TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1955)

Loretta Young — At Heart (Continued from page 41) producer, has exactly the same set of principles. In accord, they have established a pattern of simple constructive scripts which reach as many human situations as possible. Whether leaving you with a chuckle or a lump in your throat, each story delves deep into the heart of a dilemma and, solving it, the ending invariably conforms to the high standards of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lewis. It was more than two years ago that Tom Lewis sniffed the adventure-laden air of television, looked at his Academy Award-winning wife and said, "Let's go, Ma'am!" "Not," responded his ever-loving wife, "without Norbert Brodine, ASC, man-genius behind the camera." So the duet became a trio, and Loretta was off to absorb the new medium. Avidly curious, she threw herself into learning any and everything about television. A lesser woman might have collapsed under the demands made upon her. Because the story is different every week, Loretta spends much time with wardrobe and wig fittings, learning a new character and new script. Then, too, her love for gracious living was disrupted by the shooting schedule. Because they shoot on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Loretta sleeps at the studio Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights so she'll be ready for the early start. Extremely fashion-conscious, she has long and careful sessions with Werle, who designs her personal gowns for television. To date, Loretta has portrayed more than seventy women in different walks of life. Each one of those characterizations was outwardly clothed properly and in excellent taste. She leans heavily on Werle's artistry, personally, but — since Loretta believes, "You get out of fashion what you put into it, just as you do out of life" — the Young principles of dress are as evident in her portrayals as the philosophical ones. With this hectic work-load, it would be easy to sink into the insidious quicksand of complete concentration on self. But Loretta learned her lesson about that very early, and has never forgotten it. She was sixteen, a motion picture phenomenon— a star. She was quite humanly wallowing in the wages of success when she met a Jesuit priest, who changed the whole course of her life. "Don't you know," said the priest, "that God didn't give you your talent just so you could glory in it for the gratification of your ego? It was given to you to develop for His glory. You are in a position to be an example to others. You have no right to lead a selfish personal life. For — whether you want it or not, Loretta — as a star, you will be an example. You dare not be a bad example." It was from this meeting that Loretta's introspection took only enough time to delve for truth and then turn to an outward interest in those around her. Quietly she made a working arrangement with faith, prayer, tolerance, graciousness, and a real interest in others. In her ascendancy, attainment and permanent stature as a shining star in the Hollywood heavens, whenever she felt the pulsing of personal self and ego, Loretta returned to the knowledge that, before anything else, she was a source for God's goodness. "The actor shares the same moral responsibility as his fellow men and seeks spiritual guidance with the same humility and the same faith," she explains earnestly. "No person is truly successful who has, in his material progression, lost himself spiritually. No man is a failure who has kept his sense of humor, his enthusiasm, his devotion to doing his job well, no matter how humble that job may be. There are some musts, I believe, for those of us in this absorbing, fascinating entertainment business. Never take yourself too seriously is one of my constant selfadmonitions. Take your work seriously— every phase of it — but never your alltoo-vulnerable self. Study, study, study human beings. As an actress, you can never know too much about people." Intertwined with Loretta's personal philosophy is a moral conscience which pervades every field of her world: "Just as I believe you should nurture your love for your husband, so I believe you should nurture your conscience. A conscience is not very strong, to begin with. Its strength must be developed, never neglected. If you don't listen to your conscience, you can commit the same wrong a second time and then the shock is less, by far. The third time, you can see no reason why the act is wrong! Watch your conscience, and it will police your life magnificently. "I do not hold with those who think it is all right to do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. I think that's nonsense. There are very, very few things one can say or do that are without influence or possible hurt to someone." As happily stimulating as her theory of nurturing— rather than ignoring— conscience are Loretta's clear-headed attitudes toward anticipation and worry: "I do not believe that anticipation is greater than realization. I think it is possible to destroy enjoyment by exaggerated anticipation. You are living in the future when you anticipate greatly. In saying that one should live for today, I don't mean that I believe in spending every nickel one earns as soon as it is earned. There is a lack of perspective— and responsibility — in a lack of thrift. "But," she continues, "I do believe it is possible to worry our lives away over trivialities. And one has to watch oneself on that! I say to myself: Think of what you worried about last week. Did you accomplish anything by your worries? And haven't most of them melted away into thin air? I like the motto, 'Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday and it never happened.' I can't think of a single problem I ever solved by worrying." An honored guest once wrote in the Lewis guest book a summation of Loretta's thoughts which she cherishes: "Give us the strength to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed. Give us the courage to change the things that can and should be changed. Give us the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." Perhaps the pattern of Loretta's life was to learn all these things early and so surely that they could not be lost after she entered the fast frenetic pace of television. Diving into a new medium, uprooting one's way of life and filling one's mind with a myriad of new experiences is usually the time when human nature overcomes the divine principles we live by when life is calm and balanced. But Loretta's served her well, during the first intricate months of mastering television. Then, too — with Tom part-and-parcel of the ideals and philosophies — there was little left to be discussed in the nature of underlying motivations and good taste for the show. Tom produces, supervises scripts, and carries the business end of the show, leaving Loretta free to concentrate on her needs as an actress. But her restless and attentive mind always seems to be exploring all the fields — cutting, music, sets, and scripts. Actually, Tom and Loretta do not sit around ten hours a day discussing their personal philosophy and how to integrate it into the show. In fact, they don't delib Why hundreds of doctors prefer CUTICURA for Fast Relief — often in 7 days! When you use Cuticura Soap and Ointment unsightly blackheads, *externally caused pimples, flaky dryness, oily shine are usually relieved in record time. See New Softness, new freshness, radiant new complexion tone! Cuticura I does more for you because: Cuticura Soap— one of the K|| mildest of all leading soaps ^«^»e by laboratory test— is superfatted and mildly medicated to help maintain the natural moisture and normal acidity of the skin. And emollient Cuticura Ointment softens as it helps heal. Try Cuticura today! SEND FOR FREE SOAP sample and t^-^ leaflet on correct way to wash /a$|ro\ your face. Write Cuticura, Dept. /ctesJSl TS-55, Maiden 48, Mass. \PARENTSV (juticura Be a Hotel Hostess Enjoy Your Work! Fascinating positions in hotels, motels, clubs, apartment house projects as Hostess. Executive Housekeeper, Manager, etc. Celestia Foster writes: "Am Hostess-Housekeeper in a hotel and happy in my work." Write for FREE book. "Tour Big Opportunity. Approved for ATX Veteran Training. LEWIS HOTEL TRAINING SCHOOL Sta. AE-1 18-01. Washington 7, D. C. 39th Year Aft* Every IAeo\... Brush teeth 3 times a day —home or away! Help prevent tooth decay . . . refreshes breath. Carry toothbrush kit in pocket, purse, keep in desk. Ideal for travel. Full-size folding toothbrush, tube of Pepsodent, in plastic case ("cigarette-pack" size) . At Dept., Drug stores. Beauty shops. Tote-Brush Inc.. Chicago 14 ^