Modern Screen (Jul-Dec 1945)

was being cast. Let him go down and read. What could he lose? The theater was crowded with wouldbe actors. Each was handed a script as he reached the stage. Bernie, the complete greenhorn, read what was set before him, cues and all — "Hey, what are you doing?" This wised him up. He waved an airy hand. "I always do that. It gives me a springboard." "Hm. Interesting method of attack." He left the theater with the part in his pocket and his head in a whirl. Twenty-five smackers a week, but problems, problems. Where would he get the fifty-four bucks to join Equity? Suppose he got it and the play only ran two weeks? — he'd be four dollars out. Above all, how would he break the news to the folks? The reaction at home was exactly what he'd expected — shock, horror and utter condemnation. Bernie rode it through. He had no more feeling for the romance of the theater than for that of the law. A friend staked Bernie to the Equity fee. A week before the opening he was fired to make room for somebody's son. Now, on top of his other obligations, he had a 54-dollar debt to pay. Doggedly, he went on the hunt and landed as a super in "Sailors of Cattaro." Only twelve a week, but it ran three months, and while it was running he began to learn. An organization called the Theater Union was putting on Sunday one-acters at the Provincetown. Bernie worked in a couple and got his first boost from the director, James Light. " Vitality sticks out all over you," said Light. "And vitality's more important to an actor than anything else." "Ah, g'wan," scoffed Bernie, longing but refusing to believe. He'd armored himself in cynicism at all points. Don't get ideas and you won't be hurt, was his motto. Secretly, he agreed with Pop. This wasn't his game. But Light did more than talk. He gave Bernie a part in MacLeish's "Panic" — which marked Orson Welles's first appearance in New York. This was the seed of the Mercury Theater, and for Bernie it led to new offers. He took John Garfield's role in "Waiting for Lefty," he went on the road with "Sailor, Beware." The manager left them stranded in Cleveland, the bus company impounded their luggage. Bernie proved that they weren't liable, having signed no contract. In addition, he hocked his watch and got five of them back to Broadway, including himself. Without a dime in his pocket, he wandered into the "Dead End" casting office and was hired for a bit. But here's where the long road turned. He also understudied Hunk and Babyface. When Hunk left, Bernie moved in. Then Babyface went to Hollywood. The first night Bernie played it, he was tense. A couple of mornings later he woke up and found himself madly in love with the stage. For the first time, he'd discovered what acting was. The audience was your instrument. With a word, a touch, a gesture, you controlled their emotions. You could make them laugh and cry, chill them with terror, hold them till there wasn't a breath in the house. Pop had been right. You can't just walk in and pick up a profession. You have to dedicate yourself. Pop had come out of the silences more or less, but any mention of his son's activities still found him looking the other way. One day Bernie took the bull by the horns. "Pop, I'd like you to come see the play." Pop's face showed signs of an internal struggle, but in the end he said, "All right, I'll come." ENLARGEMENT OF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTO JUST TO GET ACQUAINTED! WE WILL MAKE YOU A BEAUTIFUL 5 x 7 ENLARGEMENT OF ANY SNAPSHOT, PHOTO, OR NEGATIVE ABSOLUTELY FREE! Be sure to include color of hair, eyes and clothing, and get Our Bargain Offer for having..your enlargement beautifully hand colored inv oil and mounted in a handsome frame. Limit 2 to a customer. Please enclose 10c each for handling and mailing the enlargements. Originals returned. Be sure to include all information. 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