Book Reviewed: Lupe Velez and lovers by Floyd Conner
The tumultuous life of Lupe Velez, a Mexican hot tamale
I very much enjoyed reading this book about the life and works of one of the most successful actresses from south of the border. The author has researched her life pretty well and discusses many features of her life that are not reported in other works. Lupe Velez is widely known as Mexican Spitfire because of her tremendous outbursts and fights with anyone she has problems with. Her well publicized relationship with actor Gary Cooper and fear of loosing him to another woman makes her so jealous that she goes far enough of taking a shot at him with a fire arm. Cooper was on his way to Europe for a much needed vacation. At one time Cooper was strongly interested in marrying her except that his mother was against that union.
She was constantly in the company of leading men. She collected men as easily as she collected gems and furs. Lupe Velez's reputation as being a nymphomaniac is the worst kept secrets; she lured pretty much everyone she worked with into her bed. Lupe was also vocal about the sexual prowess of her lovers which caused some hesitation on the part of Clark Gable. She had the reputation of throwing the wildest parties; in early thirties she use to rival with Clara Bow in throwing the wildest parties in Beverly Hills.
Lupe brought a new kind of sex appeal to films. Her love scenes with Douglas Fairbanks Sr., in the movie "Gaucho" caused a sensation that many thought it was a pugilistic encounter. The author claims that she had affair with him with the knowledge of his wife Mary Pickford.
After returning from her Broadway career, RKO Studios offered her starring role in "The Girl from Mexico" which established her as the box office attraction and she went on to make eight Mexican Spitfire movies between 1939-1943. It is a series about s hot tempered south of the border fire cracker. Yet for most fans she was adorable. She is best remembered for these films.
Her last lover was Harald Ramond and she announced that she will marry the father of her unborn baby on Nov 27, 1944 and when he turned her down, she went into a state of depression. Two weeks later she commits suicide. It was neatly thought and well planned exit from this world. She goes to Hollywood premiere of her movie "Nana" with her best friend Estelle Taylor and Benita Oakie. Critics said that it was her best drama. She returned home in Beverly Hills with her two friends and they feast on a big Mexican dinner and the guests leave at about 3 AM. They didn't know that was the last time they would see her alive. Her bedroom was filled with fragrant gardenias and tuberose, lots of candles, and an overdose of Seconal sleeping pills. That was a sad end of a glamorous life who entertained fans across the globe.
This book nicely written and reads effortlessly. I recommend this book to her fans and anyone interested in Hollywood history.
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