Hollywood Rat Race

My introduction to film maker Edward D. Wood,Jr., came one Saturday afternoon in 1996 while visiting our local movie rental store with my daughter Lara. By happen-chance,I purchased 'Ed Wood' starring Johnny Depp, a bio epic of Wood's best remembered films made between 1952 and 1962. While watching this movie I was captivated by the passion and persistence Wood exuded as an autuer, facing many hard times in trying to 'make-it' in Hollywood. His book 'Hollywood Rat Race' captures the essence of this experience and what it takes to become an "indie film-maker' before the word became vogue. A nicely written narrative for an aspiring autuer who wishes to get a glimpse of what it takes to make a movie. Wood is an anti-heroe [Orsen Wells a heroe] who gains the sympathy of the reader because of his tireless effort in documenting his vision in such film classics as, 'Glen or Glenda,1953', 'Jail Bait,1954', 'Bride of the Monster,1955', 'The Violent Years, 1956', "Plan 9 From Outer Space, 1957,'The Night of the Gouls,1958','Sinister Urge,1960 and 'Orgy of the Dead,1962'. A remarkable body work for a writer, director and producer on a micro-film-budget who is endearingly remembered as the "Worst film-maker of all time." As a fan, I toast this book and to the life and times of Mr. Wood, "It's beyond reason". Frank Austan, LRCP

My introduction to film maker Edward D. Wood,Jr., came one Saturday afternoon in 1996 while visiting our local movie rental store with my daughter. By happen-chance,I purchased 'Ed Wood' starring Johnny Depp, a bio epic of Wood's best remembered films made between 1952 and 1962. While watching this movie I was captivated by the passion and persistence Wood exuded as an autuer, facing many hard times in trying to 'make-it' in Hollywood. His book 'Hollywood Rat Race' captures the essence of this experience and what it takes to become an "indie film-maker' before the word became vogue. A nicely written narrative for an aspiring autuer who wishes to get a glimpse of what it takes to make a movie. Wood is an anti-heroe [Orsen Wells a heroe] who gains the sympathy of the reader because of his tireless effort in documenting his vision in such film classics as, 'Glen or Glenda,1953', 'Jail Bait,1954', 'Bride of the Monster,1955', 'The Violent Years, 1956', "Plan 9 From Outer Space, 1957,'The Night of the Gouls,1958','Sinister Urge,1960 and 'Orgy of the Dead,1962'. A remarkable body work for a writer, director and producer on a micro-film-budget who is endearingly remembered as the "Worst film-maker of all time." As a fan, I toast this book and to the life and times of Mr. Wood, "It's beyond reason". Frank Austan, LRCP

"Hollywood Rat Race," a guide to surviving in Hollywood by none other than Edward D. Wood Jr., should be considered a must for any of his fans. Unpublished until the late-nineties, this guide covers Ed's thoughts about acting, screenwriting, producing, and a lot more. In addition, this is probably the closest we're ever going to come to Ed's memoirs. He tells stories about his early Hollywood career, his films, his friends (Kenne Duncan, Lyle Talbot, Tom Keene, some long stories about Bela Lugosi), and, best of all, his own account of the notorios baptism performed to get financing for "Plan 9 From Outer Space."Some highlights: his scattered references to angora; his referring to the "Plan 9" cast as "The best cast I ever had" (listing off the names of David De Mering and Ben Frommer as if they were legendary); his list of some top character actors (all of them obscure); and his guide to living in Hollywood without any money (sleep in the park!). It's all written in a decidedly humorous style.In conclusion, if you're a self-respecting Ed Wood fan, you simply can't be without this book.

Ed Wood is famous as "the world's worst director." That title was never true, because his movies were always interesting even on a shoestring budget. In this book, the Great Man offers his [intentionally] hilarious advice for those aspiring to Hollywood. "Stay home," he insists. "You can be a devoted actor or actress there as well as any place." All of his favorite fetishes are here in this book as he explores the [1960s version of] seedy Hollywood. He manages to mention "angora sweaters" nearly a dozen times throughout the book. Mr. Wood warns starlets that there isn't any film in that screen test camera. He explains how to seem like a bigshot while living a dive apartment-- have all your meetings downstairs at the complex's POOL. He brags that all of his movies got RELEASED [wow]-- unlike some other cheapie directors. He even explains how to live for FREE in Hollywood [sleep in the park-- but don't forget blankets]. Chapter Ten: How to Make a Cheap Picture and Fail. "This is the easiest chapter of all to write,"-- Ed's implied admission that maybe he isn't the Hollywood BigWig he pretends to be. Ed wrote his books as a stream of consciousness-- and it shows. But "Hollywood Rat Race" is like having a great three hour conversion with someone who's seen it all... and can still laugh about it!

It seems too good to be true-Ed Wood actually wrote a book on how to make it in Hollywood!It would be funny if it weren't so sad.Actually,Ed has some good advice on what to do once you get to tinseltown.He wrote the book in the 60's,but much of his advice still holds up.If you are an Ed Wood fan,you MUST read this book.