Modern Screen (Dec 1954 - Dec 1955)

Betsy Blair Sheds Marty in Summer Stock Advised not to get typed as Clara, the Marty girl, Betsy Blair starred in Sabrina and The Rainmaker on the road. Byron Sanders, her handsome leading man (above and right ) in Sabrina, bore little resemblance to homely Marty. Sabrina meant other changes for Betsy who had muted her natural gaiety in Marty. She played the role with the relish of a wallflower turned belle. Stagestruck since childhood Betsy reveled in the casual summer-theatre life but introduced the custom of hot tea before every performance. At Newport, R.I., the theatre is housed in the historic Casino and a star's dressing room is apt to be shabby. But the group spirit, the eager college apprentices and, most important, the recognition audiences gave her performances, compensated. betsy blair {Continued from page 49) film has won that honor. And I was there, in on everything. "I went to every function, every picture. I attended all the luncheons, all the suppers, all the receptions. The newspapers said I was doing it out of politeness and courtesy. 'Don't you believe it,' I told the reporters. 'I'm having the time of my life. I'm' enjoying every minute of it.' "I just can't find words to tell you what it meant to me. There was that afternoon when Gene gave a press conference. I thought I'd cry. That's how happy I was. You know how he started it off? 'I am the husband of Betsy Blair,' he announced. Everyone smiled and the tears came to my eyes and I thought I'd just pass out with happiness. "And then after the Festival when we were going back on the plane, I suddenly became aware of what it means to be noticed. 'Are you comfortable, Miss Blair? Would you like a seat facing the window, Miss Blair?' Then when there was a delay, 'Would you care to go by limousine to Paris, Miss Blair?' All these attentions. "What a difference, what a change from just a few years ago. Sure, it's had an effect on me. But I'm not sure exactly what sort of effect. I remember in London and in Cannes and in other places. I happened to remark on how nice everyone was being to me. " 'It's just because you've met with success,' I was told. 'The whole world loves a winner.' I keep asking myself if this is true. Why should success make someone skeptical about people? It's not going to change me." And it's not going to change the Kelly marriage either. When a friend pointedly remarked to Gene in Betsy's presence, "Now there'll be some competition in the family," Betsy shot back, "Oh, no, there won't. I'm only going to play girls' parts!" Betsy has always loved people, all kinds of people. The Kellys keep perpetual open house on Rodeo Drive. Dancers, writers, young actors, chorus girls, everyone in show business seems to know this. Drop in on the Gene Kelly household of a Sunday and you'll find a game of volleyball progressing in the backyard, Gene and dance director Stanley Donen discussing some new routine in the den, Betsy and daughter Kerry practicing French in the living room. Paddy's sleeper In 1948 Betsy was given a bit role in A Double Life, a film starring Ronald Colman. Also playing a bit in the same picture was a young actor named Paddy Chayefsky. As an actor he was no great shakes, but, as she does with pretty nearly everyone, Betsy struck up a friendship with Chayefsky. Years later when Chayefsky became a noted television writer and Marty was bought for the screen, he insisted that Betsy was perfect for the role of Clara. Betsy had broken her leg in a skiing accident and was hobbling around on a cast, depressed and discouraged. "When I received the script," she remembers, "I perked up at once. I knew right away it was wonderful. Before we made the picture we rehearsed for two weeks, ironed out all the kinks. Everyone said to me, 'Betsy, this is a sleeper, a real sleeper.' And I kept answering. 'No, a sleeper is when you don't expect anything good. We know we have something good.' " Marty emerged a critical and financial success and Betsy Blair became a star because (1) she has the talent and (2)