Joan Blondell

The first major biography of an actress with a long and lustrous careerJoan Blondell: A Life between Takes is the first major biography of the effervescent scene-stealing actress (1906-1979) who conquered motion pictures vaudeville Broadway summer stock television and radio. Born the child of vaudevillians she was on stage by age three. With her casual sex appeal distinctive cello voice megawatt smile luminous saucer eyes and flawless timing she came into widespread fame in Warner Bros. musicals and comedies of the 1930s including Blonde Crazy Gold Diggers of 1933 and Footlight Parade.Frequent co-star to James Cagney Clark Gable Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart friend to Judy Garland Barbara Stanwyck and Bette Davis and wife of Dick Powell and Mike Todd Joan Blondell was a true Hollywood insider. By the time of her death she had made nearly 100 films in a career that spanned over fifty years.Privately she was unerringly loving and generous while her life was touched by financial medical and emotional upheavals. Joan Blondell: A Life between Takes is meticulously researched expertly weaving the public and private and features numerous interviews with family friends and colleagues.