The Mysterious Montague: A True Tale of Hollywood, Golf, and Armed Robbery

The Mysterious Montague: A True Tale of Hollywood, Golf, and Armed Robbery | Leigh Montville | Celebrities Adored Then as Now

books:

The Mysterious Mon...

	The Mysterious Montague: A True Tale of Hollywood, Golf, and Armed Robbery Leigh Montville Doubleday, 2008 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

He was a 1930s golf legend and Hollywood trickster who adamantly refused to be photographed. He never played professionally, yet sports-writing legend Grantland Rice still heralded him as "the greatest golfer in the world." Then, in 1937, the secrets of John Montague's past were exposed-leading to a sensational trial that captivated the nation.

The Mysterious Montague

A detailed recollection of events in the life of a very mysterious person.
Leigh Montville brings back a time when personalities were indeed bigger than life, and one that reluctantly stood out in that crowd is the subject of the story. As the reader enjoys amazing stories involving some famous hollywood names it becomes clear why our subject is not willing to share the spotlight. I found The Mysterious Montague a wonderful read, and recommend it to all.

for more information click here

Celebrities Adored Then as Now

My brother, an avid golfer like me, recommended this book. I took it on a cruise ship vacation for occasional night reading, and it was perfect for that relaxed atmosphere.

My major observation is that America fawned over celebrities in the 1930s with the same level of adulation we use now--or maybe they were more intense about celebrities then, since there were fewer of them. Then as now, a person could even establish himself or herself as a celebrity without having a long track record of accomplishment, as with Paris Hilton on the contemporary scene.

Additionally, the legal system treated celebrities with more leniency than officials allowed for ordinary citizens. Today's daily news stories describe how TV and movie stars and athletes don't get the same penalties as nonfamous individuals.

One limitation, for me: Much of the suspense disappeared with the crime scene account that opened the book. If Montville had placed that item later in the book, I would have been far more curious about why Montague didn't want publicity, even when his feats were so newsworthy.

Even so, you are likely to consider this book an enjoyable glimpse into a bygone era, and a visit with some of the more colorful characters who dominated the scene.The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-change Your Life!

for more information click here

A Good Read

This is a good read...Although Montague was probably a con man from the start he certainly led an entertaining life. Even though he got away with almost everything he did he provided his friends with entertainment and laughter. I would recommend this book as a good read, but I wouldn't take Mr. Montague too seriously.

The Biography of a Useless Man (Spoilers)

This is an entertaining summer read about a minor celebrity of the Thirties. There is a dark undercurrent of violence to the light story of the amazing and unknown golfer who played with the Hollywood stars. He is an unstable youth who gets into trouble in a brutal incident. As an adult, he apparently keeps this violent tendency under control, but when his true identity is discovered, there is no restitution or apology for the victims of the crime for which he is indubitably guilty (a unique clue left at the scene leaves no doubt of that.) Montague also married well, so he never had to have a real job.
He never really accomplished anything other than entertaining some sports writers and readers. While he accomplished no real good, he did some real harm. At least we can be thankful that his dark side was controlled after a certain point--with his terrific strength, he'd have made a very successful murderer.

for more information click here

Good read on a favorite topic of mine-- golf.

This well written book had three separate parts: first, the exploits of a talented, but undisaplined, charismatic golfer set in the movie world of Hollywood. Second, the revealing of his mysterious past and the problems associated with it for the main character, and finally the trial and its aftermath. The book had an air of authenticity throughout, despite Monty's seemingly impossible exploits as a golfer. His relationships with well known characters of Hollywood added greatly to the book's interest.

reviews: page 1, 2

products you might be interested in