TCM Film Festival 2014: The Stars

TCMFF is quite a starry event. You can expect to run into famous people everywhere. Tippi Hedren in the restroom of the Roosevelt Hotel. Leonard Maltin walking down Hollywood Boulevard. Illeana Douglas, Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz seemed to be everywhere.

It was exciting to see these glamorous faces, but without a doubt, the guests that drew the most interest were the legends from the classic age of Hollywood. In their special appearances, these stars inspired laughter, made tears flow and all demonstrated that they still knew how to mesmerize a crowd.

Here are the legends I was fortunate to see at this year's festival:

Margaret O'Brien

Day two was my busiest at the festival, and the highlight was seeing Ms. O'Brien before a screening of Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) in the gorgeously-restored Graumen's Chinese Theater (yes, I know it's the TCL Chinese Theater officially, but not in my heart). The former child star was the most enthusiastic guest I saw at TCMFF. Dressed impeccably, and looking very hip with her silver nose stud, O'Brien hardly needed to be interviewed. She plopped down on her seat, feet dangling in the air, and began to tell stories. She still moves her head from side to side in that charmingly mannered way she did as a child, and her voice has kept its girlish warmth. It looked like she would have loved to stay and chat more, which I'm sure would have delighted the audience!

Jerry Lewis

While day two was the most overwhelming schedule-wise, day three was the most emotional for me. This is because I saw three legends of the silver screen in person, something I never could have imagined happening to me as a teenage film fan mainlining Bette Davis movies. The coolest by far was seeing Jerry Lewis put his hands and feet in cement for the courtyard of the Graumen's Chinese Theater. As a new fan of Lewis, I was overwhelmed to see this legend in person. He still knows how to entertain a crowd, clearly born to it. I've got a lot more to say about this special morning, so I'll share the rest in a future post.

Maureen O'Hara

After a rare sit-down meal with a bunch of great bloggers, a few of us ran to wait in line at the El Capitan to see Ms. O'Hara before the screening of How Green Was My Valley (1941). One of the most sought-after guests for the festival, fans were lining up outside the theater two hours before show time. And it was so worth it! The Irish star is still sharp, sassy and clever.

O'Hara, now in a wheelchair, was visibly overcome as she was wheeled out to an enthusiastic standing ovation. She was in tears many times during her interview with Robert Osborne. While touched, at one point she told the crowd, "don't be fooled into thinking I do magical things," which inspired Osborne to tell her that she certainly did.

With a heavy emphasis on spirituality, O'Hara discussed her life philosophies while giving encouragement and advice to the crowd. She said, "all of you do what you're supposed to do, better than you are supposed to do." The actress was also concerned when she heard a cough in the audience, she insisted that the woman stand up and wished her good health. Oh to be that cougher!

It wasn't all emotional though, this dame is funny. When Osborne opened the interview by asking about Ford, O'Hara snapped back, "I thought we were here to talk about me!"

At the end of the interview, while O'Hara received another standing ovation, she was clearly trying to stand up to give thanks to the crowd. However, despite appearing to speak about it to the TCM staffer who was there to push her wheelchair, it didn't happened. That was probably for the best, though it was touching to see how much she wanted to pay tribute to her fans. This appearance was the high point of the festival for many.

Kim Novak

As a huge fan of Kim Novak, seeing the star was on the top of my list. That she had appeared at the festival before, and was likely to do so again, was one of the factors that motivated me to attend TCMFF this year. When I found out she was going to be interviewed before my favorite Novak flick, Bell, Book and Candle (1958), I couldn't believe it!

While Novak has had rather extreme plastic surgery, she is still very alluring and magnetic. With her husky voice and mesmerizing eyes, she brought plenty of glamour to the stage. Always known to speak her mind, I wasn't surprised that she addressed what interviewer Robert Osborne called, "the elephant in the room," the star's controversial appearance at the 2014 Academy Awards ceremony.

Novak called the negative feedback she received what it was, "it's bullying and we've got to fight back." She added, "we've got to stand up to these bullies, we've got to be stronger than they are." When the crowd applauded her honesty and bravery in addressing this clearly painful issue Novak smiled and said, "I've got to confess, I feel like I'm home with you."

Feeling very moved by what Novak had said, when she went back up the aisle I told her, "you show 'em Kim!" She responded, "don't forget to stand up!" And I most certainly will Ms. Novak! It was one of my high points of the festival to exchange words with this amazing woman.

