Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker

By: Michael B. Druxman

Narrated by: Scott O' Neill

Length: 2 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker is a revisionist history of Hollywood's Golden Era and the tabloid press that covered it.

Harry Pennypacker was a prolific and revered newspaper columnist; a colleague of Louella Parsons, Walter Winchell, and the other great columnists of the day.

Unfortunately, nobody has ever heard of him because the papers never ran his articles.

They were too hot. Too dangerous. Too likely to tarnish the delicate image of silver screen icons.

The newspaper syndicate couldn't fire him because he had an ironclad contract, so Pennypacker wrote his stories...and the editors buried them.

Until now.

The secret files of Harry Pennypacker are secret no longer.

This is the trailer for this book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NqcM4vCMA0

©2009 Michael B. Druxman (P)2012 Michael B. Druxman

Shocking Hollywood Scandal that Never Was

Would you listen to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood again? Why?

For Scott O'Neill's brilliant performance.

What other book might you compare Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to and why?

This is like Hollywood Babylon meets the National Lampoon.

Which scene was your favorite?

The Lon Chaney scene

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. And it's possible because it's so short.

Any additional comments?

The text is packed with fun and humor, and Scott O'Neill brings it to vivid life. He has a ratatat delivery reminiscent of the old newsreels, but then provides a unique voice for each character being interviewed. Mr. O'Neill can claim the title "the Man of 1,000 Voices" (there were really only 69, but who's counting?) Laugh out loud moments abound in this feast of hilarity.

Don't. Just don't.

Would you try another book from Michael B. Druxman and/or Scott O' Neill?

No. No way. I'm wishing now I'd have passed on THIS one.

What was most disappointing about Michael B. Druxman’s story?

The story is like listening to Edith Bunker tell a story. Ties you in knots just trying to follow the plot, but it's not even funny. If Pennypacker actually wrote these tales, it's not the hotness that kept them from print. Think listening to that obnoxious person at a party that hangs on your arm and rattles on and on, as you consider setting yourself on fire to escape.

What didn’t you like about Scott O' Neill’s performance?

The constant voice imitations grate on the nerves in short order. Scott, you really don't need to try to imitate all of your characters. Please stop it and just read.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?

Pretty much all of it. I can't even believe I bought this. I thought the sample was bad, but wrongly assumed it was just a bad sampling and the book would really be better. It isn't.

Any additional comments?

"You get what you pay for" still applies. If this was the most wasted 7 bucks I ever spend, I'll be lucky. But it'll always rate right up at the top of the list. My head hurts.

It's so outrageous is entertaining!

Fake news? So old fashion. The fake stories and the narration were so outrageous that it made me laugh every other word. Brilliant!