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Home , Alexander Golitzen, Alice Ghostley, Atticus Finch, Frank Butler (writer), Gregory Peck, Horton Foote

VOICE Journal of the Alex Society Vol. 14, No. 1 February 2, 2008, 2 pm & 8 pm 02/08 of theTHEATRE By Randy Carter has to age six decades over the course of the film regory Peck has and Zanuck thought Peck always been a could carry it off. Although Gleading man. He the film did well at the never played a waiter box office it didn’t recoup with two lines or a police Zanuck’s $3 million dollar officer who gets killed in investment. But Peck got an the first reel. A Oscar® nomination for Best boy from , he and his position as a went to State top was minted and Cal, did some college in only his second film. He theatre and headed to New would be nominated three York. A student of Sanford more times in the next four Meisner, he played the years for (1946), lead in his first Broadway Gentleman’s Agreement production, “The Morning (1947) and Twelve O’ Clock Star”, a version High (1950). of a hit by the Welsh actor/playwright . This was 1942 Gentleman’s Agreement teamed Peck with New Yorker and a few good notices, a round of meetings in a film about Anti-Semitism. Peck actually set up by his agent Leland Hayward, set the stage for played a gentile impersonating a Jew to observe the his first film role in the RKO production ofDays of depth of prejudice in America. The film hasn’t aged Glory (1944). well with critics, but in its day it was a bold attempt to bring social issues to the big screen. Gary Fishgall The film about Russian partisans battling the Germans in his of the actor says that Kazan and didn’t make much of a dent at the box office, but 20th Peck didn’t mesh and the intense New Yorker found Century Fox production chief Darryl F. Zanuck looked Peck aloof and workmanlike, quite different from the at some of the rushes and cast the newcomer in his tightly wound Brandos and Steigers he preferred to production of A. J. Cronin’s best seller The Keys of work with. They both shared a love of theatre and it the Kingdom. Zanuck paid over $100,000 for the was in the late 40’s that Peck devoted a great part of film rights, planned a prestige production, but found his free time to the creation and operation of the La that all of his contract stars, , Henry Jolla Playhouse. Together with Dorothy McGuire (his Fonda, , Richard Greene and John Payne co-star in Gentleman’s Agreement) and they were serving in the Armed Forces. The Scottish priest Continued on Page 2

Gregory Peck...... 1 Perspective: ...... 7 Feature credits...... 4 Short Subjects...... 7 Photo Gallery ...... 5 Society News...... 8 Perspective: ...... 6 Calendar...... 8 GREGORY PECK Cont’d from page 1

(1950), (1953), Moby Dick (1956) and (1959) were popular titles as he churned out one or two major productions per year, some co-produced with his partner, writer Sy Bartlett under their Melville Productions banner.

Gregory Peck was by all accounts a thoughtful well-prepared actor who loved to research his characters, 12 O’Clock High (1950) presented a subscription series that over the years mounted productions The 1961 production of The Guns of “Born Yesterday”, “Summer and of Navarone was a big financial Smoke”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, hit and garnered Greg yet another “The Front Page” and “Our Town” Oscar® nomination but it was and the roster of stars included merely a prelude to the film that Robert Ryan, Pat O’Brien, Ann became his personal favorite. Blyth, Jose Ferrer, and Teresa Wright. Peck’s actual Harper Lee’s best selling novel To involvement with the company Kill a Mockingbird, a portrait ended in 1964 but he remained of life in a 1930’s southern town a patron of the arts in La Jolla. still under the steaming thrall of racial bigotry was filmed entirely The 1950’s opened with Henry on the Universal back lot where Art King’s The , an adult Moby Dick (1956) Director salvaged version of the genre and one of the 30 homes set for destruction best westerns ever produced. He by eminent domain and built would return to the outdoors for The often scribbling copious notes on the courthouse, town square Bravados, a somber tale of revenge his script pages and researching the and home of . history of people and events. Some directors appreciated this deliberate approach, others preferred who hit their mark, said their words and went to the bar for a drink. In postproduction he would have pages of notes on the edit, with suggestions for his character and the film as a whole. He was often wearing a producer hat so his notes had to be taken seriously. Peck (1950) was deeply interested in his own Roman Holiday (1953) portrayals, but never at the expense of his fellow cast or the production. and co-produce He was opinionated, but generous Gregory Peck recounts that he with both released in and open to other points of view. rehearsed the final courtroom scene 1958. Captain Horatio Hornblower Continued on Page 3 www.AlexFilmSociety.org –  – Vol. 14, No. 1 February 2, 2008 Peck recounted that he rehearsed the final courtroom scene at home… ”perhaps over two to three hundred times.” the Rev. ’s trial at home… ”perhaps over two to earned him a prominent place on three hundred times.” When the ’s enemies list. cameras rolled, many of the extras and defendant Tom Robinson Peck was not really an enemy of () were in tears. It the state and his work as President was an emotional experience of the Motion Picture Academy and the cast and crew realized and Chairman of the Motion that they had just watched an Picture Relief Fund were earnest award winning performance. commitments that raised millions of dollars for industry charities.

