THE MAGICIAN OF SUNSET BOULEVARD. The Improbable Life of Paul Kohner, Hollywood Agent. Introduction by Charles Champlin

Palos Verdes: Morgan Press, 1977. First English Language Edition. hardcover. A fine copy of the book, in what would be a fine dust jacket except for irregular sunning to the jacket, a very good plus jacket. This copy inscribed by the author on the front blank: "To Sheila Benson / with great admiration / and my best wishes / Paul Kohner / Telluride Sept 2, 1985." Paul Kohner (1902-1988) was an Austrian-American talent agent and producer who managed the careers of many stars and others—like Ingrid Bergman, Maurice Chevalier, Bronson, Fonda, Fellini, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, John Huston, Liv Ullmann and Billy Wilder—of the golden age of Hollywood, especially those who came from Europe before World War II. Sheila Benson (1930-2022) was an American journalist and film critic (Los Angeles Times 1981-1991). Kohner, novelist, playwright, screenwriter arrived in Hollywood as a refugee from Nazi persecution. During the next three decades, collaborating with American writers, he wrote screenplays for every major studio and had plays produced in New York and Dallas. His widely acclaimed first novel, GIDGET, published in 1957, sold millions of copies and was translated into many languages. Seven more stories about his popular teen-age heroine, five movies and a TV series followed. Dr. Kohner also has written The Continental Kick, Cher Papa, and Kiki of Montparnasse, as well as THE DELIGHTS OF OLDING and THE SKIER. 198 pages, illustrated from photographs. Index.