“Whatever Happened To Hollywood?” by Jesse Lasky, Jr.
AUDIOBOOK read by his stepson, Richard Niles (Excerpt: Chapter 11)
Niles has composed musical introductions to each of the book’s 30 chapters. Here are some examples:
Jesse L. Lasky
We are all entertained and inspired by the magic of Hollywood. But do we know how it began and the visionary entrepreneurs who created an artform and an industry from an idea?
Vaudeville producer Jesse L. Lasky produced the first feature film in Hollywood (“The Squaw Man” 1913) with finance from his brother in law, Sam Goldfish (a glove maker) , and choosing a first time director, Cecil B. De Mille. The Jesse Lasky Feature Play Company eventually became Paramount. Lasky eventually produced over 1000 films and discovered many stars. His son tells the story of Hollywood’s early days and Lasky’s relationships with his fellow moguls – the collaboration, the friendship and the treachery.