Photo courtesy of TCM

Alan Arkin

This was my favorite interview of the festival. I wanted to see Arkin so I could enjoy his butter-smooth voice in person, and yes, that was dreamy, but he was also a fascinating person. Everything that comes out of his mouth is quotable.

When interviewer Ben Mankiewicz joked to Arkin, "I know you don't care about awards, but I do, because I'm more shallow than you. Which is readily apparent," the actor launched into an interesting tirade about industry awards. Using his Oscar nomination as an example, Arkin said that he was pleased by the nomination, because it was a surprise and he enjoyed being honored with his peers and promoting his film. He was less thrilled when he won, because he didn't like the implication that he was better than the other nominees noting that, "isolation is bullshit," when it comes to honoring great performances.

The whole interview was so interesting, and Arkin was so darkly charismatic, that I almost didn't want the film to begin. Here are some more gems from this intelligent actor:

3/4 of [current] American films are made by draftsmen or engineers.

There's something kind of ennobling in not knowing the answer to something.

[Improvisation] is at the core of everybody's life, whether they like it or not.

I have a dread of failing as a human being, not as an actor.

---

I still can't believe I got to see all of these amazing performers in person. They were all so charismatic, clever and engaging--truly born to entertain.

Coming up next: TCM Film Festival, The Movies


All images belong to Classic Movies except where noted.

TCM Film Festival 2014: Day One Press Conference With Robert Osborne and Co. and More!

I didn't set eyes on a movie until the sun went down, and yet I lived and breathed movies the entire first day of the TCM film festival. It was beautiful to spend the day in a happy cinematic bubble, soaking up the enthusiasm of the festival-goers around me. I can see why people do TCMFF every year; I'm all ready to sign up for next year myself!

Here's what happened before the movies rolled on day one:

Press Conference

I got my first ever glimpse of Robert Osborne yesterday morning at the press conference, and it was surprisingly not a big deal! It was like seeing my cool uncle up there. He's so handsome in person. Swoon! I thought he kind of looked like Robert Wagner up close, which is funny since they're pals and name twins. Here's what he said:

• He paid touching tribute to the people who were helped through hard times by watching TCM. Osborne said he never expected to be a sort of "nurse" to people enduring difficulties like joblessness, divorce and illness, but he relishes the role and says it makes the network and its fans feel like a family. Very appropriate given the family theme at this year's festival

• Osborne shared lots of stories about his mentor Lucille Ball, the woman who encouraged him to follow his interest in film history. He told a funny story about how Ball resented Maureen O'Hara because she'd always upstage her as the hot redhead in nightclubs. Once the Irish lass made her appearance, Ball said, "then I'm chopped liver."

• It was also interesting to hear about Osborne's connection with character actress Jane Darwell. The two met while he was in the service, and performed on stage together in Seattle. She took an interest in him and encouraged him to try film acting. Osborne even stayed in her Hollywood home while he got started, a fact which intrigued Ball and got her interested in the young actor.

• It took Osborne only two weeks to get a six month contract at 20th Century Fox! He said it was very different when he got started and that, "in those days, if you could walk and say words at the same time, you could get a contract." Still, I was impressed that he found work so quickly.

• On a less personal note Osborne answered a questions about how to attract young people to classic movies by saying that he didn't feel the need to recruit a younger generation for the network. That's because 50% of attendees to TCM events are in the younger age bracket and 60% of network viewership is age 18-49.

• I loved Osborne's story about an 11-year-old TCM fan who was determined to make it to TCMFF. He did odd jobs to make money, but couldn't quite make enough. When TCM heard of this, they gave this lucky kid a pass to the festival for the next couple of years, and he's gone every year since. What other network would do this? It's amazing.

• It was sad to hear how Olivia deHavilland's health troubles have prevented her from traveling to TCMFF and even conducting an interview with Osborne. Her last trip to visit her daughter in Malibu was so taxing that it took her a year to recover. As active as she's been late in life, she's 97-years-old and not up to travel anymore.

• Osborne shared his favorite films: A Place in the Sun, The Razor's Edge, Sunset Blvd.--and Spinal Tap! I mean, that is a great film, but I was so tickled to hear him mention it with those other flicks.

• He did an impression of Ida Lupino at the end of High Sierra that was actually pretty darn good. Almost made me tear up. From what I remember, Lupino wasn't fond of him when she met him in his reporting days. I think she might have even tried to turn the garden hose on him once, but I could be mixing him up with someone else.

Ben Mankiewicz took the stage next:

• In answer to a question about how he felt about his job, he said "grateful is an understatement." I was surprised to learn that he had auditioned for his position. I always thought he had been invited to take the job based on his family history. He seems to think that helped him seal the deal, but he definitely had to go through a few rounds first.

