Shooting Stars: Drugs, Hollywood and the Movies - Softcover

Shapiro, Harry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1852427841 ISBN 13: 9781852427849

Publisher: Serpent's Tail, 2005

Synopsis

From 1920s marijuana mayhem through the cocaine storm that hit Hollywood in the ?70s and the heroin chic films of the ?90s, Shooting Stars investigates the drug myths propagated in movies and looks at the links between censorship, public morals and the Hollywood dream machine. Shooting Stars begins with the opium movies of the silent era and covers every major and most minor drugs films right up to the present day. From Reefer Madness through The Man with the Golden Arm and on to films such as Easy Rider, Panic in Needle Park and Trainspotting, Shapiro provides comprehensive detail about each film. He also includes a detailed history of drug use and film censorship as well as dark tales of the Hollywood star system and lifestyle. An invaluable and entertaining work of reference which will be of use to students and teachers of media studies as well as film buffs.

About this title

Review:

?The subtitle says it all ? Drugs, Hollywood and the Movies ? if you?re interested in any one of them you will be well rewarded here? Guardian Guide ?A superbly written historical narrative of the relationship between two of the world?s most popular forms of escapism, drugs and the movies? Howard Marks ?Shooting Stars offers well-chosen and often jaw-dropping examples of the double-think surrounding the politics of escapism. It?s an eminently sensible read that should remain a benchmark volume until the next designer drug threatens the morals of the nation?s youth? Independent on Sunday ?The prose is sprightly, the gossip is hair-raising, and the rhythm of his argument hypnotic? The Times ?The filmography is told alongside an entertaining guide to the deadly excesses of the stars, directors and producers? Big Issue in the North ?Interesting material... it will become a very useful work of reference? GQ Magazine ?From the Rizla to the razor blade, from Easy Rider to The French Connection via Withnail and I, Trainspotting et al, the druggy dreams of the silver screen are racked up here for your delectation. A user friendly guide, indeed? X-Ray ?An extremely entertaining and informative history of the relationship between cinema and drugs?a thoroughly readable and entertaining snapshot? Popmatters.com ?A well-researched delve into the intertwined worlds of the movie industry and narcotics? Insight ?The early part of the century provides an especially intriguing history.. for those interested in the film, censorship and gaining an insight into the intertwining of two areas of ?recreation?, this is certainly worth a look? Metro London ?A rather handy reference book for anyone with a nose for the seedier side of cinema? Books of the Year, Hot Press ?A book you?ll snort up and want more? Jack ?The author expounds some surprisingly interesting ideas on early Hollywood?s opium fixation and the truly suicidal nature of the 80s coke epidemic. Fascinating stuff? The List ?A must-have for any scholar of film or drugs or the interplay of the two? Leeds Guide ?A well researched and entertaining look at the relationship between two very different factories? Flux ?...examines how Hollywood has tried to shape the public view of drugs and has been forced to respond to its realities? Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

Harry Shapiro has worked in the drugs field for over twenty years and is the author of a number of acclaimed rock biographies and music books. The BBC named Waiting for the Man, his history of drugs and music, 'one of the twenty best music books of all time' while MOJO dubbed his best-selling biography of Jimi Hendrix as the one against which 'all other rock biographies will be judged'.

About this edition

• Publisher: Serpent's Tail
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1852427841
• ISBN 13: 9781852427849
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384