Rona Barrett was in the right place at the right time in the late 1950s when she decided to pursue a career as a celebrity interviewer. The idea wasn't immediately a hit, but the woman who had tackled worst challenges in her life that included a physical handicap, didn't take no for an answer. She began writing a column for newspapers and magazines. Celebrities responded to the beautiful woman with the soft voice and in a switch from today's exasperating paparazzi-chasing world, actually sought her out to be interviewed. Her 30+-year career eventually included television specials and regular contributions on Good Morning America, The Today Show and Entertainment Tonight, among others. Rona Barrett's Hollywood: Nothing But the Truth is a 2009 DVD that features some of Barrett's fascinating interviews with Cher, John Wayne, Richard Dreyfuss, Donna Summer, Priscilla Presley, John Travolta, Robin Williams, Carol Burnett, Raquel Welch and Burt Reynolds.

In her first interview with Cher in 1974, Barrett displays   her   casual attitude -- one of her strengths - as she and Cher sit on Cher's big glamorous bed to chat like best friends. Cher openly discusses where she's at in her life at the time including dating Gregg Allman; growing up poor; and easily spills all to Barrett about falling in love with Sony Bono.

Although she had interviewed him before, Barrett also revisited John Wayne before his death in 1979. At his home in Newport Beach, Wayne seemed genuinely excited to see Barrett and answered her straight-forward questions. He talks about normal weaknesses of "the people of our land;" his failure at marriage; and with slight tears in his eyes and unable to ignore Barrett's gentle manner, is very frank about some of the tougher questions.

In 1981 Barrett interviewed Richard Dreyfuss and knowing his bio today, it's a very interesting revelation. He talks openly about being a bachelor and (at the time) his opposition to marriage; his parents' breakup; and his resolve not to be involved with only one person. Barrett boldly steps into the arena of sexual topics, and Dreyfuss bristles with answers. At one point he hints about a personal story but holds back until Barrett's aplomb coaches him to spill the beans.

In 1978 Donna Summer was at the top of her game launching a singing career off the back of her gospel songs. In her interview Barrett plunges right in about how Summer went far away from gospel songs to finally get noticed. Summer reveals how that first sensuous record set the course for career; how that complicated her life for several years; if her race presented any barriers for her career or herself; why she became a recording artist and the difficulties of such a career.

With the iconic Elvis Pressley passed on, it only made sense to interview his only wife. Barrett interviewed Priscilla Presley right before the   1978  Las Vegas  unveiling of the first statue of Elvis. Barrett captured much about Priscilla herself in her interview as well as some of her memories of Elvis; Priscilla's thoughts when listening to Elvis' songs and recalling their conversations about that record at the time; discussing his performances and about hiding his reviews from him.

For her second interview with John Travolta, this one took place in 1978 as scheduled, but on the day of Travolta's mother's funeral. Barrett was sensitive of John's situation and questions were ones his disco-dancing fans would have wanted answered. Barrett got reactions about how Travolta's parents made him stand on his own from the time he was 10; about his financial success since becoming a star;  his influence of getting people excited and dancing, and his reality at age 24. Even on a sad day for Travolta, Barrett managed to spawn a gleam in Travolta's eyes.

1978 Barrett interviewed Robin Williams again, this time for his new television show Mork & Mindy. Anyone who has ever watched Williams or tired to interview him, knows you have lots of fun, but getting real answers from the comedic genius is rare. Barrett did manage to get some half answers to the questions: how hard it is to say no; when was the first time Williams made someone laugh, and how does he keep creating laughs.

One might have expected more laughs from comedian Carol Burnett but in Barrett's 1976 interview, she went for a darker side of Burnett's life. The women discussed Burnett's troubled past with her alcoholic parents; how she ended up with her younger sister; and her troubles with her own daughter, Carrie, and about the stage play they wrote together.

Raquel Welch looked very much a bombshell in Barrett's mid 1970s interview. Looking radiant and joyful, Barrett seemingly made easy work of getting Welch to laugh and shed some light on the real Welch. Barrett got answers on how Welch's looks affected her life and career; if she ever faced the casting couch; and her children.

In the 1975 interview with Burt Reynolds, Barrett asks the questions fans wanted answered. Those included why he broke up with Dinah Shore and how stories with their bylines were made up; questions about his early professional years; some of his other romances and about his Christian background.

In addition to the insightful and sometimes surprising interviews, Barrett takes a few minutes before and after to offer updates about the stars as to what they were doing at the time of the interview and where they are currently. Anyone who likes celebrity gossip and the real facts about stars, will find Nothing But the Truth enjoyable.

Read Classic Movie Guide's Interview with Rona Barrett

Photo credits: Infinity Entertainment