Alternative Film Guide

Allan Ellenberger on his personal website:

"I’m often asked, ‘Why a biography on Miriam Hopkins?’ I confess that I get this question mostly from people who are not fans of the actress. They can’t understand why anyone would be interested. On the other hand, those who are fans seem thrilled that one is being prepared."

Allan — we’ve known each other for several years — then proceeds to list a number of reasons explaining why Hopkins would make an interesting (in my view, fascinating) biographical subject matter. Among them:

"Hopkins appeared in the very first Technicolor film, Becky Sharp (1935)." [Directed by Rouben Mamoulian.]

"Hopkins starred in the first produced play written by Tennessee Williams, Battle of Angels (1941)." [Which was later revamped and relaunched as Orpheus Descending.]

"Hopkins appeared in a silent short film in 1928 with Humphrey Bogart."

"Hopkins (born in Savannah, Ga.) was Margaret Mitchell’s choice to play Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939)."

"Hopkins was involved in political causes during her Hollywood years." [The liberal actress, in fact, eventually was blacklisted during the Red Scare years. The Women's Shoppers of America -- or some such inanely named right-wing group -- went after her with a vengeance. Anti-Shopping Reds, Beware!]

"Hopkins was an authority at scene stealing." [And as a result, she was loathed by some of her co-stars, most notoriously Bette Davis, with whom she appeared in The Old Maid (1939) and Old Acquaintance (1943).]

Also, Hopkins was a very sexually liberated woman, both on- and off-screen. No wonder I’ve always admired her.

On his blog, Allan also talks about some of his earlier biographical subjects — Ramon Novarro, Margaret O’Brien, Rudolph Valentino — and his other books (Celebrities in the 1930 Census, Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries), and he has loads of photos and trivia about
Los Angeles and Hollywood history.

Allan has taken part in four q&a’s for the Alternative Film Guide: Anita Page, Celebrities in the 1930 Census, Rudolph Valentino, and June Mathis. Next, we’ll do a q&a on Miriam Hopkins, and then one on Margaret O’Brien, who happens to be a personal friend
of his.

Technorati Tags: Allan Ellenberger, Miriam Hopkins, biographies, Bette Davis, Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell, Red Scare, Hollywood Blacklist

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