Michael Hollister Holywood

Annotation

Love, patriotism, moviemaking and the influenceof popular culture on religion during WWII.Spirituality in Hollywood when the stars werebright. An idealistic farm girl from Oregon follows her boyfriendto Los Angeles and copes with challenges of both family andcareer when he goes to war. A young manfrom Ohio loses his first love while rising fromgas pump attendant to movie director at the Fox studio through hisrelationships with actresses, in particular star Bette Davis. His work includesa comical biopic of theologian Jonathan Edwards and adaptations of classics--Wieland,Modern Chivalry and "Rappaccini's Daughter." His adventures take him to a brothelof imitation stars and to an orgy hosted by horror actor Lionel Atwill. Hollywood parties reflect thedecadence of Europe while American livesconverge to an inspirational ending.Stars in uniform appear at a huge reception to honor troops as thenation rallies after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and the horrific battleof Tarawa, evoking a spirit ofpersonal sacrifice, a time when Americans felt more united as a nation than atany time since. First in a trilogy aboutHollywood social history, toinclude Follywood (2004) and Hollyworld (2005).