All the world’s a stage.
Shakespeare had that right, didn’t he? Whether it’s a stage on Broadway or off-Broadway, on a sound set, or a stage in your imagination, sometimes, you just gotta perform – for yourself, at least. But first, grab one (or all!) of these great books about movies and theatre.
Quick: name three movies released in 1939.
The first two were easy. Now read “Jungle Red! The Making of MGM’s The Women” by Illeana Douglas, introduction by Jeanine Basinger (Lyons Press, $34.95) and you’ll have your answer. It’s a fascinating book about a movie that, if it were made now, would be wildly seen, maybe even Award-worthy, but that few people know about today. You’ll be amazed at the tale of this movie, and the cast of stars involved. Read this book, and head to your streaming service, stat.
What’s more fun than reading gossip about your favorite stars? Reading about the women who did the reporting, that’s what, and in “Hollywood Whispers: The Untold Story of the Original Gossip Queens, Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper” by Eileen Cope (Lyons Press, $29.95), you’ll learn about old Hollywood’s two best-known tattle-tales. This book is a nice look at the old studio system, too, and a deep dive into the lives of two women who were frienemies, at best. Meow.
Moving over to the small stage, if you’ve never heard about Kate Claxton, then you need to read “Fire Witch: Kate Claxton and the 1876 Brooklyn Theatre Inferno” by Melanie Gall (Lyons Press, $32.95). A century-and-a-half ago, Claxton was one of New York’s most celebrated actors. She wasn’t a pyromaniac, but it just happened that she was around when fire broke out in several places during several performances through her career. Reputations happen, but stories don’t last forever. Fix that oversight. Read this book.
Okay, so you can sing a lot of your favorite Broadway tunes. You’ll be doing plenty of that when you read “Life is a Cabaret: The Amazing Story of the Real Lives Who Inspired the Iconic Musical” by Brian Fairbanks (Da Capo, $30). Wait – did you even know that Cabaret was a book before it was a musical, and that it was based on real people? You will, once you read this fascinating, eye-opening book that sets a largely-unknown record straight.
And finally, the Great White Way wasn’t all white, as you’ll see in “Broadway in Black & White: The Untold Story of the American Musical” by John Mauceri and John H. McWhorter (W.W. Norton, $35). This story starts with music and moves through the names and the work of Black artists, behind-the-scenes and otherwise, who worked to please fans and ultimately, to integrate Broadway. It’s easy to see how the history inside this important story resonates today.
If these books aren’t enough for you, then head to your favorite bookstore or library and ask the staff there to find more for you. Sometimes, you just need to sing and dance, and you gotta read. These books set the perfect stage.
Books about Movies and Theatre by various authors c.2026, various publishers. $29.95 – $35. Various page counts.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
