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/

[valerief]

1. I'll be first to say it. Congratulations. Your books look interesting and fun. nt

[book_worm]

2. I appreciate that. Thank you.

[Orrex]

3. Let me be the second!

Congratulations indeed! I don't think that I could write biography if my life depended on it, and I admire the skill of anyone who can write well in the genre. I hope that you sell a brazillion copies!

[DavidDvorkin]

4. Congratulations

Good Amazon number for a new book, too.

MacMurray was a far more versatile actor than people realized.

[HamdenRice]

5. Congratulations -- and a question

How did you decide on the subject matter? How did you get an agent? It would be extremely helpful to some of us if you could tell us a little about the nuts and bolts of your process.

[book_worm]

6. I've always enjoyed stars of the classical era

and was looking for one who had never had a biography done before. I didn't want to do the umteenth book on Hepburn, Davis, Crawford, Gable..., and I was watching DOUBLE INDEMNITY one night and thought, "Hmm, Fred MacMurray might be interesting...he sure was more versatile than people think."

I have no agent. I peddled the book myself and found Bearmanor Media which is a small publishing house which has a great deal of wonderful books on cinema, the classic age of radio, television and they liked the idea and sample chapters I sent and they sent out a contract.

Here is their website:
www.bearmanormedia.com

[Love Bug]

7. Wow -- that's awesome!

I love Double Indemnity!

Is it true he had more money than God?

[DavidDvorkin]

8. Why would God need money? :)

[book_worm]

9. He died a very wealthy man, yes

in neighborhood of 300-500 million. He has a charitable foundation which helps many causes.

[wildhorses]

10. way cool. congratulations!

:toast:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

11. Congratulations!

I loved him in Double Indemnity. :toast:

[Orrex]

12. Kick!

An update for those among us who don't frequent the Lounge.

Congratulations once again to book_worm!

:woohoo:

[orleans]

13. congratulations on the book. i have a question for you...

did you find an interested publisher and *then* contact these people you interviewed so you were able to tell them a publisher was interested or you had the contract? OR did you locate these people and interview them and *then* find a publisher?

(which came first? chicken or egg question i guess)

[book_worm]

14. Thanks for the question

No I actually did all the research first and then found a publisher. The egg followed the chicken!

[orleans]

15. do you think you might have gotten more interviews if you were able

to tell people you already had a book deal?

just wondering. (i'm not planning any biographies--but i am in the process of looking for publishers for a children's series i just finished so i'm looking through this forum--)