AND FOR YOUR PARENTS:
Shirley Temple Black brought a new
perspective to Orson Well's reputation in her autobiography, Child Star (McGraw-Hill Publishing company,
1988). She wrote about a croquet match that was part of a publicity layout on pages 284 - 285:
"Did you hear
my program about Martians [War of the Worlds]?"
"Yes," I stroked my ball and scowled. It had stopped wide of the final wicket. "Nelson Eddy was why I listened."
Welles turned
and leaned on his mallet, waiting. My evening routine included listening to Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.
I explained but when guest Eddy came on to sing, I switched stations and stumbles on his.
"Did you believe
my program?" he asked, striking a pleasing pose for our photographers.
"No, I knew
it wasn't true."
Taking careful
aim, I knocked his ball slightly away from the mouth of the final wicket, leaving mine in good position.
His return
shot caromed my ball away into a difficult lie.
"How did you
know?" he asked.
Engrossed with
my final chance, I said nothing and concentrated. I missed.
"Well," I replied
resignedly. "If men from Mars had come here, why would just your program be broadcasting the news? That didn't
make sense, so I didn't believe it."
And Orson Welles had the reputation
as an enfant terribles?!
Plus, you had to wonder about all
those adults
who were so terrified by his broadcast!
Reprinted from The Old Movie Maven
Blog, September 20, 2005.
