{"product_id":"9781617036385","title":"Lew Ayres: Hollywood's Conscientious Objector","description":"\u003cp\u003eLew Ayres (1908-1996) became known to the public when he portrayed the leading character in the epic war film \u003ci\u003eAll Quiet on the Western Front\u003c\/i\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 ended 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 \u003ci\u003eDr. Kildare\u003c\/i\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 in order 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","brand":"University Press of Mississippi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47113594077424,"sku":"9781617036385","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781617036385_p0.jpg?v=1763853180","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781617036385","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}