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Linda J. Alexander
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RELUCTANT WITNESS: ROBERT TAYLOR, HOLLYWOOD AND COMMUNISM
Available NOW at bookstores --
and coming soon to THEATRES!
E-book & print are now out as of April 21, 2008
for print purchase: visit your local bookstore, or purchase HERE through my Author's Den store, or via Amazon.com or other online bookstores
for e-book purchase: visit
FictionWise:
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
Contact:
William Scherer, Press Agent
MBSTIA, Inc
240-529-6240
william@mbstia.com
The House Un-American Activities Committee Hollywood Media Circus – 60 Years Later:
How Did it Affect Film Industry Conservatives?
Frederick, MD; Updated May 2008 –
Golden Era Movie Star, Robert Taylor,
finally has his story told.
Sixty years after Robert Taylor’s infamous House Un-American Activities Committee appearance, Linda Alexander, multi-published author, announces the sale of her latest book, “Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism.” As a recognized Taylor biographer, Alexander has spent years engrossed in his life’s details, particularly the historically single most remembered period . . . his appearance in front of international cameras for the 1947 House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) meeting.
Robert Taylor was ultra-conservative, active in local and national politics, with a keen eye on the international stage. In 1947, he led the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals (MPA). Like-minded industry professionals, most of whom worked for MGM, were determined to preserve what they believed was the “American Way.” On their watch, Communism—the biggest threat of their time—would not infiltrate their country.
Taylor was subpoenaed in front of the HUAC in Washington, DC, on October 23, 1947, the only movie star whose appearance was pre-announced to the media, and the event was, in Taylor's words, a "circus." Alexander’s book reveals that he was originally officially classified as a “Reluctant Witness” but through studio and government coordination, he became the face to blame for the “Hollywood Ten’s” imprisonment and blacklisting.
“Reluctant Witness” shows Taylor’s many facets—beginning as son of a strict Midwestern father and histrionic mother; meteoric rise as a Hollywood heartthrob and longest-running studio contract player in film history; and a tumultuous personal life, including affairs with well-known women. He finally found peace through his second marriage, to German model/actress Ursula Thiess, with whom he had two children, and supported her two children from a previous marriage.
Linda Alexander has written about Taylor since 1993. She was a Featured, and a Keynote, Speaker at Nebraska conferences held in his name, and has written many articles about him. Her book will be published in May, 2008, with an e-book version due in March. Her publisher, Tease Publishing LLC, is a small press in North Carolina.
Years of entertainment interviews, with articles in Soap Opera Update, The Washington Times, Spotlight Magazine, regional publications like The Baton Rouge Advocate, and others, gives Alexander a strong background in listening—to the heart of a life story, and the essence of that life. Author of four published books, 2 novels and 2 biographies, she has long-standing experience in bringing character—and characters—to life . . . and back to life.
Linda Alexander is available for interviews. For booking, please contact William Scherer, Press Agent, MBSTIA, Inc., at 240-529-6240, or e-mail: william@mbstia.com .
To contact the publisher: Tease Marketing Director, Stacee Sierra teasepub@teasepublishingllc.com .
Accomplishments: I've written professionally for over 20 years: The Washington Times, Soap Opera Update, Spotlight Magazine, and many other publications. Books nown on the market:
The Unpromised Land -- historical, international nonfiction
Until Next Time -- novel of dark romantic suspense (which won Florida Freelance Writer's award)
Dorothy From Kansas Meets the Wizard of X -- a caring, human look into the lives of adult film stars . . . NOT pornographic
Weekends In New England -- novel of dark romantic suspense
I have written and produced a public reading of two satirical stage plays, the readings given by professional soap actors with proceeds donated to charity.
I'm proud of the public presentations I give on mixed race genealogy -- "Bridging the Color Line," child abuse, and, of course, Robert Taylor and writing.
My photography has placed in the Top 3 in many regional art shows.
My ultimate achievements are my two grown sons --one served as a Marine in Kuwait and Iraq in Operation Desert Storm and has since toured the US while pursuing a college degree in Turf Management via the internet; the other, also in Arizona, also going to school, to become an electrical engineer.
THEY are my true accomplishments!
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Books
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 | Dorothy From Kansas Meets the Wizard of X by Linda J. Alexander
Our sexuality is very misunderstood. . . .
What if the tornado dropped Dorothy not into Oz, but onto the shooting set of an X-rated film?
Eric Edwards makes sex films. Period . . . Sex-on-command . . . Sex-for-hire. . . .
