Lana: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies

Crane, only child to legendary movie star Lana Turner, here delivers an illustrated biography of the Hollywood luminary that belongs at the top of fans' holiday wish lists. The book has the charm of a treasured, well-thumbed scrapbook; it begins with the charming story of Turner's ""discovery"" at 15, sipping a Coke at the Hollywood Schwab's soda fountain. In short order, she had set off the ""sweater girl"" trend and was dubbed a ""sex symbol"" at 16. Turner survived a long career on waves of excess and scandal, entertaining countless suitors and seven husbands (""When she fell in love, she married""). The most prominent of those scandals, which would dominate headlines for months and follow mother and daughter throughout their lives, involves Crane herself: in 1958, at the age of 14, Cheryl stabbed and killed her mother's abusive boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, a story she relates with humility and grace. The book's greatest draw is the photos-publicity stills, candids and behind-the-scenes shots-that adorn nearly every page; a section on ""Lanamours"" features page after page of boyfriends (Ronald Reagan, Errol Flynn, Howard Hughes, etc.), and the ""Friends"" section highlights contemporary actresses, each one more beautiful than the last.