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Dorothy Parker in Hollywood
An expansive and illuminating study of legendary writer Dorothy Parker’s life and legacy in Hollywood from the author of the “fascinating” (Town & Country) Three Martini Afternoons at the Ritz. The glamorous extravagances and devasting lows of her time in Hollywood are revealed as never before in this fresh new biography of Dorothy Parker—from leaving New York City to work on numerous classic screenplays such as the 1937 A Star Is Born to the devastation of alcoholism, a miscarriage, and her husband’s suicide. Parker’s involvement with anti-fascist and anti-racist groups, which led to her ultimate blacklisting, and her early work in the civil rights movement that inspired her to leave her entire estate to the NAACP are also explored as never before. Just as she did with her “deliriously fast-paced and erudite” (Library Journal) dual biography of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath, Gail Crowther brings Parker back to life on the page in all her wit, grit, and brilliance.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2024
About the author
Gail Crowther
5 books123 followersDr Gail Crowther is co-author of Sylvia Plath in Devon: A Year's Turning (2015) written with Elizabeth Sigmund. She is also author of The Haunted Reader and Sylvia Plath (2016). She has also written numerous papers and book chapters about Plath and sociological hauntings. She has lectured in Sociology, and Religion, Culture and Society and her current research interests include archival studies and feminist life writing.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 22, 2024
Intrigued by Dorothy
I was only vaguely familiar with Dorothy Parker as a personality from the past. Quotes of hers would regularly pop up in my Facebook feed– witticisms that always seemed to hit home with a sarcasm that sparkled. Along came the new biography, "Dorothy Parker in Hollywood,” and I grabbed the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity.
What a fascinating woman. She was an award-winning writer of short stories, poetry, plays, and screenplays… including the original “A Star is Born” script. She was socially very active to the point of being trailed by the FBI and blacklisted by the studios. This was an era where she was a trailblazer for women writers. Counted among her social circle were Scott Fitzgerald, Lillian Hellman, Dashiell Hammet, Orson Welles, Fredric March, and Ernest Hemingway. At her death she left her estate to Martin Luther King and, later, the NAACP.
On the flip side, many aspects of her life were a trainwreck. She was a chronic alcoholic. A reputation flourished as someone who would often cruelly backstab people the moment they left the room. She claimed to hate Hollywood, drawn only by the financial benefits it offered. Suicide was attempted a number of times, whether or not these were considered serious by her friends.
There are self-admitted holes in this profile. The author frequently points out huge blank spots in time, where nothing is known and where there is no documentation. There are no journals or revelatory correspondences unearthed to illuminate an insight into the woman behind the public persona. 1951 through 1961 is a black hole, a substantial gap for a biography of a woman on a downward spiral.
I appreciate the intriguing Dorothy Parker presented here. There just seems to be more.
She:
“If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me.”
“If you want to know what God thinks about money, just look at the people He gives it to.”
“Honesty means nothing until you are tested under circumstances where you are sure you could get away with dishonesty.”
“If all the young ladies who attended the Yale promenade dance were laid end to end, no one would be the least surprised.”
In conclusion, maybe I should read more Dorothy Parker and less about her.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was only vaguely familiar with Dorothy Parker as a personality from the past. Quotes of hers would regularly pop up in my Facebook feed– witticisms that always seemed to hit home with a sarcasm that sparkled. Along came the new biography, "Dorothy Parker in Hollywood,” and I grabbed the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity.
What a fascinating woman. She was an award-winning writer of short stories, poetry, plays, and screenplays… including the original “A Star is Born” script. She was socially very active to the point of being trailed by the FBI and blacklisted by the studios. This was an era where she was a trailblazer for women writers. Counted among her social circle were Scott Fitzgerald, Lillian Hellman, Dashiell Hammet, Orson Welles, Fredric March, and Ernest Hemingway. At her death she left her estate to Martin Luther King and, later, the NAACP.
On the flip side, many aspects of her life were a trainwreck. She was a chronic alcoholic. A reputation flourished as someone who would often cruelly backstab people the moment they left the room. She claimed to hate Hollywood, drawn only by the financial benefits it offered. Suicide was attempted a number of times, whether or not these were considered serious by her friends.
There are self-admitted holes in this profile. The author frequently points out huge blank spots in time, where nothing is known and where there is no documentation. There are no journals or revelatory correspondences unearthed to illuminate an insight into the woman behind the public persona. 1951 through 1961 is a black hole, a substantial gap for a biography of a woman on a downward spiral.
I appreciate the intriguing Dorothy Parker presented here. There just seems to be more.
She:
“If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me.”
“If you want to know what God thinks about money, just look at the people He gives it to.”
“Honesty means nothing until you are tested under circumstances where you are sure you could get away with dishonesty.”
“If all the young ladies who attended the Yale promenade dance were laid end to end, no one would be the least surprised.”
