John Garfield Family Man

With that huge chip on his shoulder and the "mad at the world" attitude which defined most of his characters, John Garfield hardly ever gave the impression of being a family man.  If we base our perception of Julie the man upon the films of John (as we often do), we would come away thinking that he was hard, cynical, angry, and unloving all his days.  And yet, he really did wear the "family man" hat on occasion...there really was a loving husband and father in him.

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!

We Live Again (1934)

We Live Again, starring Fredric March and Anna Sten, is a 1934 period drama based on Leo Tolstoy's novel Resurrection.  Fredric March is Dimitri, a Russian nobleman, who is getting caught up in the beginnings of socialism.  He believes in equality of persons, and thus, he spends the bulk of the summer enjoying the company of Katusha (Anna Sten), a beautiful peasant girl who works for his family.  Although Dimitri and Katusha are very much in love, by summer's end, they separate, as Dimitri must pursue military training.

Over the next two years, Dimitri's views change, and by the time he returns home, he is not the same man he was before.  He does still desire Katusha, though, and in short order, seduces her.  The morning after their interlude, Dimitri rides away and out of Katusha's life, leaving nothing behind but an envelope with a piece of money contained within.

Katusha is humiliated and devastated by Dimitri's actions.  Soon, though, she discovers that she is pregnant, which makes her situation even worse, for the royals dismiss her from her position. Driven from her home and job, Katusha falls onto very bleak times and, ultimately, finds herself on trial for murder.  It is at that point that Dimitri re-enters her life.



As already noted, this movie is based on Leo Tolstoy's novel Resurrection.  Some might think that you would need to be a Tolstoy fan in order to enjoy this movie.  I don't find that to be the case.  I actually don't care for Tolstoy.  War and Peace is a huge challenge for me to get through, and I have never been able to get through Anna Karenina.  I've never read the novel on which We Live Again is based, but I definitely enjoyed the movie...I even found myself getting misty-eyed on a couple of occasions.  Two warnings, though...first, the ending is highly unrealistic.  Second, there is a scene in the church about 25 minutes into the movie that was far too long, in my opinion.  It went on for about three minutes, and I very nearly gave up on the movie at that point.  But I persevered through the boredom...and I'm glad I did. Although this isn't an excellent movie by any means, I think it's a solid 3 stars (more like 3.5) and definitely worth watching.  Fredric March gives his usual terrific performance, and Anna Sten, who I'm not overly familiar with, is lovely and very good in her role.

By the way, there is a very strong socialist message in this film, but don't let that deter you from seeing it. It's more a beautiful love story and a story of repentance than anything.  The film is out on DVD, so it should be easy enough to track down.

Happy viewing!!

Body and Soul (1947)

A discussion of John Garfield's career would be incomplete without mention of Body and Soul, the noir-ish 1947 boxing drama for which he received his only lead actor Academy Award nomination. As such an important film in his career, it ought to have been highlighted in the recent blogathon---and it was scheduled to have been included.   In the end, however, the blogger scheduled to highlight that film was unable to participate; thus, I have re-worked my 2-year old review of the film, in order that Mr. Garfield's centennial year see a spotlight on that all-important film here at They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To.

A 5-star film for me, this 1947 Robert Rossen noir, which won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing, explores the corrupt world of professional boxing.  Also starring Lilli Palmer, this film features Anne Revere, Canada Lee, Hazel Brooks, and William Conrad in supporting roles.

The son of a candy store owner, Charlie Davis (John Garfield) wants big things out of life.  Telling his mother (Anne Revere) that he doesn't want to end up like his father---just getting by---Charlie sets out to pursue a boxing career, and he soon wins an amateur boxing championship.   His mother, however, doesn't approve of her son behaving like an animal, and, wanting him to be something worthwhile, she begs Charlie not to pursue such a career.  Initially, Charlie complies with his mother's request; however, when his mother is forced to seek charitable relief after his father's death at the hands of gangsters, Charlie changes his mind.

With the encouragement of his girlfriend, Peg (Lilli Palmer), who tells him to fight if he wants to fight, Charlie goes on the prizefighting circuit and finds great success.  Before long, wealth and lavish living come his way, but they come with a price---his very soul.   With a corrupt manager dictating his every move, Charlie not only refuses to listen to the warnings of his family and friends, but he also postpones his wedding to Peg, and as he gets in deeper, Charlie finds himself having to enter the ring with men of questionable health and even to throw a fight if told to do so.  Saying brutally unkind things to his mother and Peg, he pushes them away.

As Charlie is about to fight in the championship---a fight he has been instructed to lose---he becomes aware that the people in the candy store neighborhood---despite being poor--- have bet on him...not so much for the money but as a way of saying they are proud of him.  With this crisis of conscience, Charlie enters the ring.  Will he do what he's told and throw the fight?  Or will he defy the powers-that-be, give the fight his all and, thus, regain his self-respect?  Those are the questions which play out in the remainder of the film.



