Van Johnson: MGM's Golden Boy (Hollywood Legends Series)

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I must admit that reading the review of Mr. Johnson's daughter was what made me want to read it. Very helpful to have the stamp of approval from a close member of the family! I admire Mr. Johnson's work very much, and it was nice to read of his excellent work ethic, and how many of his co-stars enjoyed working with him. This book paints him as a complex personality, and unable to be personally connected with the people who loved him. He seemed to be most comfortable by keeping his relationships on a strictly impersonal level. Really a sad story, and my heart goes out to those who loved him. I enjoy getting to know what makes interesting people tick and I feel that I found out alot about him by reading this book. I did not find the subject of his alleged homosexuality objectionable or to be the over-riding theme of this book, as some of the other reviewers. Knowing that he was not the sunny personality we all thought he was just points out his talent that much more for me. I will continue to watch his movies and enjoy them as I always have, and seek out the ones I haven't seen. Movie stars are just people like everyone else, and I guess that's why I enjoy reading about my favorites!I also wish to add that I find Ronald Davis a first rate biographer,and although I was skeptical of this independent publication before I read the reviews, I will read other biographies of his, as I believe he writes objectively and thoughtfully about his subjects.

A real surprise. Because this book wasn't from a major publisher I somehow expected it to be one of those second-rate bios, but it is beautifully well-written, insightful and informative. Being a Van Johnson fan who absolutely loves many of his films, I got the book because it seemed to be the only available book on him that looked to possibly be worthwhile, and it is. The book was published in 2001, so I at first was disappointed to not learn more about Johnson's final 7 years, but it turns out that he moved from his New York penthouse to an assisted-living facility in Nyack, N.Y. just a year after this book came out, so there probably wasn't much more to add to his story. Although Johnson chose not to speak to the author, there is a wealth of material the author did have access to, particularly conversations with Johnson's ex-wife and the details in his stepson's book about growing up with him in Hollywood. It is poignant to read here the comments of his daughter, who is well-represented in the book and was estranged from her troubled father in his later years. There is little doubt that Johnson was primarily gay, and the author treats that issue thoughtfully and convincingly. Interesting to see a few reviewers here who were flustered and offended as though just bringing up the subject is shameful. Recommended!

This is an intimate portrait of the handsome, wildly popular young star of the forties and fifties who was adored by women all over the world, yet never able to understand or enjoy his own success. The author doesn't get bogged down in recounting the endless technicalities of the making of each movie as many biographers do. This one is all about Van......his early life with a cold and difficult father whom he could never please and who seemed unimpressed with his son's success, his complicated marriage to Evie Wynn, and his strained relationship with daughter Schuyler, his only child.All in all, a good read for Johnson fans and for all fans of the wonderful Golden Age of Hollywood!

a very clever read. it is obvious the author doesn't really care for Van Johnson. Nevertheless this book had enough drama to keep me quickly flipping pages.I only wish we had Van's side of this somewhat mysterious and vague narrative.

The is the Golden Years of Hollywood at its best. I enjoyed reading about Van Johnson even though he turned out to not be a very nice person. The Studios ruled he lives of their stars and Van Johnson was no exception. If you enjoy reading about old Hollywood, you would like this book.

It dragged however, it put a new light on the man. I'm sorry I was a fan of his. I must admit he was a good "actpr" to convice people he was a sweet guy. But the book itself dragged.

There was a lot about him and his life I didn't know. But on the whole I found it to be just ok. There wasn't enough inside 'dish'...I was sorry to see he was so unhappy...

Interesting. Author didn't seem to like him.

Well researched, thorough if a bit workmanlike biography of one of MGM's star creations from the 1940's, the almost forgotten (except by old movie buffs like me, Van Johnson (not to be confused with Van Heflin, more of a character actor than an out and out star). Davis acknowledged straight away the problems he encountered doing his research for this book, because so few of Johnson's friends/colleagues were prepared to be totally open about him and his ex wife's comments are so coloured with vitriol and bile they can be virtually discounted. Van Johnson himself (still alive when the biography was being written) also did not cooperate. Despite all these obstacles, Davis did a pretty good job. He's so knowledgable about the studios, the period, films of that time that all this fed into the backdrop. He also managed to depict Johnson's lonely childhood and rise to fame really evocatively and paint a more shadowy picture of his character as an adult (largely due to Ned Wynn's thoughtful book written while he had Johnson live with him as his step dad. Without Wynn's contribution this book would have been shafted I think. Davis is good too on critiquing the calibre of the films and Johnson's contribution to them. I thoroughly enjoyed this biography and would recommend it to those with an interest in films and stars of the war years.

It was a very enjoyable read. MGM created his image and he revelled in the spotlight. The book also covers his other side as a shy person and a bit of a loner and also temperamental. All round he was a genuine nice guy though. The book does cover his Childhood up until his 80's. If your a Van Johnson fan this comes highly recommended and I couldn't put it down once I started it.

Bought as a gift,recipient enjoyed this book.

a very good read about one of the golden boys of mgm ,and like so many of these well known actors there liveswere not always as good as one would think they were .