Leading Lady

Sherry Lansing and the Making of a Hollywood Groundbreaker

De: Stephen Galloway

Narrado por: Kirsten Potter

The definitive biography of movie executive and philanthropist Sherry Lansing traces her groundbreaking journey to become the first female head of a major motion picture studio, sharing behind-the-scenes tales from movie sets and Hollywood boardrooms.

When Sherry Lansing became the first woman ever to be named president of a major studio, the news ricocheted around the world. That was just the beginning of an extraordinary run that saw her head two studios, make hundreds of films, produce classic pictures such as Fatal Attraction and rule for twenty-five years as the most powerful woman Hollywood has ever known.

Award-winning writer Stephen Galloway takes us behind the scenes of Lansing's epic journey—inside the battles; up close with the stars; and into the heart of a creative world populated by the likes of Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise. He shows us the velvet touch that masked the iron hand, and the roller-coaster drama behind such movies as Titanic, Forrest Gump, Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan.

Above all, he takes us into the mind of Lansing, creating a revealing portrait of a dynamic, driven woman who overcame unimaginable odds, pushed boundaries and left Hollywood at the peak of her power to achieve the life she wanted.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“With great insight and exceptional research, this biography shows just what made [Sherry] so special, what allowed her to break every glass ceiling and become one of the most brilliant and talented producers and executives Hollywood has ever known.” —Michael Douglas

“This book, drawing on hundreds of interviews with Sherry and the people who know her best, takes us inside her thinking, into the heart of Hollywood, and on to her groundbreaking work in health and education.” —President Jimmy Carter

“This is a must-read for movie lovers. Sherry Lansing, the first woman to run a film studio, divulges a trove of insider stories about the making of Titanic, Braveheart, Forrest Gump and many other modern classics. The bio also looks at how much Hollywood has and has not changed since 1970, when Lansing appeared in Rio Lobo with John Wayne.” —AARP

“Sexism is just one interesting facet of the life and career that biographer Stephen Galloway explores in Leading Lady. He presents a fully realized portrait of a professional woman breaking glass ceilings. But more important, The Hollywood Reporter journalist shows us the person who endures failure as often as she savors triumph. Her strength of spirit, personally and professionally, is what underlies Galloway’s title.” —The Washington Post

"Galloway has created a colorful page-turner chronicling Lansing’s legacy as both a filmmaker and a philanthropist." —Publishers Weekly

“An energetic and entertaining story, filled with divas, tantrums, and abundant Hollywood gossip …[Leading Lady] is a brisk, breezy look at the turbulent world of moviemaking.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Galloway has crafted a sharp-eyed, captivating look at a brilliant pioneer who broke through the glass ceiling.” —Booklist

Working your way to the top with grace and integrity.

Ms Lansing's book is an exemplary model of how to work your way through corporate America with dignity, integrity and grace as a woman.

Although Ms. Lansing has achieved such monumental levels of success, it was very relatable to hear that she deals in real life like everyone else. I believe most women could relate to staying in their home for several days after a bad romantic break up,

The current chapter of her life shares of the importance of giving back to the community, in her case at a national level.

It strengthens the belief that when one volunteers or
works in the nonprofit world there is a self satisfaction that comes from helping others.

I have admired Ms. Lansing's career for many years I really enjoyed reading her story.

A masterclass on hollywood

Ms Lansing is a remarkable woman. Everything you could ever want to know or learn about hollywood is all here.

Insightful look at the business of Hollywood

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Interesting to see how the business works and the sometimes preposterous things that you have to deal with. Loved hearing it from a woman's perspective. Sometimes there were too many industry "name drops" and could get confusing as to who is who, but the story still holds.

Written like a romance novel

And that's OK if you enjoy that, but it's a strange choice for a biography of a major executive. Lansing is written about like a celebrity, with novelistic flourishes, while very basic facts about the industry that anyone with a pedestrian understanding of Hollywood would know, are overexplained. It's more like a People magazine feature than a business book. I wonder who the intended audience is, because I imagine most people interested in reading about Lansing would have (or want) a serious understanding of the business.

One of the best Hollywood Memoirs!!

What made the experience of listening to Leading Lady the most enjoyable?

Following Lansing's career, as well as very good narration by Kirsten Potter, made it a great read/listen. Potter did very well with emotion, etc.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lansing.

What about Kirsten Potter’s performance did you like?

Kirsten Potter made it a great read/listen. Potter did very well with emotion, etc. She did great when doing different characters that are talking to each other as well as emoting Lansing's feelings. One of the best narrators I have heard!!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Engaging

I loved this book. Sherry’s life is so remarkable and inspiring, you feel you really know her by the end of the book.

LOVED IT!

What an inspiring and fascinating book. Sherry is an icon and this book did an incredible job of encapsulating her journey from actress to studio mogul to philanthropist. Can't recommend highly enough. Even for non-entertainment business listeners, the stories of how challenging it is to get any movie made will make you appreciate film even more.

Absolutely Loved It!!!!!

Any additional comments?

This is a fantastic book about of one of the most storied people in Hollywood. Sherry is REAL and this book really showcases her talents and presents her as a real friend who is concerned with humanity. Ironically, her future is brighter than her past. Her founding of and involvement with Stand UP to Cancer is the next chapter!!!!

BORING

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

no one

What was most disappointing about Stephen Galloway’s story?

it was so boring, I do not think insiders would even read it...nothing new here

Would you be willing to try another one of Kirsten Potter’s performances?

NO No No this women cannot pronounce proper names let alone simple words.....her Mother was MARGO.....NOT MARGOAT......truly disappointing.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Leading Lady?

the self serving ones, it was clear this was a rose colored look at her life, the texture was not there

Any additional comments?

I am pleading to producers of audio books to check the narration before releasing

Strange

Starts off strong. Inspiring woman. Impressive career. But somewhere along the way you realize this is actually an autobiography in the third person. By the end it becomes brutal Trump-age self aggrandizement. The author offers no additional insight or counterpoint to Lansing's views.