Body and Soul is an interesting, exciting film, featuring great performances by all.   This is one of John Garfield's most brilliant performances.  (I think he was almost always brilliant in his portrayals.)  He brings incredible realness and passion to this role.  Because of a heart condition, Mr. Garfield was usually under doctors' orders to take things easier, but determined to do his own fight scenes and not rely on a double, he ignored the advice and took "sparring lessons from Mushy Callahan."  His preparation for the role only added to the film's incredible realism.  It is absolutely no surprise that he received a Lead Actor Academy Award nomination for his work here.

Anne Revere was terrific; the scene in which she humbles herself to ask for welfare relief is particularly poignant.

Lilli Palmer---lovely as always--was very good and believable in her role as well, and she and Mr. Garfield had great chemistry with one another.

Even William Conrad, as one of the boxing "heavies," was great, as was Canada Lee, in his role of Charlie's opponent-turned-friend.  Beyond the acting, was the gritty realism of the boxing ring and the corruption of the sport.  Interestingly, at the time of the film's release, the corruption in professional and amateur sports---especially boxing---was under investigation and receiving much press coverage.

Two other boxing movies which I also greatly enjoy are The Set-Up, (starring Robert Ryan, reviewed HERE)  and City for Conquest (starring James Cagney, reviewed HERE).  All three films ought to satisfy the boxing enthusiasts out there.  Body and Soul is out on DVD and should be fairly easy to track down. For Garfield fans, it's an absolute must-see.

Happy viewing!!

Happy 100th Birthday, John Garfield!!

Happy 100th birthday to one of my most beloved actors---the sensational John Garfield. (March 4, 1913 - May 21, 1952)

A child of the New York streets, John Garfield's early years were troubled; and yet it was that very troubledness which brought about the man being celebrated today.  Born Jacob Julius Garfinkle---and called Julie all his life---Mr. Garfield was the first child of impoverished first-generation Americans, David and Hannah Garfinkle.  After losing his mother at the age of seven, little boy Julie lived a revolving-door kind of life for the next several years, as he was passed from one relative to another.  Eventually, street gangs became his family, ditching school became his habit, and delinquency became his life.  Mr. Garfield said of himself, "If I hadn't become an actor, I might have become Public Enemy Number One."

In order to curb his delinquency, Julie was enrolled in a special school, one which catered to "problem kids."  The founder of that school--- Angelo Patri---held an educational philosophy different from all other educators; in addition to allowing for creative expression, he believed in a curriculum tailor-made for each pupil.  Of Mr. Patri, John Garfield said, "For a lost boy to be found, someone has to do the finding.  Dr. Patri found me, and for reaching into the garbage pail and pulling me out, I owe him everything.  The good things that came my way would not have been possible, but for that sweet, funny man." It was at Dr. Patri's school that Julie's penchant for acting was encouraged and allowed to bloom.  Seeing promise in the young man as he performed in one-act school plays, both Dr. Patri and the school's dramatics instructor, encouraged him to become an actor.  Eventually, with the goal of acting in mind, young Julie dropped out of high school in order to pursue instruction with a theatre group, for at that point in his life, theatre---not film---was where his sights were set.

Though Julie loved the stage and enjoyed many years of success there, working with such theatre greats as Otto Kruger, Claude Rains, Paul Muni, Lee J. Cobb, Clifford Odets, Franchot Tone, and Elia Kazan, eventually Hollywood came calling, and he signed on with Warner Brothers.  His first screen role, which reunited him with veteran stage performer Claude Rains, who offered advice as Julie transitioned into films, was in 1938's Four Daughters.  From his first appearance on screen, he brought with him that moody, cynical, outsider-looking-in persona which would follow him throughout the bulk of his career. Audiences were wild about him...and the anti-hero was born.

The 2-time Academy Award-nominated John Garfield was an amazingly gifted actor, giving a truly brilliant performance in nearly every single one of his 31* films.  I have no doubt that he was just as terrific in his stage performances as well.  It's too bad there are not films of his plays---I would love to see them.

Of Mr. Garfield's 31* films, I have seen all but four, and two of those I will be catching when TCM airs them on March 4th.  There is a bittersweetness to watching all 31* films; yes, I will have seen his entire filmography, but after that, that's it.  There will never be a new film to discover, and I find that to be very sad.  Here is a sampling of just a few of his films.