• He spoke a bit about his famous family, and told an interesting story about his grandfather Herman Mankiewicz and the Oscar he won for Citizen Kane. Apparently he wasn't sentimental about his trophy and resented the bother of protecting such a valuable award. He kept it in a safe deposit box for years. When he found out he could make thousands of dollars by selling it, he grabbed the chance.

• I loved Mankiewicz's response to a question about whether he ever got starstruck. He was nervous about talking to Max von Sydow and Peter Bogdanovich, though both men turned out to be kind and receptive interview subjects. He's also very nervous about interviewing Jerry Lewis this weekend, which I can understand after seeing his appearance on the Dick Cavett show. If he gets a fact wrong, that guy is toast. I don't think he will though.

• He also talked about how bizarre it was to meet famous people who were his fans. I loved his story about Eli Wallach waving his cane at him in greeting. How funny to be adored by your idols!

• Mankiewicz also told a few stories about the recently departed Mickey Rooney. He talked about his infamous on-air interview with the actor where he got so wound up that he actually stood up! However, ever the professional, Rooney saw he'd run off the rails and let Mankiewicz steer him back on topic. He also told a touching story about Rooney's appearance on a TCM cruise. The actor relished meeting the passengers and was devastated when a fall forced him to cancel the rest of his onboard appearances. The two had a long talk, where Mankiewicz realized just how much Roooney lived to entertain, and how the limitations of old age frustrated and disappointed him. 

• In what would be a running theme for the day, Mankiewicz also noted the unique bond TCM's audience had with the network. It's true, who feels the way classic movie fans do about HBO or Showtime? 

Charles Tabesh, Senior VP of TCM Programming and Genivive McGuillicuddy, Managing Director, TCM Classic Film Festival wrapped up the event:

• The pair discussed how TCM discovered how devoted its viewers were with the rise of social media. They are very responsive to fan input and monitor comments on Twitter, message boards, etc. So if you have a strong opinion about programming or anything else, let it be known--they're listening.

• They consider the TCM Film Festival to be an extension of that online community.

• Tabesh said that the network is committed to providing programming that reflects all walks of life, from balancing attention to the sexes and different races to showing more international titles, which makes sense after the huge success of the world film-focused Story of Film series.

• I was also thrilled to hear that TCM is considering featuring a few kid programmers. What a great idea! I know a lot of classic film fans fell in love with the era at an early age.

• When asked about their greatest pleasures and challenges in previous film festivals, Busch mentioned how difficult it can be to find good prints of films and dealing with last minute schedule changes. He most loved the thrill of discovery fans experienced watching new-to-them movies at the festival. McGuillicuddy was most challenged by the many logistics of the event  and most loves the experience of watching a great film with an enthusiastic audience.

• When asked which guest they most wished to feature at the festival, both agreed they wanted Doris Day to make an appearance. I'm sure people would camp out to see her!

• Neither Tabesh or McGuillicuddy are concerned about the rise of new digital channels with a classic focus like GetTv, though they are monitoring the progress of these new networks.

• When asked if TCM would ever offer a stand-alone, online subscription service, the pair seemed reluctant to even comment. They acknowledged that they would need to consider the network's relationship with the cable companies when considering such a move.

• McGuillicuddy praised the festival technical team Boston Light & Sound Tech. I was amazed to hear this top-notch team actually removes digital equipment from theaters for the festival in order to make space for 35mm projectors. What an enormous task that must be.

I then headed over to Meet TCM: Special Edition at the gorgeous Grauman's Egyptian Theater. A panel of TCM staffers that stretched across the stage spoke about the network and TCMFF:

• One of the staffers mentioned the bond people form at TCMFF. There have even been people who have met their spouses at the event!

• They also discussed how much the Internet has changed the way TCM approaches the considerable research needed for programming. Instead of spending hours at the library with books, staffers can now find most of their information with a quick search.

• However, phone calls are still very important to TCM programmers, because most of the talent are not plugged in to email and social media. That doesn't mean that none of them are though; one staffer mentioned that she had recently received an email from Eva Marie Saint. I'm not a bit surprised that gal knows how to stay with the times.

• In the early years of the network, classic stars and their family members were wary of TCM's requests for interviews and other appearances. It took about five years for the network's reputation to put these stars at ease and even make many eager to participate in programming. 

• Ann Bancroft was a huge early fan of the network, but she didn't have the channel at home. Instead, she would call a neighbor with her flick picks every week and get them recorded. 

