Sinatra in Hollywood

Mr. Santopietro's account of Sinatra's Hollywood years is very entertaining, insightful and often quite funny, especially when describing some of the ludicrous plotting or production problems of some of The Chairman's films. It also deals with Sinatra's personal woes and triumphs as well as his phenomenal recording career. Although concentrating specifically on his films, the book offers much analysis on Sinatra's shining years both on and off the screen. It is a great read for any fan of film in general or Ol' Blue Eyes. Santopietro is especially fair in showing a balanced view of the great entertainer, warts and all. The only issue I had is the author's often preachy political correctness when complaining of negative racial stereotypes prevalent in films during Hollywood's heyday. Historians and biographers need to stop using 21st-century standards to judge the past and those who came before us. In 50 years, I'm sure some biographer will have something bad to say about our standards today even though we strongly defend those same standards now. Any film fan reading the book knows the stereotypes regrettably existed and doesn't want to believe that the author assumes all readers are blind to, or ignorant of, the past. Times have mercifully changed, but please don't gratuitously preach to the reader about a history that can't be re-written.

FINALLY, a book for film buffs and Sinatra fans that does justice to the Sinatra mystique and encompasses the full range of his acting career! Tom Santopietro really knows film, celebrities, and cultural history and weaves a narrative combining all three that gives us great insight and affection for Sinatra, the private man and the public talent. This is a book that belongs in the hands of every fan of Ol' Blue Eyes! As with his prior books on Doris Day and Barbara Streisand, Santopietro's work is both entertaining and worthy of a permanent place in the collection of anyone who's a serious fan of 20th century film.