Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes About the Stars and Legends of the Movies by Stephen Schochet (Nonfiction/Humorous)

Narration:

Chaz Allen is a good choice as narrator for this book because his voice possess that “ever-ready-with-a-joke” panache.  

Sometimes, his reading is a little too fast, and at other times, it’s just right. When it’s too fast, the listener doesn’t have a chance to absorb all the details necessary to be privy to the humor. However, since people are speaking much faster nowadays, maybe ears are listening much faster, and in these instances, his speed won’t be a problem for most.

Nevertheless, when Allen’s pace is just right, his narration sets the stage, and then with skilled hesitation and the lowering of his voice, he delivers the punch line.  These scenarios are by far the most enjoyable. They create the effect of watching a comedian onstage. 

There is a potential issue  with  a music-intro that sounds like a prelude to a station-break during a sport’s game. This intro is played multiple times because it’s used between each anecdote in the early chapters of the book. It’s not the only intro used. The others are neither intrusive nor distracting, but this original one keeps coming back.

Listen to it during the sample reading and decide how you feel about hearing it over and over again. If you’re okay with it, then you’ll be able to take advantage of this audiobook. The nature of  Stephen Schochet’s assembly makes the recorded version  ideal for multitasking, driving, or simply reclining and listening.   

Book Review: Hollywood Stories 

This book is entertaining and funny. Those who don’t have access to the private stories or the behind-the-scene antics of movie stars and their crowd  can appreciate hearing about them. Tales like these  are probably strewn about in different books, on websites, DVD bonuses, etc.  However, in Hollywood Stories, all these irresistible insider-nuggets are together in one place. Plus, those who like to prove or disprove such stories can have it and then write their own counter-accounts. 

Some of my favorite disclosures are about Red Skelton and the Marx Brothers. In another person’s autobiography, I’d read about some of Marilyn Monroe’s acting  idiosyncrasies. There is a delightfully pleasing one about her in this collection.

My recommendation is to get the audiobook or the e-book–your choice–and be rewarded with the laughter and  entertainment provided in this assortment of Hollywood trivia.

An audio sample and download details are available for your convenience.

Bibliography:Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes About the Stars and Legends of the Movies
Length: 11 hrs. 13 minutes (unabridged)
Publisher: ©4-25-2013 Stephen Schochet