The John Garfield Guestbook

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Barbara | @

Thanks for the info, Dennis! I might try and catch that Pearson movie. I believe she is still alive! They're are hardly any Garfield female co stars left, Maureen O'Hara and Eleanor Parker would be the other two, I think! Any others? Beatrice Pearson was a little mousey to me, and I know what you mean about a different team, I read that too! I wonder how that sat with Garfield seeing what a ladies man he was!.... I know the scene you are talking about in Fallen Sparrow. JG actually got his whole face twitching, I wonder how he did that? I think that film was a turning point in Garfield's career. I wish they would show it a little more, so others would get to see it!

11 February 2012 - New York

Dennis | @

Beatrice Pearson made just a few movies. In Roberts Notts bio n Garfield..its says Pearson was tough to wrok with...very tempermental...she did not get along with Thomas Gomez...and they even had to shoot seperate scenes..as for a love interest for Garfeld they dint hit is off...she supposedly was not on the right team (if you know what I mean)..this according to the book. The only other movie she made worthwhile was Lost Boundries with Mel Ferrer. I watch scenes from The Fallen Sparrow..there is one scnece when he goes into a walk-in closet and he hears the drag of the villains foot...and that music..his face shows the torment of past torture...and then he voice overs the scence ..."all right it isint there...ok it is there what are you scared of"...just a terrific scene...one of my favorites.

11 February 2012 - Hamburg NY

Barbara | @

Thanks, Lori, Lu, John! I'm reading books on animals and the afterlife trying to come to grips with my beloved cat Sampson's death..... I'm glad you finally saw Force of Evil, Lori! I envy you in a way, you are just experiencing some of John Garfield's films for the first time. I think I was 10 years old when I first saw Force of Evil! I'm sure I didn't completely understand it. At the time, They Made Me a Criminal and Dust Be My Destiny was more in more grasp! As I got older, I came to love Force of Evil on so many levels! The dialoug, the smoldering sexuality of JG,( I love the exchange between Garfield and Marie Windsor when he tells her off in his office), and the scenes of downtown NY when JG is all alone on the streets running toward Trinity Church and most impressively the end scene where he is descending the steps to the pit of hell to find his brother's body! I heard JG handpicked Beatrice Pearson for the part, but she was a headache and hard to deal with in the film. Whatever became of her, I never saw her in another film, does anyone know, Dennis, John, Karen.....?

11 February 2012 - New York

Lori | @

Hi Barbara, I am so sorry about your cat. Just remember she had a wonderful life while she was on this earth because of you. Animals are such a blessing, because they love us unconditionally and I have particular fondest for felines.
I just saw “Force of Evil” last night and I thought it was great. Of course Garfield did a great job, and his eyes and facial expression when he see the newspaper about the shooting is beautiful. In the documentary on John Garfield, Scorcese comments about this scene as well, stating you know what he is thinking by doing very a little. He said that this film influenced him a lot. And the scene in “The Postman” when he first sees Lana is amazing! Again, I say, “What an actor he was.” Thanks, and take care Barbara.

11 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon

Barbara | @

Funny, we all seem to be baby boomers! I was born in 1952, 2 days after Garfield died. I too would have been one of the mourners at Garfield's funeral!....Right now, I'm very sad, my cat passed away yesterday, but I just had too comment on Garfield's facial expressions. Scorcese talks about Garfield's face in Force of Evil, especially when he realizes his phone is being tapped! I love the scene in Postman when he first sees Lana Turner, you see him make a slight gasp, as if she is literally taking his breath away!

10 February 2012 - New York

Lori | @

Hi everyone again. Thanks John for the “heads up” on the films of Garfield. I still haven’t seen “Force of Evil” but soon. I did catch “Gentlemen’s Agreement” and even though Garfield only had a supporting role, he did a great job with the role, and he was very poignant in many parts. The film to me was rather a sad movie, but with a hopeful ending. Dennis, I know I have seen “The Fallen Sparrow” twice and yes his facial expressions in it are so first-rate. What an actor he was! I agree with everything you wrote, and you are so right, there will never be another John Garfield! Oh, and hello fellow “Baby Boomer.” I was born in 1953, on March 12, a Pisces like Garfield.. I also wanted to let all of you know that I have been posting messages on TCM website. There was a subject thread called, “Tragic Hollywood Stories” so I posted about Garfield, and then mention why was there no “box set” of his films. I got some response of people saying, “Yeah why doesn’t he have a “box set?” So it is a start. I mean if Deanna Durbin and Esther Williams can have a “box set” why in world can’t they put one together for John Garfield? It really baffles me, and angers me at the same time.
Thanks.

