Rating: 
Summary: NEGLECTED STAR GETS STAR TREATMENT AT LAST
Review: It would appear that writing a compelling, readable, and entertaining biography is a daunting task. So many are dry, filled with facts and dates of little interest, or just plain dull. The difference here is that John Oller can actually WRITE. Ms. Arthur is, without doubt, one of the sorely neglected stars of any era. Her comic genius in "The More The Merrier" alone would merit a critical gushing today if anyone in the 21st century had even a modicum of the lady's superb timing and class. That she has appeared in several other classics (perhaps most notably "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington") certainly warrants a full scale biography and Mr. Oller succeeds brilliantly. The notoriously private Ms. Arthur is not painted as arch nor perverse; simply a woman with a different take on life and Hollywood. She saw there was more to life than glamour and makeup (even attending college during career lulls)and her 'eccentric' personality becomes all the more endearing under Mr. Oller's critical, yet always fair, judgments. The book isn't overstuffed with facts and dates; just what is needed. I wish all biographers would realize that sometimes less is, indeed, more. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Everything a biography should be!
Review: John Oller has taken the time and made the effort to reconstruct Jean Arthur's life. Like all biographies, he can only capture a glimpse of who she really was, but what a beautiful glimpse we get! Jean Arthur never wrote her autobiography and is quoted as preferring to "slit her throat" rather than be interviewed. I love Jean Arthur's films as much as anyone, but I respect her uniqueness and admire her privacy. To be a true fan of Arthur is to admire and appreciate the entire person, and without Oller's determination and patience, we would never get to see all aspects of her life and how, like each our own lives, themes emerge that help to explain our identity. The best part of Oller's work is that he lets Arhur's fans see the best in her--if they choose to see it. The best in all of us is in what we accomplish and what we overcome; from this perspective, Jean's life is as good as her acting. Read this book to appreciate the entire Jean Arthur if you love her films. Even better, purchase this book and discover Jean Arthur the person as you rent/purchase her films. She was an amazing lady, and this book is an incredible gift to her fans. You will not be disappointed!!
Rating:
Summary: Everything a biography should be!
Review: John Oller has taken the time and made the effort to reconstruct Jean Arthur's life. Like all biographies, he can only capture a glimpse of who she really was, but what a beautiful glimpse we get! Jean Arthur never wrote her autobiography and is quoted as preferring to "slit her throat" rather than be interviewed. I love Jean Arthur's films as much as anyone, but I respect her uniqueness and admire her privacy. To be a true fan of Arthur is to admire and appreciate the entire person, and without Oller's determination and patience, we would never get to see all aspects of her life and how, like each our own lives, themes emerge that help to explain our identity. The best part of Oller's work is that he lets Arhur's fans see the best in her--if they choose to see it. The best in all of us is in what we accomplish and what we overcome; from this perspective, Jean's life is as good as her acting. Read this book to appreciate the entire Jean Arthur if you love her films. Even better, purchase this book and discover Jean Arthur the person as you rent/purchase her films. She was an amazing lady, and this book is an incredible gift to her fans. You will not be disappointed!!
Rating: 
Summary: the actress we still don't know
Review: let me start off by saying that Jean Arthur is still my favorite actress of all time, but after reading this book i was very disappointed with her. like many actors/actresses she seemed to respect theater more than film, even though for the most part she was much more successful artistically in film. i wish she could have received the mental health support she needed to be able to better face her career. i am infinitely thankful for her films, but am greatly saddened that she retired so early. she never fell from grace or had a series of flops, she just dropped out, retired early. in reading this biography you feel that she kept the world out, so although this book gives us a glance, it is but a stolen glance, as Jean Arthur walks away from us.
Rating:
Summary: the actress we still don't know
Review: let me start off by saying that Jean Arthur is still my favorite actress of all time, but after reading this book i was very disappointed with her. like many actors/actresses she seemed to respect theater more than film, even though for the most part she was much more successful artistically in film. i wish she could have received the mental health support she needed to be able to better face her career. i am infinitely thankful for her films, but am greatly saddened that she retired so early. she never fell from grace or had a series of flops, she just dropped out, retired early. in reading this biography you feel that she kept the world out, so although this book gives us a glance, it is but a stolen glance, as Jean Arthur walks away from us.
Rating: 
Summary: Paperback edition
Review: The paperback version (actually more of a soft-bound cover) is now available; it looks just like the hardcover and has plaudits from Leonard Maltin and others on the back.
Rating: 
Summary: "The Princess and the Goblin"
Review: The recent biography of film star Jean Arthur filled a void about a once favorite movie personality who could play comedy, drama, and westerns. She of the hoarse and endearing voice made many wonderful films with some of the top male stars of the day. She was an odd woman who was extremely difficult to co-stars and directors of both stage and film. The book is somewhat successful in bringing to life her enigmatic personality. Mr. Oller must have had a difficult time in getting his facts for this bio. He writes a chapter on the novel, "The Princess and the Goblin" by Paul Rosner, recently reprinted (a Roman a Clef devoted to this star). The book is a favorite of mine and is once again available in bookstores. Lovers of Jean Arthur should own both books.
Rating:
Summary: "The Princess and the Goblin"
Review: The recent biography of film star Jean Arthur filled a void about a once favorite movie personality who could play comedy, drama, and westerns. She of the hoarse and endearing voice made many wonderful films with some of the top male stars of the day. She was an odd woman who was extremely difficult to co-stars and directors of both stage and film. The book is somewhat successful in bringing to life her enigmatic personality. Mr. Oller must have had a difficult time in getting his facts for this bio. He writes a chapter on the novel, "The Princess and the Goblin" by Paul Rosner, recently reprinted (a Roman a Clef devoted to this star). The book is a favorite of mine and is once again available in bookstores. Lovers of Jean Arthur should own both books.
Rating:
Summary: Sad story
Review: This is a well written but sad story of a woman's life. Jean Arthur (Gladys Greene) never managed to fit in anywhere. Not Hollywood, not teaching, not the theater, not family. She left a glittering film legacy, but I just felt sad for her. Full of energy, full of life, yet so alone.
Rating:
Summary: An in depth look at a complicated Hollywood personality
Review: This is the first major biography written about Jean Arthur and it accurately captures the contradictory and complicated nature of her personality. She was a brillient actress but an enigmatic "original" character, who in many ways was not suited to the public life of a show business personality. In spite of this, she became a great star and one whose popularity remains high due to the supurb quality of her work. I thank Mr.Oller for his excellent book.
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