Co-Author: Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends (2018)
“What audacity!” That was actor Robert Wagner’s reaction when he first learned about the authors’ youthful exploits in nabbing exclusive interviews with Golden Age movie and TV stars. As St. Paul, Minnesota teenagers, David Fantle and Tom Johnson turned their passion for film into a lifelong avocation. In 1978, fresh out of high school, they boarded a plane for their first transformational meetings with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Over the years, more than 250 stars followed – artists that defined 20th Century entertainment both in front of and behind the camera; stars like Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, James Cagney, Mickey Rooney, Debbie Reynolds, George Burns, Tony Curtis, Milton Berle, Gregory Peck, Janet Leigh, Vincente Minnelli, Frank Capra and Hoagy Carmichael, to name just a few of the 75 Golden Age greats profiled in their new book, Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends.
More than just a collection of celebrity profiles, Heyday is a memoir of a 40-year journey full of received wisdom, unique insights and rare anecdotes as well as candid photos of iconic artists who defined popular culture in America. What’s more, they’re all one-on-one (or in this case, two-on-one) personal meetings that took place in Los Angeles, New York City and London.
ABOUT ME
David Fantle has been interviewing writing and speaking about Hollywood's Golden Age stars for 40 years. His work has appeared in media outlets throughout the world. Fantle’s career also includes more than three decades working as an award-winning marketing and public relations professional, including a tenure as Deputy Tourism Secretary for Wisconsin. He resides in Milwaukee, Wis. and is an adjunct professor in film at Marquette University. Fantle is a frequent speaker on cruise ships and at retirement facilities.
Golden Age of Hollywood Spokesman
From the classroom, to retirement facilities to cruise ships, Fantle is available to speak to any size group. Need a source for a Golden Age of Hollywood media story? Fantle is available for that too.
Presentations
Ten Different Hollywood Heyday Presentations
Hollywood historian and speaker David Fantle presents 10 different (as of Jan. 1, 2019) 45-minute Hollywood Heyday presentations. These PowerPoint presentations feature rare photos and film clips. Examples:
- Golden Age Musical Stars - Astaire, Kelly, Charisse, Nicolas Brothers and more
- Screen Legends - Cagney, Heston, Peck, Saint, Leigh, Curtis and more
- Comic Legends - Hope, Berle, Burns and Ball
- Golden Age songwriters - Sammy Cahn, Hoagy Carmichael, Artie Shaw and more
- TV's favorite sleuths - Columbo, Policewoman, Mannix and Elliot Ness
Availability
While based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Fantle makes presentations throughout the world. Please contact him regarding pricing and availability.
The "Inside" Stories
Fantle's presentations are engaging, informative and for film buffs of all levels.