Old Hollywood, also known as the golden years was a glamorous time with glamorous movies and actors. Around 1920 and 1940’s cinema was reaching a peak. Movies so good that started a new era in the film industry. However there was a hidden part of Hollywood where the actors paid the price. Actresses and actors had that “perfect image” and energy they needed to maintain to survive long days of shootings. Most actors such as Judy Garland and Debbie Reynolds were introduced to “pep pills” that gave them energy. In her memoir, Reynolds talked about the “vitamin shots” studio chief Arthur Freed had suggested her to take. She also mentioned how those “vitamins” were the same ones that took Judy Garland’s life. Even though Freed’s suggestions Reynolds listened to her physician and rested in bed. She also mentioned in her memoir “That decision may have saved me from a life on stimulants.” Sad thing about Hollywood was how focused they were on making movies that they completely neglected their stars’ health. Garland talked about how the studio would give them pills to keep their energies and after the long hours they’d take them [her and Mickey Rooney] back to the studio hospital to give them sleeping pills. The whole cycle would continue for days. Garland was one of the most displayed stars which led to series of breakdowns and a huge drug addiction causing her to die at 47. Despite vitamin shots, amphetamines were also highly popular during the time due to the decrease in appetite which results to weight loss. Many women including Joanna Moore, were using amphetamines for that perfect look. Even though the drug usage was a known health risk it was seen as a tool to keep stars working giving no choice to doctors but to prescribe them.
Old Hollywood’s dark secret is not much of a secret today however drug usage is still a problem amongst Hollywood stars. Living with so many people watching you is a huge burden and stress. Keeping the perfect image in addition to that doesn’t sound like a piece of cake either. Even though living in fame seems like an easy gig coping with such difficulties is a huge price. The only question remaining is, would you pay such a price to be a famous Hollywood star?
Citations:
BLAKEMORE, ERİN. “Golden Age Hollywood Had a Dirty Little Secret: Drugs.” History.Com, 17 May 2023, www.history.com/news/judy-garland-barbiturates-hollywood-studio-drugs.