Love and Loss in Hollywood: Florence Deshon, Max Eastman, and Charlie Chaplin

Florence Deshon was a rising star in Hollywood in 1919, involved with Charlie Chaplin and Max Eastman. She was found dead in 1922, rumored to have committed suicide. Love and Loss in Hollywood: Florence Deshon, Max Eastman, and Charlie Chaplin explores their relationship through previously unpublished letters, highlighting Deshon's tragic life and her fight for women's rights. The book also provides a glimpse into Hollywood's golden age, overshadowed by fear of Bolshevism and the emergence of big studios.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 474 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2021
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Florence Deshon, a towering figure with a radical spirit and captivating charisma, was poised to ascend to the pinnacle of Hollywood fame in 1919. Despite being involved in a clandestine affair with the renowned writer and socialist Max Eastman, she maintained a romantic connection with Charlie Chaplin. Tragically, her life came to an end in 1922, when she was discovered dead in a New York apartment, with rumors circulating that she had taken her own life.

Love and Loss in Hollywood: Florence Deshon, Max Eastman, and Charlie Chaplin delves into the untold story of their complex relationship, utilizing previously unpublished letters exchanged between Deshon and Eastman. Set against the backdrop of the glamorous Hollywood era, the book sheds light on Deshon's tragic life, plagued by abuse at the hands of powerful figures such as Chaplin, Eastman, and Samuel Goldwyn. Her resilience and unwavering pursuit of success, fueled by a deep desire for life, resonate with the ongoing concerns of the MeToo movement.

This captivating narrative unfolds against the backdrop of significant historical events, including the pervasive fear of Bolshevism following World War I, the Red Riots, and the establishment of the dominant big studios in Hollywood. Love and Loss in Hollywood offers a rich tapestry of details, providing a vivid account of crucial years in American film history. The book also features a stunning collection of unpublished photographs, including six mesmerizing full-length portraits of Deshon by Adolph de Meyer, Vogue's pioneering fashion photographer.

Through the pages of Love and Loss in Hollywood, Deshon emerges as an extraordinary woman who has been unjustly forgotten. She was a brilliant writer and ardent advocate for women's rights, driven by a relentless ambition to excel and an insatiable thirst for life. Her story serves as a reminder of the indomitable spirit of women who have faced adversity and fought for equality in a male-dominated world. This captivating book not only sheds light on the personal lives of these influential figures but also offers a valuable perspective on the social and cultural dynamics of the early 20th century.

Weight: 884g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253052940