Mrs Berman Takes The Limelight

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31987, 14 May 1969, Page 2

Mrs Berman Takes The Limelight

“Everywhere I go in this country my wife gets more coverage than I do—and more pictures,” said a mock-serious Shelley Berman after he and his wife had spent more than an hour being interviewed on their arrival in Christchurch yesterday.

A casual onlooker could well have thought that the serene, longhaired, 42-year-old Sarah Berman was the celebrity.

She was immaculately clad in a black military-style coat, knee-high boots, and huge sunglasses, while her husband relaxed in an open-neck and cravat, red sweater, and blue jeans. With a hobby like zoology (specialising in snakes), Mrs Berman naturally attracts headlines. She is also a happy mother of two small children —adopted after many years of marriage—a devoted wife, and a dog fancier.

Her time as an amateur zoologist comes once a week on what four-year-old Joshua calls her "day off.” She spends most of the day at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo, taking parties of school children on tours there. After completing the zoo’s course in zoology, Mrs Berman chose to take up herpetology and now has no fear of snakes, which she says are not aggressive creatures.

“They are victims of bad publicity,” she said. Dogs have always been Mrs Berman’s constant companions. The Berman home in Beverly Hills resounds with the welcome of her family, including four poodles, when she returns from her day at the zoo.

Her special favourite, D.C., who was born in Washington, D.C., died last year. Mrs Berman . is looking forward to getting another of the rare, very tiny breed. D.C. used to travel everywhere in Mrs Berman’s bag, and almost made the trip to New Zealand a few years ago until Mrs Berman heard about quarantine regulations. “We built a beautiful dog run for them at our home,

with a magnolia tree for shade, sand, and water . . . and they hate it. They just sit looking through the gate at us, so I have given up keeping them there,” Mrs Berman said.

The Bermans’ style of life is far removed from the stereotyped image of the entertainer. When Mr Berman is not travelling overseas, their lot is one of contented domesticity.

Two-year-old Rachael keeps Mrs Berman busy, while Mr Berman and Joshua enjoy “pottering around together.” When they are not tending the roses (which are Mr Berman’s pride) or the citrus trees, they occupy themselves in the “hobby shop.” “Shelley is very handy. He has all sorts of tools in the workshop, and Joshua shares his interest," said Mrs Berman.

The decision to adopt children came when Mr Berman’s career was firmly established after years of struggle. “During the first 10 years of our marriage, Shelley was struggling to make a name, and I wanted him to do well. When we were in a position to have a family, we decided we were not getting any younger, and had better get busy and adopt them,” she said.

“Shelley likes to have me round when he’s travelling, but now I only go with him overseas. My parents are looking after the children

Knees Bend.— Do not put unnecessary strain on your spinal muscles by bending from the waist to pick things up off the floor. Take a tip from a champion weightlifter and bend from the knees instead.

now. We took Jos to London when he was two, but Rachael is a very bad traveller.” The lot of a housewife suits Mrs Berman, “I don’t know how anyone can find it boring,” she said.

Walking is a favourite pastime for the Bermans and one they hope to indulge when they return for a twoweek holiday in Queenstown after Mr Berman’s Australian stint They will also have two days fishing in Rotorua. Both have a youthful outlook on life —and Mr Berman is not alone in being able to see the funny side of things. Mrs Berman’s ready smile flashed as she told one of her favourite stories about her husband who has a penchant for “going native” when they are on holiday. “Once we stayed in a lovely quiet spot in Switzerland, where few Americans go. Shelley went out and bought a cap, and knickers which he wore open at the cuffs like the local people. When we were out walking Shelley heard a passer-by say: ‘Oh look, there’s one of the natives.’ He just loved it," Mrs Berman said.