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cover of episode Books by critic Kenneth Turan and actor Rupert Everett show two sides of Hollywood

Books by critic Kenneth Turan and actor Rupert Everett show two sides of Hollywood

2025/3/14
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Kenneth Turan: 我研究了Louis B. Mayer和Irving Thalberg的生平，发现他们的成功之路充满了偶然性。Mayer出身贫寒，凭借对电影行业的敏锐嗅觉和天赋，以及电影行业早期赚钱的特性，最终成为好莱坞巨头。Thalberg则凭借其对故事和观众喜好的天赋，在电影行业迅速崛起。他们制作的电影，例如《宾虚》和《人猿泰山》，在当时取得了巨大的成功，并塑造了美国文化的一部分。然而，好莱坞的反犹太主义现象也对他们造成了影响。Mayer和Thalberg与Judy Garland的关系也十分复杂，既有深厚的感情，也有令人痛心的虐待行为。总的来说，他们虽然追求利润，但也相信电影能够塑造文化，并试图通过电影作品来实现这一目标。 Rupert Everett: 我创作的短篇故事集《美国式的拒绝》源于我在好莱坞的经历和挫折。这些故事大多以我自己为原型，讲述了我早期在好莱坞的经历和挫折，以及那些被拒绝的电影创意。我军人家庭长大，童年时期对电影的接触和对朱莉·安德鲁斯的喜爱对我产生了深远的影响。在好莱坞，我经历了无数次的被拒绝，这让我对好莱坞的现实有了更深刻的理解。虽然我逐渐远离好莱坞的中心，但我依然对电影充满热情。

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Kenneth Turan discusses his new book on MGM moguls Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg and their influence on Hollywood, including films like 'Ben-Hur' and 'Tarzan the Ape Man', and their navigation of industry challenges like antisemitism.
  • Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg were pivotal in turning MGM into a Hollywood powerhouse.
  • They produced iconic films that shaped American culture, such as 'Ben-Hur' and 'Tarzan the Ape Man'.
  • Despite facing antisemitism, Mayer and Thalberg focused on creating a profitable and influential film industry.
  • Thalberg's early death was a significant loss to Hollywood.
  • Mayer had a complex and controversial relationship with Judy Garland.

Shownotes Transcript

Two books set in Hollywood show different sides of the film business, from industry-shaping success to the personal frustration of rejection. First, Louis B. Mayer & Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation is a history of the duo behind MGM Film. The nonfiction book by Kenneth Turan, a regular critic for the Los Angeles Times and NPR, follows the unlikely trajectory that led both men to the movies. In today's episode, Turan joins NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation that touches on early MGM films like *Ben-Hur *and *Tarzan the Ape Man, *antisemitism in Hollywood, and Mayer's complicated relationship with Judy Garland. Then, Simon speaks with British actor Rupert Everett, who's out with a new collection of short stories inspired by Hollywood rejection. The American No draws from film concepts and screenplays the actor pitched but never got the chance to make. In today's episode, he and Simon discuss Everett's autobiographical writing, his upbringing in a military family, and his early exposure to Julie Andrews.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)