Welcome to my Sunday Movie Review. When I came across this doc about the life and career of best selling, unconventional author, Jackie Collins – younger sister to the actress Joan Collins, I knew I had to watch it. From her agent, Morton Janklow, “Some authors use their words so eloquently – and Jackie isn’t one of them.”
I was hooked on Collins’ books since the eighties. I didn’t realize she began publishing her first book in 1967 – The World is Full of Married Men, and readers both, loved and hated her. Collins wrote boldly of the world she did research in – her sister’s world of hollywood and their sins and secrets. She transformed her research into many books, a simple formula – she based her stories on real life people and called it fiction. How could we as writers, possibly not incorporate some of ourselves and observances into our writing?
Jackie wrote revolutionary novels placing female sexuality at the heart of her stories.
I could identify with so much of Jackie’s life – both personally and as a writer. And in those roaring 80s, I throughly enjoyed reading many of her books – especially the Lucky, Lady Boss series.
My 5 Star Review:
This was a wonderful documentary on the life of controversial author, Jackie Collins. Jackie was the younger sister of the famous Joan Collins. Joan was a natural beauty, and Jackie was not. Their father was in the entertainment business and wasted no time getting his pretty daughter Joan into movies. Jackie, more plain looking was happy to scribble writings about all she observed. Jackie seemed the underdog to her sister who had all the fame and fuss around her, but Jackie loved her sister and was thrilled to be invited to all the Hollywood parties her sister invited her to. This is when Jackie realized that her ‘scribbles’ could take on some serious meaning if she wrote books about Hollywood stars with all the gossip and information she garnered by becoming part of her sister’s circles. She preferred to call those outings – research.
Jackie’s women were all strong women in her books. Her writing began to empower housewives who were reading her books since the late 60s where sex talk was still taboo – for the most part. Her stories were rally calls for women to wake up and be all they can be. Many women fans adored her, while many others shunned her publicly when she was doing the talk show circuit. They bashed her for her raw smut, as many liked to call it. But Jackie stood her ground and continued to write for the millions of fans who did appreciate her candor. Many male writers felt threatened by her bold sex stories.
Jackie turned her plain old self into her own branding. Hanging out with the Hollywood crowd inspired her to fix her nose and have a little face construction. She began wearing sassy and bold clothes and did a lot of marketing her books on her own to gain momentum and brand herself as a strong, powerful woman. She was married three times – once to her first abusive husband that she empowered herself to leave in the middle of the night, while inspiring many other women to get out of abusive relationships.
Her second marriage to Oscar was the spark in her life. Til that point, Jackie had written numerous books she started and abandoned. Oscar pushed her to finish just one book, and the rest was history. He was her biggest supporter and loved her unconditionally. Jackie had kept a diary of much of her life – a treasure trove of life that became weaved into all her books.
Collins protested that men shouldn’t think they are the only ones to write about sex and love scenes. One of her best selling series was Lady Boss, where Lucky Santangelo was the lead strong woman. Her background stemmed from her mafia father Gino Santangelo. This series was all made into movies. Juicy movies I might add. Jackie’s husband Oscar adored her and dubbed her, the Harold Robbins of women.
In the late 80s, at the height of her fame, Oscar was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He chose not to tell anyone and knowing he was on borrowed time wanted to leave his wife a beautiful legacy home and began building it. Sadly, it was Jackie and her kids who ultimately moved into it as Oscar didn’t live through the completion. Jackie kept up face on camera, but she was devastated by the loss of her beloved husband.
By the time the 90s rolled around, people’s attitudes were changing about women’s rights and sexual freedom. Jackie lived in her beautiful house and kept her nose to the grindstone writing to fill her empty broken heart.
Somehow, Jackie met a third husband, which nobody approved of. Her own daughters (who were narrating the documentary), questioned why she would marry such an ill-tempered and abusive man. Frank was relentless trying to win over Jackie’s affections. Sadly, she couldn’t ‘read between the lines’ and found herself trapped with a bully. But as karma made it, a few years later Frank died from brain cancer. Jackie assured everyone she would never marry again.
Jackie’s mother died of cancer, and her first husband wound up committing suicide. And not long after the last two husbands passed, Jackie herself detected a lump in her breast and decided not to do a damn thing about it – no treatments to ravage whatever time she had left. Jackie wrote feverently, writing her own ending her own way. Jackie lived six more years after being diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer and having no treatments, as well as telling nobody. Until two weeks before her death, she finally told her sister Joan. Born October 4th, 1937, Jackie died on September 19th, 2015, two weeks before her 78th birthday.
