John Garfield

<p> 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 <I>Body and Soul</I> 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.</p><p> 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.</p>