Lina - DeMille's Godless Girl

[Brooksie]

Anyone read/own this, Lina Basquette's autobiography? Barring interlibrary loans, it seems hard to get hold of at a non-ridiculous price.

Even without the exaggerations, obfuscations and possible fabrications (attempted seduction by Hitler, WWII-era espionage, etc) she lived quite the life.

[Big Silent Fan]

I didn't know anything about Lina before today.

The Wikipedia article was certainly entertaining and I found her last film available at Netflix. A bit 'country' for me but I'm renting the story about 'Trailer Park Living' and God. From the review: Hope springs eternal in this heartwarming tale about the citizens of a small West Virginia town forced to live in a government-provided trailer park after a devastating flood.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Basquette" target="_blank

Yes, she certainly had an interesting life but I don't think I need to learn more.

[Brooksie]

Having finally got my hands on a copy of this book, I can confirm that it's every bit as bonkers as I expected and more.

It's written mainly in dialogue, and a faux-extempore style. The FREQUENT excursions into capital letters FOR EMPHASIS are most notable in the descriptions of her sexual encounters (and some of those are QUITE ALARMINGLY frank and detailed ... in this case, emphasis mine).

After finding apparent true love with the British actor Henry Mollison, there is an especially jaw-dropping interlude in Germany where, after beginning an affair with ein uber stage German Baron Ludwig Von Seubenhaus (Mein Gott, there is nicht a German cliche left unturned), she is promptly taken her to Germany to meet Der Fuhrer. After making his sexual intentions clear, Adolph - as his name is spelt throughout - feels the wrath of Lina's right knee in einer remaining testicle und deports her from Germany.

Cynical? Me?

The narrative stops shortly hereafter with little explanation and a tacked on epilogue that briefly (very briefly) covers the subsequent fifty years of Basquette's life.

It is all utterly, utterly bizarre.

[Big Silent Fan]

Thanks for the info. Brooksie.

It's too bad all those "#MeToo"s didn't have the courage to respond (in-kind) immediately to unwanted advances made towards them instead of waiting so many years.

Fascinating, if actually true.

[salus]

Lina's stepsister is Marge Champion who recently turned 99

[telical]

HEROES OF THE HEART trailer

Here is her final role.

[Dave Pitts]

She was the subject of a nice long New Yorker profile (it must've been in the 90s; I haven't subscribed for a long time.) Wonderful article.

[Brooksie]

She was the subject of a nice long New Yorker profile (it must've been in the 90s; I haven't subscribed for a long time.) Wonderful article.

It was 1989; it is mentioned in the book that this set off new interest in her career and inspired her to write her autobiography. It was written by Barry Paris, best known for his biography of Louise Brooks, who appeared alongside Basquette in Ziegfeld's Louis The 14th.

I have not read it, but from what I understand, Paris does not provide the required grain of salt to her stories, which are frequently entertaining but objectively preposterous.

[Big Silent Fan]

You can find a blurry image of the article at 'The NewYorker's' website, but they did not save the text to be downloaded.

[Brooksie]

The entire New Yorker archives are open to subscribers, but subscribers only. I've been meaning to sign up to the digital version (I subscribed to the hard copy for years, but boy, they pile up). If and when I do, I'll track it down and report back.

[Gaucho]

I remember that Larry Austin at the old Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax had some connection with her. She was there in the early 90s signing copies of her book -- I still have it somewhere.

[oldposterho]

Just finished Lina - DeMille's Godless Girl and have to say that, despite its length, it's a bit of an astonishing read. The first half is quite a revelation about early Hollywood and the comings...ahem...and goings of some of our favorites that definitely appealed to my baser Hollywood Babylon inclinations although I was not expecting it to be so, shall we say, graphic. Still, I had always wondered about the allegations about Harry Cohn's ties to the mob and Lina certainly provided some background to that.

The latter half was less Hollywood history and focused more on her various husbands so interest did wane a bit. I had no idea about her dabblings with Leni Riefenstahl (who comes off as an abominable nutter) and the Dritte Reich, leading up to its denouement where Lina knees Shicklgruber in the 'nads. That's my girl...

Worth tracking down.

[maliejandra]

I've wanted to read this for a long time, (movie star autobiographies are my favorite!) but the price is prohibitive. Good to know that if I ever shell out money for it, it will be worth my time.

[oldposterho]

I was also dismayed by the prices asked so good old inter-liberry loan provided my copy. Thanks Kansas City Library for sharing when our west coast branches held out!

[Brooksie]

I picked up my copy for $35, but I had to wait good and long for one to turn up at that price. I think the issue is that this is one of those books that is impossible to find UN-autographed. Book dealers price accordingly.

I would not brand it a must-read, but it is an eye-opener. As oldposterho says, Lina certainly does not hold back in describing her sexual exploits. In detail. A LOT.

[Agnes]

I thought the title looked familiar.....
Hubby picked up a few titles at a thrift store/ antique shop that he thought I would like. Yup, that was one. He didn't pay over $5 for it.

I will have to put it tighter up in my" next books" list.