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Home , Camelot (musical), Classical acting, Emlyn Williams, Michael Redgrave, Richard Burton, Victor Mature

64 With Two Lives By ARTHUR AND BARBARA GELB

In the unstable realm of show business, , one of the first to Burton, urbane star where the road from rags to riches is recognize Burton's talent, told him he taken for granted, the rise of Richard looked "atrocious" when he turned up for Burton is a legend. Born into an impover- lunch one day in a baggy, twenty-two- of and Cleopatra, ished family of uneducated, Welsh- dollar suit. Burton smiled and_said, "I'm speaking miners, Burton has become one not a glamour boy." of the most polished and sophisticated Burton's taste in food is no more re- darling of the critics, is still a in the world. fined than his taste in clothes. His favor- As a boy, he struggled to learn English, ite snack is an order of French-fried po- hoping to escape the coal pits of his native tatoes between two slices of white bread. brawlingWelshman offstage. Welsh village. He did escape; at the age Burton's wild, Welsh rages became of twenty-four he was playing leads in legendary in Hollywood during the film- Shakespeare. In demand ever since for ing of , with and roles that require and . On the set one day he de- regal bearing, he recently left the part of liberately ran his head into a wall after in the Broadway musical failing several times in attempts to per- Camelot to portray Antony, opposite form a stunt called for by the script. in the movie Cleopatra. "When he explodes on a set," says Despite Burton's glitter, the dark, , his director for the film, rough edges of his character are still "it's usually because he gets annoyed with visible. In fact, he clings to them. The re- himself for not doing something the way sult is a fascinating study in contrasts— he thinks he should do it." a blend of peasant and nobleman. , whose acting style most Today he speaks the queen's English as influenced Burton at the start of his fluently and wittily as Noel Coward and career, and with whom Burton has ap- can hold an intellectual conversation in peared on Broadway, refers to the French. But he often lapses into the younger man as "that terribly rough mournful-melodic-guttural language of boy." Once, in describing another actor his Welsh heritage. to Burton, Gielgud said, "He's built like Burton is a polished raconteur, at ease a peasant, Richard—like you — oh, with Greta Garbo or , terribly sorry!" Burton didn't mind at in any place from Hollywood to his es- all, nor does he mind when Gielgud, tate in . But he also likes to about to tell a story, says, "It's a terribly visit disreputable saloons and get drunk filthy joke, which you'll enjoy, Richard." in the company of his coal-miner brothers One outburst of Burton's rage, which during trips to his birthplace, Pon trhy- was inspired less by artistic frustration dyfen (pronounced "Pontradeven"). than by whisky, occurred after an after- Endowed with an animal magnetism, noon of celebrating St. David's Day, Burton, at thirty-six, is unconventionally March first, a Welsh holiday comparable handsome; but he doesn't look like a to St. Patrick's Day. Burton was appearing movie star. Because he is barrel-chested in a play with in Eng- and has astonishingly broad shoulders, land's Stratford-on-Avon. He got so he seems shorter than his five feet eleven carried away during a fight scene that he inches. He has unruly brown hair and a lifted Redgrave and hurled him against pitted complexion. Offstage his appear- the scenery, nearly bringing the set ance suggests the coal miner he might crashing down. have become. Burton indulged in his wildest exhibi- On a recent visit to his home village, tion on his twenty-first birthday, Novem- Burton asked an old mining comrade of ber 10, 1946, a year before he was mus- his father to show him the trick of loosen- tered out of the R.A.F. A bored naviga- ing a coal face with the single tap of a tor ("I was the worst that ever flew."), mallet. Highly skilled miners dislodge a Burton commemorated the day by get- wall of coal this way by determining the ting roaring drunk with a fellow airman. precise spot where the blow must be They decided it would be amusing to struck. Burton's instructor carefully ex- break a few window panes. Burton tapped plained the process and handed over the a pane in his barracks, using a sharp jab mallet. Burton shattered the huge sheet of the fist that shattered the glass without of coal with one blow. cutting his skin. He found the sensation Burton has felt the urge to demonstrate pleasant. With his friend, Burton sys- his physical prowess since childhood, when tematically worked his way through the he first decided to become an actor. Act- entire building, breaking 156 windows. ing was considered a "sissy" profession The next day he and his friend were by the coal-mining population of Pon- sentenced to a week in the guardhouse. trhydyfen, so Burton was as unactorlike Apparently Burton regards violent as possible offstage. Though he had pain- physical action as evidence of virility. fully learned to speak flawless English by His father, who spent his life in the coal the time he was in his teens, he spoke only mines—as did his grandfather—once had "" Burton and "Cleopatra" laylor on the Welsh to his family and friends. He ex- his teeth kicked out by a fellow miner. set with the actress's children, Michael, 7, and Liza, 3. pressed contempt for any show of emotion He considered it a joke, and so does or sentiment, gave in to black rages, drank Burton, who likes to tell stories about his hard and was always ready to use his fists. family's exploits. Burton pays little attention to his "We were called the Jinx family be- wardrobe. Most of the time he wears the cause we were the scourge of our end of same blue sport jacket day after day, and the village," Burton says. "I had tremen- the same green topcoat year after year. dously rough brothers. We all played