• Now TCM is maintaining relationships with several stars, including nurturing a relationship with Doris Day that they hope will lead to an appearance on the channel or TCMFF. They seem to have some hope this could happen since Day's recent audio interview with Robert Osborne was such a success. This lovely conversation can be found on the Watch TCM app.

• Speak of that app: apparently director Francis Ford Coppola couldn't get it to work. When TCM staffers helped them to get it running, he sent champagne in thanks.

• The group also spoke of how they revered Robert Osborne, who is now almost as much of a star as the people he interviews. I can remember who said it, but someone on the panel mentioned that his experiences in the entertainment industry and as a film fan put him "on a trajectory to come to this network." It's true. I can't imagine how he could be better suited for the job.

• I loved the stories the panel members told about Maureen O'Hara. Apparently she has very protective grandchildren, who were very particular about the way their beloved grandmother was transported to the festival. When her grandson tried to cancel her appearance because he didn't like her accomodations, the still quite feisty O'Hara told him that she was determined to attend.

• One of the things that most impressed me about this group was the dedication all staff had to TCM and Turner Broadcasting. Each of them state how long they had been with the network and the range was from 13 to over 20 years, before TCM had even launched.

After the panel, I walked over to the Hollywood Museum to check out Gods and Monsters, a talk with monster make-up genius Rick Baker and director Joe Dante. 

I admit I only attended with mild curiosity, more excited about checking out the museum afterwards than hearing the discussion, but it ended up being fascinating. Both men have been in love with monsters and movies their entire lives. 

Baker didn't even know if what he wanted to do was a job, but he didn't leave himself any other options. He had to succeed. I found that so inspiring. I also loved Baker's long, silver-white hair. It was the same color as his white dress shirt! 

It was a funny, interesting talk, and it taught me that at TCMFF, sometimes it's best just to show up to a panel, or even a movie, and just see what happens. Discovery is just as important as seeing your favorite things. 

It was also great fun to check out the museum afterwards. It wasn't very big, but it was packed with loads of costumes and props. My favorite part was seeing Mae West's costumes. My goodness she was a curvy woman!

More to come! Movies! Special guests! This is the most amazing event. I can't wait to share the rest of my experiences.

Quote of the Week

The secret of Chaplin is that he can be anyone. That is his problem. The secret is a devastating one. For the man who, with a flick of a finger or the blink of an eyelash, instantly transforms himself into absolutely anyone is a man who must, in his heart, remain no one.

-Jorge Luis Borges

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TCM Film Festival 2014 and Classic Movies Now on Instagram!

Hard to believe I will be flying to Hollywood tomorrow for my first time attending the TCM Classic Film Festival. As a credentialed member of the media, I'll be sharing fun photos and tidbits throughout my trip. Most of my coverage during the festival will be on my social media accounts, and particularly Twitter. After the festival, I'll follow up with more in-depth posts about what I experienced.

For those of you who simply want a photo gallery view of the festival, I will also be posting on Instagram for the first time. You can follow me here: kcclassic or use the handy icon right under the Classic Movies banner. I'm looking forward to giving you an armchair view of the festival!

I have been over the festival schedule so many times that I may have committed it to memory, and I think I have finally decided on my first choices. Of course, I know I may not be able to make it to all of these, but I hear that my chances are good to get into most, if not all of the things I want to see.

My primary focus: appearances by stars I admire, because Mickey Rooney's death has reminded me that, as morbid as it sounds, some of these stars could be appearing for the last time.

My top choices so far:

Thursday

I want to check out the Meet TCM event and of course the opening night party. I'm also hoping to check out the poolside screening of American Graffiti. I'm considering Johnny Guitar as well. That would be gorgeous on a big screen.

Friday

After reading, and loving, Scott Eyman's new biography of John Wayne, seeing the early showing of Stagecoach is a must. I can't wait to see it again; it's been a long time. Then I am looking forward to seeing Grey Gardens. I'm sure it will be an amazing experience to adore the two Edies with an audience. I also want to see Margaret O'Brien at the screening of Meet Me In St. Louis. I think this is going to be a popular one.

Then I might try to catch some of A Conversation With Quincy Jones in Club TCM, as he is from Seattle, my hometown. I might need to eat too though. The problem is, there's not really much time for that or potty breaks. Then it's on to Why Worry? with Harold Lloyd.

I'm also considering seeing Employee's Entrance as it is one of my favorite pre-codes. To top off the night: a midnight screening of the eerie, and strangely funny, Eraserhead.

