Miriam Hopkins (1902--1972) first captured moviegoers' awareness in bold precode motion pictures comparable to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), The tale of Temple Drake (1933), and Ernst Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise (1932). even though she loved well known and significant acclaim in her lengthy occupation -- receiving an Academy Award nomination for Becky Sharp (1935) and a Golden Globe nomination for The Heiress (1949) -- she is ordinarily remembered for being probably the most tough actresses of Hollywood's golden age. even if she used to be struggling with with studio moguls over her roles or feuding along with her avowed archrival, Bette Davis, her acceptance for temperamental habit is legendary.

In the 1st complete biography of this colourful performer, Allan R. Ellenberger illuminates Hopkins's attention-grabbing lifestyles and legacy. Her freewheeling movie occupation used to be unparalleled in studio-era Hollywood, and she or he controlled to set up herself as a best superstar at Paramount, RKO, Goldwyn, and Warner Bros. Over the process 5 a long time, Hopkins seemed in thirty-six movies, 40 level performs, and numerous radio courses. Later, she emerged as a pioneer of television drama. Ellenberger additionally explores Hopkins's inner most lifestyles, together with her relationships with such intellectuals as Theodore Dreiser, Dorothy Parker, Gertrude Stein, and Tennessee Williams. even supposing she used to be by no means blacklisted for her suspected Communist leanings, her organization with those freethinkers and her involvement with yes political organisations led the FBI to maintain a dossier on her for almost 40 years. This skillful biography treats readers to the fascinating tales and controversies surrounding Hopkins and her profession, but additionally seems to be past her Hollywood character to discover the superstar as an uncompromising artist. the result's an pleasing portrait of an excellent but underappreciated performer.