So begins the story of Eric Edwards, Mr. Everyman of X-rated films, an adult film industry icon since 1969. Yet Eric Edwards is also a regular guy who...
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble.com
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Short Stories
In The Hands of the Law by Linda J. Alexander
Prologue to an as-yet unpublished true-crime faction . . . faction is a true story with names and certain facts changed for a variety of reason. Copyright 1999, Linda Alexander, no reprints or use wit...
Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, and Communism by Linda J. Alexander
Hollywood and politics -- we think the mix is new, but it''s happened since the first "movie star" hit the silver screen.
Photos: On left -- Robert Taylor. On right -- my dad. In my child''s ...
Has He Made It Through The Rain? by Linda J. Alexander
American Idol has gripped the world. Taylor Hicks has captured many of our votes. Why?
Copyright Linda Alexander, 2006. No reproduction without permission of the author....
Voice In My Head by Linda J. Alexander
I''m the landlord -- and I don''t think I''m charging enough.
Article and photo copyright 2006, Linda J. Alexander. No use without permission of writer/artist....
New Orleans vs Irag? by Linda J. Alexander
New Orleans. Home of my heart. How can we pledge our concern, and money, for a foreign country while caring so little for our own?
Something''s wrong here.
Photo and article copyrigh...
To Speak Her Name: Margie Hart, Ace Stripper by Linda J. Alexander
Imagine -- a stripper becoming the wife of a Los Angeles City Councilman, a well-respected politician. Hmmm. . . . Life is so very intriguing, and we can''t invent the stories that have already been l...
Diamonds vs Kisses . . . a Flippant Commentary on Women’s Lib by Linda J. Alexander
Smoochie, smoochie, smoochie. Heck, it''s almost Valentine''s Day. Let''s neck....
Birth Of An Activist by Linda J. Alexander
copyright 1992, Linda Alexander
photo: Mama Linda, son Erik, & nephew...
Lou Christie: Lightning is Still Striking by Linda J. Alexander
This is a newly revised article from a 1980s in-person interview with pop star, Lou Christie....
Charlotte Behrens by Linda J. Alexander
Charlotte Behrens really lived. She was an up-&-coming stage actress in the late 1800s when, at the age of 32, she died in rather mysterious circumstances. This story tells of how, in the year 2002, I...
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Poetry
The Way It Is by Linda J. Alexander
Life goes on....
I Don't Know by Linda J. Alexander
How Do I Tell You?...
Ms. Simile Skeltonics by Linda J. Alexander
John Skelton, ca. 1460-1529, has inspired me. The term is "Skeltonics."...
Getting Older by Linda J. Alexander
This is the beauty of Life''s plan. . . .
...
Paved Street, III by Linda J. Alexander
The progression of life. It goes on and on. When I wrote this, I didn''t yet have children. I do now -- & I''ve found that this story poem is true to course....
Man in the Box by Linda J. Alexander
The musician and listener have a strangely intimate relationship....
The Younger Years by Linda J. Alexander
Childhood . . . most often, I'm so glad it's behind me....
Intoxication by Linda J. Alexander
The gift of sharing just may be the ultimate gift. ...
Music or Love? by Linda J. Alexander
Music or love . . . sometimes they are the same thing....
On The Radio by Linda J. Alexander
Listen to that voice. Let it transport you....
Life Before by Linda J. Alexander
Written during my 1st marriage. ...
My Mama by Linda J. Alexander
Life isn't always easy. But Mama's always there. ...
My Prayer by Linda J. Alexander
The Lord is with us....
Old Friends by Linda J. Alexander
Everyone who touches our life makes an impression . . . some more than others....
The Affair That Didn't Happen by Linda J. Alexander
We've all been there. . . ....
First Class Vacation by Linda J. Alexander
Take a porpoise on vacation. He''ll see that you get to San Francisco....
At the End of His Rod . . . or . . . The Guilty Fisherman by Linda J. Alexander
Who catches who here?!...
Depression by Linda J. Alexander
Don't let it get you down . . . at least, not for long....
Only You Can Prevent Forests by Linda J. Alexander
Death of the trees. But then, that's progress . . . isn't it?...
Question Of The Day by Linda J. Alexander
It's an uprising, or it could be....
Five PM Playground by Linda J. Alexander
The day is done....
Frog Stew by Linda J. Alexander
It tastes just like chicken. . . ....
The Chase by Linda J. Alexander
Young love. It''s adorable and oh-so immature....
Nostalgia by Linda J. Alexander
Can you remember?...
Stop Asking Questions by Linda J. Alexander
Just go with it....