10 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon

Dennis | @

First let me say Lori...I agree with you concerning Garfield's eyes, he says alot in his films with his eyes. Next time you watch The Fallen Sparrow...watch his acting hen he tormented and hears the drag of the villains foot. His mannerisims are priceless. He had substance...he had charisma...he had toughness....he had sensitivity...its called star power!!!

He was so good at his craft he made it look easy. I was born in 1951...but let me say...if I was old enough, I would have been one of those 10,000 peope who turne dup at the Amsterdam Funeral home for his memorial service...till the day I die I will always consider John Garfield one of the all time greats..and under appreciated actors of all time!!!There will never...ever be another John Garfield!!!

8 February 2012 - Hamburg NY

John

I forgot!

Tortilla Flat. John Garfield singing!

Two supporting JG roles, Gentlemen's Agreement and The Sea Wolf.Tremendous films with Peck and Robinson in the leads.

Humoresque, nice chemistry between Joan Crawford and JG.

Add in They Made Me A criminal. Claude Raines and The Bowery Boys, priceless.

Cary Grant with JG in Destination Tokyo another film worthy of a viewing.

8 February 2012 - ny

John

Force Of Evil is another B film but I think it is great. Filmed in NYC, it is a tremendous film. The interaction between "brothers" Thomas Gomez and Garfield is great. I believe this DVD has some commentary on it as well.

As far as acting is concerned. I believe the best are like Spencer Tracy. He once said, "less is more." Being natural is what it is all about. Garfield is like the average guy in every film. A person and an actor who the audiences could relate to on a personal level.

He did make some bad films. I would stay away from Blackwell's Island and Flowing Gold. The hidden gems of his I consider real good are Out Of The Fog, Between Two Worlds and Dust Be My Destiny.

Pride Of The Marines, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Force Of Evil and Body And Soul are the essentials to me.

8 February 2012 - ny

Lori | @

Hi everyone. Dennis, you are not kidding when you said that Warner Bros. misused Garfield. I rented “East of the River” and talk about a B picture. It was ridiculous that Jack Warner wasted such a great talent in some real “stinkers.” I mean please, that movie was pretty bad. I also saw “Castle on the Hudson” I thought that film was much better, and his acting in it was very good, especially toward the end when he is on death row. Garfield was able to say so much with just his face and eyes, and without saying a word. In his eyes you can see, fear, sadness, concern and love, and many more emotions I can think of right now. I think that ability along with others is what made him such great actor. Perhaps with the Method type of acting he had a lot of life experience to draw on to develop the characters he would portray. Even in still photos, you can see something in the eyes, a kind of sadness, except when the smile was present, and then his whole face would light up. “Force of Evil” is the next film I a scheduled to watch. Hey, is it just me of did Garfield say, “sure, sure” in a lot of his films? I started laughing because almost every film I have seen of his he says, “sure, sure” except for in Juarez. Barbara, I glad you were able to listen to that radio show of Garfield’s. Amazing how much effort he put into his acting even just for a radio show. But then I guess radio was big back then. Barbara, my cat Trevor is also fast becoming a John Garfield fan too. I posted that little tribute I wrote for John Garfield on his daughter’s face book page. I got a message today from her, she said, “Wow. Thank you.’ It was nice of her to send me a reply.
Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks.

8 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon

Dennis | @

Warners misused Garfield...although he made some fine films for them. Like I said before he was put on suspension numerous times for not accepting roles he felt were inferior. I know a Cagney / Garfield movie would have been fantastic to see. Whatever the reason...just a shame it never came to be.

