What happens when Hollywood Writer-Producer-Director John Klawitter tells his true-life stories about working as a radio show host in Vietnam during the War, and later on at Disney Studios, in Hollywood, and as author of the biography of NFL Hall of Famer Deacon Jones?  The answer: a magical book titled “Tinsel Wilderness: Lessons in Survival as a Professional Creative Person in Hollywood and Other Extreme Climates”.  What happens when he asks his colleagues to review the book?  Some rather wonderful responses:

“The real stuff of Hollywood.  What it’s really like to write, produce and direct in the industry.”
   -Wally Burr, Director & Famous Voice Over Talent on over 2,000 animation shows (G.I. Joe, Transformers, etc.)

“Glorious Broadsides!  Harold looks down from the pearly gates beaming approval!”
   -Hal Hamilton, English Actor, Documentary Filmmaker and friend of Harold Orton

“I can’t wait to read it!”
    -Dick Cook, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios

“I can still beat you at racquetball.”
    -John Jensen, designer and longtime Disney Art Director

“And I can draw better than you.”
    -Roy Alexander, fine artist and longtime Disney Art Director

“Tinsel Wilderness is really the nuts and bolts, the smell and feel and taste of the Hollywood I know.”
    -Tom Pope, Hollywood Writer who has worked for Studios, Networks and Ad Agencies

“It is all very lively and, I think, very useful.  Thank you for including the stuff about me.”
   -Franklin McMahon, Sr., World-famous artist-reporter

“Anyone who reads the book feels it's taken from the authentic fabric of a life, and finds it is just as much about the anonymous ‘Chinese grandmothers’ as the stars like Natalie Wood.  Aside from the priceless info on the ins and outs of the industry, there's a lot that stays with the reader.”
    -Mary Rae, professional musician & poet, former Editor of Romantics Quarterly

“I hate writing.  It’s hard work.  You have to pay me to do it.”
    -Mike Spenser, writer and ex-Editor, L.A. Times

“Writing’s easy…relationships are hard.”
    -George Petlowany, promo & TV spot writer around Hollywood

“You writers are all the same.  You say, ‘Pay me and I will write for you.’  Where’s the love there?”
    -Phil Mendez, animation genius, pitch-master, creator of Kissy Fur, Monster Tales and Black Santa, among others

“So some day you’re going to write this down and you think people are actually going to read it?  (The year is 1969.  The wiry old man looks up at me and grins as he doodle-sketches a squiggly bird with long legs and goof-ball eyes on a cel on the animation desk in front of him.)  Well, remember Babbitt is spelled with two ‘t’s.”
    -Art Babbitt, longtime Disney and Hanna Barbera animator, and the man who married Snow White

Copyright (c) 2008 Marilyn Peake