the “, Beatles, generation”. They tried to be topical but most efforts came off as ponderous and lame. Westerns no longer passed muster and attempts at comedy often lead to disaster. From 1964 to 1973 Peck appeared in a long string of box office failures: Captain Newman M.D., Behold a Pale Horse, Mirage, Arabesque, The Guns of Navarone (1961) The Stalking Moon, Mackenna’s Wife Veronique and Peck in 1963. Gold, The Chairman, Marooned, I In 1973 Gregory Peck returned to the Walk the Line, Shoot Out, and Billy studio where his career had begun was at the podium in Two Hats. He stopped appearing in thirty years before under the tutelage the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and produced two pictures, of Darryl Zanuck. A deal had just as the nominees were announced The Trial of the Catonsville Nine fallen through with Charlton Heston and it was a tough year. Burt to appear in a feature for director Lancaster (Birdman of Alcatraz), . was on (The Days of Wine board for the female lead and Peck and Roses), Peter O’Toole (Lawrence signed to appear as her husband of Arabia), Marcelo Mastroianni in . He took a modest fee (Divorce-Italian Style) were all in exchange for 20% of the gross nominated, but Gregory Peck profits of what turned out to be one walked away with the Oscar®. of the biggest grossing films of the decade. Hollywood respects nothing A decade that opened with such as much as blockbuster and Gregory success and fame became more Peck found himself back where problematic as the turbulent Capt. Horatio Hornblower (1950) he started. He was once again a sixties wore on. Gregory Peck like bankable star and he would ride this the other leading men of his age phase of his career into the sunset. (, , , ) (1972) and The Dove (1974), neither Research for this article drawn from suddenly seemed out of step with made money and the account of GREGORY PECK: A BIOGRAPHY by Gary Fisgall (Scribner 2002).

Vol. 14, No. 1 February 2, 2008 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE ’s Black and White – 1962 – 129 minutes A Brentwood, Pakula-Mulligan Production Print Courtesy of

Cast Gregory Peck...... Atticus Finch Directed by...... Robert Mulligan ...... Scout ...... Jem Produced by...... Alan J. Pakula John Megna...... Charles Baker ‘Dill’ Harris Frank Overton...... Sheriff Heck Tate Written By...... Harper Lee (novel) ...... Maudie Atkinson (screenplay) Ruth White...... Mrs. Dubose Director Of Photography...... Russell Harlan Brock Peters...... Tom Robinson Estelle Evans...... Calpurnia Original Music by...... Elmer Bernstein ...... Judge Taylor Editor...... Aaron Stell Collin Wilcox...... Mayella Violet Ewell Assistant Editor...... J. Terry Williams* James Anderson...... Robert E. Lee ‘Bob’ Ewell Art Directors...... Henry Bumstead Alice Ghostley...... Aunt Stephanie Crawford Alexander Golitzen* Robert Duvall...... Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley Set Decorator...... ...... Mr. Gilmer, Prosecutor Props...... Frank Nifong*, Julius Rosenkrantz* Crahan Denton...... Walter Cunningham Sr. Costume Designer...... Rosemary Odell Richard Hale...... Nathan Radley Men’s Wardrobe...... Seth Banks John Lucas* R.L. Armstrong...... Man* Women’s Wardrobe...... Viola Thompson* Bobby Barber...... Courtroom Spectator* Exec. In Charge Of Production.... Edward Muhl Steve Condit...... Walter Cunningham Jr.* Production Manager...... Ernest B. Wehmeyer Crawford...... David Robinson - Tom’s Son* Asst. Production Manager...... Dick Gallegly* Jamie Forster...... Hiram Townsend - Courthouse Steps* Assistant Director...... Joseph Kenny Charles E. Fredericks...... Court Clerk* 2nd Assistant Director...... Terry Morse Jr.* ...... Spence Robinson, Tom’s Father* Script Supervisor...... Meta Rebner Chuck Hamilton...... Courtroom Spectator* Makeup Artists...... Bud Westmore Kim Hamilton...... Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife* Franz Prehoda* Kim Hector...... Cecil Jacobs* Hair Stylists...... Larry Germain Colin Kenny...... Courtroom Spectator* Lavaughn Speer* Nancy Marshall...... Schoolteacher* Sound...... Corson Jowett, Waldon O. Watson Paulene Myers...... Jesse - Dubose Servant Girl* Assistant Camera...... William Egan*, Frank Stanley* William H. O’Brien...... Courtroom Spectator* Camera Operator...... Jack Whitman* Gil Perkins...... Man in Mob* Still Photographers...... Rollie Lane*, Léo L. Fuchs* Hugh Sanders...... Dr. Reynolds* Gaffer...... Bill Neff* Barry Seltzer...... Schoolboy* Grips...... Carl Gibson*, Walter Woodworth* ...... Scout as an Adult - Narrator (voice)* Title Designer: Main Titles...... Stephen Frankfurt Jay Sullivan...... Court Reporter* Assistant To Producer...... Isabel Halliburton Kelly Thordsen...... Burly Mob Member* Max Wagner...... Courtroom Spectator* Academy Award® Nominated: Bold; won: Green Bill Walker...... Rev. Sykes* Dan White...... Mob Leader* Guy Wilkerson...... Jury Foreman*

* (uncredited) credits from Internet Movie Database: IMDB.com

www.AlexFilmSociety.org –  – Vol. 14, No. 1 February 2, 2008 Photo Gallery

Mary Badham and Robert Duvall. Collin Wilcox was working on Broadway when she was cast as the alleged victim Mayella Ewell.

Frank Overton (behind) appeared on nearly every network dramatic series before his death in 1967. Badham was ten years old when nominated as best supporting actress. Her brother is noted director (Saturday Night Fever).

John Megna (behind) was singer Brock Peters (Tom Robinson) the accused, delivered brother and appeared in , Part II. the eulogy at Gregory Peck’s funeral.

Vol. 14, No. 1 February 2, 2008 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE PERSPECTIVE: Robert Duvall By Dean Briggs Duvall’s screen debut was as Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley

Robert Duvall playing a German In 1996 Robert Duvall, who has been army officer on the television show, married and divorced three times “Combat”. His portrayal was so before, met his current wife Luciana measured, even and thoughtful, Pedraza in Buenos Aires, Argentina. quietly drawing the viewer in that Together they share a love of tango I made sure that I remembered his dancing. Duvall has even worked face and name because I felt we this passion into a movie he wrote, would be seeing much more of this co-produced (with Francis Ford actor in the future and, indeed, Coppola), directed and starred in luckily we have. called, Assassination Tango (2002).

