City of Flickering Light by Juliette Fay

The beginning of a little village called Hollywood in the 1920s was a place where dreams became reality or for some, a real nightmare.
Three unlikely traveling companions jump a train to escape the evil world of vaudeville and a burlesque show to begin what they feel is their destiny - the movies. For Irene, it offers a chance to discover her writing talents, for Henry, it is an awareness of who he really is and for poor lost Millie, it is a chance to find love and attention from any source. This historical novel touches on the seedier side of the movies - the racism, homophobia and sexual abuse that went on unchecked or swept under the rug. It includes many famous names and the events that occurred during that time as well as each chapter starting with a quote to set the scene. The characters and their stories are interesting and tragic when you realize that much of what they went through in the early days of moviemaking still exists today.