National Network for Equitable Library Service

In June 1951, Edna Ferber heads to Hollywood to support an old friend who has found himself blacklisted, The McCarthy hearings in Washington have rattled Hollywood with allegations of Communist-leaning sympathies. She has no intention of becoming involved with the soon-to-be-released MGM film Show Boat. She first met Max Jeffries when he worked on the 1927 Broadway production of Show Boat, and, most recently, he brought his magic to the new production starring Ava Gardner. In fact, he was the one who pushed Gardner for the role of Julie, the doomed mulatto. Banned from the Metro lot and shunned by his friends, Max is “uncredited” on the film because of his political leanings. Edna’s visit is one of friendship, nothing more. But all that changes when Max is murdered. Edna has questions. Edna begins socializing with Ava Gardner, a woman currently scandalizing Hollywood (and annoying Hedda Hopper) because of her affair with Frank Sinatra, who’s left his wife for the sultry goddess. Edna finds the hard-as-nails temptress a vulnerable, insecure woman whom she comes to like. When the gentle Max is killed right after a public brawl with Frank Sinatra. Ava fears her lover will be arrested. Edna plays sleuth quietly, becoming involved with the characters who hang around the edges of Hollywood fame and fortune, uncovering dark layers of greed, envy, and desire. Against the backdrop of the new Show Boat is the tawdry romance of dreamstreet Hollywood itself—both parts of the world of ”Make Believe”—to use the song title from the musical.