Hollywood v. Beauty and the Synchronicity of the Six presents the biographies of six movie actresses from the 1920s to the 1970s, with a single actress representing her decade of activity: Louise Brooks 1920s, Jean Harlow 1930s, Hedy Lamarr 1940s, Barbara Payton 1950s, Jean Seberg 1960s, and Sondra Locke 1970s. The synchronicity between the lives of these women is phenomenal, and their stories are as dramatic and exciting as any to come from that town, stretching all the way from complete ruination to thrilling triumph. Along the way, the story of movies in the Golden Age unfolds as six movie actresses try to survive in the most artificial place on Earth. The power elite of Hollywood could transform unknowns into movie stars or erase the famous into oblivion. Since beauty has its own innate power, it is inevitable these two entities would face off.
Kirk Henderson is an author, screenwriter, art director, and filmmaker. He has written extensively about film and film music, with articles published in a variety of film magazines including Music from the Movies, Film Score Monthly, and Little Shoppe of Horrors. He has created concepts and/or art directed for Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and San Francisco's once vanguard of animation, Colossal Pictures. Mr. Henderson has won awards for his short films, including The Visage, currently re-licensed by Shorts Intl. Hollywood v. Beauty and the Synchronicity of the Six is his first book.
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In “Hollywood v. Beauty and the Synchronicity of the Six,” author Kirk Henderson investigates the lives and careers of six iconic actresses: Louise Brooks, Jean Harlow, Hedy Lamarr, Barbara Payton, Jean Seberg, and Sondra Locke. Despite their lack of personal interaction, Henderson uncovers a complex web of similarities, mirrored occurrences, and shared challenges that suggest a predestined or synchronistic path for these women. This narrative choice elevates the book above a simple biographical account, proposing an entwined destiny shaped by the forces of Hollywood and societal expectations of beauty. The author also has a unique approach in his selection, by choosing one actress to represent the decade in which they were most active: Brooks for the 1920s, Harlow the 1930s, etc. Even though the women never met each other, they were interconnected in synchronistic ways. Henderson identifies patterns and parallels and argues that their stories are not only interrelated but also reflective of larger trends in Hollywood and American culture, both in the context of their time and in the ongoing evolution of film and gender.
The book begins with an introduction to Hollywood’s historical context (the power dynamics between the film industry’s moguls and the actresses). Then it allows each actress’s story to unfold in its own chapter, providing a deep dive into their individual experiences while also revealing thematic threads—their battles with the Hollywood studio system, their struggles with typecasting and public image, their fight for respect in a male-dominated environment, and their efforts to assert agency in their careers.
Henderson blends historical analysis with empathetic narration, but always treating his subjects with respect and sensitivity. The final sections in the book provide a comprehensive overview of each actress’s career and legacy. “Hollywood v. Beauty and the Synchronicity of the Six” is about the intersection between beauty, talent, and the Hollywood machine. Kirk Henderson goes beyond traditional biographies to offer a nuanced look at the lives of remarkable women, whose stories continue to resonate in the world of film and beyond. He reminds us of the need for continued exploration and appreciation of the actors’ impact on the movie business, the evolution of female representation in cinema, and the lasting influence of beauty and talent in the face of adversity.
The book includes an abundance of photographs from the actresses’ movies and life.
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