Lee Marvin: Point Blank

by Dwayne Epstein

The first full-length, authoritative, and detailed story of the iconic actor's life to go beyond the Hollywood scandal-sheet reporting of earlier books, this account offers an appreciation for the man and his acting career and the classic films he starred in, painting a portrait of an individual who took great risks in his acting and career. Although Lee Marvin is best known for his icy tough guy roles—such as his chilling titular villain in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance or the paternal yet brutally realistic platoon leader in The Big Red One —very little is known of his personal life; his family background; his experiences in WWII; his relationship with his father, family, friends, wives; and his ongoing battles with alcoholism, rage, and depression, occasioned by his postwar PTSD. Now, after years of researching and compiling interviews with family members, friends, and colleagues; rare photographs; and illustrative material, Hollywood writer Dwayne Epstein provides a full understanding and appreciation of this acting titan’s place in the Hollywood pantheon in spite of his very real and human struggles.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, Biography Memoir, History, Media Tie In, American History

344 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Dwayne Epstein is the author of a number of young adult biographies, covering such celebrity personalities as Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Hilary Swank, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Denzel Washington for Lucent Books' "People in the News" series.

Epstein also contributed to Bill Krohn's bestselling books "Hitchcock at Work" and "Joe Dante and the Gremlins of Hollywood."

Prior to writing biographies, Epstein contributed to film chronicles on a regular basis. He wrote for Filmfax Magazine on subjects such as Bobby Darin, the Rat Pack, television pioneer Steve Allen, film director Sam Fuller, comic book artist Neal Adams, "Invasion of the Body Snatcher's" Kevin McCarthy, John Belushi, and comedy legend Sid Caesar.

Epstein later contributed to Cahiers Du Cinema's "Serious Pleasures" which had a high profile in Europe. He wrote on American films chosen for rediscovery by directors Oliver Stone, Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, and Clint Eastwood.

His N.Y. Times bestselling biography, "Lee Marvin: Point Blank," will soon be followed by 'Killin' Generals: The Making of The Dirty Dozen, The Most Iconic World War II Film of All Time," to be published on April 25, 2023, by Citadel Press.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fear is possibly the greatest motivation there is. But . . . by pretending not to fear, you can make it work for you and get the job done. Every actor is full of doubts about himself, and I'm no exception . . . To show my strength is nothing; to show my weakness is everything." -- actor Lee Marvin

Just an opinion, but it seems that Lee Marvin has slipped from the fickle pop cultural radar and has been forgotten about, and that's a damn shame. At one time - about fifty years ago - he was sitting atop Hollywood's A-list, with 1967 arguably being the apex of his career. On the heels of winning the Best Actor Oscar the previous year he had the blockbuster The Dirty Dozen and the now-respected cult film Point Blank hitting theaters. A year later he earned his first $1 million paycheck.

Author Epstein's bio on Marvin works best when focusing on the actor's background and home life. Marvin was one of those problematic guys - like contemporaries Marlon Brando or Steve McQueen - who was a handful as a youngster / teenager. His two years as a Marine during WWII - which ended after being wounded in battle - finally rocketed him into adulthood, but also caused both a drinking problem and possibly undiagnosed PTSD that would haunt him for the rest of his relatively short 63-year life. (There was also the infamous 'palimony' court case which hit the headlines in the 70's.)

If the bio comes up short on anything it's Marvin's filmography. Now best remembered either for westerns (Cat Ballou, The Professionals), gritty crime flicks (The Big Heat, Prime Cut), or fierce war films (Hell in the Pacific, The Big Red One) that only air on the cable networks these days, Marvin started as a menacing supporting actor in the 50's / early 60's before graduating to starring-role status, where he was equally at home - a rarity, I think - playing heroes and villains. (And no matter how bad a project was, with Marvin - and his signature gruff voice - in any role it usually made it worth watching.) So while this was a very good book I still wanted even more details on his movies.

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a biography can be more interesting than an autobiography.

After reading the autobiography of James Garner, light, fluffy book that was okay.

This book goes into great detail, interesting facts, great stories from friends, details on all his films his private life. Lots of fascinating history and facts.