Open Range (2003) Duvall’s screen debut was as Recently, Duvall found himself back Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley in To Kill a on the television screen portraying f you asked Robert Duvall what Mockingbird (1962) at the age of 31. yet another wise old cowboy in the he would like to be doing at any He has appeared in such movies as, , Broken Trail (2006). After Igiven moment, he might give you The Chase (1966), True Grit (1969) a long career, Robert Duvall shows an answer that would surprise most and MASH (1970). no signs of slowing down. He has a people. In spite of a stellar career in number of projects in the works that acting, where he has garnered many His portrayal of lawyer Tom Hagen are in production or development. awards, I believe he might say to his in The Godfather (1972) gave Duvall Having just turned 76, Robert Duvall startled fans at his latest premiere- what some would call his breakout remains one of film’s treasures and “I’d rather be dancing”. Robert role. now, probably, one heck of a tango Duvall is a true connoisseur of… the dancer. Tango. Duvall’s stage and television appearances became somewhat This is Dean Briggs’ first contribution to the Robert Selden Duvall was born in sporadic as his film career took off. VOT. He recently joined the AFS Board of San Diego, California on January 5, In 1979 he starred as Lt. Colonel Directors. 1931. His mother was an amateur Bull Meechum in the film,The Great actress and his father was a US Santini and he was nominated for Naval Admiral. After a stint in the the Best Actor Oscar™ for his work. Army, Duvall began studying acting His re-teaming with Francis Ford at the Neighborhood Playhouse Coppola in Apocalypse Now (1979) School of Theatre in New York with as the ‘I love the smell of napalm in teacher . In New the morning’ Colonel Kilgore was yet York, Duvall met and became good another highlight in Duvall’s career. friends with fellow actors and when In 1983, Duvall won his first Best all three actors were unknowns Actor Oscar™ for the filmTender struggling to find work. Mercies, and it remains one of his favorite film roles. In 1958 Duvall acted in the Off Broadway one act play, “The In 1997 Duvall finally got his Midnight Caller” by Horton Foote. filmThe Apostle, which he wrote, Soon, Duvall began acting on directed and starred in, completed. television in such shows as, “The He received yet another Best Actor Duvall as Josef Stalin, an HBO production Outer Limits” and “The Twilight nomination for his work. about the brutal Soviet dictator. (1992) Zone”. I first remember seeing www.AlexFilmSociety.org –  – Vol. 14, No. 1 February 2, 2008 PERSPECTIVE: author Harper Lee By Linda Harris

In 1962, she spent three weeks Later, she granted a brief interview watching the 10-week filming of with , made the movie adaptation of her book, an appearance at the then “took off when she realized Public Library and this November everything would be fine without she received the Presidential Medal her.” Lee was pleased with the of Freedom from President Bush. In film version of her novel saying his remarks, Bush stated, “…TO KILL that the film was a “work of art.” A MOCKINGBIRD has influenced So impressed with Gregory Peck’s the character of our country for the performance, she gave him her better. It’s been a gift to the entire father’s pocket watch, which he world. As a of good writing had with him the evening he was and humane sensibility, this book arper Lee grew up as awarded the Oscar™ for best actor. will be read and studied forever.” a rebellious tomboy in HMonroeville, . Born Lee has published only a few short By 1982, over 15 million copies of in 1926 and the youngest of four essays in popular magazines since the book had been sold; ten years children, her father was a lawyer and her literary debut. For decades, Lee later, the sales figures had climbed state legislator. Lee was a voracious has remained fiercely mindful of her to 18 million copies of the paperback reader, and enjoyed the company privacy and never discussed why she version alone. The book has never of her schoolmate and neighbor, never wrote another book. But in the been out of print in hardcover or . last few years, she has emerged from paperback. Today, it has sold over 30 her comfortable cocoon. million copies and been translated After graduating from high school, Last year, convinced into over 40 languages. TO KILL A she attended college in Montgomery her to write for her “O” Magazine MOCKINGBIRD is still taught in over and then pursued a law degree at on how she became an avid reader. 70% of schools in the . the University of Alabama. While At the end of the letter, she laments there, she wrote for several student 21st century gadgetry. “Now, 75 years At 81 years old, Lee lives in her publications. Deciding against a later in an abundant society where hometown of Monroeville, Alabama law degree, she moved to New York people have laptops, cell phones, with her 96-year-old sister, Alice, a City in 1950, where she worked as iPods, and minds like empty rooms, I practicing lawyer, while keeping an an airline reservation clerk, but her still plod along with books,” apartment in . real devotion was to her writing. She wrote short stories but none were published. Her agent encouraged Including Short Subjects her to develop one short story into a novel. To Catch A Woodpecker In 1957, she submitted the Cartoon, Technicolor – 1957 – 6 minutes manuscript to J. B. Lippincott Company. Although editors found Print courtesy of Universal Studios the work too episodic, they saw promise in the book and encouraged Produced by...... Lee to rewrite it. In 1960, TO KILL A Directed by...... MOCKINGBIRD was published. Story by...... Despite the initial warnings her Sets by...... Raymond Jacobs editors gave to Lee that the book by...... , might not sell well, TO KILL A Voices...... Dal McKennon, (Woody) MOCKINGBIRD was a sensation. It Music...... Clarence Wheeler made Lee very famous and quite Prod. Manager...... William E. Garity wealthy in a very short period of time. A year after the novel was published, 500,000 copies had been The Miracle Telephone Company attempts to stop Woody sold and it had been translated into Woodpecker from pecking holes in its telephone poles. ten languages. Lee went on to win the Pulitzer Prize™ in 1961. Research on short subjects courtesy of the Cine-Loa Archives.

