We all know that in a pre-feminist age, many if not most powerful men behaved pretty terribly toward the seemingly pliable females in their midst. I came across many of these loathsome tidbits in my research. It’s less delightful that he was beaten, penetrated, and ultimately asphyxiated with it by two young hustlers looking for a quick buck And then there are the things you would have just rather not known at all, because they ruin everything.

Then there are the fun rumors with a gruesome twist for example, it’s delightful to know that Ramon Novarro kept a black lead, Art Deco replica of Rudolph Valentino’s cock on his nightstand. There are the ones you absolutely love knowing, like how a pre-MGM, pre–Joan Crawford Joan Crawford apparently gave the most virulent case of pubic lice the West Coast has ever seen to every man, woman, and child west of Glendale. For me, Hollywood secrets from this period fall into three categories. Many, many scandals and secrets, some of which are based on real-life events (or rumors). It has been termed by New York’s own storied Approval Matrix as “lowbrow, brilliant, and vampire-free,” although this isn’t strictly true - there are vampires in my book, but they’re just called “agents.” (Thank you! I’ll be opening for Alan King at Grossinger’s next week!)

Today, though, I am here to tell you that I have written a book called Starstruck, and it’s the first in a YA trilogy about three young, ambitious starlets clawing their way to the top in thirties Hollywood.

My name is Rachel Shukert, and you can usually find me on this site recapping Smash.

Starstruck by rachel shukert