The Whole Truth and Nothing But

by Hedda Hopper

From the dawn of the studio system to the decade it all came crashing down, Hedda Hopper was one of the Queens of Hollywood. Although she made her name as a star of the silent screen, she found her calling as a gossip columnist, where she had the ear of the most powerful force in show the public. With a readership of 20,000,000 people, Hopper turned nobodies into stars, and brought stars to their knees. And in this sensational memoir, she tells all. In her career, Hopper crossed some of Hollywood’s biggest bold-faced names, from Joan Crawford and Bette Davis to Charlie Chaplin and Katherine Hepburn, and her feud with rival gossip columnist Louella Parsons became the stuff of legend. In The Whole Truth and Nothing But, we get Hedda’s side of the story—and what a story it is. Hedda Hopper is portrayed by Judy Davis in the Ryan Murphy TV series Feud. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Film, Autobiography, History, Memoir

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not sure what I would think of this book written by Hedda Hopper. It was written over 50 years ago. I think it was revised after the tv series "Feud" was on and Hedda Hopper was played by Judy Davis. I have only heard how Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons reigned over Hollywood as gossip columnists. They both had quite the reputation of either helping to make a career or destroy one. Of course "the whole truth and nothing but" is left up to the reader if they want to believe her writing.
Hedda Hopper presents her book with chapters that have topics. Like child actors and their stage mothers, fashion in Hollywood or lack of fashion. What a tyrant Louis B Mayer could be. or difficult actors such as Marlon Brando. She claims to be personal friends with some of these stars even boasting of all the dinner parties and events she is invited to.{I tend to wonder if she is invited out of fear of revenge she may take on them} She does talk of the famous some good some bad. In all fairness some of the "gossip" she shares I have heard from other articles. so who knows? guess I just got curious to read what she has to say. Okay for the most part. she is not a bad writer. but i don't hang on her every word either.

[Cathy M. Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book and Hollywood history. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the early years of the film industry.

Look forward to reading her other book. She was an amazing woman and knew the Hollywood actors well. Enjoyed her insight into the lives of the actors.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're interested in movie stars from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s you will enjoy this. The author gives a lot of attention to studio heads, producers, and directors as well as actors. It's moderately interesting if a little self serving.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a hard one to rate. It is definitely a relic of an autobiography - written in the 1960s. Hedda Hopper was a woman of her time - and a proud right-wing Republican at that. Judgmental, narcissistic, misogynist, racist and a powerful opinionated spin doctor in ol' Hollywood. She used her power to influence people, and had the influence to ruin people's lives - and she knew it! I am sure that if Hedda were alive and well in this day and age she would be hobnobbing with a certain current president.

[Jan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chatty book. I had forgotten (or forgot to remember) how right wing she was. I just wasn't crazy about the period from the late '40s to the early to mid '50s when many people were blacklisted. I don't know if they were all Communists and I don't think I really cared.

She was kind of judgemental about people and changing times.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

[Bronwyn]

about the life and career of hollywood columnist hedda hopper, who recounts in her own words her experiences as friend and confidant of major hollywood stars from the twenties through the golden age

[Teddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

not on overdrive

[Oma Eagle · Rating 2 out of 5]

1962 ed.

[Lorna Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

I found this book boring in parts and slow to get through. Did not have the scandal from old Hollywood that I thought it would have.

[Mediaman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never has a title been less accurate. Hopper fills the outdated book with rumors, gossip, and falsehoods straight out of the Hollywood PR machine. Some of it seems to be meant to "humanize" very bad people like JFK and Sinatra, while lesser closeted celebrities like Robert Walker and Raymond Burr are paraded as masculine womanizers. She overpraises many and slams a few big names, always with the intent to make herself look good.

It's silly to hear her claims of wise advice given to (but not followed by) Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, and Judy Garland. In a few cases there are revealing statements in quotes, if they can be believed, but otherwise this is nothing but a brag book of propaganda meant to reinforce her image as powerful columnist you don't want to cross. And sixty years later it makes for very odd reading now that much of the truth has been revealed elsewhere.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have watched a lot of old movies so I knew who a lot of the people were she was writing about. Then there were some I'd never heard of, so as I read I was researching online about some of these people. Took me a while to read the book. It was well written and she seemed to be friends with a lot of stars, which I took with a grain of salt. Why would so many stars be friends with a Hollywood reporter? She said it's because they were afraid of what she may write about them if they didn't stay on her good side. If you haven't watched a lot of movies that were made between the 1930's and 1960's, you might want to skip this book.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

GUILTY

This book was truly a guilty pleasure. I had read an article or two about the legendary feuds between Herds Hopper and Louella Parsons. But this is my first glimpse of either of their saccharine sweet, genomes voices. How Herds Hoper enjoys dropping those names! Once again, a glimpse into a world in which gossip columnists could make or break a career; where stars were truly luminous but utterly human; a world perhaps gone for good.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad
I did enjoy reading the stories. There were several people whom she discussed that I didn't know, but that was expected as I am not as familiar with producers, directors and writers. Some times it seemed she went on one tangent as she moved onto a different story without really closing the previous. This gave the feeling of disorganization. Also, Hedda often sold herself as a savior for many people and great ideas.

[Larry Sampson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read about old Hollywood. Looking back it was interesting to see the stories she has written and what happened to the stars after this was published. It's all old school Hollywood. And Hedda was not the nicest person. But if you are interested in reading about the stars from the past this is a great find.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is what it is: Hedda Hopper’s history of Hollywood. She was there from the time of “Silent” movies up until 1962 or 63. She laments about all the changes and she worried about the future of moviemaking even back then. “Hollywood “ is going through a huge change right now, and it will be interesting to see how it survives. I enjoyed this book.

[Janet McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow read

The almost 6 hours to read would stop many readers, I continued. The first 70% of the book is fun with stories about the stars. The book bogged down when Hedda Hooper decided to enjoy her own life for too long in the final 30% of the book. Her stories had not enough star power and way too much Hedda.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The glory days of Tinseltown

Behind the lights, the cameras, and the shout of action are the people who know where all of the bodies are buried. Hedda Hopper went from the front of the camera to where all of the back deals were made, and brought us all along for the ride.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately funny and sharp, but to be read with a gallon of salt. Hopper inserts herself into every drama as the confidant, host, and friend, rather than the gossip columnist to be tolerated as the price of doing business. There are plenty of stories here too, but most tread well-known ground.

[Stephen Tubbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts ordinarily with anecdotes about well-thrashed stars such as Taylor and Sinatra but then improves with the telling of lesser-known stories before climaxing with a sincere criticism of Hollywood in the early 60's. She is an entertaining straight shooter.

[Susan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat disjointed writing and slow. But, interesting take on the old stars.

[Patti Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun read of how Hollywood was back in the old days. Good gossip about a lot of stars.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer in 2.75 stars. Fun in some parts, laughable in others, reprehensible in still other parts. A product of its time, and the product of a writer who was very conservative even for those times.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting read. I remember most of the actors and actresses from watching old movies and TV series. I learned a lot.

[Statmonkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catty, gossipy and snide

In other words completely entertaining. A guilty pleasure that reads fast and fun. A fair amount of b.s. and not politically correct.

[Tamii · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book for any fan of old hollywood.

[Mrs.Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this years ago, that woman sure could dish. Loved it!

[Magda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like all things Old Hollywood and really enjoyed this insider book. Most enjoyable read for me

[Madame Jade Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it … fascinating