Compiled and Edited by Rocky Lang & Barbara Hall
From Abrams Books 2019
Available Now
This is, quite simply, one of the finest books I’ve ever read about Hollywood.
Leonard Maltin
Winner - 2019 Richard Wall Memorial Award Special Jury Prize from the Theatre Library Association.
Letters from Hollywood
A collection unlike any other, Letters from Hollywood reproduces rare correspondence between some of the most notable and talented film industry names of all time--from the silent era to the Golden Age and up through the pre-email days of the 1970's. Culled from university libraries, archives, and personal collections by filmmaker Rocky Lang and archivist Barbara Hall, this is the first time most of these letters, memos and telegrams have been printed in full, with many having never been seen by the greater public until now.
"Have you ever wondered what Humphrey Bogart’s Snapchat account would’ve looked like? Neither have I. Instead, Letters from Hollywood offers us a unique behind the scenes look at the women and men who created Hollywood. And not with tawdry tales of backstage romances or underhanded deals, but with the creative prose of the filmmakers themselves, often in their most unguarded moments. From Bergman and Brando to Fonda and Flynn (with a little Mankiewicz included), this book is a treasure map inside the hearts and minds of the artists we treasure.”
Ben Mankiewicz - Host, Turner Classic Movies
Raves from Hollywood
This marvelous book recalls a day when writers took time to gracefully craft correspondence. No tweets or texts in Rocky Lang and Barbara Hall’s Letters from Hollywood. Instead, you will find handwritten and typed notes and telegrams with personal charm, deep angst, and true gratitude from the heart of the artists themselves. More than once these letters brought a tear to my eye. What a treat to bask in the personal lives of Hollywood royalty. It will make a splendid gift!
Jennifer Grant
Daughter of Cary Grant
Book Trailer
EVENTS
August 29 - September 1, 2019 - Cinecon - Loews Hotel, Hollywood CA
September 8, 2019 - Book Launch - Private Event in Beverly Hills 5:00-7:00 pm.
September 11, 2019 - Chevalier's Books - 126 Larchmont Blvd. L.A. - 7:00 pm.
September 16, 2019 - The Cutting Room - 44 E. 32nd St. - New York City - 5:30-7:30 pm.
September 20, 2019 - Vroman's Books - 695 Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 7:00 pm.
September 24, 2019 - Motion Picture and Television Fund 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
September 26, 2019 - Act Like an Author, Think Like A Business Convention - Las Vegas NV
October 2, 2019 - Warwick's Books - 712 Girard Ave, La Jolla CA 7:30p
October 5, 2019 - Private event - The Joel and Frances McCrea Ranch Foundation
October 11, 2019 - Braemar Country Club - Conversation with Bruce Ferber (author The Way We Work,) and Rocky Lang as they talk about their books and working in Hollywood.
October 13, 2019 - Special musical evening inspired by the letters in the book and the music from the movies. Email rockylang@mac.com for information.
October 19, 2019 - Flintridge Bookstore - 1010 Foothill Blvd. La Canada, CA 5:00 pm. Special Guest: Bela Lugosi Jr. will read his father's letter.
October 27, 2019 - The Hollywood Heritage Museum - 2:00 pm.
November 18, 2019 - Maison de Golub - Private Event - Sarasota Fl.
November 20, 2019 - Bookstore1 - 12 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236. Book signing and presentation. 5:00 pm.
November 23/24, 2019 - Books & Books and panel appearance at The Miami Book Fair
December 7, 2019 - Just Fabulous Books - 515 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs CA. 12:00 - 2:00 pm.
February 15, 2020 -The San Francisco Writers Conference.
The AUTHORS
Photo: Christopher S. Nibley
Photo: Erin Jurgensen Hansen
Rocky Lang was born and raised in Hollywood. As a thirty-five-year veteran of the motion picture and television industries, he has produced, written, and directed numerous movies, documentaries, and television programs, including White Squall, directed by Ridley Scott. He is also the author of eight books. His father, Jennings Lang, was an agent for Joan Crawford and Humphrey Bogart before becoming an MCA/Universal executive and producer of thirty-five films. He lives in Toluca Lake. www.rockylang.com
Barbara Hall is a film historian, researcher, and writer. A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the University of Iowa, she was an archivist and oral historian at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for more than twenty years. She has also worked as an archivist for Warner Bros., the Writers Guild Foundation, and the Art Directors Guild. She lives in Los Angeles.