The author has done an enormous amount of research, especially interviewing friends and families and co-stars.

Lee Marvin had great and long friendships with many co-stars especially Keenan Wynn, Woody Strode, work with some great co-stars that he admired so much like Robert Ryan, Spencer Tracy, others he found difficult to work with Jack Palance, Charles Bronson.

His tough years in the marines fighting in the Pacific, something I don't think he ever got over, the memories that haunted him, his enormous battle with drinking and smoking.

The great classic films he made and will always be remembered are well documented here with great stories. A natural actor, who never really admired the method actors.

Also an interesting conclusion to this book, from the author who names the roles Lee Marvin "might" have done if he had lived, a list of his films and lots more facts.

A great and detailed book, and an easy four star book from me. Will look for more books by this author.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Dwayne Epstein's generally fine biography of movie icon Lee Marvin, all that was available was a fairly well-researched but obnoxiously self-impressed and over-written book by Donald Zec. Epstein does a good job of describing Marvin's career and personal demons, though the roots of the latter seem still a bit obscure by book's end. Certainly the horrors of real war and conflicting relations with his parents are enough to explain, in broad strokes, what drove Marvin toward alcoholic self-destruction, but the core of a man's pain is probably bound to be hidden, no matter how thoroughly explored. At any rate, Epstein has done a very workmanlike job of explaining Marvin's appeal and his life, and the personal information gained from letters and interviews from his family are of particular value.

[Michael Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee Marvin fans and film buffs will agree, "Lee Marvin: Point Blank" is a fascinating look into the life and personality of one of Hollywood's most authentic rebels. The author does a great job of delving into Lee's personal life with respect and compassion, while showing a side of Lee that you might not expect to discover.

[Toxic Graveyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Marvin is an actor I have casually seen in films for years. His long face and gravelly voice mixed with his tough guy persona has held special interest with me. I was born in 84′ and Lee Marvin died in ’87 so I haven’t had much exposure to the man behind the films. All I knew was that he seemed to play a tough bastard really really well. When I saw Point Blank I knew I had to read it. I wanted to know more about his films and about who he really was. I couldn’t have picked a better book to shed light on both.

The book begins with Marvin’s family lineage and helps to put perspective on who he was as a man. Starting before he was born the book details his great uncle’s adventurous exploits and his father’s path in life before he was born as well. Then we get to know Lee as a child. And what a child! Tough, mischievous, he ran away from home numerous times as a little tike and had a hellava time getting through school. Interviews with his former teachers and his brother help to paint the picture of his youth. Rarely do any biographies go to such lengths to help the reader understand the world in which their subject grew up in. It’s fascinating stuff here folks.

The book goes on to detail Marvin’s life in the Military during WWII, even reprinting several letters he sent to his family during the war. It doesn’t get much more intimate then that. Anecdotes abound here as well as we learn what a hellish experience Marvin had as a sniper/demolitionist in the war. It’s important because these experiences would haunt him for the rest of his life while at the same time giving him a well of experience to draw from for many of his roles throughout his career.

We then read about his acting career from beginning to end with so many interviews and anecdotes it’s surprising they all fit into the book. Nothing beats quotes from people that actually dealt with him and this book has them in spades. I loved reading about his experiences in films like The Killers, Point Blank, Cat Balliou, and The Dirty Dozen. I laughed out loud many times throughout this book (Marvin called Charles Bronson “Charlie Sunshine” on the set of The Dirty Dozen because of his sour attitude) and was also shocked and saddened by his drunken exploits. The book doesn’t shy from the darker side of Marvin’s life but doesn’t drag him through the mud either. Mr. Epstein makes no bones about his heavy drinking problem and his numerous runs with the law but he doesn’t paint Marvin as a monster. Sure there’s plenty of stories about what a mean bastard he could be in real life but also how thoughtful and kind he could be too.

Even handed, exhaustively researched and quoted, Point Blank is an excellent biography of one of cinema’s first true tough guys. It’s a great read that I couldn’t put down once I picked it up. Lee Marvin was no saint but who among us is? This is the book Lee Marvin fans have been waiting for.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best biographies ever written about the life and career of an actor.

