BEFORE THE "MIKE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 5 (Supplement)

BEFORE THE "MIKE."

Reactions Of Famous Stars.

TEW COMPOSED; MANY FIDGET AND SHUFFLE.

(By SHEILAH GRAHAM.)

WHEN tlit' big stars give radio perforiuancera there are 110 retakes. First performance—good or bad— js the one and only. Some players get the jitters, others thrive on the "black box medicine-.'' Gary Cooper, for instance. is extremely self-conscious; while broadcasting he jumps around, tap- his toes, touches his clothes. Leslie' Howard is the most unconcerned of all, and seems to go to sleep while saving his piece. He has worn the same sleeveless sweater at every one of his broadcasts—for good hick. Herbert Marshall was quite composed during his air performance in "The Dark Angel," but. as a member of the radio audience watching Gloria Swanson do her piece, he was so nervous he removed his coat, then his tie. Fortunately, the completion of Miss Swanson's song and talk cut short Marshall's disrobing activities. Paul Muni plays the v' ' : n to cornpone his broadcasting fer . Jimmy Cagney's hands are cold an! : lummy at

Lionel Barrvmore gave everyone who appeared on his recent air programme, not to mention the half-crazed sponsor, an over-size case of the jitters by arriving 30 seconds before he was due to go on the air. Jean Arthur is one of the lucky ones paid twice for one broadcast because President Roosevelt purloined her original period for a political talk. When the airing finally came off Jean gave her all perched on a high stool. Before the Broadcast. Miriam Hopkins refrains from eating the day she broadcasts. Wallace Beery prefers to face his air fans minus coat and tie. with bright suspenders supporting his paifts. Lupe Velez, clad in corduroy suit and boots, and accompanied by her Johnnie, suddenly remembered a very pressing engagement one second before she was due on the air. She was indignant with the director when he grabbed her arm and said, "Sorry, lady, you've got to wait. Fifteen million people are tuning in for you." Carole Lombard was reduced to a wreck of her scintillating self, although the 5000 dollars she received for twelve minutes' broadcasting on a recent pro-

*the conclusion of his programme. Idaudette Colbert believes in the old ,"Yogi custom of lying flat on her back jior an hour before facing the microphone. She broadcasts fn her stocking ieet. So does Joan Crawford, who was 'mo terrified at her last encounter with *the "mike" that she sat on a chair the •entire period, while Mike Levee, her fagent, held her hand. "But it's cured imy fear of acting before crowd*," Joan iatated afterwards, and immediately tbegan a search for a suitable play in iwhieh husband Franchot Tone and she ■hope to appear on Broadway. Different Reactions. Freddie Bartholomew is exceedingly iself-pWsessed while broadcasting. Ditto VMerle Oberon, who always gives a good iradio performance. Jack Oakie clowns. JBette Davis is very dramatic and acts «fco the laet inch of her body into the Bette is a glutton for fcehearsals. So is Jane Cowl, who,

•despite having performed in "Smilin' Through" uncountable times on the •tage, insisted on thorough rehearsing lor her ether appearance. Before her last radio airing Marlene Dietrich conducted a pow wow with Clark Gable and Cecil B. De Mille •prawling on the floor in the centre of the <itage. Gene Raymond was so befuddled he signed the name "John Dillinger" for at least 500 of the "fans" ■who clamoured for his autograph when the broadcast was over. Myrna Loy, after rehearsing all the week, told the radio producer the day before the broadcast. "T've bought a new car, and I'd like :•> drive into the country to-mor-row. Can't we postpone tlie broadcast until Tuesday?"'

gramme helped her recovery considerably. Ginger Rogers wets her lips and swallows convulsively before she is announced, but, once on the air, she performs exactly as though in front of a camera—which is good. Edward G. Robinson acts a* though he were going to a wedding—or a funeral—arid dons his best clothes for his unseen audience.