What Makes Sammy Run? by Budd Schulberg offers a compelling and sharply critical portrayal of Hollywood's cutthroat industry through its ambitious anti-hero, Sammy Glick. Praised for its incisive social commentary and enduring relevance, the novel also faces criticism for its cynical tone and unsympathetic characters. A thought-provoking yet polarizing read.

Readers who enjoy What Makes Sammy Run? by Budd Schulberg are typically intrigued by Hollywood's darker side and the ruthlessness of ambition. They will appreciate insights similar to those found in Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust and F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Last Tycoon, drawn to tales of complex moral landscapes and flawed protagonists.

What Makes Sammy Run?, by Budd Schulberg, is the story of Sammy Glick’s relentless rise through Hollywood in the mid-1930s, as observed by his colleague Al Manheim. Starting as a copy clerk, Sammy exploits others, including stealing a script to launch his screenwriting career. Despite his success, Sammy's drive leaves many damaged in his wake. The novel explores themes of ambition, exploitation, and the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry.

- What Makes Sammy Run? by Budd Schulberg is notable for being one of the first novels to offer a critique of the cutthroat nature of Hollywood, capturing the atmosphere of the film industry in the 1930s and 1940s.
- The protagonist, Sammy Glick, has become synonymous with ruthless ambition, and the book is frequently referenced in discussions about moral and ethical compromises for success.
- Upon its release in 1941, What Makes Sammy Run? generated significant controversy, with many Hollywood insiders feeling the novel was a scathing, thinly-veiled attack on the industry.

Budd Schulberg

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Novel

Fiction

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Overview

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What Makes Sammy Run? Summary and Study Guide

Background

What Makes Sammy Run? Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

What Makes Sammy Run? Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-6

What Makes Sammy Run? Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 7-9

What Makes Sammy Run? Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-12

What Makes Sammy Run? Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

What Makes Sammy Run? Character Analysis

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Themes

What Makes Sammy Run? Themes

Symbols & Motifs

What Makes Sammy Run? Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

What Makes Sammy Run? Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

What Makes Sammy Run? Essay Topics

What Makes Sammy Run?

Before You Read

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Who Should Read What Makes Sammy Run??

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