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Articles
The White House by Linda J. Alexander
My family history has held a secret for over 100 years. Not until I began digging deep into it did I find that I, a white woman, was the great-great-great-granddaughter of a freed Louisiana slave. Lif...
From General Hospital to American History X . . . and beyond by Linda J. Alexander
John Martinuzzi. John Morrissey. General Hospital. American History X. Yes, all are connected.
Copyright Linda J. Alexander, 2008. No reprints without permission from author.
<...
Taylor & Stanwyck: The First Meeting by Linda J. Alexander
Much has been written about how legendary actors Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck first met. What is known is that they were married for over eleven years, considered one of Hollywood’s most stable ...
Robert Taylor: Still A Star by Linda J. Alexander
Published 11/1994, Classic Images, No. 233...
The Family Legacy of Robert Taylor, Film Legend . . . & Father by Linda J. Alexander
Published 1994, Volume 3, POSITIVE NEWS...
The Love Life of Robert Taylor by Linda J. Alexander
Robert Taylor, Golden Era film heartthrob, thrilled women the world over. What was he like as a young lover?...
Guiding Light’s Secretary, Wanda, Hails from Washington, DC Area by Linda J. Alexander
Written in 1991. Carey Cromelin, who has for many years played the occasionally recurring role of Wanda Hyatt, the Lewis secretary on CBS’ Guiding Light, became a friend after a series of fun intervie...
The Adult Video Awards Show – 1990 by Linda J. Alexander
This piece was written at the tail end of my interview and research period for my book, Dorothy From Kansas Meets the Wizard of X, a look into the adult film industry and, in particular, the life of a...
Tales of Love by Linda J. Alexander
Copyright 1995. Published, "100 Years of Moving Pictures, The Centenary of the Motion Picture" official souvenir magazine. Note: You may notice a few words are spelled in the British form. The publica...
Michael Cole -- Pete Cochran from The Mod Squad by Linda J. Alexander
This interview was done in the early 1990s. It was my wildest dream, an answered dream, even as a professional reporter. Photo & article copyright Linda Alexander. No reprint without permission....
Dear John, Harry Groener Is No Nerd by Linda J. Alexander
Written from an interview done in Beverly Hills circa 1990 with Harry Groener who at that time played “Ralph” on Dear John, from 1988 – 1991, with Judd Hirsch. Harry has since gone on to create an imp...
Handsome Jay Hammer of Guiding Light by Linda J. Alexander
Written from an interview done in summer, 1991, at the Guiding Light Studios in New York City. Copyright Linda Alexander/Linda Janus-Napier. No reprints without permission.
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Two Originals Remain From the Herman’s Hermits by Linda J. Alexander
Written from an interview done in the early 1990s. Published in Celebrity News. Copyright Linda Alexander/Linda Janus-Napier. No reprints without permission.
NOTE: The author regrets that Le...
Spotlight . . . on Michael Swan by Linda J. Alexander
Michael Swan played Duncan McKechnie on TV’s soap opera, As The World Turns, from 1986 – 1995. I was fortunate to get the chance to interview him in December of 1989, and the article appeared in the N...
Dion is a Lasting Smile by Linda J. Alexander
Published 1994 -- Celebrity News
Copyright Linda Janus-Napier (aka Alexander)...
Bobby Pickett by Linda J. Alexander
copyright 1991, Linda Janus-Napier (aka Linda Alexander); originally published in Celebrity News column, Central Maryland''s Newspaper
This interview was part of a series done as a sideline t...
The End of An Era: Freda’s Gone and Now Don Is, Too by Linda J. Alexander
Once a mainstay of drive-time talk radio, Don Geronimo started a slow fade when Freda passed away. . . ....
Taylor Hicks Interview by Linda J. Alexander
2006 Winner of Fox TV''s "American Idol," Taylor Hicks . . . copyright June 2007, published in the Frederick News Post [Frederick, MD] - no reprints w/o permission of the author...
I'm Holding It! by Linda J. Alexander
Home Improvement Can Be a Funny Business!
copyright Linda Alexander, 2007...
Look, Vern, It's Jim Varney by Linda J. Alexander
published Celebrity News, Mt. Airy, MD; Summer, 1991; copyright Linda Janus-Napier (aka Alexander)
NOTE: Jim Varney has since passed away. It''s a shame. He was such a talented, intriguing m...
In Memoriam: Freda Wright-Sorce by Linda J. Alexander
It''s odd how incidents cross paths in our great big universe, incidents that, otherwise, would never meet, coming or going. Such is the case with the interview I did with Freda Sorce many years ago.
...
Interview with Comedian Joey Callahan by Linda J. Alexander
I "met" Joey Callahan well over 10 years ago before the internet was considered the "super highway," and there were, in its place, bulletin boards organized by individual companies. Prodigy introduced...
Radio Wife Enjoys Private Plus Public Life by Linda J. Alexander
"Don & Mike" are well-known radio personalities. In 1987 I interviewed Don''s wife, Freda, for a newspaper article. As you read, keep in mind that all references are made to their life as it was in 19...
Barry Manilow by Linda J. Alexander
This piece was originally published in the Washington Times, Mon., 8/3, 1987;
Captioned "Reflections," I wrote it under the name of Linda Janus-Napier. Copyright 1987, no reproduction without per...
Strictly Personal by Linda J. Alexander
Published by Linda Janus-Napier (aka Alexander), Soap Opera Update, Vol.2 No. 3, 3/13/1989, pg. 54
photo by Linda Janus-Napier (aka Linda Alexander); all material copyright, Linda Alexander, ...
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News
Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism: AD Top Books! by Linda J. Alexander
Biography of Golden Era movie star repeated in Author's Den "Today's Top Books" during 1st weekend of official sales...
e-book Available: Reluctant Witness, Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism by Linda J. Alexander
Out in print in May, "Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism" is now available in e-book!...
Biography - Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood & Communism by Linda J. Alexander
copyright October 2007 -- ROBERT TAYLOR BOOK SOLD & TO BE ON THE MARKET FOR SPRING 2008!!...
Robert Taylor Scholarship Announced! by Linda J. Alexander
Robert Taylor, film hearthrob and matinee idol of Hollywood''s yesteryear, is being honored in his home town of Beatrice, Nebraska with a scholarship created in his name....
Award-Winning Photographer's Work to Grace Cover of New Book Set In Boston by Linda J. Alexander
Immediate Release
For More Information, contact: Diana Hignutt, Behler Publications Marketing Director: toll free: 866-684-5355, or by e-mail at: diana@behlerpublcations.com ...
Linda Alexander Signs New Book Contract! by Linda J. Alexander
Multi-Genre Author Linda Alexander rounds out her published books, adding a 2nd fiction title to 3 previously published books!...
X-Rated Industry Insider Recognizes by Linda J. Alexander
One must be responsible when writing about folks in the public eye, especially those in a delicate area of film entertainment. I always feel a responsibility to be as honest about, and with, them, as ...
Dorothy From Kansas Meets the Wizard of X: Back in Print by Linda J. Alexander
DOROTHY FROM KANSAS MEETS THE WIZARD OF X is being put back into print by PublishAmerica -- 2nd edition due within the year!...
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Links
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| So Many Stories . . . So Little Time
Books, more books . . . stories . . . genealogy. . . more stories. . . .
A grand storefront!
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Linda's MySpace home
Life IS stranger than fiction. I find most of my stories through the lives of old souls -- and I write about them.
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Interview : Author's Roost
Author's Roost is a great site, "Resources for Readers and Writers, Author Interviews, Book Reviews & News." Linda did an interview w/Joe Carroccio of Author's Voice, & will be checking in periodically with special links & other info of interest to other writers.
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My Genealogy Page
I've learned a lot about myself through my family's past. Visit the Rowe - Dessessarts story page.
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Additional information
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| What makes any of us who we are, what we have been, what we become? In the end result, what truly are we? Is it the sum total of our intelligence? Our experience? Our history? Our heritage?
Or is it the combination?
I contend that there are so many answers to those questions as to make it impossible to answer any of them with complete certainty. That's why I love to write biographies. We all are our heritage, our environment, our souls.
So it is with me. My soul . . . I used to hole up in my bedroom as a child and write away my frustrations. Mine was a tumultuous childhood and it seemed natural to use this time to look inside myself for solace. I've taken this tack ever since.
My soul . . . as an adult, my imagination grew wild, my feminine side took over. The romance of life and a never-ending quest for what makes folks tick became my unquenchable thirst.
My soul . . . I remember my first writing class. My teacher, Maxine Hart -- bless you, Maxine, wherever you are! -- was a gifted author. She encouraged me in the craft of writing, and helped me learn how to put my heart into every word. Maxine drove me on to look even deeper.
Gratitude . . . the gratitude of my soul . . . I'm fed by the book of most import in my life, The Bible, the greatest story ever told. God is my co-author. |
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Contact
Information
P. O. Box 4054
Frederick
MD
21705-4054
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