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xiii Acknowledgments This book is primarily a product of Clifton Webb’s marvelous unfinished autobiography. Webb wrote just as he spoke. As you read his words you can almost hear him speaking. Therefore, putting my words next to his was a daunting task. I am grateful to Helen Matthews, Webb’s secretary, for saving the Webb manuscript from oblivion. I am equally grateful to John and Betsy Neylon, who rescued the manuscript and Webb’s collection of personal memorabilia from ten years in a basement. I am deeply indebted to the Neylon’s generosity in allowing me to use the manuscript, photos, and other memorabilia in that collection. I owe Robert Wagner many thanks for his kindness, generosity, and availability. Photos and memorabilia from his personal collection of Webb memorabilia contributed greatly to this book. Richard Zanuck was also very generous with his time and a very valuable eyewitness source. Jill St. John provided additional insight into the character of this unique man. I am grateful to Bob Newhart, who took the time to write and tell me about his unusual first and only encounter with Webb. Victoria Price provided insight into the friendship between her father and Webb. David Stenn provided extremely valuable information from his own research of the life of Jeanne Eagels. His meticulous research included ship manifests and important dates, as well as providing guidance for locations of photos and newspaper articles. Leonard Leff shared his research and his publications covering Webb’s life. Dennis Hollenbeck provided information on the Hollenbeck family and his personal research on the life of Clifton Webb, beginning in childhood , when he once sat on the lap of his distant relative. Charles Hooey kindly shared his research on the fascinating life and career of Orville Harrold. Scott Eyman, who was the literary collaborator for Robert Wagner’s memoir “Pieces of My Heart,” provided important xiv a c k n o w l e d g M e n t s information from that book and helped steer me to Wagner, resulting in several valuable interviews. Charles F. Engel and Mark E. Engel were valuable resources in that their father, Samuel G. Engel, wrote and delivered the wonderful eulogy for Clifton Webb found at the end of this book. Webb was a close family friend of the Engels and as such they were able to provide me with valuable insight into the true nature of this man. As always, much credit should go to my dear wife, Lucy Ann, who acted as proofreader, grammar coach, and critic for my first book as well as this one. The task of encompassing and defining a man’s life is awesome. However , much of this was done for me. Webb’s own writing gives us a delightful and authentic firsthand account of his life and times that, in effect, is also a history of theatrical performance in twentieth-century America. Despite the presence of Webb’s six chapters, there were many holes to fill and much research to be done. Unfortunately, many important people who were close to Clifton Webb have passed on. Because of this, one feels extraordinary affection and gratitude for those who were interested enough to help the book eventually see print. After spending so much time reading and researching the life of Clifton Webb, I began to feel I knew him personally. Although I am very happy to see this book finished, it sometimes feels as though I have lost a wonderful and most unique friend. ...

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