John Garfield`and his wife Roberta (called Robbie) were married for over 17 years (from January 1935 until the actor's death in May, 1952). No, he was not a perfect husband, nor was he a faithful one, and at the time of his death, he was somewhat separated from Robbie. Yet, obviously, he had loved her deeply. At one point, he said "his favorite moment of the day came when he arrived from the studio and could plop himself on one of the loveseats and face Robbie, occupying the other one, to discuss the day's activities---with their bare or stockinged feet resting on the glass table." (From Body and Soul: The Story of John Garfield, by Larry Swindell) That little statement provides a wonderful image of a couple devoted to one another.
The Garfield union produced three children, Katherine, David, and Julie Roberta. The few photos I have seen of him in his capacity of "daddy" are among my favorite photos of him.
This photo is of first-born daughter, Katherine. It was taken in 1944, right after Mr. Garfield arrived back in the states from entertaining troops overseas for a month. What a precious photo this is...you can really see the love he has for this little girl (who looks so very much like her daddy). Tragically, the Garfields would lose Katherine in 1945, when she died suddenly of a severe allergic reaction. (I'm quite sure this is my all-time favorite photo of Mr. Garfield.)
Another photo with Katherine, riding bikes at their home. Of the little girl's death, some said "the loss had a lasting effect on Julie's personality, rendering him permanently gloomy, whereas he had been incapable of gloom in earlier times." Yet the tragedy also, one friend said, "somehow made Julie a better person." He was brought into a closer union with Robbie and also became a better father to David and to the little girl (Julie Roberta) who would soon be born. (From Body and Soul: The Story of John Garfield)
Regular readers of this blog know that The Breaking Point (reviewed HERE) is my favorite Garfield film, in large part because of the opportunity he has in that film to show both a romantically playful side and a loving, paternal side. Sherry Jackson, the actress who portrayed the younger daughter in the film, spoke about her experience working with Mr. Garfield.
"Most of all, I remember a long scene with John Garfield, who played my father. I was told he was a "Method" actor, but at that time I really didn't know what that meant. He had two daughters and one had died. When he looked at me, he was projecting his grief, but also his past joy - the whole experience of being a father. I told myself I knew he must have a daughter, as no one ever related to me like he did. His understanding, his performance - he had so much love and warmth towards the person I played...It's heart-wrenching. Totally genuine - an absolutely different aspect of his character, which made him more complex, so real."
(From the May 21, 2011 article "From Baby Sherry to Sherry Baby: My Memorable Afternoon with Sherry Jackson," by Mel Neuhaus---HERE)
While actor John Garfield may have been the cynical, hard-to-love rebel, the man within did, indeed, have a soft, caring side, and it is always touching to catch a little glimpse of it!