#al schmid

[johngarfieldtribute]

Julie doing “stuff” with famous people (18th post)

Julie and Lana Turner soakin’ up the sun 😎between scenes of THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE.

AND…sweating it out indoors during the same film.

Julie at the Warner Brothers commissary dining with his former acting teacher, Maria Ouspenskaya. A guy’s gotta have his milk!

Julie with Bette Davis and conductor, Leopold Stokowski at the Hollywood Canteen.

In the first Hollywood Players radio program, Rex Harrison, Julie, Gregory Peck and others present flowers to Bette Davis after her performance of a one-act play based on Charles Dickens’ “The Old Curiosity Shop” in 1946.

Julie and the others react to something Gregory Peck says.

Julie and Ramon Novarro being filmed in a scene for WE WERE STRANGERS.

Julie confers with Ruth and Al Schmid regarding PRIDE OF THE MARINES, a story about Schmid’s heroism during WWII.

Julie is part of an FDR White House celebration along with Red Skelton and Lucille Ball.

Love the way he and Lucy are holding hands.

[johngarfieldtribute]

A Golden Boy…a TRUE American Hero.

Adam McKay’s DEATH ON THE LOT podcast, episode 3 features John Garfield unjust framing by HUAC.

The guests on the podcast are ALL the people I would have selected to interview: daughter, actor and artist, Julie Garfield; authors, Robert Nott and Isaac Butler, and also a surprise—actor, Lee Grant one of the few remaining to be blacklisted in Hollywood in the 50’s. Excellent commentary by all. Good on you, Adam McKay and team!

The Red-Baiting of a Golden Boy | Episode 3 | A new generation of actors questioned the status quo; a rattled establishment fought back; dire consequences ensued. We’re talking John Garfield, Hollywood’s first method actor. LISTEN

"When I was originally requested to appear before the committee, I said that I would answer all questions, fully and without any reservations, and that is what I have done. I have nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to hide. My life is an open book. I was glad to appear before you and talk with you. I am no Red. I am no pink. I am no fellow traveler. I am a Democrat by politics, a liberal by inclination, and a loyal citizen of this country by every act of my life.”

—John Garfield’s statement before House Un-American Activites Committee (HUAC) on April 23, 1951.

All Julie wanted to do was what he did best: ACT. They took everything away from him. Despite that, he held his street cred. He gave away not a single name during his testimony. No ratting on friends and associates from Julie. Badass.

The others involved: Shameful. Shocking that Julie’s life and livelihood could be toyed with so heartlessly and carelessly. This was a man who did so much for his country. How could the ruthless, power hungry politicians ignore these examples of John Garfield’s patriotism?

During WWII, he cofounded—after bringing the suggestion to Bette Davis—the Hollywood Canteen. The Canteen operated from October 3, 1942 through November 22, 1945 (Thanksgiving Day), as a club offering free of charge: food, dancing and entertainment for service personnel usually on their way overseas. Nearly four million people were served as they were serving us!

The Hollywood Victory Caravan included Eddie Dowling, President of Camp Shows, Ray Bolger, Mitzi Mayfair, Louis Polanski, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Jane Pickens, Benay Venuta, and John Garfield serving as master of ceremonies. One of the first USO tours, Flying Showboat revue toured U.S. military bases in the Caribbean. These celebrities performed under some extremely trying conditions, as the weather was brutally hot and many of the camps were not equipped to host theatrical performances. The show must go on (!) and it did.

Julie running an event at the Canteen.

Julie entertains the troops! Audience members at the Canteen filled the hall.

Here he is selling War Bonds to support WWII efforts with Humphrey Bogart in 1943. Not sure who is pictured with them.

Julie championed the story of real life marine hero, Al Schmid bringing it to the screen in PRIDE OF THE MARINES. He read about the hero in LIFE magazine and brought the idea for a film to the studio. He stayed with Sargent Schmid and his wife for a couple weeks to portray the man respectfully and honesty.

[johngarfieldtribute]

ART IS UNIVERSAL! (17th post on foreign movie posters

One of Julie’s best roles and my favorite is PRIDE OF THE MARINES released just after WWII ended in 1945. La Nuit Sans Fin translates from French as: The Endless Night.

The U. S. poster is above. The vibe presented seems to be that of a lighthearted musical, but it was a drama about war hero Al Schmid. Eleanor Parker and Dane Clark costarred.

In Swedish the translation of the title from the poster above is: The Way Towards the Light.

In Italy the title above was presented as: There is Always a Tomorrow.

