Patrick Downey

Hollywood on the Spot Patrick Downey

The lives of Hollywood's early movie stars have become the stuff of legend; the glitz and the glamour, the conspicuous consumption, the never ending carousel of parties and premieres. Rarely discussed is the dark side of their stardom; the constant fear that at any time they could become victims of gunmen, kidnappers, or extortionists. In these pages are the stories that normally get left out of the Hollywood history books: the armed robberies, home invasions and the threats of abduction, maiming, and murder that plagued Tinseltown throughout the early years. Whether it was "America's Sweetheart" Mary Pickford or sex siren Mae West - no star was immune. Hollywood on the Spot brings to light the nightmares inside the Dream Factory.