“Letters Of Introduction”

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1938, Page 4 (Supplement)

“Letters Of Introduction”

Hollywood’s wittiest “smart-cracker” is~a dummy! Although the Film City boasts such wits as the Marx Brothers, the Ritz Brothers, Milton Berle, George and Gracie Allen. Jack Benny and scores of other screen and radio personalities, studio workers found themselves gasping with amazement at the sallies, sideremarks, and snappy comebacks of Edgar Bergen’s famous piece of pine, Charlie McCarthy. Fresh From Start McCarthy hadn’t worked two hours in “Letter of Introduction,” Universal’s John M. Stahl production before he unloosed one of his devasting comebacks. After repeated rehearsals, during which Bergen seemed unable to do the scene to the liking of the dignified Stahl, the director turned to Bergen. “Edgar,” he said, “why don’t you try it your own way?” “Why the deuce didn’t vou tell u» that in the first place?” Charlie impudently queried. The remark is still being repeated in Hollywood. Stahl seemed to be the especial target fer Charlie’s impish wit. During the shooting of a scone, Bergen stopped right in the middle of it when he laughed at some bit of

business which Charlie had just completed. “What are you laughing at?” Mr Stahl, enquired. “He’s laughing at me,” Charlie retorted. “I’m clever, ain’t I. Bergen?” Silences Thunder When a sudden storm broke over the studio and an especially loud peal of thunder broke up the scene, Charlie went into action. “Quiet!” he screamed, in his best assistant-director manner. The thunder ceased at once. “That’s telling ’em,” Charlie gloated. When George Murpby “blew” his lines, and called Andrea Leeds "Andrea” instead of her character name, “Kay” and then wont back and said “Kay,” Charlie piped up: , “Make up your mind, George. Time’s a’wastin’.” The inimitable McCarthy kept the cast and crew laughing even in his ofT-stago moments. Mornings, when Bergen went to remove him from his suit-case, McCarthy’s voice could be herd coming from the interior, loudly demanding to bo released. “Lenfme cut a’ here!” he commanded. ..And Bergen usually apologised for not making haste. With Bergen and McCarthy in the east of “Letter of Introduction” are

Adolphe Menjou, Andrea Leeds, George Murphy, Rita Johnson, Eve Arden, Ann Sheridan, Ernest Cossart, Jonathan Hale and Frank Jenks. The picture was produced and directed by John M. Stahl.