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Dennis
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No surprise here on the Golden Boy article..We need to somehow get into Robert Notts ear...or Kim Morgan..someone who really knows about John Garfield...I mean really nows about John GaRFIELDS LIFE...these people sho can make a difference...even a Robert Osbourne from TCM.
Just look at our Guestbook..there are only a few who write here..which is great..in other words we need to spread the word!!..but to gain recognition about Garfield... we need help from some people who I have mentioned..I would love to contact Julie Garfield..as a starting point and go from there...maybe she could get the ball rolling with Robert Nott and so on...
I am also so disgusted that our movie hero is so forgotton...can you imagine a play and movie role written for John Garfield to play...and then actually plays the role on Broadway...and this author who obviously didnt do his homework doesnt mention him...again we need to contact someone who is as interested in and passionate as we are concerning John Garfield who can make a difference...not someone whio is just interested in watching his movies and saying he was a great actor..he was much more than that as we know..lets put our heads together and get going on some recognition about John Garfield...the Great Actor that he was!!!
7 March 2012 - Dennis
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Lori
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Update. Julie Garfield copied the letter she wrote to the NY Times regarding the article on Golden Boy, and how her father's name was not mentioned. She also states this is the second time the NY times neglected to credit John Garfield. I guess someone wrote an article crediting Brando as the father of the Method style of acting. It's a perfect letter, and I just hope they print it. Just go to the John Garfield facebook page and you can read the letter yourself. From her letter she sounds tough when she gets mad, just like her father. I love it!
7 March 2012 - Lori
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Lori
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Hello everyone. I have an FYI. On the John Garfield facebook page, Julie Garfield wrote a little piece about a revival of Golden Boy coming to Broadway. She mentions that she read about this in the NY Times. The author of the article she writes neglects to mention that the part was written for my father, and he doesn’t even mention John Garfield when he writes about the 1952 production that her father produced and acted in, which won rave reviews. This production was the last thing Garfield did before he died of a massive coronary, after being hound by the HUAC monsters for nearly 3 years. I find it kind of strange that the one part he always had wanted to play since 1937 was finally his in the last year of his life. It’s like it was God’s final gift to him on earth. Ms. Garfield ends with; it would have been nice if the author would have mentioned my father’s name, and “I write this in remembrance of my father.” It made me sad to read this, and really sad for his daughter. However, it really doesn’t surprise me that this NY Times author didn’t mention John Garfield in his article. I mean, John Garfield is the most forgotten actor ever, right? No, I am not surprised, but I am angry and just about feed up with this kind of stuff happening. John Garfield never gets the credit he deserves; he deserves to be remembered and recognizes as not only one of our greatest actors ever, but has the actor who changed the “face” of screen acting on his own. He was the first student from the Method forms of acting make it big in Hollywood, not Brando, but Garfield. Personally I don’t think the author of the NY Times piece did his research. If he did then he would have realized that you can’t mention Golden Boy without at least mentioning the late and great John Garfield. Thoughts? Thanks.
7 March 2012 - Damascus, Oregon
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Karen
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Happy Birthday John. You died way to young 39 years old!!!!! I m still angry! The films you could have continued doing, I could only imagine. The "witch hunt" was about over and you were off their list... How I wish you could have held on! But the strain and hurt was too much for you.
We will not forget you!
Your our shinning star!
4 March 2012 - Pa
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Barbara
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Happy Birthday in heaven! I too checked TCM to see if any movies were scheduled today, ironically as I turned on the channel, there was a clip of Patricia Neal talking about the making of The Breaking Point and she said JG was a devine man and such great fun. She also said they filmed the picture right away without any rehearsels. The best part is Breaking Point will be on next Saturday morning at 7:30 am. I personally think its a very under rated picture, I thought it was great!
4 March 2012 - New York
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Dennis
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Great sentiments Lori and Lu...John Garfield on many occasions called himself a mug from the Bronx...he may have believed that...but he brought his NYC childhood to his acting style on the stage and to the movies. His street mentality never, ever left him. He had a boyish charm, a toughness inside and out....yet he had compassion, and dignity.
I have siad mny times Lori, I truly believe he was one of the greatest American actors of all time. He will one day get his due with modern audiences...a movie or mini-series...for now we have his movies and this board to always remind us just how great he was. Happy 99th birthday to John Garfield...a one of a kind actor..a terrific US citizen..who is my # 1 hero!!!
4 March 2012 - Hamburg NY
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Lori
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Happy Birthday Mr. Garfield. You were an amazing actor, a courageous man, a loyal American and a real star. Some have said that you are one of the most underrated, forgotten and underappreciated actors of all time. However we your fans know better. To us the realism, the force, the sensitivity and the vulnerability you brought to your acting is our found treasure that can never be forgotten. We cherish the performances you left us on film. The truth is John Garfield was one of the greatest of all actors that this country has ever produced. So it is with pride we say, he was an “American” actor, he was one of us, he belonged to us and we thank God for such a blessing. Rest in peace Mr. Garfield and know that your star continues to shine brightly down on us with a warm and beautiful glow.
