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Canada
/ Arts
& Entertainment / Arts
& Exhibits

Interview with author
Gaelyn Whitley Keith - part 3

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Cendrine
Marrouat
, Canada
Independent Artist Examiner

August 24,
2011 - Like this? Subscribe
to get instant updates.

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To read part 1, click here. To read part 2, click here.

Cendrine Marrouat: How have people reacted to the book so far? Have you
noticed differences between American and Canadian readers?

Gaelyn Whitley Keith: The book has been widely received and I feel
many readers are amazed by the many ways the Whitley Family has influenced
Hollywood and continues to influence today. Canadians seem to particularly enjoy
the fact that H J Whitley was born in Toronto, Canada. Now they can take credit
for naming Hollywood.

CM: As a self-published author, how have you harnessed the power of social
media to successfully reach a global audience?

Advertisement

GWK: Initially I was self-published by Book Surge an Amazon
subsidiary. I learned many tricks of the trade from them and then was picked up
by Tate Publishing. It is an amazing journey and I am learning more every day.

CM: Are you working on a specific project right now?

If you go to my website we are having a worldwide vote for the top
100 stars for the first 100 years.

Hollywood Stars are ready for your votes! You've watched hours of
movies spanning the decades and now we're giving you a chance to nominate your
two favorite stars of the century. Cast your vote by October 20, 2011. Then come
back on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, for the 100th anniversary of the first
Hollywood Studio filming in Hollywood, to learn the people's choice for the Top
100 Stars of the Century.

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their outstanding
acting? Nominate them today.

CM: Where can people purchase your book?

GWK: People can buy my book at my website (http://www.thefatherofhollywood.com/),
Amazon, local bookstores, etc.

CM: Any last words?

GWK: Hobart Johnstone and Gigi Whitley are considered the patriarchs
who presided over the creation of Hollywood. Their city has forever changed the
course of history, portraying visions of glamour and romance to a degree
unmatched anywhere else. Nestled in hills covered in towering eucalyptus and
orange groves, Hollywood was built as part of a grand scheme by visionary
developer HJ Whitley, “The Father of Hollywood.”

Why did the Los Angeles Times and others in the community give him
this title? Whitley Heights was the Beverly Hills of yesteryear, and some of the
most impressive homes in Hollywood are located there. Stars like Jean Harlow,
Ethel Barrymore, Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies, W.C. Fields, Harold Lloyd,
Carole Lombard, Rudolph Valentino, and many others lived and held legendary
parties in the Heights. How did he get them to settle there? What was the
magical draw this amazing man possessed? Learn the true story of how Hollywood
got its name.

From the earliest silent films made by pioneering American filmmakers
to the multimillion-dollar blockbusters of today, the movie industry of America
has always had a home: Hollywood. But how did Hollywood itself get started? Who
were the driving forces behind its creation and development – the visionaries
and kingmakers who built the infrastructure of a worldwide industry but only
received a fraction of the credit that was heaped upon the stars of the silver
screen?

Movie buffs nowadays have no idea that so much of what we take for
granted about Hollywood was largely planned, designed, and built by Hobart
Johnstone Whitley, an extraordinary individual who is not nearly as well known
as he should be. “HJ” was the primary developer of Hollywood, a central figure
in attracting and keeping the talent needed to make such an ambitious project
successful and, in turn, transform a formerly sleepy part of California into a
hugely profitable and exciting industry.

My book, "The Father of Hollywood," goes a long way toward erasing
the misconceptions concerning HJ’s life and career, and paints a truly charming
portrait of the man who lived a life that itself is worthy of a fine
movie.

End of the interview.

---------------

Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and
general enquiries at [email-masked]

Official website: http://www.cendrinemarrouat.com/
Twitter: @cendrinemedia
Facebook: http://fb.cendrinemarrouat.com/

Suggested by the author:

Interview
with author Gaelyn Whitley Keith - part 1

Interview
with author Gaelyn Whitley Keith - part
2

Whitley Heights (the first H in the Hollywood sign being
built is in the background)

Credits:

courtesy of guest

Video: Without This Man, Hollywood May
Not Exist

Video: Without
This Man, Hollywood May Not Exist

Related Topics

interview

Book

Father of Hollywood

Gaelyn Whitley Keith

HJ Whitley

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By Cendrine Marrouat
Canada Independent Artist Examiner

Cendrine Marrouat is a writer, published author and translator residing in
Winnipeg, Canada. In addition to her local and national articles on...

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