Laemmle/Has a very big faemmle.). She states that Mauritz Stiller never completed a Hollywood film after being removed from Garbos "The Torrent". In fact; he made four subsequent films for Paramount; most famously; "Hotel Imperial" with Pola Negri. And David O. Selznick did not become an independent producer after leaving RKO; but instead had his own unit at MGM; which produced "Dinner at Eight" and "David Copperfield" among other highly successful films. She also makes a reference to Chaplins friend; Tim Durant; as an actor. Although he had four uncredited film roles he was more well known as society figure and jockey. It is hoped that these and other minor factual errors will be corrected in future editions as they do a disservice to Ms. Halls diligence in other areas. In sum; a fairly good book of its type and certainly the best English language biography of this fascinating trailblazing star.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Invaluable biography of a major icon of cinema historyBy H. M. NeelyLandmark biography of Dolores del Rio; the first major work on this fascinating actress to appear in the English language. Hall had access to del Rios personal archives; with many letters and cable quoted in the text. The book is expensive; but worth it!8 of 11 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy Jonathan LunaThe first; English language biography of Mexican beauty Dolores Del Riacute;o; the " invention of Dolores Del Riacute;o" was a sociological study this book Is well written and investigated made with scientific research; and by an historian; not writers that do not respect the scientific research or that pretende to be Dolores Del Riacute;o . The only complaint Is the suggestion that Dolores had a plastic surgery; but not only Her; but also Her friends Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo; may be another complaint is that I spected more pictures of Dolores.