What makes it especially gratifying is that this is the first in-depth book ever written about an iconic actor who is long overdue for the recognition he deserves.

Lee Marvin died in 1987 at the age of only sixty-three leaving behind an impressive body of work that Mr. Epstein examines very carefully and astutely.

Although Marvin was known for his "bad guy" roles and was a pioneer of a new, more realistic screen violence that still resonates today, he was an actor of great range and was equally adept at comedic and leading-man roles.

Like Bogart, he has a cult following, but hopefully this wonderful work will introduce younger generations to a unique, complex, and talented man.

[Deb Elsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Hollywood biographies I've read. The author doesn't shy away from examining Marvin's flaws but through interviews and reseach, Epstein also reveals the brilliance and dedication that Marvin brought to his craft. Marvin was as tough as the characters he portrayed on the screen but I was surprised to learn what a sensitive soul existed beneath that tough exterior. Even if you aren't a Lee Marvin fan, it's a fascinating look at a man who led an extraordinary life.

[Andrew Nette · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Lee Marvin fan I loved this book. My only criticism is that it wasn't longer, I finished and wanted more. Longer review to follow in the next few days.

[Kevin Seccia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come on, it's a book about Lee Marvin. How many books can claim that?

[Neil Sarver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite celebrity biographies. It is well-researched and fascinating. I really terrific look at a consistently compelling actor.

[D. Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee Marvin was a fascinating man, as well as a hell of an actor. This bio brings out some family history that's kind of amazing (he has a direct family connection to Admiral Peary's expedition to the North Pole, and that's not the most interesting part of that either), but has some curious lapses.

The most obvious lapse on first read was this: The book seems to narrate Marvin's private life, then goes back to fill in what he was doing professionally on a regular basis. (There is, of course, plenty of overlap.) So we get a gloss on the breakup of Marvin's first marriage and how he hooked up with his next partner, Michele Triola. It indicates when their breakup was coming, suggests that things were less than smooth sailing, then goes into his next film projects. When it gets to Point Blank, Epstein points out a number of story points in the film that were directly analagous to Marvin's private life, including a passing mention of Triola's suicide attempt -- something that went completely unmentioned up to this point. It later becomes plural, suicide attempts, but never do we get specifics, except in terms of the film Point Blank. It's really odd that such an apparently important event (or events) does not get anchored in the reader's mind. No date is given, not even a year, no context as to what was going on before or after. It's just mentioned in a way that dissociates it from his private life.

(Triola seems to have been a borderline sociopath, so it may be that Epstein considered any recounting of those events problematic, since she had a very well-documented disdain for the truth. Perhaps he had only her accounting of what happened, and chose not to trust it. Nevertheless, the choice is disorienting in an otherwise clear narrative.)

Apart from that, and a few other less prominent shortcomings, the book does Marvin's life quite a bit of justice, covering the major personal and professional moments without getting bogged down in minutiae. I was surprised to find a lot of personal resonance in his life, given how utterly different his background was from my own. Epstein does not excuse Marvin's personal shortcomings, nor does he use them as a means of dismissing anything. He actually does a solid job of giving the reader some understanding of where they came from, and sympathy with Marvin for the demons he lived with.

All in all, a good and informative read, apart from the mentioned lapse, something anyone interested in Lee Marvin should read.

[Scot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography of Lee Marvin does a thorough job of documenting his role and participation on stage, on the small screen of television, and in films, and is strengthened by many interviews with individuals who worked with the tough guy actor and knew him well. His drinking problems are not whitewashed, nor some of his more callous comments or brutal actions omitted—still, a portrait of a sensitive and talented actor emerges, one whose coming of age experience as a sniper marine serving in the Pacific campaign hardened his stoic badass persona that he shared with the world. He had problems in relationships with his mother and his wives—well, one of the latter was not a wife, but the troubled and troubling gold digger who jump-started the Hollywood palimony industry (although Dick Van Dyke probably wouldn’t see her that way as she ended up with him). To his friends, Marvin was loyal and a true champion—and his agent was one of his best friends throughout his career.

