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The Salad Days
Salad Days, the first volume of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.'s autobiography, spans the 1920s and '30s and ends in 1941, when FDR sent him and his new wife Mary Lee on a fact-finding tour of South America just before the United States entered World War II.
431 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
17 books3 followersDouglas Fairbanks, Jr. is the son of actor Douglas Fairbanks and his first wife Beth. He became an actor during the late silent era and a star of A-budget films starring alongside actors such as Greta Garbo, Edward G. Robinson, Ronald Colman, Katharine Hepburn, Irene Dunne, Ginger Rogers, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, and Maureen O'Hara.
Before America's entry in World War II, he joined the United States Navy Reserve and was duly commissioned. He spent four years on active-duty and became a highly-decorated officer with honors for valor and distinguished service from the USA, Britain, and France. Post-war, he resumed his career as a film actor but the momentum he had achieved in the film industry prior to the war did not revive as well as could have been hoped upon his return to Hollywood. He remained active, however, with many film, radio, television, and theatre appearances. He also remained in the US Navy Reserve and retired with the rank of Captain in 1954.
In addition to his acting career and service in the US Navy, he was a patron of the arts and philanthropist.
Three stars are dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one each for his achievements in film, radio, and television. In addition, he was invested an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) and appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France).
Fairbanks Jr. was married to Joan Crawford (divorced in 1933), Mary Lee Eppling (who predeceased him in 1988) with whom he had three daughters, and Vera Shelton.
Before America's entry in World War II, he joined the United States Navy Reserve and was duly commissioned. He spent four years on active-duty and became a highly-decorated officer with honors for valor and distinguished service from the USA, Britain, and France. Post-war, he resumed his career as a film actor but the momentum he had achieved in the film industry prior to the war did not revive as well as could have been hoped upon his return to Hollywood. He remained active, however, with many film, radio, television, and theatre appearances. He also remained in the US Navy Reserve and retired with the rank of Captain in 1954.
In addition to his acting career and service in the US Navy, he was a patron of the arts and philanthropist.
Three stars are dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one each for his achievements in film, radio, and television. In addition, he was invested an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) and appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France).
Fairbanks Jr. was married to Joan Crawford (divorced in 1933), Mary Lee Eppling (who predeceased him in 1988) with whom he had three daughters, and Vera Shelton.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 11, 2019
One of the better early Hollywood autobiographies, this one follows the son of the famous silent film star as he navigates the ups and downs of his own acting career and love life (including his first marriage to Joan Crawford). Still it's his emotional, conflicted, nuanced take on his relationship with his famous father (the latter was never comfortable with being addressed as Father or Dad, so Jr. ended up calling him"Pete") that proves the most resonant material. Fairbanks Jr. proves a marvelous writer, and it appears he did it himself without aid of a ghostwriter. The book ends with his entry into World War 2 via the navy so it looks like I'll have to track down Volume 2.
November 20, 2024
The author is cute
September 6, 2024
3 stars for the history, bumped down to 2 stars for content conflicting with my personal beliefs.
I went into this autobiography interested in learning about old Hollywood history and eventually, Fairbanks Jr.'s contributions to WWII, which is highlighted in the second part of his autobiography. Unfortunately, I had to stop around p. 150. Prior to that, there was some TMI on Fairbanks Jr.'s adolescent "adventures" I could have done without, but I easily skimmed over those. But when he casually referred to financially helping an actor pay for his mistress's abortion, that was the limit. It did not seem he was regretful for the act, making me infer he was in support of abortions. Bear in mind, he described the two involved as being eager. Due to my personal beliefs, I lost all desire to continue reading. I am quite aware glamorous Hollywood was a farce and abortions were aplenty, but must one highlight them, especially when it doesn't have relevance? I am sure Fairbanks, Jr. could have portrayed the strong friendship with said actor by sharing another story.
I am rather disappointed, because the book was holding my interest and it sort of aligned with Lillian Gish's autobiography I read earlier since Fairbanks, Sr. was a huge part of the silent film era like Gish. A word of warning for others who share my personal beliefs.
I went into this autobiography interested in learning about old Hollywood history and eventually, Fairbanks Jr.'s contributions to WWII, which is highlighted in the second part of his autobiography. Unfortunately, I had to stop around p. 150. Prior to that, there was some TMI on Fairbanks Jr.'s adolescent "adventures" I could have done without, but I easily skimmed over those. But when he casually referred to financially helping an actor pay for his mistress's abortion, that was the limit. It did not seem he was regretful for the act, making me infer he was in support of abortions. Bear in mind, he described the two involved as being eager. Due to my personal beliefs, I lost all desire to continue reading. I am quite aware glamorous Hollywood was a farce and abortions were aplenty, but must one highlight them, especially when it doesn't have relevance? I am sure Fairbanks, Jr. could have portrayed the strong friendship with said actor by sharing another story.
I am rather disappointed, because the book was holding my interest and it sort of aligned with Lillian Gish's autobiography I read earlier since Fairbanks, Sr. was a huge part of the silent film era like Gish. A word of warning for others who share my personal beliefs.
April 23, 2008
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was a true class act. As the son of one of the world's most famous actors of the silent era, Doug Jr. has unfairly been overshadowed and under appreciated. This first volume of his two-part autobiography (A Hell of a War came next) tells about his childhood, living with his mother after his parents were divorced. It then goes on to his start in films (necessary to support mother and son after she lost the divorce settlement money through bad investments), his marriage to Joan Crawford, their divorce and his second marriage to MaryLee. Fairbanks has many entertaining stories and loads of charm.
September 29, 2011
I picked up this book for 3 reasons: it is really long and I wanted to dive into during a vacation to curacao, because I knew that Fairbanks was big in film a long time ago and because I was into the title.
Biggest revelation: fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlier Chaplin donimated the movie industry in the 20's and 30's. Fairbanks sometimes made 8 films in a year. He was huge.
The book is somewhat introspective which I appreciate. And fairbanks admits to some faults, which is hard in a book. The one flaw is that the book only covers half his life. There is another whole volume for the second half of his life. Too much!
Biggest revelation: fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlier Chaplin donimated the movie industry in the 20's and 30's. Fairbanks sometimes made 8 films in a year. He was huge.
The book is somewhat introspective which I appreciate. And fairbanks admits to some faults, which is hard in a book. The one flaw is that the book only covers half his life. There is another whole volume for the second half of his life. Too much!
November 8, 2022
I love reading about the old days :)
October 19, 2009
While I read this too soon after finishing Me, Cheeta to give it a fair review, I did enjoy it, if for some of the wrong reasons. What's between the lines is frequently more funny / interesting /clever than what's said outright. Fun insight into old Hollywood and success.
June 8, 2015
I really liked reading what Douglas Fairbanks Jr life was like in his opinion. Probably one of my favorite autobiographies.
March 17, 2010
wow, DFJ had an interesting life, particularly his childhood! This book explained a lot of reasons why I'm not as familiar with his work as I am with his contemporaries'...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews