ROSENFIELD, JOHN, JR. (1900-1966). John Rosenfield, Jr., journalist and critic, the son of Jennie Lind (Kramer) and Max John Rosenfield, was born in Dallas on April 5, 1900. He attended Dallas public schools, the University of Texas, and Columbia University, where he graduated. He worked for the New York Evening Mail, first as a reporter, then as a motion-picture reviewer. Following brief employment as a publicity man for Paramount Pictures, he returned to Dallas in 1923 and joined the staff of the Dallas Morning News.^qv Two years later he was asked by George B. Dealey,^qv the founder of the News, to form an amusements department for the paper. During his forty-one years as drama and music critic for that newspaper, Rosenfield became the recognized cultural spokesman for the Southwest. He contributed widely to national periodicals, as well as writing his local column, "The Passing Show." His reviews were characterized by astute judgment, dashed with keen wit. Largely through Rosenfield's influence with wealthy Dallas families, the Margo Jones Theatre was able to secure the financial backing that permitted its opening in June 1947. The Southwest Theatre Conference twice voted Rosenfield its annual award (in 1955 and 1960), and the Screen Directors Guild cited him for distinguished motion-picture criticism in 1956. He was a member of Temple Emanu-El.^qv He married Claire Burger in 1923 and was the father of one son. In 1957 he gave up his administrative duties with the Dallas Morning News but continued to write reviews until June 1966. He died on November 26, 1966, and was buried in Dallas.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Dallas Morning News, November 27, 1966. Dallas Times Herald, November 27, 1966. Who Was Who in America, Vol. 4.

Ronald L. Davis