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Movie Dynasty Princesses: Irene Mayer Selznick and Edith Mayer Goetz
The fascinating lives of celebrated Broadway producer Irene Mayer Selznick ("A Streetcar Named Desire"; "The Chalk Garden"), and leading socialite Edith Mayer Goetz, are explored in this revealing double bio. As the daughters of iconic MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, they were Hollywood royalty. Through their marriages to high profile film producers -- Irene to David O. Selznick ("Gone with the Wind") and Edith to future Universal mogul William Goetz -- the sisters each carved out her own distinctive niche in Hollywood, while supporting and influencing their husbands' work. Edie rose to prominence as queen bee of movie industry society. Irene left her husband and started a new life in New York, where she embarked on an ambitious career as a theatrical producer, not only succeeding with major hit plays, but blazing a trail for women in the theater. Set against the glamorous backdrop Hollywood's Golden Age and post-war Broadway, "Movie Dynasty Princesses" chronicles the exciting, inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking journeys of these rivalrous sisters who strived to make their dreams come true.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
268 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2017
16 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer K. Lafferty
12 books108 followersJennifer Lafferty is the author of Movie Dynasty Princesses; The Many Faces of Jane Eyre; Anne of the Thousand Days: The Making of an Epic; and Songbird of Culpeper County. Her fiction has appeared in magazines such as The Storyteller and Deep South Magazine. She has written articles for a number of publications including MORE; Divine Caroline; Fitness & Physique; and Stack News. Her nonfiction book Rebecca: The Making of a Hollywood Classic (Expanded Version) is coming soon from Bear Manor Media.
She sometimes uses the pen name Jennifer Leigh Wells.
Besides reading and writing, Jennifer's other great passion is music. She enjoys classic rock, soul, indie, and dance. Her favorite artists of all time include: Dusty Springfield, Abba, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Nettles, Sara Bareilles, Peter Allen, and Maria Callas.
She sometimes uses the pen name Jennifer Leigh Wells.
Besides reading and writing, Jennifer's other great passion is music. She enjoys classic rock, soul, indie, and dance. Her favorite artists of all time include: Dusty Springfield, Abba, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Nettles, Sara Bareilles, Peter Allen, and Maria Callas.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 8, 2018
This book is riddled with inaccuracies and opinions dressed up as facts. It is very clear the writer wanted to throw this text out into the marketplace for a quick buck. No one from our family was contacted by the author. I am one of two Mayer family historians - the other being my cousin Daniel Mayer Selznick, the only surviving son of Irene Mayer, and who would be appalled at this book. Of the two of us, I am very easy to find and contact through my website TheFilmColony.com, and my Twitter and Facebook accounts @RealAliciaMayer.
A quick internet search using Louis B. Mayer, Edie Mayer Goetz, Irene Mayer Selznick, Daniel Mayer Selznick as search terms etc. would've located me instantly.
This book should be pulled and the author should work with the living family members, which is how legitimate non-fiction is usually written.
I also note that the author Jennifer K. Lafferty has provided her own 5-star review on this page, which I would've thought was against the rules and certainly against the spirit of the goodreads community.
A quick internet search using Louis B. Mayer, Edie Mayer Goetz, Irene Mayer Selznick, Daniel Mayer Selznick as search terms etc. would've located me instantly.
This book should be pulled and the author should work with the living family members, which is how legitimate non-fiction is usually written.
I also note that the author Jennifer K. Lafferty has provided her own 5-star review on this page, which I would've thought was against the rules and certainly against the spirit of the goodreads community.
September 10, 2017
Some Hollywood biographies, while in depth, are very hard to read. They are dense and can be convoluted, trying to pack too much in too little space. That is SO not the case with Movie Dynasty Princesses! An easy read. They various relationships are easy to follow and it's a fascinating look at two vastly different women who happened to be the daughters of Louis B. Mayer. Quite enjoyable!
February 13, 2018
Of course I like it; I wrote it! I hope everyone enjoys reading MDP as much as I enjoyed writing and researching it during the two years I worked on the project, and that you will find the lives of these two amazing women as inspiring as I did. I was lucky to have access to many great resources including insightful books, magazine articles, letters, interviews, and documentaries. Please see the selected bibliography at the end of the book for further reading.
February 20, 2019
The life/times of some of Hollywood’s early 19th Century most prominent & wealthy film theater producers, owners, & the legionary actors/actresses.
The main focus is on: Louis B. Mayer (Jewish, ex-husband/father, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
MGM mogul, authoritarian, “Lazar Meir”, Dumier, Ukrain), Margaret Mayer (ex-wife/mother, nee Shenberg, submissive, MA sanatorium), Lorena Danker (widow, Louis’ 2nd wife), Suzanne (12, Lorena’s daughter/step), Edith “Edie” Mayer Goetz (“Edi-la”, Louis’ eldest daughter/sister, socialite, survived influenza), David O. Selznick (Irene’s ex-husband, film producer, gambler, former MGM asst. story editor, unfaithful Dr. Room therapist), Jennifer Jones (Robert’s ex-wife/mother, David’s GF), Irene Mayer Selznick (ex-wife, Louis’ youngest daughter/sister, Broadway producer), Lewis Jeffrey “Jeff” Selznick (son/brother), Danny Selznick (son/brother), & William “Bill” Goetz (Universal-International Pictures Inc. mogul).
A must read for all 19th Century movie buff’s.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written autobiography book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great autobiography movie, theater/music PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series or even a documentary (A & E; History channel). There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
The main focus is on: Louis B. Mayer (Jewish, ex-husband/father, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
MGM mogul, authoritarian, “Lazar Meir”, Dumier, Ukrain), Margaret Mayer (ex-wife/mother, nee Shenberg, submissive, MA sanatorium), Lorena Danker (widow, Louis’ 2nd wife), Suzanne (12, Lorena’s daughter/step), Edith “Edie” Mayer Goetz (“Edi-la”, Louis’ eldest daughter/sister, socialite, survived influenza), David O. Selznick (Irene’s ex-husband, film producer, gambler, former MGM asst. story editor, unfaithful Dr. Room therapist), Jennifer Jones (Robert’s ex-wife/mother, David’s GF), Irene Mayer Selznick (ex-wife, Louis’ youngest daughter/sister, Broadway producer), Lewis Jeffrey “Jeff” Selznick (son/brother), Danny Selznick (son/brother), & William “Bill” Goetz (Universal-International Pictures Inc. mogul).
A must read for all 19th Century movie buff’s.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written autobiography book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great autobiography movie, theater/music PP presentation, or better yet a mini TV series or even a documentary (A & E; History channel). There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 31, 2017
Very
Good readings biography it told much about the family and daughters life down to the grandson and granddaughters and the great grand kids I gave the book 4stairs
Good readings biography it told much about the family and daughters life down to the grandson and granddaughters and the great grand kids I gave the book 4stairs
November 2, 2021
golden ladies of Hollywood
A heartwarming story about 2 sisters. Intriguing story about the bonds of family, friendship , and their Hollywood escapades during the golden age.
A heartwarming story about 2 sisters. Intriguing story about the bonds of family, friendship , and their Hollywood escapades during the golden age.
September 25, 2017
I received a free copy of the Kindle version of this book in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed this dual biography of the daughters of Louis B. Mayer. As the scions of one of the most legendary producers and studio heads in Hollywood's already-stacked history, both Irene and Edith Mayer had difficult obstacles to overcome in their lives. The fact they did so, creating identities and accomplishments in their own right, is a testament to their drive and willpower.
It's clear that Jennifer Lafferty has a passion for the topic and the history of Hollywood; the book is packed with information and anecdotes, and her writing is clear and direct. It is an easy book to find yourself taking big chunks out of at each sitting. But I wanted to love it much more than I actually did.
This is a good biography of two women with missed potential to be a great story about them and the worlds they lived in. The book could use the hand of a strong editor, both to proofread and to provide structure to the story. I wanted those early days of the motion picture industry and the lifestyles of those who were a part of it to come alive to me, and I don't feel it ever did. It feels more like a book report, full of information but lacking any sort of emotional heft. I would have loved to spend more time on the relationship between these women, the legends that they must have interacted with, and the challenges they faced as daughters of one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.
This is a perfectly pleasant book in its own right. But if I could speak to the author, I would suggest she pull it. Find the relatives of the Mayers, Goetz's and Selznick's, interview them exhaustively, and pitch this biography to the major publishing houses. It has the potential to be one of the seminal biographies about women and early Hollywood.
I enjoyed this dual biography of the daughters of Louis B. Mayer. As the scions of one of the most legendary producers and studio heads in Hollywood's already-stacked history, both Irene and Edith Mayer had difficult obstacles to overcome in their lives. The fact they did so, creating identities and accomplishments in their own right, is a testament to their drive and willpower.
It's clear that Jennifer Lafferty has a passion for the topic and the history of Hollywood; the book is packed with information and anecdotes, and her writing is clear and direct. It is an easy book to find yourself taking big chunks out of at each sitting. But I wanted to love it much more than I actually did.
This is a good biography of two women with missed potential to be a great story about them and the worlds they lived in. The book could use the hand of a strong editor, both to proofread and to provide structure to the story. I wanted those early days of the motion picture industry and the lifestyles of those who were a part of it to come alive to me, and I don't feel it ever did. It feels more like a book report, full of information but lacking any sort of emotional heft. I would have loved to spend more time on the relationship between these women, the legends that they must have interacted with, and the challenges they faced as daughters of one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.
This is a perfectly pleasant book in its own right. But if I could speak to the author, I would suggest she pull it. Find the relatives of the Mayers, Goetz's and Selznick's, interview them exhaustively, and pitch this biography to the major publishing houses. It has the potential to be one of the seminal biographies about women and early Hollywood.
February 11, 2018
What could have been a good book - just isn't.
This is a book with no footnotes, note ends, and no references. This author quoted from other books and maybe Google so nothing new or fresh. She never contacted or spoke to a member of the Mayer, Selznick,or Goetz family. Her favorite sentences seemed to be, " We will never know for sure but." I have talked to a member of the Mayer family and she said they were upset at hg e inaccuracies and bel IU eve she should pull the book. I agree.
This is a book with no footnotes, note ends, and no references. This author quoted from other books and maybe Google so nothing new or fresh. She never contacted or spoke to a member of the Mayer, Selznick,or Goetz family. Her favorite sentences seemed to be, " We will never know for sure but." I have talked to a member of the Mayer family and she said they were upset at hg e inaccuracies and bel IU eve she should pull the book. I agree.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews