Radio-TV mirror (July-Dec 1954)

a telephone call from a Mr. Warburton— who had a cultured, fine voice and a broad English accent— Donald thought it was one of his pals ribbing him about a job. He began to imitate the voice at the other end of the wire and to pretend to take the matter only half seriously . . . until suddenly he sensed that this was no joke and he was spoofing his first opportunity for a job after months of making the rounds. When Mr. Warburton suggested he come to see him, Donald made the date in dead seriousness. "Until then, I was completely green and unskilled in the techniques of radio. I didn't event know how to begin learning. Charles Warburton was patient and kind, and a great teacher. He gave me my first job in radio, and he continued to use me on the program as long as he lived. I still work on it occasionally, and I still enjoy every role I do for it." Other radio jobs began to come his way rather quickly. One of the first threw him into an awful panic. It was during a fight scene on a Mr. And Mrs. North program, and suddenly he found that page 22 followed page 11 in his script! Alice Frost, then Mrs. North on radio, saw his dilemma and quick-wittedly passed the script to someone to be re-shuffled, meantime pointing to the lines in her own script for him to follow. But there were some bitter experiences mixed with all the kindnesses. "In those early months, I was the male lead in a radio show already in rehearsal. I thought everything was going all right, when suddenly I was out of the cast. I didn't know then that the man who controlled the program had an unpleasant habit of throwing people out well along in rehearsal, if he happened to feel that way. Being young and eager, I was crushed by the experience. It seemed like the end of everything. "The director of Cavalcade Of America heard about it and sent word to me that he would use me on his next show. It turned out to be the story of a young veteran, the lead part, my first really big show against the background of a full orchestra and with big-name players. The kind of opportunity I had been longing for. The important thing it taught me, however, was to have faith . . . and to know that, when one door closes, another always opens." During all these months, and even during his first motion-picture experiences, Donald was always cast as the kind of boy he really is, a darkly handsome young man with a certain air of distinction. Then, suddenly, he was cast as a young tough in "Street with No Name" — and, because of his success in the role, he went on from picture to picture, slick-haired and sinister. Accepting his fate, he made his gangster roles as realistic as he could, studying the types he had to portray, learning the jargon of the underworld — a language as foreign to him as any he had ever encountered. Not until a couple of years ago was Donald allowed to emerge from this gangster-role era. "I really owe the change to radio, and to television," he says. "And, more recently, to my crew haircut." His barber, incidentally, had to be threatened into doing it. And Janet is still taking a poll among their mutual friends, hoping to confront him with enough negative votes to persuade him to go back to his sleek, waving, side-parted haircomb. Donald rubs his hand through the stubby dark fringe that has taken the place of the old haircut, and grins. "I like it. It helped complete my change of personality, at least my professional personality. For ten years, I tried to 'go straight' and no casting director would let me. Now, you can see I am a very romantic fellow. It says so, right here in these scripts!" WE WANT TO PROVE HOW A FEW SPARE HOURS CAN EARN $5022 IN CASH! Never before a "gel-acquainted" offer like this! We want to prove you'll find it easy as pie to take orders for exquisite Christmas Cards from friends and neighbors in spare time. So here's our astonishing offer: Fill out and mail coupon below. We'll send you the beautiful box of Christmas Cards illustrated. Yes, JUST ONE SINGLE PENNY is all you pay for 21 beautiful cards and envelopes that would usually retail at $2 to $3 if bought separately. We make this 1c offer to make more people familiar with our money-making plan. Once you see the quality of these cards, you'll say, "No wonder they sell so easily! It must be child's play to make S50 cash profit taking orders." And your confidence will double when you see the other appealing items you offer: Name-imprinted Christmas Greetings, Gift Wrappings and Ribbons, Greeting Card Assortments for all occasions — at prices to please your customers and make'them buy on sight! Only 1 to a Family! Limited Offer! Naturally, offer is strictly limited one to a family. Also includes additional Greeting Card Assortments ON APPROVAL, plus complete MONEY-MAKING PLAN and FREE Personalized Imprint Samples. But hurry! Offer may not be repeated! ? Guaranteed by Good Housekeeping ARTISTIC CARD CO., INC. 596 Way Street, Elmira, New York In Canada, write 103 Simcoe St., Toronto 1, Ont. Paste Coupon on Postcard — Mail Today ! J ARTISTIC CARD CO., INC. | 596 Way St., Elmira, N. Y. 1 I accept your wonderful offer. Send your sample J assortments ON APPROVAL, plus ONE BOX OF I CHRISTMAS CARDS for which I owe you the I special introductory price of only lc Also in • elude FREE Personalized Imprint Samples. I'm I sincerely interested in making money in spare time. t Name I Address City & Zone_ I □ Check here for Special FUND-RAISING Plan for church, club or organization. OLD LEG TROUBLE Easy to use Viscose Applications may heal many old leg sores due to venous congestion of varicose veins, leg swelling or injuries. Send today for a FREE BOOK and No-Cost-For-Trial-plan. R. G. VISCOSE COMPANY 140 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago 2. Illinois High School Course at Home Many Finish in 2 Years rapidly aa your time and abilities permit. Equivalent to reBiscliool work — prepares for college entrance exams. Standard texts supplied. Diploma awarded. Credit for H. S. subjects npleted. Single subjects if desired. Ask for Free Bulletin. American School, Dept. H753, Drexel at 58th, Chicago 37 BE YOURSELF AGAIN! RELAX! When you feel nervous and "on-edge" during the day, MILES NERVINE calms you . . . helps you feel relaxed. Taken at night, MILES NERVINE LETS you sleep; doesn't MAKE you sleep! That's why you feel fresher, more rested next day. Follow the label, avoid excessive MILES NERVINE is sold at all drugstores, effervescent tablets and liquid. MAKE BLONDE HAIR V SHINE with LIGHTER COLOR Made specially for blondes, thj$ new II -minute home lotion shampoo brings * out shining, radiant color — helps keep blonde hair from darkening. Called BLONDEX, it quietly makes a rich, cleansing lather. Instantly removes the dingy dust-laden film that makes blonde hair dark, old-looking. Blondex alone contains ANDIUM, to shine and lighten as it shampoos . . . gives hair attractive lustre and highlights. Safe for children's hair. Get BLONDEX today at any 10c, drug or department store. ?U:Vil?H Learn Facts About Colitis and Piles FREE BOOK Explains Causes, Effects and Treatment Learn about Colon troubles, Stomach conditions, Piles and other rectal conditions. Causes, effects and treatment. 140-page book sent FREE. McCleary Clinic and Hospital, 1023 Elms Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo. 101