James Zeruk, Jr. – an author with a time spanning affinity with an actress, once a mystery, now lovingly revealed: Peg Entwistle.
“I spent seven years researching and writing Peg’s biography. I lived with her brother for several weeks. Milt’s daughter Lauretta loaned me many items from the archive and worked closely with me for several years. I did many hours of interviews with Peg’s cousin Helen Reid, who was 19 when Peg died and was with her that last day in 1932. I found Peg doing radio, at the White House, having a scheduled performance for the President of the United States, spending a summer of stock with Bogart, writing articles and dozens of more heretofore unknown or forgotten facts about Peg. I discovered the truth of why Peg’s role in RKO’s “Thirteen Women” was reduced from 16 of the first 22 minutes down to 4…”
The definitive biography also features many of Peg Entwistle’s own words from extant letters to her family and newly discovered interviews with theatrical reporters. Nearly 30 previously unpublished images from the author’s collection, the Entwistle family, and a number of other sources complete an intimate look at a life that was defined by far more than its famously unhappy end.
She’s got an intriguing face in this pic, and the book title is certainly intriguing!
I hope James, the author, drops by later… As a writer you’ll be fascinated by the research he did!
I’ll watch for him.
Vickie, thank you so much for your consideration of my book! You are quite a writer, I see! The “intriguing” title is actually the work of McFarland & Company, the publisher. My original title was “Girl on the Hollywood Sign: The True Story of Peg Entwistle.” But, as with most biographers, my contract stipulated that the publisher had the right to title the book and create the cover art–which they did in both cases. The title took some time for me to embrace but I loved the cover design the moment I saw it!
In my book, I have this photo in mind when I call Peg “the girl with the Mona Lisa smile.” Indeed, she seems to offer the same polite sentiments. Thank you again for the promotion!
Great job on the cover art, and you are most welcome!
A fascinating subject, and the research… I found out a while back that a family of musicians had built our house in 1924, their daughter had a weekly radio show on CBS, and toured the world with her all girl orchestra. Sometimes when I’m walking around late at night, I almost feel them here, and when I did some restoration work on the house I found myself talking to them. I know, I know… But you really do begin to feel the continuity of time, and a deep familiarity.
Congratulations on a book well done!
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