Screenland Plus TV-Land (Nov 1953 - May 1955)

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IT TAKES MORE THAN MUSCLES [CONTINUED FROM PACE 31] the male animal might be as gentle as a lamb under the right woman's influence, "Burt is just rough on the outside," comments one of his directors. "Inside he lives by the book, respects himself, and loves his wife. What more can you ask? I guess it's that innate decency that shows through that gets the girls!" Ever since Burt was a kid in the tough East Harlem section of New York, he's been winning friends and holding them. "He never forgets," says Nick, who was once the small half (physically) of that old circus act of Lang and Cravat. "Once a friend, always a friend with Burt." Nick still works out with Burt, both of them keeping their bodies as fit as when they played fairs and carnivals with their acrobatic act, and Nick's had small parts in several of Burt's films. Just what is this inner strength of Burt Lancaster's which draws the women so irresistibly, which makes friends out of men who started out disliking the guy — until they met him? Says a well-known Hollywood psychologist, "Burt Lancaster is probably one of the few Hollywood actors who is completely adjusted to his environment. That's a term that covers a lot of ground, but in his case it means that he's adjusted to his lack of formal education and has compensated by a genuine interest in learning. It means, too, that he's comfortable in his marriage, enjoys his children, and likes his wife. "Unlike many of the people in the entertainment world, Burt Lancaster has found out how to get along with himself, and since he's at ease with himself — accepts his good and bad points — he's able to live outside himself. He's found the best kind of security," finishes the psychologist. "The security of knowing himself for an average man." In the opinion of his fellow-actors and friends, however, this is just what makes him anything but the average man. Anyone who's ever been privileged to know Lancaster says, "Warmth . . . genuine feelings . . . not a show-off . . . natural . . . affectionate . . . and what an actor!" Take, for instance, the brief appearance Burt made with Ed Sullivan's "Toast Of The Town" last August. "From Here To Eternity" had just opened to rave notices; Burt's role was well-known — that of a tough Army sergeant. Standing beside Sullivan, on the stage, Lancaster looked tough — and big — and his hair needed combing. In the Summer heat, his suit was rumpled. Easy to imagine him in uniform, enacting a hard boiled Army sergeant . . . except . . . Except, that the tough guy had been caught by the TV cameras a scant two minutes before, sitting in the audience and singing "Happy Birthday To You" to Fritzi Scheff. Head thrown back, perfectly unconscious of himself and the audience, paying genuine tribute with the rest of the crowd to a grand old lady of the theatre. Except, that on the stage he made an 56 Burt Lancaster with his children, Billy and Susan, are a happy family group. equally spontaneous tribute to Ed Sullivan's show. "This is my own idea," he grinned, "but you know I've been around a lot of carnivals and circuses and variety shows, and I want to tell you, Ed, I think 'Toast Of The Town' is the best variety show I've ever seen." Except . . . that at the finish of the show, when Burt Lancaster stood on the stage with the performers, he could be seen quietly shaking hands with the acrobatic act . . . giving admiration from one old hand to another. Wherever Burt Lancaster goes — his six foot two striding along with easy grace — from Chicago, to London's smartest hotels, to a small Pacific island — he makes friends, influences people and sets the girls to sighing. Yet you never hear even a rumor that there's a rift in the Lancaster household. It's possible, of course, that Norma Lancaster— who's attractive enough to be a film star herself — is just as well "adjusted" as her husband. The Lancasters seem to be one couple who came to Hollywood to find fame and fortune awaiting them — and who really didn't let it go to their heads. Almost any day you can see Mrs. Lancaster doing her shopping, her daily marketing, taking care of her children and making a nice normal relaxed home for a husband who works hard. With a home life that is as sane and comfortable as Any Home in Anytown, U.S.A., it's probably easy for Burt Lancaster to make that "adjustment" between the world of fantasy and the world of reality. It's even more probable that some of that sane daily living comes through his screen portrayals, making him the man who is all masculine strength — but with a core of the tenderness and sweetness every woman wants in her man. And if Burt can stand for romance to half the women of America, it's pretty obvious that he stands for a lot more than that to his wife. END ANY GIRL CAN RE FASCINATING [CONTINUED FROM PACE 33] always is eager for more knowledge on a subject. Men fond of the fading art of conversation flock towards her. She doesn't repeat petty gossip or bog down in trivialities. Her desire to be well-informed gives her a provocative, satisfying attitude. And she inevitably decorates her comments with a flash of kindness and wit. Above all, though, Julia hears superbly. She doesn't stare off into space or at somebody else disturbingly. She doesn't interrupt or feel pained if another woman gets into the conversation. She goes on listening responsively, couldn't be dragged away until a fellow finishes his point. This courtesy kills them all because it's so rare. Her thoughtfulness pays in that when she is asked her opinion men ache to pay attention. They claim they are rewarded with the sense she certainly makes. While at work at Universal-International, where she is currently making "Wings Of The Hawk," Julia always keeps her mind on what she is doing, never complains, never gets coy, never flirts. So it's easy to see why the high regard for her at the studio carries the weight of genuine respect. Even the top favorites she's worked with — Jimmy Stewart, Rock Hudson, Tyrone Power, Glenn Ford, Stephen McNally, Van Heflin — -have unani mously praised her as a real person. "Actors aren't like the boy next door, but I've learned there's no need to be scared of them," Julia says. "They've been wonderful to me. They're so polite and kind. They're sensitive, so they suspect every woman loves to be treated as though she's a duchess in disguise and appreciates consideration. They're original because they have great imagination. Yet they're down-to-earth, so you're perfectly comfortable with them. Sincere? I've found those I've worked with absolutely unaffected." Adapting to the personalities of such different male stars is just like adjusting to the variety in masculinity anywhere, Julia continues. It isn't too difficult if you realize men are astounded and then vastly pleased at being recognized openly for what they are. "I'm not at all surprised when men wish to remain true to their own natures. I'm stubborn in the same way. I don't want to be told I'm not capable of doing my own thinking!" Her habit of giving a man the chance to admit what he is has a double effect. Men beam at the mention of Julia because her attitude is the alluring reverse of the aggressive nerve they hate in women. Also, since she doesn't