The Hollywood Fix - the dirty business of keeping the secrets of the stars hidden.

Meet Bartie Maddox. He handles public relations for SGM Studios. He is an image-maker. A fixer. Starting from humble beginnings, Bartie made his way to Los Angeles, where he helped shape the public personas of the stars and cleaned up their messes. Head back to the days of Old Hollywood, when the studios gave the public what they wanted and kept far from them, the true stories that would destroy the images of the top movie stars. Bartie helped to create and protect the careers of heartthrob Duke Drake, the beautiful Mirielle Montaigne, the sultry Carroll Madison, and many others. Reflecting on his career, Bartie shares his and their stories. 

The Hollywood Fix: The Dirty Business of Keeping the Stars Shiny and Clean by Richard Kirshenbaum is a work of fiction, but if you know your Tinseltown history, you'll soon realize that the characters have been inspired by some of the most legendary actors and the secrets they hid. This was during an era when silver screen stars needed to maintain an image of being straight, never having a child out of wedlock, and being from an "acceptable" heritage. Deals were struck with the gossip columnists, who were fed inventive stories. A dirty business indeed. This book was an interesting and entertaining read. Some of the dialogue and expressions made by the power players are highly offensive by today's standards, but it reflects the time and place. And there are some sexually explicit scenes. You have been warned.

If you enjoy watching classic films, reading about Old Hollywood, and know who Hedda Hopper was, check out The Hollywood Fix.

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction.

Publication Date: December 2, 2025.

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