In conclusion, maybe I should read more Dorothy Parker and less about her.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2024
Sigh. I love Dorothy Parker. I quote her short story, The Waltz, far too often (“I’d love to be in a midnight fire at sea” being my favorite line). But I’ve never knowingly seen any of the movies she wrote. Gail Crowther’s wonderful book not only outlines the highs and lows of Parker’s Hollywood years, but also paints a picture of what was undoubtedly a very difficult and traumatic life.
One of the things I took away from this book was how Parker put her beliefs and ideals before her career. Like many other creatives in the era of McCarthyism, Parker was blacklisted for her suspected (and unfounded) communism. She visited Spain during the Spanish civil war, and made two films raising awareness of the conflict. And even after her death, the funds from her estate go towards fighting social injustice.
And all this, while fighting to be recognized for her talent in a cruel and sexist system. While she found some companionship in her husband and writing partner Alan Campbell, that relationship wasn’t without its struggles, with Parker uncharacteristically making jibes about Alan being homosexual. All while fighting a severe issue with alcohol addition.
For anyone, reading this book of Parker’s journey is harrowing. But as a fan, I find it maddening to read about another immensely talented woman who was diminished by a patriarchal system. However, Crowther’s book is required reading for anyone interested in the struggles of female creatives. A well-written book on a difficult subject, but handled beautifully and sensitively by Crowther.
One of the things I took away from this book was how Parker put her beliefs and ideals before her career. Like many other creatives in the era of McCarthyism, Parker was blacklisted for her suspected (and unfounded) communism. She visited Spain during the Spanish civil war, and made two films raising awareness of the conflict. And even after her death, the funds from her estate go towards fighting social injustice.
And all this, while fighting to be recognized for her talent in a cruel and sexist system. While she found some companionship in her husband and writing partner Alan Campbell, that relationship wasn’t without its struggles, with Parker uncharacteristically making jibes about Alan being homosexual. All while fighting a severe issue with alcohol addition.
For anyone, reading this book of Parker’s journey is harrowing. But as a fan, I find it maddening to read about another immensely talented woman who was diminished by a patriarchal system. However, Crowther’s book is required reading for anyone interested in the struggles of female creatives. A well-written book on a difficult subject, but handled beautifully and sensitively by Crowther.
November 13, 2024
White privilege ?
In this distressing saga, the author suggests that Dorothy Parker's life (1893-1967) was twisted out of shape by her comfortable middle-class background. And the author uses the phrase "white privilege" several times. The short story, verse writer and critic is best remembered for her acid wit and mocking tone. Filled with self-hate and insecurity, she made pots of money in Hollywood where she was one of the highest paid writers, but this couldnt quiet her personal furies.
Here we get "Mrs Parker" -- warts & all -- nakedly revealed as a drunk who had blackouts, abortions and two husbands who committed suicide. Let's not gloss her mental disturbances by pouncing on some a la mode term. She was a mess. The author, alas, doesnt try to figure out or "understand" Dorothy Parker. Her book should be read by shrinks. I'd like to hear their professional opinions.
Her memorable literary work, completed in the 20s-30s, is defined by needinessy and whiney women. But she's famous for her one-liners, wisecracks, verbal put-downs. This was her talent. (At parties, guests were afraid to leave the room, knowing she'd offer a nasty critique of them as soon as the door closed. Example: after a departing guest, "That woman speaks four languages and can't say 'no' in any of them").
In the 20s, she had an affair w Charles MacArthur, who later married Helen Hayes. Both he and she had spouses at the time. He was indifferent, but Dorothy was a masochist, as she always was in any romantic situ. She became pregnant and had an abortion. "One feature of this trauma was to repeatedly tell her story and talk about what had happened until her friends grew tired and suggested she stop," the author says. So, she slashed her wrists. Many Round Table pals decided it was an attention-seeking act. Thus began an increasing dependency on alcohol.
By 1928, she had published 2 books of verse to critical and commercial success. She was drinking heavily, would often look bloated, and slept around. This behavior was followed by blackouts, alcoholic arguments and fights. A concerned chum, Robert Benchley, urged her to see a therapist. Of course, she didnt. She couldnt handle money either, was always in debt. In 1929-30, with the arrival of sound movies, she and Benchley went to Hollywood.
Restless, rootless, she changed hotels, apartments and lavish houses in Hollywood constantly. This pattern continued, in and out of southern California, until the 60s. (For a while she even had a farm in Bucks County, Pa). In California, with little to do outside of scripting, she involved herself in radical political causes, some that the FBI deemed pro-communist. She was blacklisted.
She was one of three writers credited w the original "A Star is Born" (1937). Other credits include: "The Little Foxes" (1941), "Saboteur" (1942) and "Smash-Up" (1947). There were no happy endings for Dorothy Parker. Ben Hecht, in a memoir, recalls a Halloween party where she was invited to join a group of merrymakers "ducking for apples." She replied: "Change one letter in that phrase and you have my life story."
