One of the most gifted actors of the 1930s and 1940s, John Garfield is too little remembered today. His gritty, true-to-life performances in 35 films, including Body and Soul, which was one of the first movies to raise the ugly specter of race relations in the United States, and in 16 Broadway productions were all highly acclaimed.
Garfield is best recalled, by some, for having been targeted by the House Un-American Activities Committee for his liberal political beliefs. Garfield was one of many Hollywood stars blacklisted by Senator Joseph McCarthy and his cronies. “Acting is my life,” he said in a speech in 1939. Deprived of that opportunity, he died in 1952. This generously illustrated work examines the actor’s personal and professional life, recounting a bygone era of Hollywood and American history.

Patrick J. McGrath lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Patrick J. McGrath
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 286
Bibliographic Info: 77 photos, filmography, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2006 [1993]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2848-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      ix
Preface      xi

1. The Wild Boy in the Streets      1
2 They (Warner Bros.) Made Him A Criminal      16
3. Fighting the War(ners)      57
4. An Enterprising Move to Independence      79
5. A Man Called Canada      106
6. Force of Evil      114
7. One Man Alone Ain’t Got No Chance      128
8. A Man of Ideals      167

Appendices
1. John Garfield Filmography      179
2. Canada Lee Filmography      205
3. Broadway Stage Appearances of John Garfield      209
4. New York Stage Appearances of Canada Lee      224

References      241
Bibliography      243
Index      245

“solid…pictures are just terrific…succeeds in reminding us just how important an actor John Garfield was”—Classic Images; “a fine chronicle of an actor who continually worked to improve his craft”—Past Times; “detailed and intelligently written”—The Slide Area.