Jean Arthur's biographer probes into a very private life

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  • Опубліковано 26 лис 2019
  • Biographer John Oller of New York City faced a difficult task when writing a book about Hollywood actress Jean Arthur. The star of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Shane kept her personal information, including the city in which she was born, very private all of her life. Through careful research and conversations with people who knew the actress personally, Oller learned Jean Arthur was born in Plattsburgh, New York, even though she always called New York City her birthplace.
    He also learned other details about her life that will surprise and move readers who are interested in Hollywood history, and in the struggles of a comedic actress who enjoyed her work but battled anxiety while making audiences laugh.
    Learn more about Oller's book Jean Arthur: The Actress Nobody Knew, as well as his other books at johnollernyc.com.
    Spotlight is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park. pearsallfoundation.org.
    "Spotlight” is also supported by Hill & Hollow Music. hillandhollowmusic.org
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 47

  • @llefurge1
    @llefurge1 3 роки тому +14

    I have her poster on my wall, love her work. Simply adorable.

  • @roberth.9558
    @roberth.9558 4 роки тому +26

    AN interesting interview. I've enjoyed every movie I saw her in. She's probably my favorite actress. May she rest in peace.

  • @correioanacabral
    @correioanacabral 4 роки тому +21

    We should give that author some props, because the research part must have been excruciating. Jean is my favorite actress of all time, and I will be sure to buy it from Amazon. Thanks, Mr. Oller!

  • @catlover34fl
    @catlover34fl 2 роки тому +14

    No mention of her performance in the 1937 film History Is Made At Night. This was a sentimental and sad movie, but also terrific. She was great in a very dramatic role with Charles Boyer. Beautiful and romantic scene with the two of them dancing all night into the early morning hours with a small orchestra. I can't understand why this film is forgotten. Love Jean Arthur and will try to buy this book on Amazon.

    • @sophienguyen6496
      @sophienguyen6496 Рік тому +1

      One of my favourites of hers. Most underrated film..

  • @ToughXArmy69
    @ToughXArmy69 3 роки тому +18

    Jean Arthur was a great star! Jean Arthrur worked with Billy Wilder, George Stevens, Frank Capra, Howard Hawks, etc. and was co star with Cary Grant, Rita Hayworh, John Wayne, Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart , Ronald Colman, etc What movies she made: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, The More The Merrier, Only Angels Have Wings, Shane etc! I loved her performances and oh wow that voice.

  • @onmydignal
    @onmydignal 3 роки тому +16

    A natural beauty, Jean was a gifted actress that could mold herself to any character on the screen. Gifted with a sweet personality, loveliness, and a genuine femininity that is rare -- all in one woman. One of my favorite actresses, ... she is greatly missed.

  • @nadiazayman779
    @nadiazayman779 3 роки тому +12

    My favorite actress! The scene where she falls in love with James Stewart as Jeff Smith is perfection.

  • @erikramaekers63
    @erikramaekers63 2 роки тому +5

    The More the Merrier and Easy Living two of her best movies are on you tube.Jean Arthur's comic timing was perfect.

  • @litaheffley6990
    @litaheffley6990 Рік тому +5

    She was a great actress 👏 ❤️ I loved her movies 🎬

  • @Plaidx2Productions
    @Plaidx2Productions 3 роки тому +7

    I really enjoyed this interview. Thanks so much for doing this.

  • @rhyfeddu
    @rhyfeddu 2 роки тому +6

    When the author was asked at the end what he admired most about Jean Arthur, I said quickly "tenacity" and the Oller said the same thing! Having read his book, it really details how much of her inner turmoil and anxiety she had to overcome to perform. It was very difficult for her which sadly, often made a difficult life. But I'm selfishly grateful for the results that we get to enjoy and appreciate.

  • @lionsmouth11
    @lionsmouth11 3 роки тому +7

    Good interview. Excellent book and highly recommended.

  • @theflorgeormix
    @theflorgeormix 4 роки тому +10

    Her and Teresa Wright in my opinion. Complete All American girls that I can never get enough of.

  • @angelamason9639
    @angelamason9639 4 роки тому +16

    Loved her voice

  • @ToughXArmy69
    @ToughXArmy69 3 роки тому +8

    John Oller has written a very fine book on the acclaimed star Jean Arthur.. Ms. Arthur starred in M. Smith Goes To Washington, You Can't Take It With You, Mr. Deeds Goes to Tow, The Moore The Merrier, Only Angels Have Wings, A Foreign Affair and Shane. Ms. Arthur worked with the top directors such as Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder, George Stevens and her greatest Director Frank Capra. Jean Arthur co starred with the best of Hollywood: Cary Grant, Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne, Rita Hayworth, James Stewart, Ronald Colman. Jean Arthur was Queen of the Columbia studio, r was one of the finalists to star as Scarlett O Hara in Gone With The Wind I loved her uniqueness, her voice! Jean Arthur found success on Broadway as Peter Pan, but quit Born Yesterday which made Judy Holiday a star and winning the great Judy the Oscar. Arthur lived in remote splendor in beautiful Carmel and was enticed by Lucille Ball -who was a bit player years ago in an Arthur film -and had become the most poiwerful woman in Hollywood as CEO of Desilu. Lucy wanted Ms. Arthur to star in a Desilu comedy based on the book Mrs Arris Goes To Paris, but went to Universal instead to star in the Jean Arthur show. The show failed possibly because CBS had the show on at 10PM too late for Jean Arthur's fans. There are clips of the delightful Ms. Arthur and her fine co star Ron Harper. .

