Life at the Marmont by Raymond R. Sarlot, Fred E. Basten

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Publishers Weekly

Built in the late 1920s in the undeveloped region between Los Angeles and Hollywood, the Chateau Marmont, an apartment house, ran into the Depression and was converted into a hotel. The region became the Sunset Strip, and the Marmont was joined by other famed apartment-hotels and restaurants. From the start the Marmont attracted filmdom's most famous stars and many noted writers as well. Its early guest list included Garbo, Harlow, Lombard, Bette Davis, Flynn, Stan Laurel, John Wayne and, later on, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Streisand and Sharon Tate. In the '60s and '70s the Marmont drew leading rock and folk stars, from Jagger to Baez, and TV performers like John Belushi, who died there. A favorite of Britishers as well, every U.K. actor worthy of the name has stayed there. An intriguing if self-promoting sidelight on cinematic history. Sarlot is co-owner of the Marmont; Basten is the author of Glorious Technicolor. Photos not seen by PW. (October 12)