The All-Americans

Part of the Encore Film Book Classics series, this is a reprint of the original text to The All-Americans by James Robert Parish and Don E. Stanke. It may be hard to believe, but it was only a few decades ago that Hollywood's films were considered ambassadors for the American way of life. Those motion pictures featured many fine actors who represented the best the United States had to offer-among them, seven outstanding male performers. Somehow or other, these seven men captured the essence of America. Was it their laconic, low-key, almost shy, but strong emoting? Or was it the sort of screen role they typically played: a hero without heroics, quietly going about his business? Just what was the secret of their "All-American" cinema presence? The All-Americans provides expansive career studies of these seven actors, detailed filmographies, and penetrating accounts of their offcamera lives. The result is a long overdue chronicle of seven Hollywood worthies representing the clean-cut American guy who could always be depended upon in films to do the right thing . . . and still head off into the sunset with the heroine. The seven wholesome leading men profiled in The All-Americans are: GARY COOPER. "That fellow is the world's greatest actor."-John Barrymore. HENRY FONDA. An ageless picture of integrity. WILLIAM HOLDEN. "He is beyond acting. You never doubt or question what he is."-Billy Wilder. ROCK HUDSON. The very handsome leading man who, surprisingly, had superb acting talents. FRED MacMURRAY. For decades, his perfected double-take and patented smile kept him at the top of his professional game. RONALD REAGAN. Did studio mogul Jack Warner know he was responsible for his star's integrity and future entry into politics? JAMES STEWART. A magical capacity for sincerity and believability. This then is the impressive lineup featured in The All-Americans.