From her agent, Morton Janklow: “Jackie was a great storyteller, and that’s better than being a great writer.”
Author Dominick Dunne: “And although she was a “great partygoer”, he says, she went to them “more as an observer than participant”, using them as part of her research.”
“Write about what you know”, Collins said at a writer’s conference. “I love what I do. I fall in love with my characters. They become me, and I become them.”
Collins fictionalized parts of her own life to construct her Hollywood stories.
Jackie wrote 32 books and sold over 500 million copies! Eight of her books were turned into movies and miniseries. She did play in some small acting roles in the 50s, but writing was in her veins.
Read more about Jackie’s life on her website.
You can watch a short clip here from Jackie.
Visit Jackie’s author page and many books.
©DGKaye2021
DGKayewriter.com 
An interesting post, Debbie. I was not aware about this documentary. Jackie and Joan Collins did make the papers years ago. Morton Janklow’s quote made me smile. “…readers both, loved and hated her…is a compliment. I have not read one of her books. Interesting about the dynamics of the two sisters. Another great phrase “…writing her own ending her own way.” Thank you for your review and sharing it with us.
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So happy to enlighten you a bit about Collins’ life Erica. Truly fascinating how she navigated her own career.:) xx
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Sounds like an amazing documentary.. I have read several of her novels and they were surely an education! What a woman to fly in the face of convention and live and write by her own rules.. Sad that Oscar died when they were clearly soul mates… Still a life well lived.. hugs ♥
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True on all counts Sal. And not surprised you’ve read some of her books, lol. Yes, a life well-lived, and on HER terms. ❤ xx
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A great review and summary of Jackie’s life. She did it her way and it paid off.
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Absolutely! Thanks Darlene ❤
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Both sisters were very successful in their own ways. I must admit though I’ve never read any of Jackie Collins’ books. x
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Interesting. I enjoy her stories, I’ve read almost all her books lol xx
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I’m a bit surprised by the frankness of her agent’s words about her writing. Even if he thought that I’m surprised that he would share what comes across as a negative critique of her writing. Jackie may not have Joan’s glamour, but she is still attractive. A lot of my friends would give me grief if they knew I used to watch Dynasty with my wife. Shh, don’t tell. 😎
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Lol Pete. Come on; in our era, Dynasty was hot stuff! Yes, after Jackie had ‘some work’ done on her face, I began to see a lot of likeness to her sister Joan. 🙂
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What a fabulously talented lady. Ahead of her time. Also much tragedy in her personal life. I would love to tune into this documentary. I’m kind of embarrassed to say I haven’t read one of her books. I must change that! Thanks for your review, Deb.
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Hi Lis. Happy to enlighten you to Jackie’s books. Check out her Lucky Santangelo, Lady Boss series! ❤
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What a quote to start the review, Deb! I’d wonder about a new agent but I can see there’s lots more to their relationship. I too loved Jackie Collins books from the 80’s so this intrigues me.
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Oh yay Jacqui, you’re the first here to say you have read some of her books! A different era, but hey, great beach escape reads! Yes, her agent said that with love, lol. 🙂
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Such a good review, Debby – what an amazing woman all through her life, and such entertaining books. So glamorous, too – she actually reminds me of you. Toni x
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Lol Toni, I had to laugh at ‘she reminds you of me’. Ha! Don’t I wish I had her fame. It’s enough I could identify with a lot of her life. ❤ xx
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I enjoyed reading your review, Debby, and learning more about Jackie’s life. Would you believe that I haven’t read even one of her books? I’d better change that soon. 🙂
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Lol Norah. Of course I’d believe it with so many books out there. They sure made ‘juicy’ beach reads, lol 🙂 x
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This is a fabulous review of the documentary, and makes me want to watch it. And to read a Jackie Collins’ book. Which one do you recommend? I think in the ’80s I was cowed by the reviews of her books and never read one. ;-0 You honor all the things that this smart, ahead-of-her time woman/writer did. Thank you!
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Thanks Pam. Her books were a great escape read into Hollywood people back in the day. I would have to say her Lady Boss, Lucky Santangelo series was addictive. ❤
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this sounds like an interesting and informative documentary, especially for anyone interested in writing…
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It certainly was Jim 🙂
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I remember her and her books, though I didn’t read them. That says something about her power. What a fascinating person, Debby, and strong woman who empowered other women. I liked learning a little about her life, both her successes and personal tragedies. Thanks for sharing your review and recommendation.