4 February 2012 - Dennis

Gary | @

I've read that Warners viewed John Garfield as a junior James Cagney, and (unknown to Garfield) probably used him as a "threat" to Cagney when the older actor refused to take certain roles. This wouldn't have helped foster chummy feelings in Cagney towards JG.

4 February 2012 - USA

Barbara | @

I just listened to the JG broadcast, of course Garfield was wonderful. Thanks for the heads up on this program, I never knew it existed. It amazes me how much everyone knows about JG! In the nightmarish scene in the beginning of the show it was reminiscent of the nightmare scene in Pride of the Marines. I think it weighed very heavily on JG that he wasn't eligible for actual active duty!....Thanks for all the well wishes for my cat, though I don't know if he is going to pull another miracle out of hat! In his 16 years, he watched a lot of JG pictures with me, so he a a fan just like the rest of us!....On another sad note, RIP Ben Gazarra! I met him several years ago at a local theater where he was giving a talk about his career. He was also a student of Lee Strasberg and a big JG fan!...BTW, Robert DeNiro and Liza weren't smoking pot, they were snorting cocaine, though I'm sure those wild days are well behind them!

4 February 2012 - New York

Lori | @

Hi everyone. Well I stayed up and watch Juarez last night and I really thought Garfield did a pretty good job. I mean it wasn’t one of his best performance, but it was interesting to see him in a period piece, and I kind of liked the mustache and goatee look. He wasn’t as bad as I had read he was, and he hid his New York accent very well. The movie it’s self I thought was rather boring, something didn’t click especially with all those great stars in it. Paul Muni was virtually un-recognizable and I know Paul Muni and know he was a great actor, but I don’t think this was one of his best performances either. Dennis, I agree with you that Cagney was a great talent, and everyone knows and loves Cagney. It would have been super to see Cagney and Garfield in a film together. But, it sounds like Garfield would have liked it, but Cagney didn’t want it. I hate to say it, but maybe there was some jealously involved. I mean here was this young, good looking kid from New York who with his first film hit a “grand slam.” Please don’t get me wrong, as I said I love Cagney and Karen1, 2, 3 is a very funny movie, and I love him in Footlight Parade.
But we all have egos and sometimes it is hard to see and young fresh kid moving in on your area, so to speak.
Lu, here is the website for the radio show I was talking about in a previous post. Remember it is from 1943, right in the middle of WWII and from the introduction it sounds like Bataan had recently happened and it is mentioned that this is a repeat performance by John Garfield who originated the role. No pictures, just acting on the radio. It is not very long, and there is really lovely sound at the end. They really supported the troops back then.
So, just copy and paste the website address below to the address bar of your internet page and hit enter. It should then come right up. Hope you enjoy it.
http://www.meredy.com/johngarfield/John%20Garfield%20-%20I%20Wonder%20If%20They%20Know.mp3

4 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon

Karen

Each Dawn I Die is excellent!
I loved George Raft. He accepted the fact that he made bad movies choices by turning down some
excellent movies like Casablanca, but was able move on with his life and enjoy it. A friend of mine saw him back in the 60s in Cuba .... Raft loved to gamble!
Cagney is one of my favorites!
Like Dennis said a very versatile actor... One of the best!
A not to familiar movie of his, but one I think is funny is 1,2,3.

Cagney and Garfield we could only imagine
how good they would have been together!

Karen

3 February 2012 - Pa

Hi, this is Lu. I haven't been posting too much because as I have previously posted, I have been busy taking care of my husband who is nicely recovering from a recent illness and also taking care of our house. But I had to post this. I am so enjoying the postings that have recently been posted. Everybody's views are VERY interesting. I am SO enjoying them. I am learning new information every day.

And as Barbara mentioned in a previous posting, thank you Lori, you in a way brought this website "back to life". I am learning SO much more about our beloved star.

Also Lori, you mentioned a link, could you please post it, I would love to see it. Hopefully because I still have dial-up, it would come up on my computer.

Also, Gary, you mentioned something about James Dean's movies all being in color and John Garfield's were in black & white. I brought that up previously and thought that was a downer but somebody else posted that that gave a movie "character" or something to that affect.

