My new book is out--a biography of Fred MacMurray

[book_worm]

The first full-length biography of film and TV star Fred MacMurray is out--and I'm the author. The book takes Fred from his days growing up in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to his days as a band sax player. His good looks got him noticed and he went to Hollywood where he starred in such classic films as THE GILDED LILY, ALICE ADAMS, HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE, REMEMBER THE NIGHT, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, MURDER, HE SAYS, THE EGG AND I, THE CAINE MUTINY, PUSHOVER, THE SHAGGY DOG, THE APARTMENT, and THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR. He proved a superb light comedian. He successfully made the transition to television with MY THREE SONS.

Among those I interviewed were Don Grady (Robbie on MTS) who also wrote the introduction, Tommy Kirk, the juvenile lead in tons of Disney films (Travis in OLD YELLER), who worked with Fred in four films and who says of him, "At light comedy he was as good as Cary Grant at his best." Kirk also had a memorable run-in with Fred, which highlighted the temper the genial star could have. Other interview subjects include the late Jane Wyman, Arlene Dahl, Joan Leslie, Claude Jarmin, Jr., Darryl Hickman, Beverly Garland,Elliott Reid and directors Gene Reynolds and the late Mel Shavelson...and many more.

This is the story of one of the most successful and durable of American actors--from cradle to grave. Warts and all.

http://www.amazon.com/Fred-MacMurray-Charles-Tranberg/dp/1593930992/