Books

Be Cool

The Run Down.

After one triumph and one flop, Mafia loanshark-turned-Hollywood producer, Chili Palmer is desperate for another hit . . . of the celluloid sort. And when a similarly relocated former mob associate takes a hit of the bullet-in-the-brain variety while they're power-lunching, Chili begins to see all kinds of story possibilities. The whacked recording company mogul's midday demise is leading Chili into the twisted world of rock stars, pop divas, and hip-hop gangstas, which is rife with drama, jealousy, and betrayal—all the stuff that makes big box office. Tinsel Town had better take cover, because Chili Palmer's working on another movie. And that's when people tend to die.

Published: 1999

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Genre: Crime

Adaptation: Film (2005)

Location: Los Angeles

Characters: Chili Palmer , Linda Moon

The Detroit News

An absolute master.

— The Detroit News

Chili Palmer

Chili was on his way in, waiting for the doorman to find his name on the comp list, as Hy Gordon was coming out and they stopped to say hello. Hy Gordon, studio music supervisor on both Get Leo and Get Lost, had taken Chili to clubs around L.A. when they were looking for music to use in the movies. Hy said, “You’re making a picture and you didn’t call me?” Chili told him no, he was here to catch the Chicks, see what they were about.

Be Cool

Adapted for film in 2005
Starring John Travolta — Directed by F. Gary Gray
Screenplay by Peter Steinfeld