It’s playing in the Santa Lucia Arena tonight so says the theatre poster above. Let’s go!

The title above translates from Spanish to: This Love of Ours.

Julie and Eleanor Parker had recently completed the ensemble piece, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS. The first third of this movie highlights Al and Ruth’s courtship.

Their great chemistry was a hook for what was to come.

Parker is likely known best for her later role as the Baroness in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This earlier role of the real life Ruth Schmid was very endearing. She gave Al a good taste of his own medicine, fell hard, then was there to help him pick up the pieces upon his return home from the war.

Dane Clark was also a recent costar from DESTINATION TOKYO and also both were in HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN. The two also have wonderful rapport as the battle scarred Marines.

Here’s an interesting article about Clark and Julie’s influence is throughout. Here’s a pull quote: “The determined Brooklynite persevered and soon began picking up odd jobs in the theater. This came as a result of a chance meeting at a club with a young man called “Julie” by his friends. Julie was a stage actor—soon to be famous as film actor John Garfield—and their meeting would change Dane’s life. "Why don't you become an actor?" Garfield asked Clark.”

[rlartes]

Al Schmid: o fuzileiro cego que continuou atirando em Guadalcanal

Na madrugada de 21 de agosto de 1942, a guerra no Pacífico ainda parecia favorecer o Japão. O império de Tóquio avançara da China às ilhas do sul, derrotando forças britânicas, holandesas, americanas e australianas. Guadalcanal, no arquipélago das Salomão, tornou-se o lugar onde essa confiança encontrou resistência. Dentro de uma posição feita com troncos, sacos de areia e folhagem, o soldado…

Al Schmid: o fuzileiro cego que continuou atirando em Guadalcanal

[brummie-man-interests]

"Pride of the Marines" is an American war film based on the 1944 biography 'Al Schmid, Marine' by Roger Butterfield.

[johngarfieldtribute]

(4 of 4 entries)

The last PRIDE OF THE MARINES continuation. As I said, this is my favorite Garfield movie. Can ya tell?

Once Ruth gets him home, Al can’t hide his insecurity. Despite the love, things get awkward.

Ruth finally convinces him that she loves him and wants him.

I’ve read playing Sargent Schmid was one one of Julie’s favorite roles.

Julie with Sargent Schmid above and below.

The real life couple, Ruth and Al above. The actors playing their roles below.

Sargent Schmid’s account of the battle was published in this article from HistoryNet.com.

Also mentioned in the article, “Before he began the movie, Garfield went to Philadelphia, met the real Al Schmid, became his friend, lived in his home, and studied him. Garfield also spent two weeks at the San Diego Naval Hospital, studying the characteristics and mental attitudes of blind casualties. Pride of the Marines was released in 1945 and became an instant hit.”

[johngarfieldtribute]

(3 of 4 entries)

THE continuation of PRIDE OF THE MARINES.

Al’s hoping surgery will correct his sight loss and refuses to tell Ruth until there is good news.

Al is depressed and unsure of his future worth. The scenes at the hospital are heart-wrenching as the wounded men describe their fears. Some honest dialogue from screenwriter, Albert Maltz. For the times, everything about this movie is a standout. The men show their trauma and battle scars.

It’s unbearable to watch Al struggle with nightmares and feeling ill equipped to be a husband to Ruth.

The commanding officer tells Al it’s time to head home. Al doesn’t want to go and Ruth finally learns of Al’s sight loss from a nurse.

Dane Clark plays Lee Diamond, his foxhole comrade. Lee tries to get Al to change his perspective about his future on the trip home.

Al isn’t budging and Lee has to trick him into being escorted home by Ruth.

[johngarfieldtribute]

(1 of 4 entries)

PRIDE OF THE MARINES is my favorite Garfield movie! Julie shows such a range and as a viewer I’m with him all the way. He plays real life Marine hero, Sargent Al Schmid.

Bachelor Al boards with a family and is a complete charmer! Here the daughter watches him dreamily and he is very sweet with her.

Then he shifts his character into brat mode. He doesn’t want any part of the set up his landlady tries to arrange. Al gives Ruth (Eleanor Parker) some real grief, but she only takes so much of his rude behavior.

Ruth didn’t intend on a set up either, but it takes Al awhile to get that through his thick skull.

Al gets a reality check from Ruth, and then he is hooked.

Another shift for the character as he switches into courtship mode.

Ruth and Al are having a great time until the tragic events of Pearl Harbor motivate Al to join the Marines.

Here’s a link to some more photos from the film and also the TCM page.

More in the next entry...