Paul Bern: The Life and Famous Death of the MGM Director and Husband of Harlow - Softcover

Fleming, E.J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786439637 ISBN 13: 9780786439638

Publisher: McFarland & Company, 2009

Synopsis

Paul Bern, known throughout the movie business as "Hollywood's Father Confessor," earned a reputation for being a loyal and supportive friend and for becoming one of MGM's most respected and creative directors. After his death, though, he was said to have grown so depressed and despondent over his own apparent sexual inadequacies that he committed suicide, and he would be denounced for attempting to rape his new bride Jean Harlow. In this biography, the author uncovers startling new facts and argues that MGM knew the real story of Bern's death--that an estranged, mentally ill common-law wife murdered him. MGM understood that the earlier spouse rendered Bern's marriage to Harlow, its fastest-rising star, ambiguous if not bigamous, so the studio staged a suicide and embarked on a very public tarnishing of his memory. Included are 93 rare photos, many lost for decades, along with three appendices examining the handwriting on an alleged suicide note and Bern's will and estate.

About this title

About the Author:

E.J. Fleming is the author of numerous books about the performing arts and Hollywood pop culture, including most recently a biography of Wallace Reid. He lives in Barrington, Illinois.

Review:

"this book...needs to be picked up and read by everyone who has ever had a love of Hollywood history...wonderful.... Fleming continues to surprise and entertain his readers, while giving us a healthy dose of honesty, true journalism"--Canyon News; "a very detailed biography...Fleming is a skilled biographer...the material his book is based on is rich and diverse...rewarding"--H-Net Reviews.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0786439637
• ISBN 13: 9780786439638
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 396