In the realm of Hollywood history, few books have caused as much controversy and intrigue as Kenneth Anger’s Hollywood Babylon. Published initially in French in 1959, this provocative work delves into the alleged scandals and misdeeds of Hollywood’s brightest stars from the early 1900s to the 1950s. The book’s sensational claims and lurid imagery have left an indelible mark on the industry’s lore, even as many of its stories have been challenged or debunked over the years.
The first edition of Hollywood Babylon was published by J.J. Pauvert in Paris, but it was the 1965 U.S. edition that sparked widespread attention—and controversy. The book was swiftly banned in the United States shortly after its release, only to resurface a decade later in 1975. This second edition, published by Rolling Stone’s Straight Arrow Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, included graphic images that further fueled public fascination and outrage.
The Stars and Scandals of Hollywood Babylon
Hollywood Babylon is a compendium of alleged scandals involving some of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history. From the silent film era to the 1960s, Anger’s book covers a wide array of stars, including Mary AstorClara BowCharles ChaplinMarilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow among others. The book also delves into infamous events such as the Fatty Arbuckle-Virginia Rappe scandal the murder of William Desmond Taylor and the Hollywood blacklist.
One of the most enduring myths perpetuated by the book is the claim that Clara Bow had intimate relations with the entire USC football team, including a young John Wayne. This story has been repeatedly debunked, yet it persists in popular culture. Similarly, the book’s assertion that Lupe Vélez was found dead with her head in a toilet has been disproven by photographic evidence showing her on her bedroom floor. Other debunked tales include the idea that Marie Prevost’s corpse was partially eaten by her dachshund and that Jayne Mansfield was decapitated in her fatal car accident.
The Controversy and Criticism
Since its initial publication, Hollywood Babylon has faced significant criticism for its accuracy and reliability. Film historian Kevin Brownlow has repeatedly challenged Anger’s research methods, noting that the author claimed to use mental telepathy as part of his process. The New York Times famously described the book as having no single redeeming merit while The Daily Beast labeled it essentially a work of fiction.
Anger’s use of images in the book has also been a point of contention. He sourced photographs from a variety of materials, including Hollywood publicity stills, newspapers, and police archives. However, he frequently miscaptioned or misattributed these images, sometimes intentionally for artistic effect. For instance, a woman shown in mourning attire in the chapter on the Fatty Arbuckle scandal was misidentified as Maude Delmont, a key witness, but was actually Arbuckle’s wife, Minta Durfee.
The Legacy and Adaptations
Despite the controversy, Hollywood Babylon has left a lasting impact on Hollywood’s cultural landscape. The book’s sensational stories have become part of the industry’s folklore, even as many have been debunked. In 1984, Anger published a sequel, Hollywood Babylon II which covered stars from the 1920s to the 1970s but was not as well-received as the original.
The book’s influence extends beyond literature. In 1971, a movie adaptation starring Uschi Digart as Marlene Dietrich reenacted scenes from the book. A television series hosted by Tony Curtis was produced for syndication in 1992-1993, featuring dramatic reenactments of stories from Anger’s books. More recently, Damien Chazelle’s film Babylon alludes to the book’s title and evokes its lurid mythology.
In 2008, a book titled Hollywood Babylon: It’s Back! was published by Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince but it had no association with Anger. The original author reportedly placed a curse on the authors, a reflection of his self-described magical practices associated with Thelema.
The legacy of Hollywood Babylon continues to spark debates and fascination. Whether viewed as a work of fiction or a controversial expose, the book remains a testament to Hollywood’s complex and often scandalous history.
