Book Reviewed: Leading Men by Turner Classic Movies

A look-back at the matinee idols of Hollywood (four stars)

This is definitely a collector’s book, compiled by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) that brings into life some of the most unforgettable leading men during studio era. They thrilled audiences, and the studios capitalized on their looks, and appeal during the golden age of Hollywood. The movie-fans got to see their favorite lead actors and relate personally with them. These men flirted, fought, loved, suffered, sang and danced in movies, and the viewers found joy and forgot their own insecurities in life.

Each of these men were unique in style; John Gilbert, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, and Frank Sinatra. All of them wanted to perform well and please the audience. But there were glitches in the early careers of some stars. Some studios had second thoughts about them. A Hollywood executive lamented about employing Fred Astaire: “Can’t act, slightly bald, also dances.” At Warner Brothers Studios, Darryl Zanuck complained about Clark Gable as “his ears are too big, and he looks like an ape.” Now this is all in history, and Hollywood made the best of these men and they became very productive for the film industry.

A brief summary of the book is as follows; the work of each actor in this book is narrated with a brief introduction to their movies, behind the scenes stories and a very short bio of about 50 leading men. Some of they are fascinating to read. New demystifying biographies say how strenuously icons like Cary Grant worked to fashion his glistening image as vigilant as any glamour girl. Few stars blazed as brightly or fell as precipitously as John Barrymore. He with his brother Lionel, and his sister Ethel Barrymore constituted “The Royal Family of Broadway” with John clearly the King. He commanded the box office. His role in the movie “Dinner at Eight” was clean reflection of his personal life. Humphrey Bogart was successful before he broke into movies and later became the leader of the Rat Pack, a group of drinking buddies who got together at Mike Romanoff’s Restaurant in Hollywood. Frank Sinatra was just a member and became its leader when Bogie passed away. Charlie Chaplin was well known for his political controversy. He often criticized the government, law-enforcement, and big business. He was disliked during WWII by largely conservative groups. After he returned from England in 1952, he was denied re-entry to the United States, and he retired in Switzerland. Even in 1972, a decision by the Academy to honor him was considered controversial.

Jane Fonda recalled later in her life that her father fell in love with actress Lucille Ball when they did the movie “Yours, Mine, and Ours” and would have liked to marry her in real life. Clark Gable, three years after the death of his wife Carole Lombard, and over studios objection joined the U. S. Army Air Corps distinguishing himself with wartime service. Lombard was largely responsible since she encouraged him to join the armed forces when she was alive. He returned to Hollywood and made big hits like “Mogambo” with Grace Kelly, and “Misfits” with Marilyn Monroe. Jimmy Stewart also distinguished himself serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps and he retired from U.S. Air Force as Brigadier General. This is highest rank by any Hollywood actor. He had a clause inserted in his movie contracts prohibiting from production companies mentioning his military service. Robert Taylor was once a successful actor and also husband of Barbara Stanwyck. He later became a friendly witness against his fellow men in Hollywood at the hearing House Committee on Un-American Activities to root out leftist and liberals from Hollywood. MGM later honored him by naming the writer’s building as Robert Taylor’s Building. In 1989, a group of writers successfully protested to have that name removed. John Wayne was another actor who wanted to serve in the military but an injury to his ear during the filming of “The Wild Wind’ in 1942 made him unfit to enroll in the armed forces. The Republican Party asked him to run for the presidency in 1968 but he refused saying that the public wouldn’t take him seriously.

There are numerous pictures in this book, but all are in black and white. My favorite pictures are; a rare picture of Barrymore brothers with sister Ethel Barrymore; a 1920s picture of Douglas Fairbanks with his son; a 1957 picture of Henry Fonda with daughter Jane and Peter; a 1959 picture of Doris Day and Rock Hudson; a 1920s picture of Rudolph Valentino and a memorable 1926 picture from the film “Son of Sheik.” This is certainly an interesting book to read, and recommended to readers interested in Hollywood history and classic films.