Secrets of the Screen Trade : A Memoir of Alan Wardrope OAM: A Memoir Of Alan Wardrope OAM

By Wardrope, Alan, James

Book Id: WPLBN0100750565
Format Type: PDF (eBook)
File Size: 13.18 MB.
Reproduction Date: 2/18/2025

Title:	Secrets of the Screen Trade : A Memoir of Alan Wardrope OAM: A Memoir Of Alan Wardrope OAM
Author:	Wardrope, Alan, James
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non Fiction, History of America, Hollywood
Collections:	Authors Community, Biographies
Historic Publication Date:	2025
Publisher:	Self

Member Page:	John Godl
Citation APA MLA Chicago Wardrope, A. J. (2025). Secrets of the Screen Trade : A Memoir of Alan Wardrope OAM. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Description
Wardrope weaves detailed information on the workings of the screen biz with amusing anecdotes involving classic and contemporary stars. An irate Roman Polanski pursued him around an historic London mansion, and he was almost sued for putting Elvis on the television. Wardrope puts the industry on the table to study. A familiar cast including greats such as Cecil B. DeMille, Steve McQueen, Clarke Gable and Steven Spielberg walk through the pages giving the study lively, humorous examples. A compelling story of one man's journey down Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Summary
'Secrets of the Screen Trade' is Alan Wardrope's reflection on his thirty-five year career in the movie business. He is a member of the Australian Cinema Pioneers' Society and played a crucial role in pushing the local industry on to the international market. His memoir strips the industry of its illusory lights and make up, and presents it for what it is: political, manipulative and cut throat.

Excerpt
I first met Steve McQueen in 1971 at Studio City, on Ventura Boulevard in north Hollywood. He struck me as a well-built, confident, crinkly-faced actor, who looked much younger than his 41 years, his enthusiasm about his screen career spilling over to his passion for cars and motorcycles. McQueen would drive around Los Angeles in a striking looking 1934 Packard roadster, the top down, his large dog perched in the rumble seat. His favourite spot to hang out was a place called Sneaky Pete's on Hollywood Boulevard. Steve McQueen was energetic, restless and lived life to the full. The last time I saw that lovely old Packard was in a museum in San Diego and sometimes wonder if it's still there. For all his charm, Steve could also be difficult, and playfully infuriating. One of his specialities was to get up to little tricks on camera, designed to monopolize - read steal - a scene that was supposed to favour another actor. When shooting the Magnificent Seven he so infuriated Yul Brynner with his encroaching into scenes, that the bald actor turned on McQueen and said, "Pull that one again and I'll take my hat off!"

Table of Contents
- About the Author - Introduction - The narration begins