Pride of the Marines (reviewed HERE) is the film which began my love affair with Mr. Garfield.  As one who is passionately interested in all things related to the Second World War, I have long been on a quest to see all the (war) films made during the actual war years, and it was through that endeavor that Mr. Garfield entered my life.  Despite not having a clue who John Garfield was, I tracked this film down, and immediately, I was impressed.  His portrayal of U.S. Marine Al Schmid was completely terrific; I thought he was nothing short of spectacular and, thus, began seeking out more of his works.  As I did so, I became more enamored of this very under-appreciated actor, and he rapidly made the climb to "beloved" status on my favorite actor list.

The Breaking Point (reviewed HERE), which has the distinction of being my favorite Garfield film, is the second film adaption of Ernest Hemingway's To Have and Have Not.  According to Mr. Hemingway, "The Breaking Point was the best screen adaption of any of his novels....and Harry Morgan as written had never become anything beyond an idea, but John Garfield made Harry a person."  I call that high praise indeed!

The Breaking Point shows a bit of a loving, paternal side to the ordinarily rough-and-tumble, chip-on-the-shoulder John Garfield, which is one of the reasons the film strikes such a chord with me.  Due to the types of roles he usually played, such a soft side was rarely seen, which makes it difficult to imagine Mr. Garfield as a man capable of love, affection, and tenderness.  It's easy to imagine that he (the man, not the actor) was as tough and hard in real life as he was in most of his roles, yet The Breaking Point gives a tiny glimpse into that rarely-seen softer side.  I love the film for that reason. Plus, I love the character of Harry Morgan...and the way---as Mr. Hemingway said---John Garfield brought him to life.

Body and Soul (reviewed HERE) is the film for which Mr. Garfield received his only lead actor Academy Award nomination.  It's the story of a man who finds great success on the prizefighting circuit, yet the success comes with the price of his very soul. With a corrupt manager dictating his every move, our hero finds himself having to enter the ring with men of questionable health and even to throw a fight if told to do so.  After discovering that people in his childhood neighborhood---despite being poor---have bet on him in a fight he has been instructed to lose, he has a crisis of conscience and must decide if he will do what he's told and throw the fight or if he will defy the powers-that-be and give it all he's got.  Though all Mr. Garfield's performances were first-rate, his work here in Body and Soul is, easily, some of his absolute best.

Though John Garfield was one of many stars to make an appearance in the 1944 film Hollywood Canteen, the real Hollywood Canteen was much more important to him.  Even before Pearl Harbor brought about U.S. involvement in the war, Julie was part of a group of performers entertaining at bases in the Caribbean.  Finding great satisfaction in the endeavor, he came up with the idea that the film industry ought to have its own venue, right there in Hollywood...and, with the help of Bette Davis, the Hollywood Canteen was born.  Open nightly, the Canteen was a place where GIs rubbed shoulders with the movie stars, who served them refreshments and entertained them.  Garfield was quite the arm-twister when it came to booking acts at the Canteen, even managing "to break down the resistance of some of the veterans...Tracy, Cooper, Cagney."

Sadly, as the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) years dawned, Mr. Garfield got caught up in the ugliness of them.  Called to testify before the committee, he refused to name names in the hearings and, thus, found himself blacklisted in Hollywood.  Despite knowing that failure to give the committee what they wanted (names of those who might have Communist sympathies) would undoubtedly harm his career, he would not be budged.  While others might cave to the pressure, John Garfield did not, and the sad result was that he would pay with his career and, ultimately, his life.  While stage work was available, he was blacklisted in Hollywood and his film career was finished.  The stress of the blacklist---coupled with the bad heart he had had for most of his life---took its toll, and at the too-young age of 39, Julie succumbed to a fatal heart attack, leaving behind a wife, two young children, and thousands of grieving fans.  (He had a third child too; however, that first-born daughter died of an allergic reaction in 1945 at the age of 6).  Also left behind were 31* films, some of which are available on DVD, but many of which are not...making it very hard for modern audiences to have an opportunity to get to know this incredible actor...another tragedy in an already-tragic situation.

So, here's to you, Mr. John Garfield, on your 100th birthday.  You were a completely sensational actor who always gave a terrific performance.  I completely adore you and will always consider you one of my absolute favorite actors.  Even though you died nearly a decade before I was born, you live on through your wonderful films.  And, in the words of George Eliot, "Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them."  Since we have not forgotten you (nor will we ever!), you do, indeed, live on!  Thanks for enriching my life with so many incredible films!

This post is part of the John Garfield 100th birthday blogathon.  To read all the other wonderful entries, go HERE.


NOTE:  All information and directly quoted material are taken from Body and Soul: The Story of John Garfield, by Larry Swindell, William Morrow & Company, Inc., 1975.  All photos have been obtained from various online sources, mostly The Golden Age of Hollywood and Doctor Macro.  I do not claim any of them as my own.

* The 31 films does not include uncredited roles, nor Four Wives, which includes footage from the earlier Four Daughters.

