Title: Black Star over Hollywood
Author: John W. Ravage
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 9781543426014
Pages: 238
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
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Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
Black Star over Hollywood relives the Golden Age of Hollywood in a delightful novel by John Ravage. With a mixture of humor, history, and Hollywood glamor, Ravage spins a tale about trying to be a star in La-La Land. This book tells the story of an African- American dancer Ted Masters, who tries to become famous in Hollywood. He meets up with legendary producer Sid Grauman (of the famous theatre), who wants him to star in an all-Black low-budget Western. He ends up working with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, like Gone with the Wind’s Hattie McDaniel. However, the film gets bogged down in production troubles. In addition to those problems, an ex-girlfriend- and a ghost- wreak havoc on Ted’s life.
Black Star over Hollywood sheds light on the often forgotten Black actors of the 30’s and 40’s. Ravage references legends like McDaniel and Stepin Fetchit, who often had to take demeaning roles to survive as actors. Ted must contend with racism throughout the novel, and even has to overcome his own self-doubt. The ghost that haunts Ted is a white supremacist slave owner in his head that plagues Ted and makes him insecure about his ability to succeed.
Ted is a well-developed protagonist that has many layers. He’s an optimist that wants to make it in Hollywood, but is also hindered by segregation in the town. The psychological and supernatural aspects of the novel add depth to Black Star over Hollywood. While the novel has many serious moments, there is plenty of humor and light moments in this book. Ted is often accompanied by his transgender agent/cab driver Frankie, a smart-mouthed and sensible guide through Hollywood. Grauman and other Hollywood executives are more concerned with profit than with the production of their movies. There are also many practical jokes that are played on Ted that add levity to the novel.
This book not only looks at the history of Black Hollywood, but the hidden LGBT history of L.A. as well. Francine is a proud gender-fluid person at a time when binary gender roles were expected. There is also a male muscle pageant that is freely enjoyed by male viewers. Black Star over Hollywood would be perfect for fans of old Hollywood B-movies or classic movies featuring African-Americans. The book would also be great for readers who want to read about minorities in Hollywood during the Depression era. John W. Ravage has written a story that will resonate with readers and make them believe any dream can come true in Hollywood.