    • @avocate2017
      @avocate2017 3 роки тому +2

      I admire John Oller for writing a book on a difficult subject, Jean Arthur, while he was still practicing law. It must have taken a lot of research to find out more about her personal life. Jean Arthur was an amazing actress who probably would be better known today if she hadn't been so private, but I hope the book and mural (and of course, her excellent filmography) will help today's audiences rediscover her. I loved her in The Plainsman (1936), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), and Arizona (1940).

  • @ronaldsills1038
    @ronaldsills1038 Рік тому +1

    One of my favorite actresses!

  • @jeanarthurVS
    @jeanarthurVS Рік тому +1

    Just finished the book yesterday, and my love for Ms. Jean Arthur has grown a lot more. She did live quite a sad life though, I was heartbroken how her final years went. As for the mural, yes, she would 100% hate it lol

  • @scotnick59
    @scotnick59 Рік тому +1

    Mr. Oller's biography of LaArthur is great, by the way!

  • @issuesandtissues9280
    @issuesandtissues9280 2 роки тому +5

    Jean is my girl! Just thinking about her makes me smile. The Devil and Ms Jones Talk of the town The more the merrier Easy living etc I LOVE them all! It makes me sad that she was sad and felt she had to hide herself from the world (I'm pretty sure I know why) but this was the way it was in those days some things just couldn't be accepted and some people just can't accept themselves but GOD she was great in her movies so adorable and gifted I wish we could all go back in time together and tell her that we love her no matter what... she'd probably call the cops on us lol💜R.I.P Ms Arthur I love you

    • @ingefallang6762
      @ingefallang6762 2 роки тому

      I'm curious - what do you mean when you say you're pretty sure you know why she felt she had to hide herself from the world?

    • @issuesandtissues9280
      @issuesandtissues9280 2 роки тому +1

      @@ingefallang6762I mean it exactly the way it sounds its just theory and speculation

    • @ingefallang6762
      @ingefallang6762 2 роки тому +1

      @@issuesandtissues9280 But what's your theory/speculation? I don't mean to be dense or disrespectful - just sincerely interested and I guess doing a bad job of reading between your lines. Lol

    • @char7488
      @char7488 Рік тому +1

      I believe the speculation may have been that she was gay.

    • @gforceeatingcorrect
      @gforceeatingcorrect Рік тому

      You said it beautifully….🙏🏻💝🕯️🇺🇸

  • @miketuttle9319
    @miketuttle9319 2 роки тому +5

    Interesting that by the time she became a star in the mid thirties, she was in her mid thirties. In that day an age, that was quite old for a leading lady. I suppose she looked younger that she was, plus people probably didn't know her real age.

    • @dallyx66
      @dallyx66 2 роки тому +2

      Close to Irene Dunne, in age. Dunne was born in 1898, I think, but also became a movie star in her late 20s/30s. Greer Garson also became a film star at about 35 and had not made any films before that.

    • @davec7354
      @davec7354 Рік тому

      @@dallyx66 love all 3 you mention...especially greer garson..

  • @bobburnitt5761
    @bobburnitt5761 Рік тому

    Good interview!!

  • @kenowens9021
    @kenowens9021 Рік тому +3

    Probably she didn't want her real age known since she was basically older than most of her male co-stars, even though she didn't look it.

  • @tomreedyjr3631
    @tomreedyjr3631 Рік тому

    Good Interview...

  • @angelahouser3644
    @angelahouser3644 4 місяці тому

    Best Jean Arthur film- History Is Made At Night

  • @DannyKaffee
    @DannyKaffee 6 місяців тому

    If people want to maintain a private life, I'm all for respecting that. This was a story that didn't need to be told. Ms. Arthur left her legacy on the screen.

  • @kathystrong5163
    @kathystrong5163 Рік тому

    Just saw a movie last night with John Wayne called The Lady Takes a Chance. Comedy.

  • @johnsewell6593
    @johnsewell6593 7 місяців тому

    Why was Shane her final movie. Especially when she lived another 40 years....Am I missing something ??!

  • @SteveHartman-my9rg
    @SteveHartman-my9rg 23 дні тому

    I loved her if only I had a girl like her

  • @Greenwillow
    @Greenwillow Рік тому

    No mention she was a mentor to Meryl Streep🤔 Read his book fascinating woman.

  • @johnsewell6593
    @johnsewell6593 7 місяців тому

    So Jean was born in 1901 ??

  • @rossmartenak5517
    @rossmartenak5517 Рік тому

    Why did she change her birth name?

  • @sue5158
    @sue5158 Рік тому

    The great actors seem to come from painful childhood's

  • @scotnick59
    @scotnick59 4 роки тому +10

    Funny how ladies like Garbo and Arthur sought the limelight and extreme privacy simutaneously

    • @spikespa5208
      @spikespa5208 3 роки тому +6

      The limelight under *her* terms.

    • @sophienguyen6496
      @sophienguyen6496 Рік тому

      Love them both. Garbo was brilliant in Ninotchka

    • @afaceinthecrowd3652
      @afaceinthecrowd3652 7 місяців тому

      "Madame, this is a restaurant, not a meadow!!" 😅​@@sophienguyen6496