Hollywood Babylone - SIGNED

Paris: J.J. Pauvert. 1959. First Edition. Square 8vo [18cm]. First French Edition, preceding all others by over 15 years.  Signed on the title "à Paul / amitiés / Kennth Anger" in black ink. Text in French. Very good plus in brown wrappers, in a very good plus dust jacket. Wrappers starting to separate from spine, some toning extremities, with light edgewear and a few small chips to the jacket. Editor's printed card laid in, together with an invitation ticket to a Harvard Film Archive "Fourth Annual Excellence in Cinema Dinner In Honor of Kenneth Anger."

The first appearance of avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger's sensationalistic, off-kilter assessment of Hollywood, packed with photos, gritty detail, and innuendo, a book that promised to reveal the real stories behind the industry’s craziest gossip, shedding light on figures like Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Clara Bow, and Marilyn Monroe.   It was explosive, banned in the U.S. almost immediately after its release for all its salacious, potentially libelous detail, the 1966 American printing suppressed.  A 1975 reissue brought it public, albeit not critical, acclaim and the book became a controversial classic of film history. 

From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon’s stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy’s Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications. (21260)

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Film

Performing Arts & Media

Book

Signed Document/Item

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