The author puts forward the thesis that Marvin paved the way for a new type of violent, rebellious anti-hero that was on the rise in the second half of the twentieth century, but that he pulled it off with a finesse and profundity of acting ability lacking in the action heroes to follow. I was a bit bothered by the number of typos I encountered, and the use of [sic] after a usage of affect/effect that the speaker had actually spelled correctly in the original. Later, at one point before a series of long quotes from Marvin’s own writing, we were told they had been cleaned up to catch grammar and spelling errors. Please—give me the quote in quotation marks the way it was in the original, and use [sic] there if you must, but don’t give me the quote in quotation marks after you have changed things around—that just irks me, for some reason. Maybe I’m too picky, but that just seems inappropriate, even if you alert readers you are doing it.

As a wonderful touch at the end, the author included an Afterword by Lee Marvin’s only son, a response generated after reading this book. Clearly the author had done lots and lots of work on this research and is absolutely the person to go to for further information about Lee Marvin’s work and life.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a little bit different than my usual types of books, but it caught my eye at the library, and I found it enjoyable. I have always liked Lee Marvin. I find his portrayals to be honest and memorable.

Things I learned from this book.

Lee was dyslexic and got kicked out of 10-15 schools. He was in some of the hardest battles of WWII, and he most likely suffered from PTSD, which lead to some of his problems later in life, and his war experience influenced how he portrayed death scenes.

He drank very hard, and was inebriated during many of his performances, but he always remembered his lines.

The problem with reading a book like this is it mentions many of his roles that are not available to watch in any format now. For example, he played Ira Hayes, the Native American Marine who fought at Iwo Jima. However, it is not available anywhere.

I found his perspective on violence in movies to be interesting--basically, he felt that violence when portrayed realistically was a deterrent to violence in real life. it was violence that was not portrayed realistically that was more likely to influence someone to commit acts of violence in real life.

There was even a feature magazine story published about him in 1963 called "There is not enough violence on TV!" http://daysofoldbooksadsandmore.ecrat...

I did add three Lee Marvin movies to my "to watch" list that I haven't seen yet:

1. The Killers--this is the very first made for TV movie, starring Lee Marvin, Angie Dickenson, and Ronald Reagan. It started filming one day prior to the Kennedy assassination, and as a result, NBC deemed it too violent to be shown. It was later released in theaters, and it went on to win a British Academy Award. it was also the last role Ronald Reagan played prior going into politics.
2. 7 Men from Now
3. Bad Day at Black Rock.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brisk read is a must for fans of the actor with a thorough look at his acting work and life on and off screen. The book presents a solid collection of quotes from both the man himself, and those that knew him. The author takes care to also offer some spot-on analysis of Marvin's best work, including Point Blank and The Dirty Dozen. The bawdy stories of Marvin's hard living are presented here as well and certainly make for interesting reading. Although some of the drunken escapades are funny, the author doesn't hold back on showing the darker side to Marvin's drinking and his behavior. To boot, the book's early chapters offers a sampling of Marvin's letters to his family during the war allowing the reader a glimpse of a soldier's life during that war. This section brings the book a bit beyond the average Hollywood star bio and adds allot of interest. From The Killers to The Dirty Dozen: The Next Mission, it's all here for the Marvin fanatic. A must read for those interested in the highly underrated actor.

[Richard Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Marvin. Tough Guy. Same-same. Great Actor. As a young man, he was kicked out of every school he attended until he came to the end of his education years ... then he quit school to join the U.S. Marines in WWII. In Southeast Asia he was heavily involved in the war and fighting, and was shot by a sniper, earning the Purple Heart, his wound taking him out of the war. He survived, but many of his buddies didn't. This added to his restlessness, fueled his anger and confusion, he worked as a plumber for a few years until invited to be in a local play, where he won over the crowd with his comedy. He found his calling, and the next day quit his job to pursue acting. The rest is history. He lived hard & died too young. It's the same with many of these actors, they wind up somehow killing themselves one way or the other; wish Lee Marvin coulda stuck around longer tho; he owned the screen.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Marvin was known not just as a great character actor but a great actor, period. Whether he was playing a psychopathic killer in such cult greats as Point Blank or The Killers, western bad guys in classics like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance or Commancheros, drunken gunslingers as in Cat Ballou, or tough soldiers as in The Big Red One or The Dirty Dozen. He could give the smallest part interest or blow other actors off the screen in a meaty part. Epstein's book is a long overdue account of both his life and tempestuous career that will have any fan rushing to look up DVDs of his lesser known or unseen classics. - BH.

