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New Book Chronicles the Careers of Early 20th Century American Entertainment Icons

The stage was the major training ground for most Hollywood actors during the 1920s–1940s

“They were pioneers in the most glamorous business in the world, and you only know half of their story. Playbills To Photoplays reveals colorful episodes in the lives of the stars before they became stars. Everyone saw them, but few knew where they came from. This collection of essays follows some of the most famous names in show business from Vaudeville and Broadway to Hollywood, revealing a part of their lives that movie historians have neglected – until now. I think this book is terrific. It’s a must read for any fan of the silver screen, and the days when movie stars were real stars."

- Morgan Loew, great-grandson of Adolph Zukor, founder, Paramount Pictures,
and Marcus Loew, founder, Loews Theaters and MGM.

“Ms. Loew’s choice of performers to write about is amazingly diverse and fascinating, from character actors like Conrad Veidt to major stars like Katharine Hepburn. She has written a most compelling book about their transitions from stage to film... many of the stories new to me. Wonderful!"

- Joan Benny, daughter of comedian, Jack Benny, one of America’s greatest
entertainment icons of the 20th century, whose career included vaudeville, radio,
movies and television.

Newton, MA – December 4, 2010 – Written with passion and depth, Playbills to Photoplays: Stage Performers Who Pioneered the Talkies chronicles the lives and career paths of early twentieth-century vaudevillians and legitimate actors who transitioned from entertaining on stage before live audiences to acting in the new technological medium of sound films, commonly known as talkies during the American film’s Golden Age.“ Endorsed by Joan Benny, daughter of comedian Jack Benny and Morgan Loew, great-grandson of movie moguls Adolph Zukor and Marcus Loew.

Playbills to Photoplays: Stage Performers Who Pioneered the Talkies explains the social, political, economic, historical, and cultural issues that shaped each performer’s body of work, acting technique, persona, and public following over time.

Performers include: Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler, Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, John Barrymore, Mae West, Marie Dressler, Jean Arthur, Billie Burke, Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Ed Wynn, Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo Marx, Basil Rathbone, Harold Lloyd, Frank Morgan, Ralph Morgan, Charley Grapewin, Lee Tracy, Warren William, Eddie Quillan, Charles Wagenheim, Conrad Veidt, Clifton Webb, Cary Grant, Burt Lancaster, Laurel and Hardy, Gloria Swanson, Douglas Fairbanks, James Cagney, and many more…

Twenty-eight well-researched essays * Over one hundred rare photographs

Released through Xlibris. For more information on this book, log on to www.Xlibris.com

About the Author

New England Vintage Film Society Incorporated is a non-profit 501c3 tax-exempt charitable educational organization established to advance the relevancy of classic and vintage American films from Hollywood’s Golden Age to today’s world. New England Vintage Film Society Incorporated programs include publishing; lecturing; film screenings; and exhibiting Hollywood memorabilia to educate, enlighten, enrich, and entertain

In 2009, New England Vintage Film Society Incorporated published Spencer Tracy, Fox Film Actor: The Pre-Code Legacy of a Hollywood Legend, endorsed by Robert Osborne, host of Turner Classic Movies (TCM). The book is a unique collection of essays and rare images celebrating legendary two-time Academy Award–winning actor Spencer Tracy’s outstanding legacy of early screen performances in Fox’s lively Depression era pre-Code films.

Ms. Brenda Loew, president, New England Vintage Film Society Incorporated, served as editor for both titles.

Playbills to Photoplays * by New England Vintage Film Society, Inc.

Stage Performers Who Pioneered the Talkies

Publication Date: December 1, 2010

Trade Paperback; $23.99; 569 pages; 978-1-4535-8773-7

Trade Hardback; $34.99; 569 pages; 978-1-4535-8774-4

eBook; $9.99; 978-1-4535-8775-1

To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7879. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7879.

For more information, contact Xlibris at (888) 795-4274 or on the web at www.Xlibris.com.

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