Swanson on Swanson
New York: Random House, 1981. Illustrated by Rene Bouche. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Book in Near Fine condition / Dust cover in Near Fine condition and encased in archival cover. Item #5237
ISBN: 0394506626
First Edition, First printing, signed by Gloria Swanson. Edition shows very minor signs of wear, else Fine. Complete dust jacket with price intact in Near Fine condition with minor shelf wear. True first with metallic red title across dust jacket and red hardcover cloth boards embossed with red metallic carnation. Protected in an archival cover.
Gloria Swanson spills the tea on sex, the golden age of Hollywood in the 1920's, marriage, plastic surgery, and films in a memoir that became a wild sensation upon publication. She candidly discusses her affair with Ted Kennedy, father of former US president JFK, who had 8 children by the time he began his pursuit and relationship with Swanson. Preceding Scandoval by decades, the affair had an assortment of shocking elements, including a vacation Kennedy, his sister-in-law, his wife Rose Kennedy and Swanson all took together, which Swanson referred to as “madness.” She was first married at 17, with six subsequent marriages over her long life, including a French Marquis. Her affairs, lifestyle, and glamourous persona were the absolute talk of the town, fueling gossip for decades. Swanson is best known for her role in the film “Sunset Blvd” as a silent screen beauty dealing with end of her youth and career. “You know, the people are terrified of me because of that role,” Swanson stated in a public interview.
Swanson was interviewed by Barbara Walters in 1981 to promote this memoir. Their televised verbal sparring became infamous, in part due to Walters’ brash questioning and Swanson’s unrehearsed and steely handling of Walters’ interrogation. During the conversation, Swanson made it clear she had little patience for Walters' mess and firmly expressed that writing a book about her life wasn’t something she wanted to do, but something she felt was necessary; to tell her story on her own terms, covering her affairs, marriages, and the birth of her son coinciding with a relationship with Ted Kennedy.
A glorious read. In collectible condition.
Price: $285.00 other currencies