[Matthew Dambro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible biography of a lesser known Hollywood star of the 50s through the 70s. He was a self destructive alcoholic suffering from PTSD from service in the Pacific during World War II. His ADHD and dyslexia contributed to his loner mentality. He was able to call on those disabilities to project an iconic character on screen. He did not act tough and violent in his films. His innate toughness and violence was simply manifested there. Unfortunately for him, it permeated the rest of his life. He died at 63; the last victim of the battle of Saipan.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been a long time admirer of Lee Marvin and several of his movies are my favorite of which Monte Walsh being the first. A good peek into the life and times of a troubled and often tortured man who played out his view of life onstage. The only critique I have of the book is the lack of detailed information on his being a husband and father. There were bare snippets but not quite enough to satisfy. All in all a very good book.

[Linda Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough Guy Extraordinaire

I enjoyed some of Lee Marvin's movies, especially Cat Ballou, which I loved reading about in this book. The book is so much more than that. It's well-written and has a good flow to it. It was well researched with many quotes by friends, colleagues and his first wife. He was a true tough guy, a former Marine, a father, a husband, a good friend and a hopeless alcoholic all the way to the end.

[Harold Kasselman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting biography of a rather mysterious Hollywood rebel. It's an easy and short read. It hits the highlights but it seems to me to have missed the opportunity to dig deeper into Marvin's psyche. What made the man admit that he shared at some level the same character flaws and deviant fantasies of some of his characters?

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book with a lot of detail. The author did a fantastic research job on this book. There are many funny parts and some not so funny. Lee Marvin was a great actor, but seldom recognized as such until near the end of his career. He drank too much, but still did his job in the films. The book has some 40-50 pages of End Notes. Everything is well documented.

[kristi Pottichen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Authoritative biography of Lee Marvin

Fantastic book. Well researched. I enjoyed this book so much I purchased it in both hardcopy and ebook. You will not be disappointed...... buy it!!!!

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating life told a little lumpily doesn't make it less fascinating.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, well written, balanced and insightful. A model of show business biography that never descends into sensationalism. A fine job!

[Rick Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a better researched actor's bio. Mr. Epstein brings Marvin back to life. What Herculean labor! What an accomplishment. What an authentic, entertaining read!

[Tom Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One has to admire the plight of the biographical author. In fiction, the author is free to roam the inspirational universe for their muses. But, with history, the author seems to be trapped and encased with facts and research. This is the opportunity of Mr.Epstein, author of many celebrity biographies. But, the smoothness of his prose, and the citing of facts makes the chore of digging into the past look easy. It’s not easy, and who would have imagined the complexity behind the name Lee Marvin? We’ve seen him in the famous dual role in “Cat Ballou” and as the unstable warrior in “The Dirty Dozen” and, in my personal favorite, as the villain in John Ford’s “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence.” A biography of the films would be a challenge In itself. But Mr. Epstein is pure professional. The author gives us the entire background of the actor’s family, and the history goes further back than one can imagine. Yet, every piece of history is handled with the skill of a literary ancestry archeologist and nothing seems to be amiss here! We know why he was so effective in war films because he enlisted in the Marines and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He knew, first hand, how a soldier reacts, and I’m sure he brought catharsis to many a veteran who saw his performances. This book is a gem, filled with family stories, real characters and events, from which sprung our main concern: an actor with the guts to tell off Lee Strasberg, and wait until the world of film came around to HIM. Don’t under estimate the topic, nor the author who weaves the tale! Five stars!

[J.P. Linde · Rating 4 out of 5]

“As soon as people see my face on a movie screen, they knew two things: first, I'm not going to get the girl, and second, I'll get a cheap funeral before the picture is over.”

