Tallulah Bankhead Bücher

Born into privilege in Alabama, Tallulah Bankhead, daughter of a congressman and granddaughter of a senator, defied expectations of being just another southern belle. She quickly ascended to fame as an acclaimed actress in London's West End and on Broadway, captivating audiences in the 1920s. Her stage success caught Hollywood's attention, leading to roles in Paramount films like My Sin and Lifeboat, for which she won a New York Film Critics Circle Award. Despite her accolades, she never reached the same cinematic prominence as she did in theater and radio, where she originated memorable roles in Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes and Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth. Bankhead's vibrant public persona, characterized by her sharp wit, candid quotes, and a scandalous lifestyle, became legendary. Known for her love of Kentucky bourbon and wild parties, she was a baritone who affectionately addressed everyone as "Dahling." Her memoir, first published in 1952, showcases her lively literary voice, recounting her childhood, dedication to theater, and humorous Hollywood anecdotes. With a fierce defense of her lifestyle and a humorous take on American theater during a transformative era, this memoir offers an insider's perspective on the golden age of entertainment. Bankhead also headlined NBC's The Big Show from 1950 to 1952 and appeared in her final film, Fanatic, in 1965.