Saturday

I'm hoping to cover the Jerry Lewis handprint ceremony. We'll see! I may be trying to grab a glimpse from afar. Then maybe Godzilla or I Remember Mama (they don't lack for variety at TCMFF). My big goal is to see Maureen O'Hara at the screening of How Green Was My Valley. I also want to check out Kim Novak before Bell, Book and Candle, one of my favorite movies. I'm sort of curious to see Jerry Lewis and The Nutty Professor, but I've been a fan of Novak for so long. Then I plan to finish the night with a movie that always makes me laugh: The Women.

Sunday

I haven't got much planned for the last day of the festival. Alan Arkin is a must-see, both his interview for Live From The TCM Classic Film Festival and in his Oscar-nominated performance in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. My plans could change when those TBA films are announced.

I'm also really looking forward to meeting as many film fans as possible, from the bloggers I already plan to meet, and those I have read for years, to all those lovely surprises that you can count on when thousands of people who love the same thing gather together.

It's going to be great fun, and I hope I can make it a good time for those of you who will be reading along at home. I know that can be fun too, and I hope I can add to your enjoyment!

Don't forget to follow kcclassic on Instagram!

Quote of the Week

People identify with me, but they dream of being John Wayne.

-Jimmy Stewart

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Five Reasons I Dig Jerry Lewis

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As I wrote in my post about Jerry Lewis' rings last week, TCM's announcement that it would be honoring Jerry Lewis at its 2014 film festival inspired me to learn more about this legendary comedian.

After seeing several Jerry Lewis movies, checking out lots of random clips online, and reading the comedian's memoir of his relationship with Dean Martin, I get why people call him a genius. Lewis has worked hard to perfect his craft, but he was also born to entertain. He's got this remarkable confidence in himself, like he's telling the audience he's in command, and not to worry about things getting too out of control. And yet seeming out of control is what can make him exciting to watch.

The thing that always turns me off about Lewis is his mugging. Sometimes that still drives me a little mad, but his idiot faces and squeaky voice can also be the funniest thing about him. It's the part of his comedy that catches you off guard. He just goes for it. Sometimes he falls flat, sometimes it's the funniest thing you've ever seen.

I think that's why he and Dean Martin were such a popular team. Their act was pretty much Lewis jumping off a cliff and building his wings on the way down (to paraphrase Ray Bradbury). That created unbearable tension for the audience, but Martin just stood there being amused, which made it all funnier. They couldn't quite capture that same energy on the budget-conscious sets of Hollywood, I don't think anyone could, but they came close many times.

For the most part, I still find Lewis' films uneven. I think he was just meant to be a live performer, where he can balance meticulous planning with the kind of improvisation that can only be inspired by the wild energy of a crowd. Still, I appreciate that he is a versatile talent, and he has made me laugh out loud plenty. There are lots of things I've come to admire about Jerry Lewis, here are a few that strike me the most:

His Musical Pantomime

Lewis got his start comically lip-synching to records on any stage that would have him. So it doesn't surprise me that he knows how to time comedy to music. I think he's at his best when he's a silent comic in general, and particularly when he's got a good tune to jive to. My favorite example is his wordless tirade to an empty boardroom, scored by Count Basie's Blues in Hoss' Flat, in The Errand Boy (1961):



This legendary routine has inspired all sorts of imitations. Check out how many highschoolers and young actors have posted videos of their renditions on YouTube. My favorite version is from The Family Guy.

Other great Lewis pantomime: his also-influential typewriter routine from Who's Minding the Store? (1963) and the orchestra scene from The Bellboy (1960)

His Physical Humor

There have been so many times that I've been about to give up on a Lewis flick when he gets me back with a simple movement: a double take, a flailing limb or most often, by just falling suddenly. You have to be in pretty good control of your body to look this out of control:



His Voice

Lewis is most famous for what he calls his "Idiot voice"--that high pitched squeal with the heavy New Jersey accent. Sometimes that whole monkey boy act drives me mad, other times it's just so bizarre that I can't help laughing. But the thing that really intrigues me is when he switches to his regular voice, which is smooth, warm--almost seductive. Sometimes he moves between the two voices in one scene, as he does in the clip from Geisha Boy (1958):



His Love for Dean Martin

Long before the birth of the gag-worthy term bromance, Lewis had the deepest platonic love for Dean Martin. You can actually see how much he loved him on the screen. There's a moment in the last scene of The Stooge (1952) where he sort of jumps into Martin's arms and gives him this affectionate nuzzle. It's like watching a boy and his puppy. These two had a complicated relationship, one that we will probably never fully understand, but I have no doubt that Lewis adored his partner, no matter what they went through.

