Evan Gaffney This week in The New York Times Book Review, Molly Haskell reviews two new books about old Hollywood: “The Noir Forties: The American People From Victory to Cold War,†by Richard Lingeman, and “The Entertainer,†in which Margaret Talbot writes about the career of her father, the actor Lyle Talbot. Ms. Haskell writes about Ms. Talbot's book:
< p>Talbot père comes across as a sort of Zelig-with-personality, a life-embracing man whose career spans, and illuminates, the first 60 years of the 20th century. When opportunity knocks, Lyle is already halfway through the door, cheerfully ready to adapt to every new form and possibility popular culture throws his way. From midway barker in a local carnival to bumbling magician to hypnotist's subject to traveling roadshow mainstay to actor in a theater troupe specializing in melodrama, Lyle is there. He moves on when these Victorian specialties become passé. And when the talkies beckon, handsome Lyle is ready for his close-up.
On this week's podcast, Ms. Haskell discusses her review; Leslie Kaufman has notes from the field; Liesl Schillinger talks about the world of high fashion; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.