4 March 2012 - Damascus, Oregon
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Lu
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This is Lu. I just wanted to take the opportunity to wish our BELOVED star, John Garfield or as Dennis refers to him as our HERO, a Happy 99th Birthday in Heaven on Sunday, his birthday, March 4. You will ALWAYS be in all our hearts and NEVER forgotten.
I just wanted to say also, that I just looked at the TCM website for that day, Sunday, March 4 and they are not doing a birthday tribute to him. Why am I not surprised.
I guess since, I think they did it last year and they did run his movies in August, I guess they feel they don't have to do it this year. Although, it would have given you a chance, Lori to see the ones that you were asking about. Again, maybe they wouldn't run those.
Happy Birthday, again to our dear John Garfield. May you rest in peace!!!!
2 March 2012 - Bergen County, NJ
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Lori
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Hi everyone. Interesting posts, thanks. Now that the Oscars are over I am thinking what you wrote Gary. Why wasn’t JG nominated for his performance in the Pride of the Marines? I agree with you that Warner’s Bros probably didn’t want to promote his performances because they knew he leaving. But didn’t he have an agent, and isn’t it the agent who promotes such “things” as Academy Award nominations? Any way it is such a shame he never won an Oscar, maybe that would have prevented his lack of recognition from the general public. I was watching “Guess Who is Coming to Dinner” the other day and I thought, my God, Spencer Tracy and Cecil Kellaway were alive in 1967, making this movie and they were both older than JG. Why couldn’t Garfield have lived longer, in 1967 he would have only been 54! So I say, damn the Grp A Streptococcus bacteria that started to damage his heart and double damn the HUAC monsters who caused the overwhelming stress that caused the fatal heart attack to a loyal American man.Dennis I agree with you, JG had a lot of courage to start his own production company so he could make superior films. Karen I have seen some clips from Saturday’s Children and what I have seen he looks like he could handle comedy has well as he did his dramatic roles, and yes he looks really cute in it even with the glasses. All of you guys are so lucky to live out east were JG was, and made some of his movies. I don’t think he ever traveled to Oregon. Dennis you mention that JG didn’t like Between Two Worlds, but a lot of people do like it, and I agree with you John it is a hidden gem. Someone over at the TCM mention Between Two Worlds in the “Suggest A Movie” section. Thanks to all of you for giving me you choices for a box set. My choices would be; The Postman Always Rings Twice, Body and Soul, and He Ran All The Way. I not sure what would be my fourth choice though. It is between, The Fallen Sparrow, The Pride of the Marines, or Four Daughters. Of course I haven’t seen all of his movies yet, so maybe I choice wait to make my choices. Thanks
27 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon
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Dennis
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From Robert Notts Book.."HE RAN ALL THE WAY"...page..118 /119...fter making BLACKWELLS ISLAND...THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL...DUST BE MY DESTINY.Warners set up his next film CASTLE ON THE HUDSON.. WHSIH WAS A REMAKE of Spencer Tracy's 20,000 years in Sing Sing....Garfield wasnt happy about it..but you have to work...one crictic said of John Garfield..."he is still in prison"...of course it was another tough guy prison meodrama.
I enjoyed this movie as i do all of his fims...but he wanted more...he wanted to play different parts...different scenarios...so Warners just didnt realize what they had...and continued to put him tough guy roles...Flowing gold...East Of The river....they offered him a bone with Saturdays Children whcih he loved making and he did a great job....so was the early days at Warners....supension after suspension!!
25 February 2012 - Hamburg NY
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Karen
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John
The ending of Force of Evil... Well the best way I can say it is that...
It stays hauntingly with me
Another great favorite pic!
Karen
24 February 2012 - Pa
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John
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My Four essential Garfield films:
Pride Of The Marines
Body And Soul
The Postman Always Rings Twice
Force Of Evil
Hidden gems:
Out Of The Fog
Dust Be My Destiny
Tortilla Flat
Between Two Worlds
They Made Me A Criminal
24 February 2012 - ny
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Dennis
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My four Garfield movies would be The Fallen Sparrow..Body & Soul...The Postman Always Rings Twice...The Breaking Point..I think Garfield is dynamic in all the above mentioned films.
In flipping through pages of Robert Notts book..Garfield said the one movie he really didnt care for was Between Two Worlds...Nott himself felt it was a bad movie..I will contitnue to put some neat little facts from the book in this Guestbook
24 February 2012 - Hamburg NY
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Karen
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John. You are so right about Out of the Fog!
Lori. I have Saturdays Children....his only comedy....he s as cute as a Teddy bear. I love the movie and also Dust Be My Destiny!
Fine performances by Garfield.
