TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1956)

(Continued from page 64) worked for Carlton E. Morse in his radio series, Jack And Ethel, which she describes as: "Exquisite scripts, filled with Mr. Morse's minute research, based on true dramatic episodes in California's history. I remember three especially — the Marcus Whitman, Lotta Crabtree and Lola Montez series. Each was done in five weekly episodes. They were classics." Then "Family" was born. On her way home from NBC, one spring afternoon in 1932, Bernice was coming out of Clark's market, when she ran into Carlton E. Morse — hands in pockets, walking down a San Francisco street. Bernice says, "We fell in step, and he told me about a new radio show called One Man's Family. He said he hadn't put the idea on paper yet, and asked me what I thought of it. I said, 'I think it's grand — do it.' . . . Within the next day or two, my husband and I were planning a trip to New York. But, before I could pack my bags, Mr. Morse finished the first script and asked me to play Hazel. "At first, Mr. Morse wrote the individuals pretty much as he felt he saw them in real life — at least, if you were to ask him, 'Are Father Barbour and J. Anthony Smythe the same person?' — he probably would have said, 'Why, certainly.' I rebelled at this at first, because I didn't think Hazel was myself at all!" ... In the many years that Bernice has been playing Hazel, she has seen the character develop from a neurotic, frustrated young woman into a happy wife and mother. It is a tribute to her acting ability that she has made each phase of Hazel's life completely convincing and understanding. In real life, Bernice is married to A. Brooks Berlin, prominent San Francisco One Man's Family attorney. They have a son, Berwin Brooks Berlin, twenty-one, a law student at the University of California. "Sometimes," says Bernice, "in the script, Hazel tells Pinky what she thinks he should do in a given situation. At home, I find that a young man of twenty-one doesn't want to be told — one doesn't give advice unless one is really asked." . . . However, Miss Berwin feels the show has had a helpful effect in rearing her own son, and her experience in being a real mother has enabled her to give reality to the character of Hazel. Bernice has always considered her radio children as part of her own family. Dawn GIVE— Strike back at CANCEit Bender, who came on the show at the age of seven, plays her daughter, Margaret, and has always sent Bernice Christmas gifts addressed to "Mommy." Bernice returns the favor in kind. When Dawn married a few years ago, Bernice and Barbara Fuller (Claudia) gave Dawn a shower. . . . Bernice says: "Dawn, of course, had a very devoted real-life mother. But I feel as if I were blessed in a way. It has been a great experience for me, for Dawn — in a make-believe sort of way — became the daughter I was never able to have." Today, Bernice lives in Oakland with her husband and son, in a home with a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay. "We can see both bridges," she says, "and on the right, as far as Mt. Tamalpais — and, on the left, all the way down the peninsula. On a clear day, it's absolutely breathtaking." The Berlins redecorated their home six months ago and, in January, had a large party to celebrate Mr. Berlin's election to the Bar Presidency. Says Bernice, "We couldn't get our guests away from the windows!" Miss Berwin now commutes via United Airlines from her home in Oakland to the NBC recording studios in Hollywood. She is the airline's most popular passenger. United soon will be presenting Bernice with a gold plaque to commemorate her 100,000th mile. While not commuting, Bernice is an avid reader, concentrating on current events in magazines — "We live in such exciting times" . . . listens to classical records — "Piano is still my favorite" . . . visits the theater and ballet with Mr. Morse's wife, Pat — "I feel television is making ballet popular in America" . . . and encourages her son Berwin with his law studies at the University of California. It will soon be a quarter of a century since Carlton E. Morse wrote his first line of dialogue for One Man's Family. In that time, "Family" has grown through marriages and births, deaths and tragedies. Mail still pours in, whenever a crisis or high point is reached in the script. In the past, when the program offered a Mother Barbour cookbook — and, later, a Father Barbour family history — the requests came in by hundreds of thousands. Today, One Man's Family remains Carlton E. Morse's favorite show. "I hope we can continue to occupy our niche in the very important radio field," he says. "So long as the public continues to listen — and to let us know — we will stay on the air. I can only say that I trust the public feels we have contributed something to better living and better family ties . . . that is the purpose of One Man's Family." It takes two to romance Try sensational new Cuticura Shampoo— better than soap shampoo, better than soapless shampoo— combines the best features of both. Now in a plastic squeeze bottle! Only 79# at leading drug counters. And two to give you an alluring, blemish-free skin — Cuticura Soap and Cuticura Ointment! First— Cuticura Soap. Many skin specialists say it takes a superfatted soap to help preserve the natural moisture and normal, healthy acidity of the skin. And Cuticura Soap— alone of all leading soaps— is superfatted and mildly medicated to help you maintain the clean, clear, fresh, baby-soft skin men love. Next— Cuticura Ointment. This emollient does more than help clear up externally caused pimples. 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