Portland Public Library

Hollywoodland, Universal Pictures ; Focus Features and Miramax Films present a Back Lot Pictures production ; produced by Glenn Williamson ; written by Paul Bernbaum ; directed by Allen Coulter

eng

videorecording

MPAA rating: R; for language, some violence and sexual content

Hollywoodland

76768406

Universal Pictures ; Focus Features and Miramax Films present a Back Lot Pictures production ; produced by Glenn Williamson ; written by Paul Bernbaum ; directed by Allen Coulter

127

Focus Features spotlight series

On June 16, 1959, police detectives arrive at a Benedict Canyon home to find Superman dead, felled by a single gunshot to the head. LAPD calls it suicide, but Reeves' grieving mother, Helen Bessolo, isn't so sure. She hires private detective Louis Simo to validate her suspicions, centered on George's fiancée, aspiring starlet Leonore Lemmon. Simo turns up suspects 2 and 3: Toni Mannix, aging trophy wife to MGM honcho Eddie Mannix, a tough little man with long-standing mob ties. George had been Toni's consort for years, and their breakup seriously wounded her. George Reeves wanted Clark Gable's career and instead got television stardom, becoming the idol of millions of children. Was he murdered, or just a victim of the sensitivities and insecurities of an actor who was never talented enough to be taken seriously?

Superhero is killed -- Real detective work -- Being noticed -- Next morning -- New take -- Leave the bow tie on -- Publicity stunt -- Behind the glamour -- On television -- Putting in a word -- Typecast -- Deceived -- Meaning of justice -- Deserves a statue -- Leonore Lemmon -- Straight arrow George -- It just gets buried -- Picture business -- Seeing the pieces -- End titles

adult

live action