{"product_id":"lew-ayres-hollywoods-conscientious-objector-paperback","title":"Lew Ayres: Hollywood's Conscientious Objector - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eLesley L. Coffin\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eMarya E. Gates\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLew Ayres (1908-1996) became known to the public when he portrayed the leading character in the epic war film \u003cem\u003eAll Quiet on the Western Front\u003c\/em\u003e. The role made him a household name, introduced him to his closest friends, brought him to the attention of his first two wives, and would overshadow the rest of his career. To be a movie star was his first and only ambition as a child, but once he found success, he was never fully satisfied in his choice of profession. Although lacking a formal education, Ayres spent the rest of his life pursuing dozens of intellectual studies, interests, and hobbies. He even considered ending his acting career after just a few years to pursue a more \"respectable and fulfilling\" path as a director.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAyres was given not one but two comeback opportunities in his acting career, in 1938 and 1945. He was cast in the film series \u003cem\u003eDr. Kildare\u003c\/em\u003e where he showed his abilities in comedy and his unique strength at bringing a level of sincerity to even the most outlandish or idealist character. But he was willing to give up his star status to follow his moral compass, first as a conscientious objector and ultimately as a noncombat medic during World War II. To everyone's surprise, he was welcomed back to Hollywood with open arms and new opportunities despite his objector status.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBiographer Lesley L. Coffin presents the story of a man of quiet dignity, constantly searching for the right way to live his life and torn between the public world of Hollywood and secluded life of spiritual introspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLesley L. Coffin\u003c\/b\u003e is a film scholar with a master's degree in star studies from New York University. In addition to her work online as a journalist, interviewer, and critic, she is author of \u003ci\u003eHitchcock's Stars: Alfred Hitchcock and the Hollywood Studio System\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 264\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e September 03, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67926118465790,"sku":"9781496863614","price":44.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/8716\/4670\/files\/eH06BIqfOB9781496863614.webp?v=1793440899","url":"https:\/\/123learningstore.com\/products\/lew-ayres-hollywoods-conscientious-objector-paperback","provider":"123 Learning Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}