Tales of a Hollywood Housewife: A Memoir by the First Mrs. Lee Marvin

Betty Marvin
iUniverse (2010)
ISBN 9781440198274
Reviewed by S.G. Smith for Reader Views (10/10)

 

If you are someone who is fascinated with reading tabloid magazines to get the latest scoop on Hollywood royalty, you are going to love “Tales of a Hollywood Housewife.”  Betty Marvin, ex-wife of Hollywood star Lee Marvin, gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what celebrity life was really about – before reality television became the norm.

Betty’s firsthand account of going from poor girl in Washington to the wife of actor Lee Marvin reads as if she is sitting with you and telling you the story in your own living room.  It is easy to forget that you are reading a book instead of actually listening to this woman tell you about her children, her homes, her escapades from one crazy situation to another, to how she came out on top after having nothing.  It is hard not to sympathize with everything Betty went through and put up with for the sake of her children – and her sanity.

One of the most entertaining accounts of Betty’s life is when she recounts serving as a nanny to Joan Crawford’s children.  Having the affirmation that the subtext of the title “Mommy Dearest” is spellbinding and then learning about the real personalities of other Hollywood “royalty” members is captivating.  Betty easily brings you into her life and shows you around, all the while maintaining the air of grace that she was known for.

“Tales of a Hollywood Housewife” is an entertaining read which shows that all of the glitz-and-glamour of Hollywood really is make-believe.

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