"I'm no glamour boy," says Burton, an explosive ex-coal miner ~"

66 The Saturday Evening Post Rugby and 'proved' we were manly by walking across theledge of a high bridge be- BURTON tween our village and the next. Naturally, you'd crack your skull if you slipped." The blend of the crude and the re- fined, the strong hint of the savage lurk- ing beneath the charming manner are vital ingredients of Burton's appeal as an actor. Both qualities are always discern- ible, whether he is playing a sulky young in the Broadway play, Time Re- membered, or an uncouth Englishman in the motion picture, . The late , who directed him in Camelot, declared, "Actors like Bur- ton are born once in fifty years. Unlike most stars, he has an imposing personal- ity offstage too. Most stars are not really people. Their magnetism disappears away from the footlights. Burton stays full-size." To date, Burton has appeared—here and in —in sixty plays, fifteen movies and five major television produc- tions. His salary keeps climbing, and his popularity shows no sign of diminishing. Perhaps his only failing, professionally speaking, is a lack of selectivity. He has a tendency to pick roles that offer him a chance for bravura acting. He rarely considers the overall quality of a script. As a consequence he has made some notably bad movies. When Burton left Camelot, Hart told him, "You're rich now. Don't waste your gift. The next five years may decide whether or not you'll become the leading actor of the English-speaking stage." Burton has another view. "You simply have to do movies to keep your reputa- tion—and your earning power—at a peak." But he finds unbroken movie work tedious. "After a while," he says, "your gums betin to ache, and you long to get back on a stage." Although his tentative commitments for the next few years include a number of movies (among them: Of Human Bond- age, with Marilyn Monroe, and Cool of the Day, with ), he definitely plans to play serious stage roles in and New York in such proven vehicles as and Peer Gynt. Burtcn has opened and sauntered through innumerable doors that remain locked to the less gifted. He won his first London role at the age of seventeen dur- ing World War II. The part was that of a Welsh boy in a play by called The Druid's Rest. After that came a year at Oxford, three years in the R.A.F. and some juicy roles in London's West End. Success was easy thereafter, but the scars of his childhood stayed with him. Burton was born Richard Jenkins, the twelfth child in a family of thirteen. His mother died two years later, after the birth of his younger brother. "The ten pounds we borrowed to pay for my mother's funeral haunted us for years," he says. "There was a tremen- dous celebration when our family finally paid off the debt. We were terribly poor. There were years," he says, "when we lived on free soup doled out by charitable organizations. But we were never un- happy. We were devoted to each other." Burton maintains that he developed no inhibitions or "anything that people living under such conditions of poverty might he expected to develop." And amazingly, he not only survived but displayed an The Burtons in their Via Appia apartment: he and his wife, Sybil, were mar- entirely self-inspired thirst for the life that lay beyond the barren hills surrounding ried 12 years ago. "She's Welsh too," he says, "but posh Welsh, not like me." his little green valley. With the help of a teacher in his ele- mentary school, where the curriculum was presented in Welsh, Richard learned to speak English. At thirteen he became January 27,1962 67

the first boy from his village in thirty-five seeing him perform , Burton McDowall and McDowall's partner in a years to enter an English-speaking gram- quipped, "He said some nice things about photography business. mar school—in , about two my performance—but he really came During his ten-month tenure in Came- miles away. It was there, two years later, backstage to use my lavatory." lot, Burton's dressing room at the that his real battle for self-improvement It was Churchill's public enthusiasm Majestic Theater was always jammed began—he decided to become an actor. for Burton's performance—he called it with actors and an entourage of secre- Young Richard Jenkins seemed to have "The most virile Hamlet I ever saw"— taries, agents and a scattering of worship- no potential for the craft; that at least that was largely responsible for a record ful young women