In this distressing saga, the author suggests that Dorothy Parker's life (1893-1967) was twisted out of shape by her comfortable middle-class background. And the author uses the phrase "white privilege" several times. The short story, verse writer and critic is best remembered for her acid wit and mocking tone. Filled with self-hate and insecurity, she made pots of money in Hollywood where she was one of the highest paid writers, but this couldnt quiet her personal furies.
Here we get "Mrs Parker" -- warts & all -- nakedly revealed as a drunk who had blackouts, abortions and two husbands who committed suicide. Let's not gloss her mental disturbances by pouncing on some a la mode term. She was a mess. The author, alas, doesnt try to figure out or "understand" Dorothy Parker. Her book should be read by shrinks. I'd like to hear their professional opinions.
Her memorable literary work, completed in the 20s-30s, is defined by needinessy and whiney women. But she's famous for her one-liners, wisecracks, verbal put-downs. This was her talent. (At parties, guests were afraid to leave the room, knowing she'd offer a nasty critique of them as soon as the door closed. Example: after a departing guest, "That woman speaks four languages and can't say 'no' in any of them").
In the 20s, she had an affair w Charles MacArthur, who later married Helen Hayes. Both he and she had spouses at the time. He was indifferent, but Dorothy was a masochist, as she always was in any romantic situ. She became pregnant and had an abortion. "One feature of this trauma was to repeatedly tell her story and talk about what had happened until her friends grew tired and suggested she stop," the author says. So, she slashed her wrists. Many Round Table pals decided it was an attention-seeking act. Thus began an increasing dependency on alcohol.
By 1928, she had published 2 books of verse to critical and commercial success. She was drinking heavily, would often look bloated, and slept around. This behavior was followed by blackouts, alcoholic arguments and fights. A concerned chum, Robert Benchley, urged her to see a therapist. Of course, she didnt. She couldnt handle money either, was always in debt. In 1929-30, with the arrival of sound movies, she and Benchley went to Hollywood.
Restless, rootless, she changed hotels, apartments and lavish houses in Hollywood constantly. This pattern continued, in and out of southern California, until the 60s. (For a while she even had a farm in Bucks County, Pa). In California, with little to do outside of scripting, she involved herself in radical political causes, some that the FBI deemed pro-communist. She was blacklisted.
She was one of three writers credited w the original "A Star is Born" (1937). Other credits include: "The Little Foxes" (1941), "Saboteur" (1942) and "Smash-Up" (1947). There were no happy endings for Dorothy Parker. Ben Hecht, in a memoir, recalls a Halloween party where she was invited to join a group of merrymakers "ducking for apples." She replied: "Change one letter in that phrase and you have my life story."
October 31, 2024
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A biography with a definite agenda on the famous writer and wit.
Pessimistic throughout, but that shouldn't be a surprise considering the subject.
A biography with a definite agenda on the famous writer and wit.
Pessimistic throughout, but that shouldn't be a surprise considering the subject.
September 27, 2024
I wanted to like this book but didn’t. The woman was a wreck. She was never happy and blamed everyone but herself. She was not kind and moved around a lot because she could. She wasted her money .
November 15, 2024
There is so much that I didn't know about the legendary Dorothy Parker. While the title suggests the book focuses on Hollywood, which it does, author Gail Crowther manages a complete biography of this witty, acerbic talent. It served as a great introduction to Parker, and perhaps, will encourage a renaissance in her biting writing. Crowther herself avoids the mind-killing writing that often infests biographies, and encourages us through Parker's life through her invitational writing style that is a pleasure to read.
November 18, 2024
Dorothy Parker in Hollywood. Known for witty quotes, before little written about her in Hollywood, screen plays sometimes not credited; was for "Star is Born", "Little Foxes." Had little control over her work, which she had had in writing for NY magazines, part of famed Algonquin Round Table of writers. She was also self-destructive, alcoholic, suicide attempts, and often bad luck with men. A contradictory personality. But she supported left wing causes. Blacklisted. Author explores other sides of her life and work, well-written and researched. Recommend.
November 9, 2024
I received an ARC from goodreads. I had known of Dorothy Parker as a writer and member of the Round Table.
This detailed account, from the limited resources, gives insight into her struggles with life. Besides being a writer, she fought for the causes she believed in and was blacklisted, but didn't give up. Upon her death, she left her estate to Martin Luther King, Jr, who had never met her.
A remarkable woman. I'm now reading The Portable Dorothy Parker.
This detailed account, from the limited resources, gives insight into her struggles with life. Besides being a writer, she fought for the causes she believed in and was blacklisted, but didn't give up. Upon her death, she left her estate to Martin Luther King, Jr, who had never met her.
