ISBN: 9780813178295; Hardcover 304 pages, 6.00 x 9.00 in, 24 b&w photos, 3 tables Published by: The University Press of Kentucky
Hollywood at the Races Film's Love Affair with the Turf by Alan Shuback
Horse racing was so popular and influential between 1930 and 1960 that nearly 150 racing themed films were released, including A Day at the Races, Thoroughbreds Don't Cry, and National Velvet. This fast-paced, gossipy history explores the relationship between the Hollywood film industry, the horse racing industry, and the extraordinary participation of producers, directors, and actors in the Sport of Kings. Alan Shuback details how all three of Southern California's major racetracks were founded by Hollywood luminaries: Hal Roach was cofounder of Santa Anita Park, Bing Crosby founded Del Mar with help from Pat O'Brien, and Jack and Harry Warner founded Hollywood Park with help from dozens of people in the film community. The races also provided a social and sporting outlet for the film community -- studios encouraged film stars to spend a day at the races, especially when a new film was being released. The stars' presence at the track generated a bevy of attention from eager photographers and movie columnists, as well as free publicity for their new films. Moreover, Louis B. Mayer, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Betty Grable, and Don Ameche were all major Thoroughbred owners, while Mickey Rooney, Chico Marx, and John Huston were notorious for their unsuccessful forays to the betting windows.
Alan Shuback has worked as a columnist and foreign correspondent for the Daily Racing Form and was the American correspondent for the British racing daily t he Sporting Life. He is the author of Global Racing: The Complete Guide to the Greatest Foreign Racecourses and a contributor to Bet with the Best : Expert Strategies from America's Leading Handicappers. Shuback writes frequently on the convergence of horse racing and the film world.
Book Reviews:
"In Hollywood at the Races, Shuback supplies an informative and amusing look at the close relationship between Golden Age Hollywood and West Coast horse racing. A fascinating read for anyone interested in Hollywood culture and Los Angeles history." -- Christina Rice, author of Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
Estimate shipping
Refund Policy
You must contact us before returning any item.
Books
Books returned to us without prior agreement will not be credited or acknowledged. We can accept no liability for financial losses incurred by customers who have submitted unauthorized returns – so please contact us before returning an item. Products sold on this website are sold on a firm sale basis and are not returnable. This does not affect your rights to return damaged/defective items. If you have received a damaged/defective item, please contact us as soon as possible via our online contact formand/or via email at store@studentfilmmakers.com. Please add our email address to your address book and "whitelist" us, so that you receive our message in your inbox, and so that our reply doesn't go into your bulk or spam folder.
Cancellations: If you wish to cancel an order, please contact us as a matter of urgency because once we have charged and dispatched your order we cannot then cancel it. This does not affect your rights to return damaged/defective or incorrect items.
Azden Products
Full refund inside 30 days. No refunds outside of 30 days. No exception. Products must be returned in excellent condition or a restocking fee of 15% will apply.
If a customer has a defective product and they are outside the 30-day return window please see the Azden Webpage for warranty.
E-Gift Cards
Once the e-gift card has been e-mailed, it is non-refundable. If the intended recipient does not receive their e-card or accidentally deletes it, we are happy to resend the e-gift card if they contact us through our online contact formand/or via email at store@studentfilmmakers.com.
