Entertaining writing combined with years of extensive research makes THE GIRLS both fun and informative to read. Ms. McLellan has plumbed the depths of multiple sources including interviews, mauscript and letter collections, FBI and other government files, and film clips as well as published accounts to create a fascinating group biography which reveals much about the private lives of some of Hollywood's most famous screen goddesses, most notably Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, and Tallulah Bankhead. McLellan's enlightening descriptions of the complex relationships between her main figures also explains much about the inner workings and power relationships of Hollywood during this period (the 1920s, 30s, 40s and early 50s). Her well-documented account of the many lesbian and bisexual affairs of her "girls" may be what strikes the reader first, but even more fascinating is her picture of political intrigue behind the scenes in Hollywood. Most interesting is Dietrich's first and secret husband -- international writer, Soviet spy and Commuist organizer Otto Katz -- who operated in Europe and the United States under various aliases. (As Rudolph Breda, he founded the secretly Soviet-supported Anti-Nazi League in Hollywood in 1935.) All in all, this is a book to be snapped up not only by film buffs, but also by anyone interested in the period who enjoys a good read.

This book should find a wide, appreciative audience. It captivates with the three beautiful women gracing the jacket, and sweeps the reader along with a stream of gossipy news. Everyone seems to have a mention, from the major players, (The Girls of the title) to fascinating parentheticals (Nancy Reagan). Film buffs will enjoy the exploration of a long suppressed area of Hollywood history, finding endless anecdotes of film-society life, a who-was-who of lesbian Hollywood. Love-matches are made, vows are broken, dirt is dished, Dietrich betrays Garbo's intimate secrets, and we are party to it all. Diana McLellan weaves a fascinating tapestry, that entertains and informs. She does far more, however, by probing the motives of women caught in the gears as American society turned down a prudish path, dragging Hollywood moguls along. If it's hard for lesbian and gay performers to be out in 2000, how must it have been in 1920? McLellan had a difficult task in unearthing deeply buried secrets, but she makes a compelling case that her deductions are correct. Of particular interest is her questioning the claim, made by both Dietrich and Garbo that they had never met, until formally introduced in Hollywood. Stuff and nonsense, says McLellan. Her evidence that the two women not only met, but were lovers, is central to the book's theme. (One would wish the Fatty Arbuckle scandal had been treated with more skepticism, but that's a quibble on my part.) This book is better than a night at most movies!

Now this book on stars' sexuality was definitely worth buying! I could not even put it down. Miss McLellan does a superb job in revealing the true side of many of Hollywood's top female stars. And, let me tell you, some of the pictures were unbelievable! It was great fun to read about Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and Tallulah Bankhead, as well as others such as Barbara Stanwyck, Claudette Colbert and Judy Garland. This is a must for any classic film buff, and anyone interested in sociological or sexual topics. A+