“No Average Jane” A Review by Francis H. Westwood, Edgar Rice Burroughs Society (London)
All
the books written by David Fury have truly held my interest and have amazed me with his professionalism. The presentation of his latest
biography on Maureen O’Sullivan, has been thorough, in-depth, descriptive and informative. In the case of Maureen O’Sullivan where
details of a personal nature have been revealed, David Fury has dealt with these incidents with gentility, respect and certainly not
compromising anyone’s integrity.
I have to say, in reference to the ‘Press’ that on more than one occasion
Maureen O’Sullivan has been mistaken for Maureen O’Hara and vice versa. Two beautiful Irish stars.
David
Fury has chronicled Maureen’s life from her early days in Ireland to her ultimate passing on June 22nd, 1998, in the United States
of America. She played or starred in 63 motion pictures and seven television productions. She also took part in 70 radio programs
and 37 television guest appearances. If that were not enough, 26 stage productions can be added to her accomplishments. On top of
all this she married and had seven children. The men she married and the children she brought into the world are all very well documented
with photographs in David Fury’s book.
For many people of course, Maureen O’Sullivan was Jane, Tarzan’s mate,
Tarzan in this case being the one and only Johnny Weissmuller. Maureen and Johnny got on very well and stayed friends until he sadly
passed away on Friday January 20th, 1984. Maureen had nothing but kind words to say about him. With Johnny Sheffield she formed a
good relationship which lasted until Maureen’s death.
Johnny and Maureen made six films together, and were
a good combination along with Johnny Sheffield who first appeared in Tarzan Finds a Son. Johnny and Maureen’s first film together
was Tarzan the Ape Man [1932], then came Tarzan and His Mate [1934], followed by Tarzan Escapes [1936], Tarzan Finds a Son [1939], Tarzan’s
Secret Treasure [1941], and Tarzan’s New York Adventure [1942]. The films were all highly popular, the last three having been made
during the Second World War — they were in part a form of escapism from the horrors of war.
David Fury’s
book illustrates that Maureen actually met Edgar Rice Burroughs, also his children, Joan, Hulbert, and John, not forgetting James
Pierce who married Joan Burroughs. They all got on well together.
Maureen’s co-stars and other actors and
actresses were many and varied, famous and not so famous. She played opposite some of the greats of Hollywood of that time. She was
a lady in every sense of the word and it showed. I don’t think that there was much that anyone could say that could be construed as
bad or disreputable regarding her character. She did have, I imagine, a bit of an Irish temper but she would not stand for any funny
business from fellow actresses, actors or studio bosses for that matter. The one ‘party’ who did not get on well with her was Cheeta.
This excellent work is 456 pages long, and is complemented with 206 photographs (from practically all the
periods of her life), added to which there are five film posters, three documents and one illustration. Another important part of
this work is that David Fury gives us a synopsis of all the films and plays in which Maureen took part. This is also enhanced by the
fact that he cites the various critics’ commentaries from magazine and newspaper sources. I would like to say that this work is very
complete. What the author has done is to be as correct as possible regarding details of film titles, dates, directors, actors and
actresses, co-stars and people important to the production of any film, TV, or stage production.
David’s
work will stand anyone in good stead not only as a wonderful biography of a very lovely lady, but as a comprehensive reference work,
listing all the pertinent details and information which a good reference book should contain. In Maureen O’Sullivan’s case all her
film work, her co-stars, directors and any person connected with the production of films, plays and TV work are all in David Fury’s
book. I warmly recommend this work to any library or literary institution. I especially recommend it to any of the aficionados of
the Tarzan films, and Edgar Rice Burroughs’ works. “No Average Jane” is a very enjoyable book, a good read and delightful gift for
anyone
