Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1950)

Bill tried to enlist, but they wouldn't have him. He did, however, join the USO and spent most of the war years overseas. He was the first actor to fly the Hump, and the first one to reach the boys in India. Those were agonizing times of worry for me, even though I know that husband of mine is as indestructible as they come. But he came back, and in a major's uniform, too. Of course, when he returned Bill found the picture industry had changed along with everything else. It was tough to regain his old position and he found the parts, he did get were very uninspiring. Bill didn't just want to be in pictures, he wanted to act. It looked as if Hollywood no longer had a real place for him. Characteristically Bill looked the problem square in the eye and decided to start elsewhere to rebuild his career. Radio was a possibility, but it was not new to him. He'd done a number of air shows before Martin Kane, Private Eye. But television . . . that was a challenge! Perhaps, he confided to me, he could figure a way to find a niche in both radio and TV. If he could get an idea that would be suitable, he'd have a chance to try a lot of things he wasn't able to do in pictures. He made some careful investigations into the TV set-up and then went into a huddle with his writer Ted Heddiger. Together they created Martin Kane, Private Eye. Bill's always had a soft spot for the detective character for his father was one in Brooklyn years ago. Bill had no idea how or to whom "Martin Kane" was going to be sold. He just was sure it would be. He knew he had a good idea and when Bill believes in something he can talk anyone into believing it, too. A few weeks later he called from New York to give me the joyous tidings that his present sponsors had just bought themselves a radio and television show entitled Martin Kane, Private Eye, starring William Gargan. There was only one unhappy note. We would have to leave California for most of the year. So I packed up the suitcases and went to say goodbye to George and Scrovney. George is our turtle. We figure he's at least three hundred years old. Bill found him touring around the back yard one day and thought maybe the old fellow needed a home. He built him a little wooden shelter out in the garden and he's been, with us since. I didn't mind saying goodbye to George, because he seems to enjoy solitude. But I knew Scrovney would be a different problem. He's our Siamese cat, and Bill's special pet. From the day he brought him home, a little bright-eyed bundle peering out from under Bill's jacket, Scrovney was my husband's constant companion. "It isn't that we don't want you," I found myself explaining to him, in some desperation. "It's just that New York is too hectic for you." I hoped he would understand, but he was determined to be difficult. He gave me a bitter look. "Phooey," he said. And quite distinctly, too. Hectic was just the word, too. Not since the early days in pictures was there so much scrambling, confusion and crisis. Getting the radio show under way wasn't so bad. It was the television debut that had us on edge. The day of the first program was nerve-racking. Bill didn't even come home for dinner. I was to meet him at the studio after the show. A few minutes before I was to leave, the phone rang. I almost didn't answer it, but how glad I am now that I did! It was a call from Leslie Howard's daughter, "Doody", who had landed in New York just that day. To me it was a wonderful omen. Doody, who is really named Leslie after her father, seemed to me to be a kind of sign that Leslie's spirit was hovering about, bringing Bill luck at the beginning of this new career. Leslie had always brought Bill luck. So I insisted that Doody come to the show, but I didn't tell Bill. When it was over, we walked out of the client's booth as Bill was delivering the last handshakes. He looked up, and saw me. Then he saw Doody. His eyebrows shot up in amazement. He let out a wild yell and came tearing over. "Doody" he shouted as he lifted her into the air with one of his huge bear hugs. "She called just before I left tonight," I explained when Bill had simmered down. "I knew it meant good luck." Bill gave me a quick understanding smile. He looked at Doody for a quiet moment and took both her hands in his. "Good old Leslie," he said in a kind of choked whisper. That Gargan is a very sentimental guy. It's an odd thing that our younger son, Leslie Howard Gargan, who is also named after the famous actor, resembles him in so many ways. He has something of the same shy, pensive quality. And that same look of quiet amusement when he's observing people. When our son was four, the elder Leslie had the boy's portrait painted. It's still hanging in our living room. I remember Leslie saying, "It isn't so much like him now, Mary, but he'll grow ud to it. Your son's an old soul. Like me." Barrie, our older son, is very different. He's the garrulous extrovert and his energy is as boundless as his father's. He looks so much like Bill it's a little startling. Except for the fact that Barrie's several inches taller and a good thirty pounds heavier, they look almost like twins. The boys adore their father, and I think the main reason is that Bill was always on the level with them, even when they were little. He was a stern disciplinarian when they behaved badly, but he was ready to admit when he was wrong, too. Bill's that way with everyone. He believes in being honest about what he likes or doesn't like. Not being honest means being a phony to him, and he hates phonies. And he isn't afflicted with that air of conceit that marks so many actors. In fact he hates talking shop when he's away from the studio. He'd much rather talk about cooking or horses. "I can't relax and think about my work at the same time," he says. "Besides, if more actors left their roles at the studio they'd be a lot better off." Right now, however. Bill seldom <*ets out of the studio. Doing a television show keeps him constantly on the run. The days are packed with countless crises. Unlike the movies there is no chance for a "retake" on TV. Bill loves it thoueh. He likes the challenge and the sense of goin? forward with something new. As far as we know he'll continue with Martin Kane for at least another year. What will happen after that I can't tell. But as I said before, with Gargan around anything can happen. /M0&& %^f^^ Dates... or doldrums? So much of your romantic appeal depends On your hair. Keep it glowing— with warm, thrilling Marchand color! Follow every shampoo with a colorful Marchand Rinse. One of Marchand's 12 flattering shades will do a glamour job for you, whether you're blonde, brunette, brownette or redhead. 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