Chapter 14, Bad Fights 1937-1941 Summary and Analysis

Dorothy's old drinking buddy, F. Scott Fitzgerald, arrives in Hollywood in 1937. He proudly proclaims that he has been on the wagon for 10 months, but sadly his wife Zelda has been pronounced incurable and will remain hospitalized for the rest of her life. MGM offers him a 6-month contract at $1,000 a week. He inspires Dorothy to pick up her fiction writing again. He is extremely suspicious of her ties with her various causes. When she tries to lure him to political functions disguised as social events, his suspicions deepen. He meets Sheilah Graham, up-and-coming Hollywood gossip columnist, and in her he seeks to replace Zelda.

Not long after, Dorothy and Alan depart Hollywood in disgust, after they learn Sam Goldwyn is not planning to extend their contract, and they will not receive writing credit for their...