TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1963)

RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN (Continued from page 42) suggested: "Dick Chamberlain should wash his mouth out with soap." And so what was Dick's reaction to all the complaining mothers? "I never met them," he says. "Look, I'm an actor," he told me. "I would hate to think that for the rest of my life I'll be playing the noble doctor. I don't consider myself limited to being just Kildare." Others do, however. MGM bosses shook like Jayne Mansfield at a striptease convention when they read the irate reactions from the sneak preview. They had to do something, but what? They couldn't scrap almost a million dollars' worth of production. And they couldn't remake it. There was no time. So back to the cutting room, where scissors instead of a scalpel were used. "They limited the scene where the husband finds his wife in bed with another man to a fast flashback," says Dick. "And they took out several of my scenes, including one where I mention a venereal disease." Most of the movie centers in a small courtroom where Dick, as David Mitchell, is defending Nick Adams. The dialogue Dick uses often would make even Liz Taylor blush. "They couldn't very well cut the courtroom scenes," says Dick, "or else they would have no film at all. To cover the objectionable lines, the sound department muffled them by creating loud voice reactions from the spectators in the courtroom. "Just as I start to say a word — say like 'intercourse' — it's drowned out." One mother reacted to the film this way: "I've always admired Dick Chamberlain's acting, but why is he trying to ruin himself by making such a film?" To this Dick says: "Look, I feel sorry for the mothers. I've always had the greatest respect for motherhood. Certainly, if they feel it's not a film their daughters should see, don't let them! "Why did I make the film? Firstly, it was an acting challenge. They could have put me in some film where I only had to smile and look pretty. "Secondly, MGM advised me to make it, and I feel the studio has done all right by me in the past. "Possibly I wouldn't have made it if I had foreseen the reaction. However, I don't feel it's going to ruin my career. Sure, I have fans who look upon me as just plain James Kildare. I don't. I'm Richard Chamberlain, an actor." It's no secret that Dick got a bit fed up, last season, with being tied to that one TV image. "Dr. Kildare is a creep," he said. "He's just too good to be true! After all, the medical profession is a fighting profession, one that requires struggle. You can be nice, sure — but not namby-pamby. And that's the way good old killjoy Kildare was portrayed." He's been equally outspoken about his own new movie. "I see nothing distasteful about 'Twilight of Honor,' as a film," he says. "The situations, the language, the people, all are very real. It's unfortunate that such things as murder, stealing, rape, etc., exist — but they do. Pick up any paper and it's right on the front page." It was different when I asked him: "If you had a daughter, would you send her to see the film?" Apparently he hadn't thought about this. He started to reply — but, after saying "I think I would," his voice halted. The wheels in his brain were clicking. Then he said confidently: "I think I would if she were a teenager. I wouldn't if she were in her preteens." And what does a teenager have to say about it? Several of the reaction cards were written by the younger generation. "We've been waiting a long time for Dick to star in a film," one wrote, "and the wait has been worth it. He's a doll." Another wrote, "My mother doesn't know I came tonight, and I'm not going to tell her. I think Dick is great." Oddly enough, most of the cards pointed out that Dick's performance was a high-caliber one. However, the objection remained on not how Dick said the dialogue, but what he said. "Why didn't they put him in a musical?" one mother asked. "He has a fine voice." To this, Dick agrees. "I would love to do a musical," he says, "and hope to one day. But a musical requires months of preparation, and right now I don't have the time. "They could barely work 'Twilight of Honor' into my schedule. In fact, from a time standpoint, this was the only property I could do this year." In addition to Dick's performance, the audience pointed out another bright spot in the controversial film. They liked his romantic goings-on with Joan Blackman. She portrays a small-town girl who's in love with the small-town attorney. And Joan scores a first in the feature, too. She gave Dick his first movie kiss. As Dick went back to the TV set, he told me, "Again I say, I'm an actor. Whether I have to play a drunk or a minister I would do it without trepidation if I liked the role." Strangely, when the violent reaction of the mothers threatened to start a protest march on MGM, Dick reportedly was ready to join them. He was rumored to be ready to walk out of the studio because the studio had ordered him to do the picture. "This is far from the truth," Dick says. "I was ready to walk out, but not because of doing the film. I strongly protested the studio editing the footage, especially cutting out several of my scenes. I fought it. I was mad. I lost." And what of the film, "Twilight of Honor"? Well, thanks to the mothers, it's making a mint. Actually, their protests drew box-office attention that the studio couldn't buy for two Dick Chamberlains. As one teenager put it: "When my mother told me I couldn't go see the film, I was more determined than ever to go. And I did, too. And I'm glad." —Dean Gautschy Dick stars in "Dr. Kildare," NBC-TV, Thurs., 8:30 to 9:30 P.M. EST. He sings on MGM Records and stars in the MGM feature film, "Twilight of Honor." Vote Today— A Gift Is Waiting For You! We'll put your name on one of 400 prizes — and all you have to do is fill out and mail this ballot. This month the prize — for the first 400 ballots we receive — is "Nurse's Choice," by Peggy Gaddis, the story of Nurse Martin : faced with choosing between two men — one offers luxury and excitement, the other hard work and unselfish devotion. Be sure to mail your ballot today to win this book. Paste this ballot on a postcard and send it to TV Radio Mirror, Box 2150, Grand Central Station, New York 17, New York. a ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ MALE STAR: 1. MY FAVORITES AREs ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 2. 3. ■ ■ ■ FEMALE STAR: 1. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 2. 3. ■ ■ ■ FAVORITE STORY IN THIS ISSUE: 1. 3. THE NEWCOMER I'D LIKE MOST TO READ ABOUT: THE FAMOUS PERSON. NOT IN SHOW BUSINESS. I'D LIKE TO READ ABOUT: Name . Address Age 12-63 67