Overview

From 1920s marijuana mayhem through the cocaine storm that hit Hollywood in the 70s and the heroin chic films of the 90s, Shooting Stars investigates the drug myths propagated in movies and looks at the links between censorship, public morals and the Hollywood dream machine. Shooting Stars begins with the opium movies of the silent era and covers every major and most minor drugs film right up to the present day. From Reefer Madness through The Man with the Golden Arm and on to films such as Easy Rider, Panic in Needle Park and Trainspotting, Shapiro provides comprehensive detail about each film. It also includes a detailed history of drug use and film censorship as well as dark tales of the Hollywood star system and lifestyle. An invaluable and entertaining work of reference which will be of use to students and teachers of media studies as well as film buffs.

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9781852426514

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Reviews

?The subtitle says it all ? Drugs, Hollywood and the Movies ? if you?re interested in any one of them you will be well rewarded here? Guardian Guide ?Shooting Stars offers well-chosen and often jaw-dropping examples of the double-think surrounding the politics of escapism. It?s an eminently sensible read that should remain a benchmark volume until the next designer drug threatens the morals of the nation?s youth? Independent on Sunday ?The prose is sprightly, the gossip is hair-raising, and the rhythm of his argument hypnotic? The Times ?An extremely entertaining and informative history of the relationship between cinema and drugs?a thoroughly readable and entertaining snapshot? Popmatters.com ?A rather handy reference book for anyone with a nose for the seedier side of cinema? Hot Press ?A book you?ll snort up and want more? Jack ?The author expounds some surprisingly interesting ideas on early Hollywood?s opium fixation and the truly suicidal nature of the 80s coke epidemic. Fascinating stuff? The List ?A well researched and entertaining look at the relationship between two very different factories? Flux ?This fantastic book covers every major and most minor drugs films since the opium movies of the silent days? London Student

Author Information

Harry Shapiro has worked in the drugs field for over twenty years and is the author of a number of acclaimed rock biographies and music books. The BBC named Waiting for the Man, his history of drugs and music, one of the twenty best music books of all time while MOJO dubbed his best-selling biography of Jimi Hendrix as the one against which all other rock biographies will be judged .

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