I forgot to mention also, Barbara, I am sorry about your pet. My sister, also had pets and they got sick and since passed away. My neighbor has 2 dogs that are like her children so I know how you feel. My heart goes out to you. But at least your pet had a wonderful owner like you for all those years.

One thing I was surprised, Barbara, you mentioned that when you were little, you walked in on Robert DeNiro and Liza Minneli smoking marijuana. I don't know why I am surprised because I know that celebrities do that.

3 February 2012 - Bergen County, NJ

Dennis | @

I have talked about this before. I find it quite interesting. John Garfield came to Warners in 1938, as a young actor he very much thought of James Cagney as a great actor among others. Warners had ideas of pairing Garfied with Cagney. WOW...can you imagine that. One movie which I watched last weekend was Each Dawn I Die. This was another typical Warner social gangster prision drama.

In it Cageny plays a reporter who gets framed and sent to prison where he meets George Raft who plays the gangster. The original premise was to have Garfield play the reporter, and Cagney the gangster...Cagney nixed that...Cagney for what ever reason didnt want Garfield in the picture...and they never made a movie together...which really bothered Garfield...they would see each other on the studio lot...or at Warner functions....but never became friendly.

I find this a shame even after all these years. I love James Cagney, he to me was a tremendous versatile actor. Their teaming would have been great to see. In Larry Swindells book on Garfield...it is hinted that Cagney may have felt a little of that professional ego about working with a young..tough guy from the Bronx...I guess we will never know.

3 February 2012 - Dennis

Lori | @

Hey. If anyone reads this FYI Juarez is on tomorrow morning at 5am, 2am my time. I have never seen it, but I have heard that it isn't JG greatest role, but still want to see it. Also, on the 15th at 1pm is Air Force.

Thanks

2 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon

ROCKY | @

HI EVERYONE,,IT'S BEEN AWHILE,,HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH EVERONE,,,,I JUST FINISHED A BOOK WRITTEN BY MY FAVORATE SINGER..PATTI SMITH CALLED " JUST KIDS"..IT WON THE NY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR. AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SHE SAYS IN THE BOOK, WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG,LIVING IN BROOKLYN, SHE SAID HER AND HER GIRFRIEND USED TO TO TO SEE EVERY JOHN GARFIED AND GEORGE RAFT MOVIE..I WAS SURPRISED ABOUT THAT. ROCKY

2 February 2012 - BROOKLYN

Lori | @

Hi everyone. Dennis you are right the inscription on the back of his watch was, To our “Golden Boy” from Robbe and Kat, March 4, 1939. Very sweet gesture from his wife I assume. After I posted that question I finally got to watch “The John Garfield Story.” My husband bought me The Postman Always Rings Twice DVD, and under the special feature section was his story. I noticed that they showed the watch inscription, so I realized most of you probably knew the answer. I really enjoyed the JG Story, and thought his daughter did a great job narrating it. I found it sad in parts though. Of course it very sad to see someone so talented and so full wonderful potential lose their life at such a young age. Sad for all of us who were denied all amazing performances he would have given us. Gary, I think your assessment of Dean’s continual “cult” popularity makes a lot of sense. And, sadly you are probably right about the general population regarding “black and white” films. Barbara it would be great if Scorcese could be persuaded to do a film about Garfield’s life.I am very sorry to hear about your cat. We had to send our Sassy to heaven last year. It broke our hearts, but she was 17 and not doing real well. We now have only happy memories of her though.
Lastly, I want to share with all of you a little treasure I found on the internet. (Maybe you “old” JG fans have heard it, if so I apologize.) It is a radio program called “I wonder if they know” done in 1943. The title refers to the soldiers’ question, if the folks back home know what it like here in the war for us. Garfield plays a soldier who is severely wounded and his acting (voice only obviously) is just remarkable. He gives his all to this part, and it is quite moving. If you haven’t heard it I would strongly encourage you to look it up and listen or I could put the link up here if anyone wants me too. It just really “blew me away.” What a extremely talented man he was!

2 February 2012 - Damascus, Oregon

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