The main idea of this collection is simple: actors acted as storytellers back in the days of the ancient Greeks. And since Hollywood moved beyond the studio, these storytellers have traveled to far-flung corners of the world to tell us their stories. These “quintessential Hollywood types” are true vagabonds, as their jobs and often their personalities require them to be. Actors always travel with their eyes wide open and ears pricked up (sometimes unconsciously, but often consciously). They look for images, behavioral patterns or intonations of speech that can be remembered, saved for the future, and used in a role at the right time. Writers travel, listening for dialogue that will help reveal a particular character, and directors immerse themselves in the atmosphere in order to create a special and believable world on screen. Most filmmakers will tell you that shooting a movie on a soundstage is easier, but it's more fun on wheels. This book contains Alec Baldwin's dreamy memories of Los Angeles, Malcolm MacDonald's insightful tour around the world, Josh Lucas' stories, Brooke Shields, Richard Grant and many other celebrities who made world cinema. The best stories, as always, are collected by the permanent editor of Lonely Planet anthologies - Don George, together with Andrew McCarthy - editor of National Geographic Traveler.