Shirley Booth: "A Successful Actor Or Actress Is Always In CLASS!"

ANNIVERSARY TODAY:

George Reeves, best known as the actor playing Superman on television in The Adventures of Superman was born today in 1914 (died June 16, 1959). In my opinion George offered the best portrayal ever of the DC Comics character. He brilliantly delivered the charming and soft-spoken Clark Kent, and then effortlessly transformed him into the deadly-serious and dramatic Superman. Reeves made the transformation seem so natural and easy - indeed he had this part perfected! Sadly he left us so tragically - it's an unfortunate ending to a great actor's life.

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I continue quoting from an article written by Shirley Booth (the first part appeared in my January 2nd post).... 

I never fail to watch, listen and observe people. Acting so far as I’m concerned is the constant study of just what it is that makes them what they are. If you are little intuitive it helps, for then you also sense how a person thinks and feels, what below surface traits and moods he or she is motivated by. 

A successful actor or actress is always in class. But it’s a classroom not bound by four walls. It can be any place. The street, the seashore, a restaurant, a crowded theater lobby between acts, or a noisy cocktail party. Knowing people doesn’t come solely from books, but also from close observance of people and their individual characteristics. 

I love playing in pictures. Although it’s hard work, I found it every bit as exacting and demanding as the stage, and I have the greatest admiration for those working behind the camera. Being a character actress and not having been born with the looks of a glamour girl, I was certain Hollywood wouldn’t know what to do with me, and perhaps it would be best to mind my business and stay where I was in the theater. Luckily, that was not my final decision. 

I’m really surprised with my progress in Hollywood. They’ve all taken wonderful care of me, from producer Hal Wallis on down. Now that I’ve finished About Mrs. Leslie, I’m anxious to get started on another picture. My contract with Mr. Wallis calls for two more pictures to be made when both of us agree on the subject matter. I read scripts hoping to find just the right one. Meanwhile, I’d like to portray Mrs. Midget, the cockney charwoman in Sutton Vane’s Outward Bound. This was played first by Beryl Mercer, and then by Laurette Taylor. Both were magnificent. Maybe Hollywood will do Outward Bound once more. 

It was so beautiful. I’m certain I could never entirely give up the stage for motion pictures. I find it fascinating to do both. You never get a chance to become stale, lose eagerness to keep learning. People have asked whether or not the shadow of my bright and shining Academy Award Oscar haunted me while shooting About Mrs. Leslie. I must be honest about a question like that. When I’m getting acquainted with a character, I get so engrossed that results are unthought of. I become so absorbed I never think where it will lead. I concentrated on Mrs. Leslie. All my thoughts were of her.... 

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For Bill, His Pinup Girl: The Shirley Booth & Bill Baker Story
by Jim Manago
Foreword by Leslie Sodaro
Published December 1, 2010
Further details at: http://shirleybooth.blogspot.com

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Now available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076ZCBM2

Love is the Reason for it All: The Shirley Booth Story
by Jim Manago
Radio Research by Donna Manago
Foreword by Ted Key
BearManor Media, May 2008
http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com