Melinda (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) (1972)

: Rockne Tarkington betrays his : best friend and involves him in : a nightmare of gangland warfare n MGM's ‘‘Melinda.” MAT NO. 1C A CHANGE OF PACE Until 1958, the closest Rockne Tarkington, who currently costars in ‘‘Melinda,’’ ever got to show business was as a drill sergeant for the troop that acompanied Eddie Fisher on his USO tour of European Army bases. Son of a career soldier, born and raised on an Army base, mascot of the 9th Calvary, Rockne joined the Army himself at age 15. Aside from his drill sergeant chores, Rockne Tarkington was interested in football, boxing and karate (he holds a Black Belt) and was not yet ‘“‘bitten’”’ by the show-biz-bug. He studied for and received a degree in law from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Upon moving to California to set up practice, Rockne befriended actress Isabelle Cooley who was at the time rehearsing for a production of ‘‘Picnic.’’ lvan Dixon was to play the lead role of Hal Carter in the Roxbury Park production, but three days before the show was to open, Dixon was called to New York. They were ready to cancel the production but in the true ‘Hollywood tradition’’ Isabelle came to the rescue and announced that her friend Rockne had been helping her with her lines and she was convinced he knew the script well enough to do the show. After one rehearsal the director was convinced as well and the show did go on. On opening night the author of the play, William Inge, was in the audience. After witnessing Rockne’s performance he was moved to announce in a curtain speech that Rockne had come closer to any other performer in his interpretation of the character of Hal Carter. It was a rave review that any actor would be proud of. But for a non-professional’s first effort, it was an amazing feat. Producer Franchot Tone was also in the audience and he offered Rockne the lead role in the Broadway production of ‘‘Mandingo.”’ That was all the encouragement Rockne needed. He was off to Broadway and a career in show business! And quite a successful career it has been. Featured in 13 Broadway shows, 10 feature films and countless television programs, Rockne comes now to what he considers his most challenging role —that of Tank in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s suspense-drama, “Melinda.’’ Rockne co-stars with Calvin Lockhart, Rosalind Cash and Vonetta McGee in the Lonne Elder, III, screenplay. Produced by Pervis Atkins and directed by Hugh Robertson, ‘‘Melinda,’’ is an unusual love story set in the midst of underworld intrigue and murder. Vonette McGee has the title role as the beautiful and mysterious “‘Melinda’”’ in the new film from MGM. MAT NO. 1B FROM WHEEL LIFE TO REEL LIFE Vonetta McGee, currently co-starring in MGM’s ‘Melinda,’ didn’t decide to be an actress. She decided not to be a wife. ‘‘Just give me three months in Europe and then I’Il come home and settle down,’”’ Vonetta, then a recent graduate of San Francisco State College, said to her anxious fiance. ‘‘l was afraid of ending up with five kids and never seeing anything of the world,” explains Vonetta, the eldest of five children herself. “Even after receiving my degree in English Lit my only real ambition was to be a potter —1 certainly never imagined myself in the movies!’’ says Miss McGee. But Vonetta’s rare beauty and irresistible smile were not to go unnoticed forever behind a potter’s wheel. Spotted at a party in Italy by the world-famous photographer Willie Rizzo, he suggested her to his friend Sergio Corbucci who was directing ‘‘The Big Silence’’ with Jean-Louis Trintingant, for a part in the film that he was having a difficult time casting. He was looking for someone quite special with an elusive quality he had not seen in anyone he had tested. Vonetta auditioned and got the part immediately. Next she found herself with the lead role in ‘‘Faustina,’’ a classic Italian comedy. Soon Vonetta was to see her face all over Rome on posters advertising the film. Her phenomenal success in this film quickly established Vonetta as a major young star in Italy and led to a feature role in ‘‘The Kremlin Letter’’ with Richard Boone. A family illness commanded her return to the United States and although she was by now minus a prospective husband she was soon to make her American film debut in ‘‘The Lost Man” with Sidney Poitier and has recently completed her second American film ‘‘Blacula’’ in which she plays the wife of a vampire. Miss McGee’s appearance in the action suspense drama “Melinda’’ places her in an exciting role opposite stars Calvin Lockhart and Rosalind Cash. The film, from a screenplay by Lonne Elder III is directed by Hugh A. Robertson and produced by Pervis Atkins. Now that Vonetta is firmly established in a blossoming film career, she intends to devote all of her energies to it but her talents and aspirations are not limited to acting alone. Presently she is writing a screenplay with her fiance, actor-screenwriter Max Julien. She also designs and sews her own leather creations and hopes soon to launch a singing career. An amazing success story for a young lady who had just set out for a summer vacation aboard! SHE ONLY WORKS WHEN SHE BREATHES She sits in the Lotus position, legs akimbo, on a table top in a bustling sound stage. Eyes closed, palms upturned she breathes deeply to the count of eight then slowly exhales. All around her workmen yell commands as one set is struck and another readied for the next scene but the lady just keeps breathing, oblivious to the chaos around her. Suddenly her eyes open and she jumps from the table. “| couldn’t possibly stand the pressures of performing, city life and traveling without my breathing exercises,’’ explains a calm and collected Rosalind Cash, who stars in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s ““Melinda,’”’ with Calvin Lockhart and Vonetta McGee. “Breathing correctly is the most important Yoga exercise,’’ she elaborates. ‘‘It gets all the vital juices flowing and gives you tremendous energy yet at the same time great tranquility. This combination is important so that you can channel your energies constructively. And believe me, this part requires a lot of energy. “Before | discovered Yoga | was a bundle of nervous energy and wasted a lot of my mental and physical resources. It’s vital to an actress that she be in complete control of her faculties, especially when she is working.” A slim and graceful figure appears to be another asset of the Yoga discipline. ‘‘l do a few of the Yoga postures each day,” says Rosalind. ‘‘I also try to spend a few moments of each day in meditation. | believe that the answers to all our problems lie deep within our own minds. Meditation is simply a matter of listening to ourselves think. “The character | play in ‘Melinda’ requires that | portray a woman of great inner strength. | can easily relate to this type role because since | began my meditations and Yoga exercise | have developed a great deal of patience and self control.” Rosalind plays the part of Calvin Lockhart’s ex-girlfriend. When his current love is found murdered in his apartment Rosalind becomes his chief ally in what becomes a struggle for his own survival. Directed by Hugh Robertson and produced by Pervis Atkins, “‘Melinda’’ is an action-drama underscored by a poignant love story. The screenplay was written by Lonne Elder, III. “When I’m actually on the set and working,’’ Ms. Cash continues, ‘‘the most important preparation | do for a scene is my breathing exercise. So — if you’ll excuse me.’’ With a single leap she’s atop the table again. Eyes closed, palms upturned, she inhales deeply — to the count of eight.