The clip below is a famous television moment, where the two reunited on Lewis' Muscular Dystrophy telethon twenty years after the unhappy dissolution of their partnership. It's kind of an awkward moment, but you can see that Lewis is clearly thrilled to see his old partner:



His Stand-up

This is where Lewis really shines, because being in front of an audience allows him to create chaos in the manner that made him famous. He knows how to play the crowd, bringing them up and down as he pleases and with unwavering confidence. Just look at his entrance here, he's being the performer that people expect, but the way he does it is delightfully surprising:

Book Review-- John Wayne: The Life and Legend

John Wayne: The Life and Legend
Scott Eyman
Simon & Schuster, 2014

I've always admired John Wayne's performance in the corrupt cop crime flick Brannigan (1975). It's not even close to his best movie, Wayne admitted that himself, but it demonstrates beautifully what made him great. Here he is in poor health, jumping into a new genre to juice up his image, and he owns it.

Wayne and Diane Muldaur in McQ (1974)

I especially love a scene near the end where he runs up a flight of stairs and storms into an office, out of breath, literally holding onto the door jamb for support. He breaks into this huge grin and, in that unmistakable cowboy drawl, says "knock knaaawck" to the villain. It's a great movie star moment. His charisma trumps every challenge the production, and life, has thrown at him.

Everything about John Wayne was and is big. This is a man with an airport named after him, who elevated and became the face of the western and who was for many a symbol of America itself. Even people who don't care for the kind of film he made, or who loathe his unyielding conservative politics, loved and continue to love him. If he didn't dominate with his handsome face and 6'4" frame, his charm and determination took up the slack.

In his scrupulously detailed biography of Wayne, Scott Eyman unpeels the many layers of this simultaneously complex and straightforward legend. He captures every aspect of his life, from the personal to the blindingly public.

An impressive number of interviews with family, friends and co-workers lend an added richness to the better-known details of Wayne's life. These reminisces can be repetitive, you hear over and over about the screen cowboy's remarkable strength, temper and passion for playing, and sometimes cheating at, chess, but the overall effect is of establishing, and then reinforcing, the essence of the man.

The young cowboy. With Marsha Hunt, 1937.

Unpretentious, and gifted with a common touch, Wayne never forgot his modest beginnings in Winterset, Iowa. He came up through the movie industry from the bottom, and knew very well what it felt like to support the stars. As a college student, he made tuition money as a prop man. This led to a series of bit parts, and a ten year run as the star of cheapie western serials, what Wayne called the television of his day.

Cranking out flicks six days a week was grueling. Wayne was making a living, but he was ambitious. A friendship with director John Ford led to his casting the young actor in Stagecoach (1939). That was all it took to make him a star in a genre he would continue to mold for an entire career. Wayne would be forever grateful to Ford for his belief in him. He would take abuse from the director with a nonchalance that stunned his co-stars and crew members, who were outraged on his behalf.

One of the most common claims made about Wayne is that he wasn't much of an actor, because he always played himself. Eyman concedes that the star did craft a persona which suited his values and reflected much of his true personality, but also shows how that was simply a starting point for a diverse group of characters. The real Wayne was rarely obscured by his roles, but he worked hard to craft distinct performances with a combination of skill, strong work ethic and an instinct for knowing what worked on the screen.

The iconic cowboy. Rio Bravo (1959)

Wayne may have been born to perform, but he was a disaster as a businessman. He lost a few fortunes until his son Michael Wayne took over his affairs and steered his production company Batjac to long-term success. The details of his business affairs weigh down the narrative a bit, but overall the story of how the Duke maintained control over his career and enduring respect in the industry is unusual and fascinating. Not many stars were able to steer their own projects the way he did.

Eyman packs his text full of stories of Wayne's daily life, giving a good feel for what it was like to be in his presence, something he actually managed himself before the actor's death. Some are elaborate, others just brief moments. He weaves these elements together well, crafting a portrait rather than just throwing together juicy tidbits.

You can see the way Wayne's persona remained the same in essence, but was subtly altered throughout the years, adapting to changes in his life and the world around him. He didn't always adapt well, but because he was sensitive to other people and their reactions to him, he never totally lacked self-awareness. It is this mixture of down-to-earth compassion and personal complexity that made him intriguing to his audience and is why he is admired to this day.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing a copy of the book for review.