The Last Tycoon

The Last Tycoon is an unfinished novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that charts the rise of Monroe Stahr, a film producer in 1930s Hollywood. Its fragments were collected and edited by Fitzgerald’s friend Edmund Wilson and published posthumously in 1941, the year after Fitzgerald’s death. The book’s protagonist is widely considered to be modelled after the real-life film producer Irving Thalberg, whom Fitzgerald greatly admired. The story focuses on the inner workings of the film industry and the personal and business relationships of Stahr, which turn sour. The novel traverses themes of Desire, Love, and the Pain of Loss. Instead of glorifying Hollywood, Fitzgerald shows the uglier underbelly of show business, exploring The Deception Behind Hollywood Glamor and, more broadly, touching on themes of Societal Decay and Corruption of the American Dream.

This study guide refers to the First Scribner eBook edition from 2003, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Publications (not the 1993 re-edition by Matt Bruccoli titled The Love of the Last Tycoon).

Content Warning: This guide describes and discusses the source text’s treatment of death by suicide. Additionally, the source material uses outdated, offensive, and racist terms for people of color, which this guide reproduces only in direct quotes.

Plot Summary

Cecilia Brady, 18-year-old college student and daughter of Hollywood producer, Pat Brady, encounters two acquaintances of her father, Wylie White and Mr. Schwartz, on a plane trip from the East Coast to Los Angeles. The flight diverts to Nashville due to a storm, leading the three new companions to visit the historic home of President Andrew Jackson, where Wylie playfully proposes marriage to Cecilia, and they discuss Hollywood. After returning to the airport, Cecilia meets her father’s business partner, Monroe Stahr. She daydreams about marrying Stahr but acknowledges the futility of influencing him.

Later, Cecilia arrives at the Hollywood studio on a July night for her father’s birthday when an earthquake hits, causing minimal damage but bursting water mains on the back lot. Stahr and Robby, a skilled cutter, head to the site to find the entire area submerged. Amid the chaos, two women are carried along by the water as they clutch a prop statue, prompting rescue efforts. One of the women, Kathleen Moore, leaves Stahr speechless due to her striking resemblance to his late wife, Minna Davis.

Cecilia contemplates her father’s success, attributing it to luck and shrewdness rather than inherent skill. On the other hand, Cecilia considers Monroe Stahr to be a true industry leader with great decision-making and keen observation skills.

Stahr’s day unfolds with a series of messages, including a sick actor, a governor’s visit, and a supervisor issue. Stahr meets with Boxley, a writer, and persuades him to stay in Hollywood. Stahr then supports movie star Mr. Rodriguez as the latter contemplates separating from his wife. At a film conference, Stahr expresses dissatisfaction with the movie’s script and ensures some changes are made. Later, Stahr meets Prince Agge from Denmark. There are predicted losses for Stahr’s upcoming film, but he emphasizes artistic integrity over financial success. The day ends with Stahr and Prince Agge planning to watch the rushes (the first prints made of a movie after shooting) together.

Miss Doolan, Stahr’s secretary, informs Stahr that one of the women who was swept along clinging to the prop statue the previous night is on the phone. Initially, the woman is unfriendly, but she reluctantly agrees to meet Stahr at a drugstore at nine o’clock. Despite an unexplained episode requiring medication, Stahr proceeds to meet the woman and realizes she is not the one who looks like his late wife, Minna. The woman asks him to drop her at her friend Kathleen’s house, who is the one who resembles Minna. Stahr and Kathleen share a brief moment of deep connection. Meanwhile, Cecilia arrives at the studio, intending to express her feelings to Stahr. She flirts with Stahr, but Stahr, considering himself too old for marriage, suggests Wylie as a potential match for her. Later, at a party, Stahr’s attention shifts to Kathleen Moore, leading to a persistent pursuit. Eventually, Kathleen agrees to meet, and they spend an intimate day together. Later, however, a letter reveals Kathleen is soon to be married, leaving Stahr disheartened.

Stahr asks Cecilia to arrange a meeting with a Communist Party organizer, Brimmer, to gain insights into contract negotiations with the Writer’s Guild. The discussion at Cecilia’s residence becomes heated, touching on political matters, anti-Nazi league support, and writers’ pay. Stahr, uncharacteristically, drinks heavily, which leads to a physical altercation with Brimmer, who knocks him unconscious. Cecilia helps Stahr recover, and they initiate a two-week relationship, though Stahr does not stop seeing the now-married Kathleen.

Pat Brady takes advantage of Stahr’s illness to enforce a pay cut, leading to a confrontation with Stahr. Brady plans Stahr’s elimination, but Pete Zavras intervenes, saving Stahr. Stahr’s health continues to deteriorate. When Stahr discovers Brady’s threats, he hires someone to kill Brady. During a flight to New York, Stahr changes his mind and decides to call off Brady’s assassination, but before he can do so, he dies in a plane crash.

Cecilia, rebounding from Stahr, has an affair, possibly with Wylie White. Stahr’s death and her father’s murder cause Cecilia to have a mental health crisis. Cecilia also develops tuberculosis and enters a sanitarium.