James Zeruk Jr.

Comprehensive biography of actress Peg Entwistle who is best known for committing suicide by jumping off the H in the famed Hollywood sign. The myth has always been that Entwistle was a failed actress despondent over not being able to get jobs. The reality is that Entwistle was a well known theatrical actress with excellent reviews who starred on Broadway with such legends as Laurette Taylor, William Gillette, and George M. Cohan among others. She also toured in shows all over the country and received excellent review.s. In fact, Bette Davis is credited with saying that Entwistle's performance in The WIld Duck is what inspired Davis to pursue acting. The author spent a lot of time in research and did an excellent job in finding things. He also talked with Entwistle's brother. Entwistle had only one Hollywood film, Thirteen Women, and 75% of her scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. After that, RKO dropped her contract. That would be extremely disheartening but the author presents another, and most believable for Entwistle's suicide which I will not reveal in order not to spoil the book. This book is a great tribute to Entwistle and contains many photographs as well as a complete listing of her theater work. Highly recommended.… (meer)