There has never been a wide-ranging look at the history of motion pictures produced in and about the San Fernando Valley. Now there is.
Martin Cooper’s new book, The “Reel” Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley covers what has become the true “Hollywood.” The Valley is home to more studios, more industry professionals, and more filmed locations, than any place in the world. This book tells the fascinating story of movies, moviemakers, and moviemaking in the Valley from 1910 to the present.
The book explores how the Valley became a production powerhouse, shaping global film and television. From the early days of filmmaking to the rise of its four major studios, the work highlights the studios, locations, industry shifts, and the people who define Hollywood beyond Hollywood. Drawing on archival research, historical records, interviews with film professionals, and contemporary accounts, Cooper’s book offers a compelling narrative documenting and celebrating the region’s cinematic impact.
The ‘‘Reel” Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley includes the stories of Hitler’s favorite filmmaker visiting Walt Disney at his studio, the feuds among the four Warner Bros., and the tragic death of Carole Lombard, Clark Gable’s wife.
Cooper is uniquely qualified to tell this story.
His public relations firm has been headquartered in the Valley since he founded it in 1982. He is a Fernando honoree and past chairman of VICA, the Encino Chamber of Commerce, and has served on numerous Valley boards. The San Fernando Valley Business Journal dubbed Cooper the “Valley Historian.”
Of his five published books, three have been on the history of the San Fernando Valley.
His film-related credentials are equally impressive. He held senior executive positions with two of the Valley’s studios, Universal and Disney, and was in charge of communications for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Oscars for 10 years. He served as chairman of the UCLA Film & Television Archive and is a member of the board of the British Film Institute in America and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
According to Bob Blumenfield, Los Angeles City Councilperson and former member of the California Film Commission: “Martin Cooper’s new book tells the fascinating story of how the San Fernando Valley became the hub of the motion picture industry…This is a book of important historical achievement. Martin Cooper’s book reads like fiction, but it’s all fact.”
All profits from The “Reel” Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley are being donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, of which Cooper is Chairman Emeritus.
The book is available on Amazon, other online booksellers, and local bookstores. Published by BearManor Media, the book zoomed to number one in the movie category on Amazon shortly after publication.
Cooper will hold a book launch and book signing at Barnes & Noble Calabasas in The Commons on Saturday, August 22, at 2 pm.