John Garfield Blogathon---They Made Me a Criminal (1939)

Another film from that golden year of 1939 is They Made Me a Criminal, a vehicle which gives name-above-the-title billing to John Garfield and The Dead End Kids.  Directed by Busby Berkeley, this film sees Claude Rains, Gloria Dickson, and May Robson taking on supporting roles.  While some movie posters tout Ann Sheridan as a co-star, the reality is that she is an extremely minor player; in fact, she's dead within the first ten minutes.  They Made Me a Criminal is a remake of the 1933 Douglas Fairbanks, Jr./Loretta Young film The Life of Jimmy Dolan (reviewed HERE).

NOTE:  This review is part of the John Garfield 100th birthday blogathon.  To read all the other wonderful entries in the event, go HERE.

At a victory party following a fight, boxing champion Johnny Bradfield (Garfield) drinks to excess and finds himself involved in an altercation with a newspaper reporter.  After slugging the man, Johnny---completely drunk---passes out.

With Johnny out cold, his manager proceeds to get into it with the reporter, dealing a blow which leads to the man's death.  Anxious to cover his tracks, the manager---along with Johnny's girlfriend, Goldie (Ann Sheridan)---leaves the scene, knowing that the crime will then be pinned on Bradfield. The two of them end up being killed in a fiery car crash, and because the man was wearing Johnny's watch, his body is identified as that of Johnny.  However, police detective Phalen (Claude Rains), who is out to prove himself to the higher-ups, is quite sure Johnny is still alive, and he has every intention of finding him and charging him with murder.

When the real Johnny comes to and reads the newspaper account of what has happened, he has no choice but to go on the run.  After being warned to not use his fists lest he give himself away, Johnny takes on the name Jack Dorney and heads West.  Hopping freighters, as well as pounding the pavement with his feet, Johnny/Jack makes his way to Arizona, where he finds a welcome at a ranch for troubled boys.

The teenage boys (played by The Dead End Kids) have been sent by a New York priest to his sister's (May Robson) farm, where it is expected that kindness, responsibility, and hard work will rehabilitate them.  Johnny/Jack is put to work, and although his influence on the boys is initially a matter of concern, he eventually proves himself.  In fact, it's not long before the "look out for yourself" man wants to help the farm reverse its dismal finances.  When he sees an advertisement for an amateur fight, Johnny is willing to enter the ring for the prize money---despite the fact that he is a "wanted man" and really needs to keep a low profile.

Does Johnny go through with the fight?  Or, realizing the danger of being so visible, does he back out?  Does Detective Phalen, who has seen Johnny's picture in the paper, find him and take him back to New York to face a murder rap?  These are the questions which play out in the balance of this film.




Although listed on Mr. Garfield's filmography as his second film, They Made Me a Criminal, technically, is his third.  Blackwell's Island, the true second film to be made, was released a couple months after this one. With Garfield's debut performance in Four Daughters the previous year touting him as "the sensational new "find"---not of the year, but of the decade," Warner Brothers knew they had a mega-star on their hands; wanting to capitalize on that popularity while Four Daughters was fresh in the minds of audiences, they rushed They Made Me a Criminal ahead of the B-grade Blackwell's Island.  While Garfield had been billed seventh in Four Daughters, he was given name-above-the-title status in this film.

They Made Me a Criminal is a perfect vehicle for the talents of John Garfield.  He completely excelled in roles like this, and he was his usual wonderful self here.  The misunderstood, huge-chip-on-the-shoulder rebels are easily my favorite kinds of roles for Mr. Garfield.  Quite honestly, I love him like this!!  The Dead End Kids, who are normally so obnoxiously disrespectful that I can hardly stand them, were definitely more tolerable in this film.  Even Leo Gorcey wasn't as smart-alecked as usual.  According to Mr. Garfield's biography, Body and Soul, The Story of John Garfield, he enjoyed working with the Dead End Kids.

As for Claude Rains' portrayal of a New York detective---he felt he was dreadfully miscast for the role and begged to be let out of it.  Interestingly, however, Mr. Garfield felt that Rains "contributed the strongest performance" to the film.  Garfield was critical of his own performance---finding it "hollow"---and he would "deprecate the picture at every opportunity in later years."  Funny, I thought he was quite good in the role...maybe not his best performance, but certainly solid and very believable.

May Robson is completely delightful...especially in the fight scene.  What a fun grandma-type she is.  I love her spunky spirit!

This film is out on DVD, plus it is available in its entirety on YouTube, so you shouldn't have a problem being able to view it.   It's a solid, 3-star film...close to 3.5 stars.  I think it's a film all Garfield fans will want to see.

Happy viewing!!


NOTE:  All directly quoted material is obtained from Body and Soul: The Story of John Garfield, by Larry Swindell, William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1975)