Mann William J. Knihy

When Marlon Brando burst onto stage and screen in the late 1940s, he fundamentally changed the way other actors perceived their craft. The charismatic, enigmatic Brando was immediately heralded as the "American Hamlet." His approach was natural, honest, and deeply personal, resulting in performances - most notably in A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, Julius Caesar, and The Godfather - that are still without parallel. But Brando's impact on American culture extends far beyond his professional significance. He both codified and challenged midcentury American ideas about masculinity. He was also a whistleblower on American politics, an advocate for social justice, and a protestor against racism. What mattered to this son of abusive, alcoholic parents was not winning Academy Awards but aiding others who, like him, felt powerless. Yet closer to home, the wounded Brando's great empathy often failed the women in his life and his own children. Psychologically astute, masterfully research, and based on new and revelatory material from Brando's own private archives, The Contender explores the start in full, revealing his extraordinarily complex life as never before

In this insightful exploration, William Mann delves into the complex love story between Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. He chronicles their early lives—Bogart's privileged upbringing in New York City and Bacall's ascent as a model and actress—before detailing their passionate courtship and twelve-year marriage. Mann captures the essence of their relationship, including the conflicts, reconciliations, children, and Bogart's health struggles, alongside Bacall's unwavering support until his passing. The narrative also examines Bacall's life post-Bogart, highlighting her relationships with Frank Sinatra and Jason Robards, her second husband, and the identity challenges she faced. Mann's research surpasses previous biographies, offering fresh perspectives on their dynamic, including the implications of their significant age difference—Bacall was just nineteen when she began dating the forty-five-year-old Bogart. He raises questions about what Bacall gained and lost by marrying a Hollywood icon. Additionally, Mann sheds light on Bogart's rise to stardom despite his average looks. Throughout, he intertwines their individual career successes with the enduring love that defined them, supported by new records and correspondence, and illustrated with 30-40 photographs, providing a captivating look at their legacy.