Ed Roberts' "The Sins of Hollywood" Vilifies Industry

[missdupont]

"The Sins of Hollywood," the first sordid look at scandal in the industry, was written by former publicity man Edward Roberts, who was active in the industry's Affiliated Picture Interests with William Desmond Taylor and others in 1921 fighting censorship and blue laws. In 1922, he wrote the book, noting Hollywood's hypocrisy.
http://ladailymirror.com/2015/08/31/mar ... t-scandal/" target="_blank

[oldposterho]

Great stuff, right up my alley! You've really got to wonder just what happened to ol' Ed that made him go to the dark side? Methinks his previous gravy train got derailed so he had to go through with his "or else..." plan. Still, it's fascinating the way the studios were able to squash him like a bug, just another example of how they really owned the town in those days.

[missdupont]

I don't believe he was just squashed like a bug; I believe the industry bought him off, particularly when you look at the 1940 census, and he is retired, but has "income from other sources," and he and his wife always rented. That is mentioned in the conclusion of my article.

[oldposterho]

I was mostly referring to the ginned up smut through the mail charge. Vintage 'keep digging until something sticks.'

I don't suppose court records go that far back. Would be interesting to know though.

[Frederica]

I don't suppose court records go that far back. Would be interesting to know though.

They sure do.

[Frederica]

I was mostly referring to the ginned up smut through the mail charge. Vintage 'keep digging until something sticks.'

I don't suppose court records go that far back. Would be interesting to know though.

PS. Apropos of nothing, Will Hays had only recently resigned the Postmaster General position.

[Harlett O'Dowd]

While most of the sinners are easy to identify (Rudy, Mack & Mabel, etc.) has anyone compiled a list of all the alleged sinners in this tome?

[Jim Roots]

Love that book-cover illustration!

"What little that can be found about Roberts suggests that he loved a good yarn and playing loose with the facts, though he was supposedly a press agent and publisher."

Gee, I didn't know that being a press agent and playing loose with the facts were mutually exclusive activities. Who would have guessed?

Jim

[Gumlegs]

Perhaps A. Toxen Worm, the delightfully named publicist for the Brothers Shubert on Broadway.

[Harlett O'Dowd]

And for those of you who have not experienced it, there is this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIQ7jp1KrnQ



I think they paid the reader by the S

[Bruce Long]

While most of the sinners are easy to identify (Rudy, Mack & Mabel, etc.) has anyone compiled a list of all the alleged sinners in this tome?

See the footnotes at the end of http://www.taylorology.com/issues/Taylor30.txt for my opinion on identities.