Did you see Flowing Gold with Frances Farmer?
He Ran All the Way is my favorite!
Pride of the Marines is second on my list!
Parts of Philly shown in the movie, which is my hometown. Every time I take the ride to NJ
I pass the train scene with the Art Museum in the background.... Also I have passed by many times the scene where JG and Eleanor Parker are at the gates of the Army base ( ending scene)
24 February 2012 - PA
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John
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If you really want to see Garfield play a bad guy, watch Out Of The Fog. He is a heartless, mean and egotistical thug in this film. A good actor can play all different types of roles.
24 February 2012 - ny
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Dennis
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As I mentioned before....Garfield was in no way interested in renewing his contract with Warners. He was put on suspension many times for refusing many of the cliche films...so what does our Maverick, young actor do??...he start his own movie production company!!!...at a time when the studio system was in full bloom was a NO NO!!...
This caused at furor with the major studio powers...and Garfield as he got older was becoming a terrific actor...this to caused problems for him toward the end because as Abe Polonsky, and his daughter Julie said the studios really threw him to the wolves (HUAC)...for they felt he tunred his back on Hollywood...when all he wanted was to make movies he thought were superior movies...and guess what everyone...there is no studio system today...thanks to people like John Garfield who had the courage to stand up and say...I am not accepting that role...and I am not renewing my contract...and better yet...I am starting my own prodution company...he was absolutely amazing!!!
24 February 2012 - Hamburg Ny
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Gary
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Lori, the 4 Garfield films I'd choose are some of the ones that are owned by Warners (or is that Ted Turner?), making them easier to assemble for a box set: FOUR DAUGHTERS; DUST BE MY DESTINY; PRIDE OF THE MARINES; and THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE.
24 February 2012 - USA
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Lori
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Hi everyone. Thanks John for suggesting the Hollywood Canteen. That one is on my list to see. And yes John, the Hollywood of the 1940s is quite different from the Hollywood of today. I just watched “They Made Me A Criminal” and I really liked it. It was fast moving, and the Dead End Kids were pretty good in it. Of course Garfield was very good in his role, as usual. Did he ever give a “bad” performance?. He was very young in Criminal, but you can still see that Garfield magic in certain scenes. I think as he matured his performances just kept improving, and I am sure he would have continued to improve & grow as an actor had he lived longer. What a shame, and how sad he left this world at such a young age. Another sad fact is the video store where I rent these films from does not carry all of his films. So who knows when I will be able to see, Blackwell’s Island, Dust Be My Destiny, Dangerously We Live, Nobody Lives Forever, and Saturday’s Children. I really want to see Saturday’s Children, just because it is I think his first and only comedy role. Have you all seen it, and what are your opinions on the film? I rented He Ran All The Way again because I think his performances in that film is truly brilliant. Only Garfield could play a tough criminal who allows the audience to see not only his toughness but his sensitivity, vulnerability and his loss as well. Yes, he is the bad guy, but before to long you are on his side, not on the side of the family he holds hostage. He wants so badly to belong to this family and find love that it is heart breaking because they won’t even meet him half way. He really brings it all together in a beautiful multi-layered performance. Lastly, this subject might have been brought up before, if so please forgive me. My question to all of you is, if you could choose 4 films of Garfield’s that would be part of a box set, which films would you choose? Please share your choices, I would really like to know. Gary, I really loved his performance in the Pride of the Marines as well. Another remarkable performance from a remarkable actor. Thanks.
24 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon
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Gary
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This time of year always reminds me that John Garfield wasn't nominated for an Oscar for his work in 1945's PRIDE OF THE MARINES. Strange, considering the overwhelmingly positive reception the critics gave the movie and Garfield's performance. I've read it was also the most successful Garfield movie Warners had at the box office. I suppose Warners wasn't inclined to generate support for a nomination after JG made it known he didn't intend to re-up with them once his previous contract ended. They were probably afraid he'd win the Oscar, making him an even more valuable asset for another studio he might sign with. And JG's lack of Star Ego would've prevented him from actively campaigning for a nomination. Oh well, at least PRIDE did make the New York Times Ten Best list that year. Interesting footnote: 6 years later, Arthur Kennedy was nominated (but didn't win) for his role in BRIGHT VICTORY. In it he played a blinded (fictional) soldier readjusting to civilian life. Kennedy was a fine actor and I'm sure he deserved the nomination, but I feel JG definitely did, too. And yes, PRIDE OF THE MARINES is my favorite John Garfield movie.
24 February 2012 - USA
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John
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Lori, may I suggest the film Hollywood Canteen. This movie shows Garfield's support for the troops. It is not about the plot here. But more all about the bevy of classic film stars that appear in this film.
Garfield and Davis showed great patriotism in starting up the Hollywood Canteen back then. Something severely lacking in today's Hollywood crowd.
22 February 2012 - NY
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