Illeana Douglas, a seasoned actress and the granddaughter of legendary actor Melvyn Douglas and influential Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas, is generating buzz with her newly released book, “I Blame Dennis Hopper: And Other Stories from a Life Lived in and out of Movies.”
The memoir, written with her usual wit and insight, provides a glimpse into her experiences in Hollywood, having worked alongside giants like Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. Douglas kicked off her career as a publicist for Peggy Siegal in the 1980s before making the leap to acting under Scorsese’s direction. Their relationship blossomed both personally and professionally, with Douglas appearing in several of his films during the 90s. Despite their breakup, she has remained a vibrant presence in the film industry, with two films slated for release in 2016. Within the pages of her memoir, readers can find a wealth of stories about her collaborations with prominent filmmakers, including a challenging experience while filming Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever,” where her scenes ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor. Similarly, she briefly touched upon her involvement in Woody Allen’s “Husbands and Wives,” expressing her disappointment at being cut from the final edit. One memorable encounter detailed in Douglas’s book involves a meeting between her, Scorsese, and the legendary Marlon Brando. Reflecting on this encounter, she recalls a conversation about abandoned movie projects, which included wild ideas featuring Michael Jackson in divine roles. The significance of their meeting lingered with her, especially since Brando claimed he would not eat with them in public, opting instead for the privacy of his hotel room. While reminiscing about that night, Douglas had the courage to ask Brando about his past relationship with Marilyn Monroe. His response shocked her; he claimed, “They most certainly murdered her.”
Douglas pressed him for clarification, and with a chilling conviction, he reiterated, “Oh, yes.”
This harrowing revelation left a profound impact on her. The news doesn’t stop there! Brando, through Douglas’s account, suggests a long-standing belief that Monroe’s tragic death was not simply an overdose, as many believe, but rather a carefully concealed murder. He reflected on their relationship, revealing that they had spoken shortly before Monroe’s untimely passing and assured her of her lack of suicidal tendencies. In the lead-up to the release of his own autobiography, “Brando: Songs My Mother Taught Me”, Marlon Brando opened up about various topics, including the personalities he encountered throughout his career. Reports suggest he was highly critical of figures like Charlie Chaplin, calling him cruel, while describing Richard Burton as a “mean drunk.”
His memoir, which is set to hit the shelves with an impressive 500,000 first edition copies, was reportedly penned with a hefty $5 million advance. However, in a striking twist, the book feels selective, omitting many parts of his tumultuous personal life, particularly involving his relationships with family. Columnist Liz Smith hints that Brando is intentionally creating intrigue by revealing only what he wishes to share. An excerpt shared in Parade magazine provided a glimpse into Brando’s affair with Monroe among countless other conquests. Yet, Smith notes that several enthralling comments regarding Monroe’s circumstances were left out, raising eyebrows regarding what was unsaid. Brando expressed a firm belief that Monroe had been wronged in the narrative of her death. He claimed she was not involved romantically with Robert Kennedy, countering the popular theories that have circulated for decades. This assertion, echoing throughout the industry, challenges established perceptions about her life. As Douglas’s book hits the public, it is clear that she has crafted a narrative full of captivating tales and revelations about the workings of Hollywood and its icons, ensuring that the memories of its brightest stars, like Brando and Monroe, continue to draw interest and debate. With insider insights and personal anecdotes, it looks like this memoir will be a must-read item for film enthusiasts and casual readers alike.
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