Movies
Lana Turner, The Star
By Tommy Garrett
May 17, 2009 - 4:44:47 PM

BEVERLY HILLS—Having met the legendary beautiful actress Lana Turner through mutual friend Jane Wyman in the mid ‘80s, I was determined to read the new tome on the beauty’s life and career that was written and compiled by her lovely daughter Cheryl Crane and author Cindy De La Hoz, who is a film historian and author of "Lucy at the Movies" and "Marilyn Monroe Platinum Fox," both published in 2007.

Cheryl, despite having lots of turmoil in her life after being arrested for the murder of one of her mother’s lovers, is one of those Hollywood kids who truly does respect and love her mother and is able to see past the tabloid headlines and spotlights that plagued her mother’s life and career. Lana was one of the loveliest human beings that I ever met and to this day I remember her ability to shine even while out of makeup on the set of “Falcon Crest” in the ‘80s before she was touched by any studio craftsman.

This hardback coffee table book is one of the most interesting pieces of literature put together to honor a Hollywood legend. Cheryl managed to catalog and save hundreds of one-of-a-kind photographs of her mother, some which include Cheryl herself. The book was not one of those tell-alls that many famous stars’ children write to cash in on their famous parent’s life and career. This was a labor of love. Cheryl once told me, “If anyone writes tabloid trash about you, just realize they are miserable, don’t know you and simply want to touch your life. Never lose sight of who you are and you can survive it.”

This book is filled with glamorous shots from Lana’s fabled career and personal photographs, which belonged to the star, and it was researched by both authors. Their chronicle of Turner’s career from beginning to end is done with integrity and honesty. Sometimes I have wondered if a child of a famous star can fairly and honestly write about his or her parent. This lady has proved she can do it. She is honest about her mother. She tells of what ways her mother was a prima donna and in what ways her mother was just that, her mother, a loving parent who could be like our own parents.

Lana was a lover of dogs as well and when I met her, she had a little doggy. When I read about her love of dogs in this book, I was also pleasantly surprised to see photographs of most of the dogs she had while Cheryl was growing up. I was ever surprised that a dainty, feminine lady like Lana Turner also loved big dogs and photographs of her favorite Great Dane really warmed my heart.

"Lana: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies" is available at bookstores around the nation and on Amazon. The book can also be purchased at the publisher’s Web site: runningpress.com .

It’s a must have for fans who long for the bygone era of stars like Lana Turner. But be prepared for truth in storytelling. Cheryl Crane would make her late mother Lana very proud.