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Thanks so much Diana. I’m happy to enlighten you. Jackie was a woman ahead of the times for sure ❤
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Well done review. As you can imagine, I’ve never read a Jackie Collins book; not exactly my genre, LOL. But you did a great job in your assessment.
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Hi John. Thanks so much. The doc speaks for itself, so very well done. And there was a time when I couldn’t wait for her next book to come out! 🙂
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Fascinating!!!! What a woman she was!
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Absolutely Gayle! Glad you enjoyed reading. 🙂
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This sounds like a must-watch documentary! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it, Debby. I will have to keep a look out for it.
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I hope you get to enjoy it Jan. It’s on Prime! 🙂 x
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What an amazing and inspirational life. I always thought she was beautiful, and admired her ability to write books that touched so many. They were a truly talented pair of sisters, thanks for sharing this little look into Jackie’s life.
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So glad you enjoyed Deb. And thanks for dropping by, as I know, you are very busy now writing 2 books! ❤
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I enjoyed this post, Debbie. Jackie was a woman almost ahead of her time – at the leading edge. Reading her books was a guilty pleasure, sort of like eating chocolates under the covers at night!
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Hi Noelle. I totally agree with you! Jackie’s books are a guilty pleasure read! And most definitely ahead of her time. ❤
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I’m happy to see you back doing your regular blogging. You’re ahead of me, I haven’t been able to get back to it yet, but I am working on my next manuscript. What has helped me the most is the ability to be more active since being vaccinated and things opening in my area. Take care. HUGS
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Hi Chuck. Lovely to hear from you. I’m not sure about ‘regular’ blogging yet, but I felt my big ugly move deserved a mention and the latter part of the post is one of my many late night scribblings to my husband.
I’m so glad you’re gaining your freedom back and writing a book! As I mentioned, I’m over 15K words from just my musings, feelings, and ventings on my journey. I’ll be sharing more of these thoughts and ‘conversations’ through time. Hugs ❤ xx
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What a great review, Sis! I loved Jackie Collins’ books! I’ve read many over the years. She definitely led a remarkable life. I liked this part best: “…From her agent, Morton Janklow: “Jackie was a great storyteller, and that’s better than being a great writer…” How very true. Bravo to a brilliant storyteller. ❤
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Yay, finally someone who read her books LOL. Juicy and steamy and great escapes! And yes, being a great storyteller is what grabs me too ❤ xox
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What a great review, Debby, and sadly, I’ve never read her books either. But now I’m inspired and curious. 🙂 It’s great that she marched to the beat of her own drum, wanting to empower women. And it was intersting to learn more about her life, research for her writing, and even the personal tragedies. Thanks for sharing. 💗
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So glad you enjoyed Lauren. I loved her books and her story too ❤
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Hi Debby – wonderful review of obviously a much appreciated strong character, who achieved a lot for herself – fascinating … and if I come across it – I will watch it … thanks – cheers Hilary
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Happy to enlighten you Hilary. I do believe you can watch it on Prime Video if you have it. 🙂 xx
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I also watched this documentary. Your review is fantastic, Debby!
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So glad to hear Carol. And thank you. ❤
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I loved your telling of Jackie’s story and ohh, what character and panache she had. A true free spirit. I read her books back in the eighties and nineties. I loved this post, Debby. Thank you. I love you. ❤ xXx
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Yay Jane! Another Collins fan! So glad you enjoyed my review. I love you too my dear friend ❤ xoxo
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Wow, I had no idea about her personal life being like that. She didn’t tell anyone her diagnosis until the end… One of my friends did the same… No treatments… I only had two visits with her after her brother told me she had cancer before she passed away… What a documentary you’ve shared about here and now I want to watch it. What a story. What a life!
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Thanks Christy. Yes, you would love this doc of women’s empowerment! I’m sorry about your friend. I had a friend who did the same. Never told me she was in end stage and suddenly I found out she was in hospice and didn’t last 2 days. So very sad. 😦 Hugs xx
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I’ve heard about Jackie Collins, but never read any of her books. This documentary sounds very interesting and entertaining. What a character she was and what a life she led. She certainly was in charge of her own destiny. I enjoy your movie reviews, Debbie. Watching those recommendations takes less time than reading all those lovely books you elaborate on… 🙂
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Thanks so much Liesbet. I enjoy documentaries. And every time I see one I feel worthy of sharing, I do. Glad you enjoyed. ❤
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