Robert Mitchum: Baby I Don’t Care

Robert Mitchum: Baby I Don’t Care
Well worth a read. Written by Lee Server, the same author who penned Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing, Robert Mitchum: Baby I Don’t Care is a very readable and enjoyable book. There is a nice blend of both personal and professional information. I am always more interested in the professional side and this does a nice job of avoiding more gossipy areas of Mitchum’s life. Yes, we are told he was a heavy drinker and womanizer but although this thread runs throughout the book it never comes close to the attention and perspective we are given on the man’s career.

I walked into this book without a good picture of Mitchum the man but this did a great job in rectifying that. Unfortunately Mitchum did not make a tremendous amount of good pictures and even fewer great ones. One wonders as we are reminded here how much different his career might have been had he been permitted to do some of the roles for which he was considered. While under contract to a Howard Hughes’ controlled RKO numerous requests for Mitchum’s loanout were refused.

It is lengthy but reads so well it’s hard to put down. Highly recommended.