Jean Arthur. In an earlier age, she was known as unconventional: A Hollywood star who shunned the press, ignored her fans, and fought the studio monopoly system in court and out.

Shy and insecure, Arthur struggled in summer stock and movie shorts for years before finding her character as a madcap heroine in three Frank Capra films, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and You Can't Take It With You. She also appeared in The Plainsman, playing Calamity Jane to Gary Cooper's Wild Bill Hickok.

After abandoning film, Arthur enrolled in college, taught drama, and struggled to make a comeback on Broadway playing Jeanne D'Arc--the French maiden whose first name Arthur had adopted when she began acting.

American Legends proudly offers Jean Arthur: The Actress Nobody Knew by John Oller at $14.20 ($15.40 for California residents). This is a 25% discount off the publisher's list price of $18.95. (Limelight Editions/trade paperback, 358 pages) Please add $2.50 for postage and handling.