Vol. 14, No. 1 February 2, 2008 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE www.AlexFilmSociety.org Society News Tickets: 818.243.2539

AFS elects new board members Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 2 pm & 8 pm Biggest musical under the sun, presented in glorious Technicolor!

Members in attendance at a general meeting on Saturday, GET YOUR GUN October 27, 2007 voted to expand the Board of Directors to and Howard Keel star in the story of 13 members. the great sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, who rises to fame while dealing with her love/professional At the same meeting two new Board members were elected. rival, . Features some of Irving Berlin’s New members Linda Harris and Dean Briggs join our greatest songs including “There’s No Business Like existing Board: Ronald Bonk, V.P.; Randy Carter, President; Show Business” and “Anything You Can Do I Can Do George Crittenden; Brian Ellis, Treasurer; Pamela Ellis, Better”. M-G-M (1950) Secretary; Jim Elyea; Frank Gladstone; Andrea Humberger, Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 1 pm and 7 pm V.P. Volunteers & Membership; Daryl Maxwell and Best Picture of the Year and Winner of 7 ® Beth Werling. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Board members serve staggered 2 year terms and officers ’s 1962 film, based on T.E. Lawrence’s are elected annually by the Board. autobiography, “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom”, is one of the greatest epic films ever made. Shot for nearly two years on location, the film introduced us to newcomers Peter O’Toole and . Freddie Young’s cinematography raised the bar for all films to follow. Lawrence of Arabia won seven Oscars® and is listed seventh on the ’s top 100 films of all time. The Alex Film Society will screen the restored membership application original cut in 35mm. (Columbia 1962) mail with check to: Alex Film Society Saturday, September 20 at 8 pm only P. O. Box 4807, Glendale, CA 91222-0807 A Hurricane of Fun and Frolic for Everyone! 9th Annual VAUDEVILLE EXTRAVAGANZA For the 9th time, the grand tradition of Vaudeville returns the Alex Theatre to its roots when we present 5 live acts of period music, magic and mayhem. A classic comedy film caps off the evening. A family program not to be missed, come see what it’s all about! Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 2 and 8 pm The Most Awesome Thriller Of All Time! Carl Denham Presents KING KONG The classic monster picture that spawned the rest is not simply a cinematic relic. King Kong was created to grip and thrill like no movie before, and these basic principles hold surprisingly true today. From Willis O’Brien’s amazing technical effects to Max Steiner’s score, the details add up to more than the pieces. King Kong has been remade, but never made better. As is usual, our Halloween show will be sure to delight both fans and families. Voice of the Theatre Published by and for members of the Alex Film Society P. O. Box 4807 • Glendale, CA 91222 • 818.754.8250 [email protected] $3 (mailed free with membership) editor randy carter design/layout brian ellis distribution andrea humberger printer wright color, glendale ©2007 AFS, all rights reserved