Dorothy Parker in Hollywood

Dorothy Parker’s (1893–1967) legendary days of sharp repartee at the Algonquin Round Table were brief compared with her three decades as a screenwriter in Hollywood. This compelling portrait of a talented and complex woman is also an in-depth look at her career during the Golden Age of movies. Despising the studios for their abuse of power, Parker endured them for the monetary rewards. Sought after for her creativity and clever dialogue, she had numerous film credits and two Academy Award nominations. However, her career was jeopardized by associations with left-wing causes, leading to government scrutiny and blacklisting. A staunch supporter of civil rights and humanitarian endeavors, her own life was plagued with troubled relationships, alcohol use disorder, and heartache. A gifted author, she was often hampered by insecurity. Crowther (Three-Martini Afternoons at the Ritz) deftly and compassionately captures the essence of Parker—who was a study in private and public contrasts. She also defines the era and the film industry’s culture with its hosts of glittering luminaries and abundant excesses.