with no apparent ties. makes your get-together was the initial opinion of Philip Burton, run of 230 performances. Later Churchill On most matinee days, at least a half a special event a brilliant scholar of classical and con- selected Burton to record the offstage dozen people accompanied Burton to temporary literature, a writer for the voice for a television documentary series, dinner at a nearby restaurant between his B.B.C. and occasionally a director in the based on his life, and requested that he afternoon and evening shows. His ma- professional theater. Philip Burton had portray Churchill in the projected Para- jestic departure through the theater's taken a wartime teaching job in Port mount motion picture, The Early Years, stage door—where patient autograph Talbot. Burton regarded young Richard about the British statesman's youth. seekers immediately closed in on him— dubiously when the boy told him of his While playing in Camelot, Burton was a spectacle to see. ambition. Richard was chubby and had a tripped one night during a dance sequence His dressing room was known through- dreadful speaking voice. His English, with his co-star, . It hap- out the theater district as "Burton's Bar." though serviceable, was neither gram- pened to be the night that the celebrated Stuffed with a couch, armchairs, a cos- matical nor free of accent. Ultimately, English ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, at- tume rack and a large refrigerator, it was however, Burton was impressed by tended the show. When Miss Fonteyn a daily rendezvous for such celebrities as Richard's determination and personality. went backstage to see him, Burton had an , Tammy Grimes, Mike He decided to take the boy in hand. explanation ready for her: "I tripped on Nichols, Jr. and Phil For the next two years Burton drilled purpose to make you feel superior." Silvers. "Why not?" Burton remarked. Richard, chipping away the rough edges Burton and his wife, Sybil, a former "It's the cheapest bar in town." of his manners, erasing his Welsh accent, actress, have been married for twelve But it also happened to be the best teaching him to walk unself-consciously years. "She's Welsh too," he says, "but free show in town. Apparently inexhaust- and instructing him in voice control. posh Welsh, not like me." He admits that ible, Burton would keep up a patter of "I discovered that Richard had quite he induced Sybil to give up her acting jokes, stories, imitations and recitations an unusual talent," Philip Burton recalls. career because she was upstaging him. while changing into street clothes and "Most notable was his feeling for poetry They met during the filming of an removing his make-up, seeing to it all the and language. He was in love with words English movie called Woman of Dolwyn while that his guests were supplied with even before he could understand them." in 1948 when Sybil was only eighteen and drinks. Eventually Richard was reciting dif- Burton was twenty-three. They were mar- A remarkable mimic, Burton can take ficult speeches from Hamlet and Richard ried in February of the following year. In off almost anyone with uncanny skill. II with silky fluency and vibrant tone. 1951 they performed together at Strat- His forte, though, is fellow actors, par- AUTOMATIC "PARTY PERK" Partly out of gratitude to his mentor, and ford-on-Avon in King Henry IV, Part I. ticularly Gielgud, Redgrave and Laurence in brushed satin stainless steel partly because he did not want to be The press was ecstatic about Sybil, who Olivier. Delicious, sparkling coffee and warm hospi- typed as a Welsh actor with the unmistak- played Lady Mortimer—but only tem- At a party in New York he once flab- tality go together. Whether you've invited 4 guests—or a dozen—West Bend's buffet- ably Welsh name of Jenkins, he took perate in its praise for Burton, as Prince bergasted , then still married styled Party Perk makes the coffee automatical Burton's name for the stage. Hal, and Michael Redgrave, who headed to Olivier, by mimicking her husband's ly. Keeps it hot, too! 12 to 30 cups. $39.95 Today he divides his loyalty between the cast as Hotspur. voice from across the room. Miss Leigh, at housewares, hardware, gift and appliance Philip Burton—whom he considers his "I think you'd better pack it in, dear," who believed Olivier to be in England, THE WEST BEND COMPANY adopted father—and his brothers and said Burton. At the end of the run Sybil swung around in astonishment, con- Dept. 571 West Bend, Wisconsin sisters in . He is particularly obligingly did. vinced that her husband had somehow solicitous of his eldest sister, Cecilia, and It was probably this decision that has turned up at the party. Shrinks Hemorrhoids her husband, Elved James. Cecilia reared enabled the Burtons, despite their peri- Olivier is an old friend, to whom Bur- Richard after their n- other's death. patetic existence, to maintain domestic ton bears a passing resemblance, and New Way Without Surgery Burton attributes to Cecilia his ardent unity. Sybil, who has prematurely gray whose mannerisms (probably uncon- ambition to succeed. "I really set out to hair, is slim and crisp-mannered with sciously) he sometimes uses on stage. One STOPS ITCH — RELIEVES