Fred MacMurray  (English, Paperback, Tranberg Charles)

Fred MacMurray is one of the most successful American film actors of the 20th Century. From 1935 until 1973 he was the star, or one of the stars, of more than 80 films. Along with his amazing career longeivity Fred proved to be very versatile, working succesfully in different genres. In addition to his comedic skills (Rosalind Russell considered Fred "the most talented light comedian I ever met"),he was also one of the great romantic leads of his day. Considered by some to be a light-weight, the truth is that even when he played opposite the likes of Colbert, Lombard, Hepburn, Stanwyck, Dunne, Arthur, and Crawford, he was never overshadowed. Because his screen persona is multi-faceted, he is hard to define as an actor. Warm, down-to-earth and comforting to be around, he could also be the consummate cad. Always taken for granted, the critics didn't champion him, and he never received a major industry award. Only by looking back on the whole of his long and amazing career can we begin to see and understand his remarkable achievement.