Hard to read. This is no slight on Kearns who has done a good job, solid research and writing, etc - it's just making it about Tierney. A solid lunk who lucked out in avoiding war service during World War Two, went into movies and got lucky again with the lead in Dillinger, he was all set up for a long life as a tough guy actor, who never lack work. And that kind of figured out for him.
But he was a drunk and a mean drunk, constantly falling off the wagon and getting in fights and winding up in court. Again and again he gets on the booze and fights. He's a frustrating figure to spend a book with. I kept going "you should be in prison". He got so many second chances.
From an acting point of view I get it - he conveyed menace, good voice. But he should've served more time in prison. He was a menace. Couldn't stay on wagon. Would attack cops and beat up small people in bars. People (judges, producers) kept forgiving him. And he never seemed to lack women.
Book more enjoyable in the 80s and 90s when he calmed down a little. He still had plenty of money too (well, enough) - constant work, no divorces, no kids.
Kearns might have discussed the film and his acting a little more to vary things.
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