A remarkable woman. I'm now reading The Portable Dorothy Parker.
November 22, 2024
(3.5 stars)
I’m fascinated by Dorothy Parker, a woman far ahead of her time, which was 1920s through mid 1960s New York City and Hollywood. This book is ostensibly about her career as a scriptwriter in Hollywood from the 1930s through the 1950s, but it’s also about her increasing liberal activisim (when she died she left all her ongoing royalties to Martin Luther King Jr or the NAACP in case of King’s passing, which happened a year or so after Dorothy herself died; the organization still receives funds from that bequest). Sadly there isn’t a lot of Hollywood meat on the bones here, since no one really knows what Dorothy contributed to the movies she worked on; many of them she—and her on-again, off-again husband Alan Campbell—don’t even bear her name in the credits. One for sure is the original A Star is Born (1937), starring Frederic March and Janet Gaynor, a movie that has such great bones that it’s been remade three times, with various musical stars of its respective eras (Judy Garland in the 1950s, Barbra Streisand in the 1970s, and Lady Gaga a few years ago). Sadly, I found the most fascinating era in this book to be Parker’s final years, which are pretty tragic. Author Crowther keeps referencing Marion Meade’s biography, Dorothy Parker: What Fresh Hell Is This?, so maybe that’s the one we should really be reading.
I’m fascinated by Dorothy Parker, a woman far ahead of her time, which was 1920s through mid 1960s New York City and Hollywood. This book is ostensibly about her career as a scriptwriter in Hollywood from the 1930s through the 1950s, but it’s also about her increasing liberal activisim (when she died she left all her ongoing royalties to Martin Luther King Jr or the NAACP in case of King’s passing, which happened a year or so after Dorothy herself died; the organization still receives funds from that bequest). Sadly there isn’t a lot of Hollywood meat on the bones here, since no one really knows what Dorothy contributed to the movies she worked on; many of them she—and her on-again, off-again husband Alan Campbell—don’t even bear her name in the credits. One for sure is the original A Star is Born (1937), starring Frederic March and Janet Gaynor, a movie that has such great bones that it’s been remade three times, with various musical stars of its respective eras (Judy Garland in the 1950s, Barbra Streisand in the 1970s, and Lady Gaga a few years ago). Sadly, I found the most fascinating era in this book to be Parker’s final years, which are pretty tragic. Author Crowther keeps referencing Marion Meade’s biography, Dorothy Parker: What Fresh Hell Is This?, so maybe that’s the one we should really be reading.
September 3, 2024
I loved this book and, for those that know and love Dorthy Parker already, there is a lot to love in simply getting to spend time with her in these pages that chronicle her life. But at the same time, it's a truly sad, and difficult story. Gail Crowther's history is elegant and full of insights drawn from thoughtful research but the picture she paints is relentlessly unhappy. Dorthy Parker was unarguably a lightning bolt; a well of talent, an unrivaled wit, and a fierce advocate and champion of civil and human rights who did, in her life, move the needle. She was also flawed, and struggled with the work of living. I wrestled with some of the conclusions presented in this book, with whether I believed that Dorthy Parker was hopelessly unhappy and that the story of her flaws outweighed the stories of the light she shown. But I think that wrestling is important, and intentional in Gail Crowther's retelling. So many of the people around her fell victim to Dorthy Parker's glamor, charmed by her talent and her presence, unwilling or unable to acknowledge the pain of someone suffering. What can't be denied however, is the conclusion drawn in the epilog, that Dorthy Parker deserves remembering, and her work celebrated.
(Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this book)
(Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this book)
November 5, 2024
Dorothy Parker was the very definition of a fabulous disaster, a true hot mess avant la lettre. She didn't so much battle her demons as invite them over for cocktails. As a result her incomparable wit emerged from a chaos that must've been hell to witness, let alone live through. I am heartily glad she was not my neighbor! On the other hand, if I got to invite anyone I liked to a dinner party in heaven I'd seat her right between Oscar Wilde and Tallulah Bankhead.
October 1, 2024
This was a great to the point with lots of antidotes from the others life. It makes me want to read more of her articles from the day along with reading her stories again. I want to grow old and be her
July 7, 2024
What a fascinating read! I especially enjoyed Gail Crowther's always pertinent comments on the politics of the times. Strongly recommend.
August 22, 2024
More than you ever knew, presented in fascinating detail.
September 2, 2024
Dorothy Parker goes to Hollywood - and for quite a few years! Fascinating look at a troubled brilliant writer who contributes to many movies - wrestled with demons and alcohol and men
November 11, 2024
A quick read. Dorothy is a tough person to research and while the author did a good job, there’s still giant gaps. As much as I love Dorothy’s witty writing I was hoping for more from this story.
November 15, 2024
An okay read.
Thanks to the author for my copy.
Thanks to the author for my copy.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews