Carole Landis: A Tragic Life in Hollywood

E.J. Fleming

Sep 2015 · McFarland

About this ebook

Before she was a glamorous actress, before she was a war-time pin-up star, even before she was Carole Landis, she was Frances Lillian Ridste, an insecure young girl from Wisconsin. She was strikingly beautiful, talented, and on her way to becoming a movie star, yet she spent her entire life searching for love.

Though she appeared in more than 60 films during her short career, Landis was better known for her extraordinary beauty and many romantic relationships than for her acting or comedic timing. Like many starlets of the time, Landis worked her way up from uncredited bit parts (and according to rumors, from the casting couch) to leading roles in such films as Topper Returns (1940) and My Gal Sal (1942) over the course of her 11-year career. She spent more time visiting troops during World War II--traveling hundreds of thousands of miles and coming near death twice--than any other Hollywood star. Despite her seemingly glamorous and carefree life, Landis was unable to build a lasting relationship, a fact that contributed to her suicide at 29. This work examines Landis's life and career in Hollywood, focusing on how her movie career affected her short, unhappy life.

Ratings and reviews

I got this biography of Carole Landis a few weeks ago after it was recomended on the official Carole Landis web site. I was told the author was a friend of the family and they like what he wrote. I couldn't agree more heartily! Carole in shown in a good light and I loved that a lot of the book was focused on her war efforts and everything she did for the boys. I think I understand our Carole a little better now, how much she tried to find love and happiness and how people kept hurting her. And the photos choices were great with a lot of war candids I believe have never been seen before. Unlike that OTHER biography the Landis family and the fan club didn't like this one was a joy to read. This is THE only biography approved by the family and this loyal Caroler!!

Terrific book! All of Carole's fans should read it.

About the author

The late E.J. Fleming researched Hollywood for decades and penned biographies of Carole Landis and Wallace Reid, among other books. He lived in the country in Connecticut.