Hollywood or Bust by Susan Marg, Cowgirl Jane Press, 2013, 978-0-578-11882-6, 174 pgs., $14.95
By Eva Trieger
DEL MAR, California – Hollywood has always been a Jewish town. If you don’t believe me, just pick up a copy of Hollywood or Bust and see how Jews have always had aspirations of being part of Hollywood or have struggled with being excluded from Tinsel Town. Author Susan Marg, provides a testimony in her latest book which is a clever compilation of quotes from our favorite actors.
Marg employs movie titles for each chapter of her book, and subsections are named for pertinent and prominent films. The author shared with me “It’s certainly a story to which Jews can relate, and part of the story is always feeling like an outsider.” In support of this, Marg quoted Chloe Sevigny, who said, “Whenever I go to a Hollywood party, I feel like it’s some sort of a secret club I haven’t been invited to yet.” Additionally, actress Renee Zellweger said, “I still feel like I’ve crashed the party.”
We are all familiar with Woody Allen’s self-deprecating humor and we have come to associate that with Jewish humor. Several actors’ quotes reflect this paranoia and abject self loathing. David Geffen, producer, said, “Hollywood is a town that doesn’t just want you to fail, it wants you to die.” However, as Jews, we are eternal optimists. Perhaps this is best stated when Marg avers, “With humor one can survive anything—even Hollywood.”
Before becoming a writer, Marg did time in advertising and marketing. She worked for AT&T, but soon gained experience writing copy for her boss’ boss. Marg, an avid movie viewer, says she has “no characters running around in my head” but that she loves to ruminate on films she’s seen. Marg, and husband, Jim Simmons, a social historian, regularly attend the movies and keep current on local screenings.
Marg’s first book Las Vegas Weddings allowed celebrities to become intimates of the author’s. She found herself thinking of the principals as “my people.” Marg began to see these people with sympathy and compassion. Though some of the Vegas chapels may be tacky, these people were real people seeking genuine wedded bliss. Once Marg relocated from the east coast, she saw the Strip as a place were “real brides and grooms” married. It wasn’t just hype and razzle dazzle.
Susan shared a great story with me regarding the most famous person she almost met. Moonstruck came out in 1987, and Marg attended a showing in a very old, chilly theater in Bernardsville, NJ. She and a friend entered the theater with just a handful of other viewers. After the film, Marg went into the Ladies’ room. Much to her surprise she was washing her hands next to none other than Jackie Onasis! Though that was a high point, Susan did tell me she wouldn’t pass up a lunch date with George Clooney at his palazzo on Lake Cuomo.
I asked Susan what she feels sets celebs apart from the hoi polloi and she stated vehemently that those who earn the appellation are multitalented. Not only can these select few act, but many sing, dance and posses multiple skills that allow them to rise to the top. Some examples Marg cited include John Travolta, George Clooney, Tony Danza, Hugh Jackman and Katherine Hepburn. In every case, these individuals demonstrated a multilayered talent beyond simple screen presence.
Susan’s early influences included the famed Borscht Belt comedians. She nostalgically recalled watching Buddy Hackett, Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle and Shecky Greene. The movie Dirty Dancing struck a familiar chord with this young Jewish girl from Cleveland. Directors have also made their mark on Marg, and she admires the work of Robert Altman and Quentin Tarantino for their masterful films.
Not every actor/director finds Hollywood the Land of Enchantment. Marg located quotes that reveal the pain, loss of privacy, and rejection that often accompany celebrity. Director Michelangelo Antonioni said, “Hollywood is like being nowhere and talking to nobody about nothing.” It isn’t just that it’s vapid, but sometimes cruel. Producer Bernie Brillstein offered, “You’re no one in Hollywood unless someone wants you dead.”
Susan Marg’s collection reveals these human dreams pursued and not deferred. Marg shared that in life’s trajectory we all lose something, and this slim volume, exposes these struggles in a real and often amusing way. Additional quotes may be found on Marg’s website Hollywoodorbustthebook.com.
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Trieger is a freelance writer focusing on the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com