… as told to Peter Bogdanovich:
Becoming a movie star is something like getting on a streetcar. Actors and actresses are packed in like sardines.
When I arrived in Hollywood, Carole Lombard, Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Warner Baxter, Greta Garbo, Fred Astaire, and others were crammed onto the car. A few stood, holding tightly to leather straps to avoid being pushed aside. Others were firmly seated in the center of the car. They were the big stars. At the front, new actors and actresses pushed and shoved to get aboard. Some made it and slowly moved toward the center.
When a new “star” came aboard, an old one had to be edged out the rear exit. The crowd was so big you were pushed right off. There was room for only so many and no more.
One well-known star, Adolphe Menjou, was constantly being pushed off the rear. He would pick himself up, brush himself off, and run to the front to fight his way aboard again. In a short time he was back in the center only to be pushed off once more. This went on for years. He never did get to sit down.
It took me quite a while to reach the center. When I did make it, I remained standing. I held on to that leather strap for dear life. Then Warner Baxter fell out the back, and I got to sit down.
When Gregory Peck got on, it was Ronald Colman who fell off.
The only man who refused to budge was Gary Cooper. Gary was firmly seated in the center of the car. He just leaned back, stuck those long legs of his out in the aisle, and tripped everyone who came along.
When Joan Fontaine got on, she stood right in front of me and held on to one of those leather straps. I naturally got to my feet, giving her my seat. Joan sat down and got an Academy Award!
That was very interesting… It’s actually a pretty great metaphor.
Sofia – I agree – great metaphor. I love how he makes the point that gentlemanliness (ie: giving a lady your seat) means you bump yourself out of the pecking order. Very funny and honest!
Makes me a bit sad that Warner Baxter fell off, because I do love him and he has been all but forgotten. But I’m glad that Cary Grant climbed aboard.
I definitely know what you mean.
Cary was ahead of the curve. Today folks might talk about a Dunbar’s number-equivalent for fame.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar%27s_number
Has Peter Bogdanovich interviewed EVERY important person in Hollywood from 1930 to today?
“You’re nobody unless you’ve been interviewed by Peter B.”
So true. I mean, he even got to Allan Dwan – who, I think, was 90 years old when Pete B found him. Just in time!
My favorite part is the image of Adoplhe Menjou running to the front to fight his way back on board. There’s something admirable in that tenaciousness, even if he never did get to sit down.
I was lucky enough to attend a book signing for Mr. Bogdanovich, maybe a bit over a decade ago. I went as a lark, not yet having seen The Last Picture Show. I appreciated him, his reputation, but wasn’t yet a fan. An hour or so later, I was a fan. And I could have listened to his stories all night long.