A bright lively bio of Daryl F. Zanuck written when he was the last surviving tycoon of the great days of Hollywood; not that he lasted much longer, being turfed from his position around the time the book came out. He then pretty much went into retirement, and apparently went senile, living in Palm Springs - however he did live to see his son Dick become one of the leading producers in Hollywood.
This book benefits from the fact so many of its participants were alive, chiefly Zanuck himself - but also his son, wife, colleagues. While an admiring book, some warts are shown - Gussow doesn't stint on criticism of Zanuck's midlife crisis (performing acrobatics, running off with various women) and some of 20 Century Fox's poorer movies; it explores his prickly personality, womanising, various corporate struggles, unusual family life.
Full of lively anecdotes, such as the competitive croquet games, and memorable bits like Zanuck's touching admission that he doesn't have many friends. You need to read this in conjunction with later books on Zanuck but its very entertaining.
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