WHEN HOLLYWOOD HAD A KING

The seamy origins of Tinseltown are not fully known by most. One of the core organizations to claw its way to the top using criminal methods is none other than MCA. Quickly growing from a band booking agency, using muscle, graft, and threats to grow its business, it became an entertainment juggernaut. Lew Wasserman worked his way through the ranks, developing into a brainy, ruthless, megalomaniac who was revered by all and sundry after his death. Unless you're fascinated by financial and tax data, this account gets tedious. Charles Kehlenberg sounds stodgy. The presentation is redeemed only by its interesting anecdotes. D.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]