Lee Marvin

“Cat Ballou,” “The Professionals” and “Point Blank” hooked me. “Dirty Dozen” astounded me and I witnessed “Paint your Wagon” with the same slack-jawed horror that only comes by driving past a three- car pile-up on the 405. Luckily, my favorite Lee Marvin film, Monte Walsh was able to cleanse my movie-going palate. The actor’s incredible life story and career are all here, documented in Dwayne Epstein’s incredible biography, Lee Marvin: Point Blank.

The author covers a difficult life textured with hundreds of layers…some of which are quite dark. From a troubled childhood, to his valiant service in the Marine Corps during World War II, we witness it all. Epstein, a superb writer and biographer, offers a first-hand look at a career that elevated a very complicated man to an Academy Award winner. There was no-one like Lee Marvin and Dwayne Epstein appreciates this. He treats his subject with respect in a book that honors the actor by being meticulously documented and truthful. From a promising career in television, moving toward savory supporting roles in thrillers, and climaxing to full-fledged action star, it’s all here. Marvin’s hard life led to an unfortunate early end, but the actor remained consistent with his beliefs and never made excuses for his choices. Biographies like this only come one in a decade. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

[Stone Wallace]

Lee Marvin gained a reputation as one of the true tough guys in motion pictures. He lived the role both onscreen - and off. But he was also a complex man and a quite private person of which little is known beyond his public persona. Through exhaustive research and interviews with those who both knew Marvin professionally and personally, noted celebrity author Dwayne Epstein deftly peels back the layers to finally afford fans of the late actor a look at the man behind the macho. Within the pages we learn about Marvin's childhood, his WW2 service and what he endured on the battlefield, his entry into show business - early roles in movies and television, including starring in his own series M Squad and memorable appearances on classics like The Twilight Zone. His ascent into movie superstardom via roles in movies such as Cat Ballou and The Dirty Dozen. He continued working almost right to the end, where his hard-living finally took a toll on his health. Was he a self-destructive individual? Or was he just a man who lived life on his own terms? Dwayne's book explores many of these questions to give a fully-rounded portrait of an actor whose reputation still looms large. In short, Lee Marvin: Point Blank is a highly recommended read for fans of the actor and for those who just enjoy an entertaining show biz read.

[R.E. Conary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a latchkey kid in the late fifties, among my greatest pleasures were the afternoon “Million Dollar” movies on local TV. I’d rush home from school so as not to miss a single moment.

It was there that I discovered the vicious villains played by Lee Marvin in films like “The Big Heat” and “Bad Day At Black Rock.” The coffee pot scene and later Gloria Grahame’s revenge on Marvin in “The Big Heat” is a visual image I’ve never forgotten. For me, then, no villain—not Ernest Borgnine or Lee Van Cleef or Jack Elam or others— were as nasty as Lee Marvin. And yet, I thoroughly enjoyed him as the tough, no nonsense, Chicago detective on TV’s “M Squad.”

Marvin commanded attention on the screen and I loved him in “Cat Ballou,” “The Professionals,” “The Dirty Dozen,” and—especially—“Point Blank” as the determined thief who only wants “his money.” It was that role that led me to the novels of Richard Stark (Donald E. Westlake).

So I found Dwayne Epstein’s biography “Lee Marvin: Point Blank” a shear joy. I learned a lot about the WWII Marine who fought in the Pacific and was wounded in Saipan (“in the buttocks” as Forrest Gump would say) and how those experiences and horrors helped make his portrayals real and not just acting.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because there wasn't a lot I knew about Lee Marvin and I had heard that he was in WWII, so was curious to read what he had been through then. That part of his life was almost glossed over and he got a purple heart for getting hit in the butt. I was reading when he was inducted and thinking, "Gawd, they were so very young and immature." Was it the times or were the young men that ignorant of city life, I suspect it was both and living on a farm.
I grew up on war movies and had no idea that back in the 40's & 50's, most of the folks in those movies were veterans of WWII. He was proud of his service and almost anal in holding a rifle correctly, but that part of his life was no more. It seemed he drank and smoked himself into an early grave in trying to achieve the same feeling of being a Marine in all his endeavors after WWII. And honestly, I don't think he even knew what he was searching for only that he wasn't getting it in all the work he did. It is like trying to recapture the high from the first play he had a leading role in.