PAIN conquer the world for Cecilia so she sharp, delicate features softened by a of the stories Burton likes to tell includes For the first time science has found a would be proud of me," he says. "She ready smile. With the assistance of a Swiss an exchange that took place between him- new healing substance with the astonish- looks years older than her age because of nursemaid, she sees to the well-being of self and Olivier when they were both in ing ability to shrink hemorrhoids and to early malnutrition and all the terrible la- the two Burton children, four-year-old Hollywood. relieve pain — without surgery. bor of trying to get money. I had an In case after case, while gently reliev- Kate and two-year-old Jessica, while they Burton had just been offered the role ing pain, actual reduction (shrinkage) enormous desire to make up for all her accompany Burton on his far-flung film- of King Arthur in Camelot. Though took place. years of humiliating poverty." making journeys. eager to accept, he hesitated because he Most amazing of all — results were so In spite of Burton's candid identifica- Burton has little time to spare for his had never done a musical. The authors thorough that sufferers made astonish- tion with his working-class roots, his children. Shortly before he left for Rome of Camelot, and Freder- ing statements like "Piles have ceased offstage personality is often flamboyantly in September to film Cleopatra he obliged ick Loewe, insisted Burton could sing, to be a problem !" theatrical. His language is sprinkled with a photographer by accompanying Sybil The secret is a new healing substance assuring him they had heard him har- ( Bio-Dynea) — discovery of a world- extravagantly colorful phrases. Like a and the children to a Manhattan play- monize with Olivier at a party. Puzzled, famous research institute. number of other English-trained actors, ground to pose for pictures. Awkwardly Burton took his problem to Olivier. This substance is now available in he addresses everyone—regardless of guiding Kate across the street on her "Larry," Burton asked, "have we ever suppository or ointment form under the sex—as "love" or "dear." tricycle, he admonished her for lagging sung a duet at a party?" name Preparation H®. Ask for it at all Burton has been told since childhood and reduced her to tears. When his He mimics Olivier's reply in a dry, drug counters. that he has "the eyes of a devil"—a coaxing failed to bring a smile to Jessica's clipped, nasal voice: "Not to my knowl- reference to his habit of casting a pene- face as he pushed her in a swing, he edge." trating, sidelong glance at a companion. shrugged, tugged nervously at his tie and "What shall I do?" asked Burton. A HOUSE PAINT He is aware that this quick flash of his abandoned her to Sybil. "The money's good," replied Olivier. blue-green eyes has an attractively dia- "Richard's never been to the park with "Say nothing and ." THAT DOESN'T PEEL bolical quality. , an old the children before," said Sybil. Burton, Burton did. As a result he now com- friend, calls him "wicked Richard." mopping his face with a handkerchief, mands one of the top salaries in show Dawn Addams, who appeared with explained that he spends time with his business. Recently, with typical Burton him in The Robe, says "Richard is a re- children at home in the late morning. swagger, he confided to a friend that markable actor on the stage and in films. "The park is very exhausting," he says. Twentieth Century-Fox valued him so the good choice in paints But in private life he is an even better one. Out of his element as the patient father highly it gave the producers of Camelot When you're with him, you believe him, of two small girls, Burton is very much $50,000 to release him from his Broad- EXTRA MONEY! EARN extra money by selling subscriptions to Curtis but afterward—you wonder." in it as the center of attention at any way contract six weeks early to film publications and other popular magazines in your Burton cannot conceal the fact that he gathering, whether it is a huge Hollywood Cleopatra in Rome—a premium paid in spare time. For details write to: CURTIS CIRCULATION COMPANY, 209 Independence Square, Phila. 5, Pa. has an actor's ego. But what distinguishes party or a small get-together in his dress- addition to the $250,000 promised him him from some of the other peacocks of mg room. He seems to have an urgent for the movie. He noticed that the friend his profession is his sharp wit; his most need to surround himself with hordes of was somewhat less than bowled over. Fill Cracks And egotistical remarks are delivered with an fellow celebrities and hangers-on. The Ren-embering that Elizabeth Taylor's Holes Better air of disarming self-mockery. apartment he has rented in Rome during $1,000,000-plus for the film had been Handles like putty. Hardens like wood. Telling about the time in 1953 when the filming of Cleopatra is, by design, highly publicized, he admitted with a Winston Churchill paid a flattering visit big enough to accommodate not only mocking grin, "Of course, the girl is get- PLASTIC WOOD backstage at England's Old Vic after his family but also fellow actor Roddy ting more." THE END The Genuine -Accept No Substitute.