Book Talk (Stan, Ava and C.I.)

 

As we did in 2021 and 2023, we're attempting to again increase book coverage in the community. After a review posts, we try to do a discussion with the reviewer.  This go round, we're talking to Stan about his book review "Michael Schulman's OSCAR WARS: A HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD IN GOLD, SWEAT AND TEARS" -- Stan, you really didn't like the book.

Stan: I hated it.  It acted like it was going to go year by year.  And then suddenly it was skipping five years then almost ten then this and that.  And I know the argument the author would make is that he was actually writing about politics -- that the OSCAR WARS are about politics.  No.  You don't go on and on for pages and pages about Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine's rivarly and chart it back to childhood --

 

For any who don't know, the two actresses were sisters.

Stan: Sorry, yeah.  And Olivia was nominated first -- but for Best Supporting Actress -- for GONE WITH THE WIND -- and she lost.  Then Joan was nominated and she won.  And this added additional stress to their relationship.  And they didn't like each other and avoided each other and that carried on forever.  Olivia was the winner in terms of Oscars -- a point the author really doesn't make.  While Joan won an Oscar, Olivia entered the rare company of actresses who won two Oscards for Best Actress -- Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Meryl Streep, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Cate Blanchett, Jodie Foster, Elizabeth Taylor etc.  Frances McDormand is the only one to win three for Best Actress and Katharine Hepburn is the only to win four for Best Actress.  At the end, you've got one of their daughters talking about how spoiled they each were and how they were fighting with one another to the very end.

 

Which really isn't political?

 

Stan: Right.  But we never again get a story like that and he tries to pretend like he's written some lofty book when he hasn't.  He also has no idea regarding Judy Holliday or ADAM'S RIB or George Cukor.  His ignorance shines through over and over.  Worst of all, the book is just boring.

 

You felt there was way too much Candice Bergen.

 

Stan: I did.  And I don't dislike her.  I loved the original MURPHY BROWN.  The reboot got better as it went along.  Candice is funny in a huge number of films including the two BOOK CLUB films.  But I didn't need or want her.  It's a book about the Oscars.  Not only was Candice only nominated once, the book's not even concerned with that.  Instead, we're getting Candice at Truman Capote's ball, we're getting Candice sniffing in disdain at the hippies, we're getting this and that and it's just like STFU.  And I mean that towards the author not towards Candice Bergen.  Related, there is no reason to call Elliott Gould "Mr. Barbra Streisand."  Not even once but the author does it more than once.

 

Final thoughts?

 

Stan: If you're interested in the Academy Awards, you won't be interested in this book.  You'll be frustrated and angry so spare yourself the trouble and don't read it.

 

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Previous book discussions:

 

"Book Talk (Dona, Ava and C.I.)"

"Book Talk (Ty, Ava and C.I.)" 

 "Book Talk (Mike, Ava and C.I.)"

 

"Book Talk (Stan, Rebecca, Ava and C.I.)"

"Book Talk (Mike, Ava and C.I.)"

"Book Talk (Ann, Marcia, Trina, Ava and C.I.)"