Armed & Marvelous Releases Saturday!
I can hardly believe the day is almost here. Preliminary reviews have been 5-stars and complimentary. We’re so thrilled the Pink Pistol Sisterhood is such a hit!
My book is set in 1955, and among other things, it is then that the big Hollywood era was winding down from its heyday. The years before then made for some fascinating research, for sure.
The father of my hero, Roan Bertoletti, is a big-shot Hollywood producer who raises Roan as a teen-ager, thrusting him from his mother’s ranch into the high profile world of movie stars. It’s inevitable Roan ventures into acting, and he manages to do a decent job of it, earning his share of fans. That is, until one day scandal erupts and changes his life forever.
The scandal was not of his own making, and his father steps in with the help of a ‘fixer’ named Mannix, who was a true figure at the time. I don’t go into much detail about the fixer, but he played a crucial part in the movie stars’ lives, too.
At the time, the immorality among actors and actresses was shocking. Too shocking to let the American public know. It was all about the studios and the money they made. Huge amounts of it. The studios had to keep the actors and actresses working and the public paying to see them. They owned the local police and newspapers, even doctors who wanted a little cash on the side. Heck, they owned the actors and actresses themselves. Once the seven-year contracts were signed, the actors and actresses were stuck and helpless.
In the late 1920s, Hollywood was little more than a small town out in the country surrounded by mountains and scrubby fields. Its
citizens were church-going people, and they disliked the influx of actors, actresses, producers, cameramen, film technicians, cutters, and so on invading their town.
But, like it or not, the studios provided a variety of employment opportunities, and the movies were there to stay. Even California’s pleasant weather and beautiful scenery was ideal for the Westerns that were gaining in popularity.
Film crews did expand into Los Angeles in the early days, settling in small one room offices, some with only a table and a few chairs, which, of course, changed when the money began to roll in.
As the movie studios prospered, so did the power and clout of fixers like Eddie Mannix. Mannix grew up in New Jersey, had a tough childhood with mobsters as his closest friends. He cultivated friends in the government and the underworld. He wasn’t afraid to be ruthless. Laws didn’t matter. Only his solutions did.
Here are a few of his “solutions”:
- If an actress got pregnant illegitimately or inconveniently, Mannix made sure she got an abortion.
- If an actor spent way too much time in gay bars, Mannix made sure their coming-and-going was kept out of the newspapers, or the actor was prevented altogether, banished to some place private.
- If an actress died from a cocaine overdose, the death certificate listed the death as “tuberculosis” or something else entirely.
- If an acting couple had an affair, the studio forced divorces and quick marriages.
- If addictions weakened an actor’s ability to meet their film commitments, they were sent away to a sanitarium to get better, all without the public’s knowledge.
- In Judy Garland’s case, it was the studio who made sure she got plenty of drugs to keep her working during the day, then more drugs to help her sleep at night. She was a working maniac – in five years, she starred in more than a dozen films, made 100 radio appearances, recorded 40 albums, attended 500 benefits and bond drives. She was hugely popular, made tons of money for the studio, and in the end, she died much too young from her addictions. Such a waste of that talent.
These are only a few of the scenarios. Hundreds more happened, but most were kept secret. The scenarios were fascinating and sad, but rest assured, my book isn’t quite as dark or depressing. Ha!
I’ll be celebrating the release of ARMED & MARVELOUS on Saturday in the Pink Pistol Sisterhood Facebook Reader Group at 11 am CT. Please join me for lots of prizes and fun.
Could you live the glamorous lifestyle like the Golden Age of Hollywood? Has it ever been your dream to be someone famous? Are you comfortable in the spotlight – or do you prefer to be on the sidelines?
After a terrible tragedy, wild game hunter Rexanna Brennan returns home to her family’s ranch to heal. She never expects to learn her crazy aunt has left her a pink pistol with an even crazier legend. But more unsettling, a Hollywood cowboy has moved onto the ranch, stealing her family’s hearts and maybe her legacy, too.
False accusations throw Roan Bertoletti into scandal and yank him out of his movie star life. His reputation shredded, he grasps at the second chance the Brennan family gives him. With his roots firmly planted, he’s living his dream to be a cowboy again, and he has no plans to leave the ranch anytime soon.
But Rexanna’s grief pulls at him. So does her insistence she can’t stay. Can he convince the beautiful heiress to claim what has always been hers? Time is running out, and so are his options.
Except for the pink pistol . . .
Pam has written 30 romances, most of them historical westerns, but she's proud of her contemporary sweet romances featuring the Blackstone Ranch series published by Tule Publishing, too! Stay up on the latest at www.pamcrooks.com
Happy Book Release!
Sounds like a wonderful book in an interesting era.
Thanks, Denise. It was a fun change for me.
I’ve heard about the corruption in Hollywood then & I believe it’s more widespread now. What a great idea to write a book including this part of our history in the “legend” of the pink pistol! I’ve preordered the book & am excited to read it!
Thanks, Ami! I’ve kicked off the last several series I’ve been in, so stepping back to Book #8 was a big change for me. But it all worked out. I chose 1955 because it’s the year I was born. Plus, by 1955, the Pink Pistol has been winging its way through history and has established its reputation as a matchmaker for couples resisting love and each other. 🙂
Goodness sakes! I’m going to love reading this book too! First of all, the names you chose are awesome! The era – intriguing. Thanks for the history lesson too. I remember my mom telling about big name stars in her youth.
It’s amazing those big name stars then are still recognizable to us today. Their movies have endured for those who watch black-and-white films. Although, I must say some of the acting is sub-par for sure. LOL.
I much prefer being on the sidelines, and have no desire to be anywhere near Hollywood or any actors!! I do feel sorry for them being in the spotlight so much, but then, they chose that life and knew what it would entail going into it. Being in a fishbowl is NOT for me!
I agree, Trudy! And you know, you can be famous and still stay out of the fishbowl these days with modern technology. It’s a double-edged sword. Making friends by way of a keyboard and monitor is not necessarily a good thing, but lots of people have become famous without hardly leaving their office.
“flying under the radar and keeping a low profile”
And yet, Jeff, you are comfortable posting on social media and making friends on Facebook. 🙂 You are so well-liked and articulate, even keeping a low profile!
When I was young I would dream about singing and dancing on Broadway..
Aw, that’s a good one, Kathleen. I’m sure lots of little girls did. I would have, too, if could sing or dance. I lived vicariously through four daughters who all took dance lessons and were good enough to have gone far if they so chose.
Excited for your release, Pam! I knew Hollywood had a dark side behind all the glitz and glamour, but how sad to learn about the fixers they employed. I love Judy Garland’s films, but her story behind the scenes is so tragic.
Judy Garland is a classic case of a tragic life that she hid from the cameras. She had the look of the girl next door, but she made so many bad decisions and was powerless to keep herself from making them. She would have kept Eddie Mannix busy, that’s for sure. So sad . . .
One of the studios started out here (Yes, I’m in Southern California) was first scouted out by L. Frank Baum—the guy who wrote the Wizard of Oz series of books. As a matter of fact, he filmed a version of the story, out here in 1903.
Movie-makers were trying to get away from the very populated cities back east, where Edison had patented some aspect of film… It’s been a couple of decades since I heard this stuff and don’t remember clearly anymore.
MaryEllen, you are exactly right about Edison! He was a big part in spurring the fascination of moving pictures because he had the expertise to get them to move. LOL. After the turn of the century, the public couldn’t get enough of moving pictures, and the movie-makers recognized the opportunity right in front of them.
But with New York’s terrible winters, it was difficult to film during that time of year, so they packed up their crews and traveled four days one way out to California and its beautiful weather. The rest is history!
I am not one to be famous in any way – prefer the quiet rural farm life. BUT this book is another awesome read for this series I really enjoyed reading it!!
Thank you, my friend. And thank you for your lovely review!
Good morning, no, I would not like to be someone who is famous, I am happy as I am , I am not a social butterfly at all. When I was in HS, I was in the Drama club and I liked it much better when I was on the sidelines. Your book sounds like a great read! Have a great day.
Hi, Alicia! When I was in high school, I tried out for one school play and got a small part, but I didn’t particularly enjoy it, especially when the audience laughed at the way I said a particular line – and they weren’t supposed to laugh. LOL.
You have a great day, too!
cant wait for the book.
Two more days, Emma!! Hard to believe after all the planning and gazillion emails, ARMED & MARVELOUS will finally be here! Yay!
I prefer the sidelines.
That’s not a bad thing, karijean. I think most people do.
I wouldn’t be for me, I would rather be quiet and out of the spotlight. Your book sounds really good.
You are in the majority, Quilt Lady. It takes a certain personality to love the limelight and fawning!
Pam, Thank you so much for this history lesson. I have heard lots of unsavory happenings were more than prevalent. Such as, Rock Hudson being gay as well as Richard Chamberlain. I admired both of these men and was so disappointed with the way they chose to live their lives. I have read a couple of the Pink Pistol stories and love them!! I am about to finish one for Jessie Gussman which is turning out to be spectacular. Your book sounds very intriguing and I look forward to reading it soon. Best wishes in your career.
I thought the same thing about Rock Hudson!!! Sheesh!
And hey, any time a reader uses the word ‘spectacular’, well, that’s a very good thing for the author. 🙂
So glad you are enjoying the series so far.
No. I like to be on the sidelines. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Back at ya, Debra!
Pam, I never wanted to be in the spotlight. Not at all. But I was sure interested in the actors and actresses who did thrive on it. I can’t wait for your story to come out. I’ve already preordered so Saturday it’ll arrive on my Kindle. Wishing you tons of success!
Hi, Linda. Even though as authors we are often photographed at signings and with readers, which then gets posted on social media, I think most of us tend to be introverts, which is why we chose a solitary career like writing. So, without really thinking about it, we – like you – are still in the spotlight. Just not on such a broad scale.
Thank you for the good wishes, my friend. I’ll take them!
That’s so interesting about Mannix! I never knew that. I loved to keep up with all the actors and actresses, though–loved all those old stars! So much intrigue! Can’t wait for your story!
If only we knew what their private lives were like, Cheryl! I may do a blog on the scandals some day, and name names. Judy Garland, I couldn’t resist. Her story was exceptionally tragic.
Thanks for the kind words. I hope you enjoy ARMED & MARVELOUS when the time comes. 🙂
Hello Pam. I’m loving this book.
I like my life the way it is. I wouldn’t want to be famous and have everyone know everything I’m doing.
I’ll be finishing your book soon and sending you my review.
Have fun in Deadwood. Love and hugs.
Thank you, Tonya!!! Watch for pictures from Deadwood, okay? 🙂
I like being on the sidelines.
Thanks for joining in, Connie. You’re not alone in that, for sure. I guess it all has to do with our self-confidence and our need for privacy.
I have never been interested in acting and leading such a public life. I was in a situation where I was the only American in a foreign community and obviously there was much visibility. It isn’t easy. You have to watch what you say and do, be careful to stay out of politics, and put up with preconceived ideas of American women and life. No fixers to help you out, just your own behavior and it is much too easy to make an unintentional mistake. I definitely prefer to be working behind the scene.
You’ve led an interesting life, Pat. The only American in a foreign community? Wow! I wish politicians nowadays would follow your advice and perspective. Or even those on social media who can spout off behind a keyboard without consequence or perception of hurt feelings.
Of course, someone has to be on the front lines, but most of us are not cut out for it, that’s for sure.
Thanks for stopping by, as always!
I have no interest in paying the price they paid. It was much too high.
Yes. Horribly high. But also a result of bad decisions driven by greed for money and success.
I often admired Bob Hope and Jimmy Stewart for being married to the same woman for many years. Somehow, they were able to rebuff all the Hollywood temptations and scandals for their marriages.
Great to see you here, as always.
Also, Jimmy Stewart served as a bomber pilot in World War 2 and flew normal missions. He did not take the easy route. A neighbor of ours was on his crew and said he was just the same as he was on screen, a very nice person.