Chapter 22 Chapter Twenty Two
As a producer, all kinds of literary material—drama scripts, screenplays, original stories—began pouring into my office, but none of them touched my heart.I had made up my mind that the first film had to be a masterpiece that I could be proud of.Three weeks after I became a producer, Dole Shari's secretary called me: "Mr. Shari would like you to come to his office."
"Please tell him I'll be right there."
A few minutes later, I sat across from Dole.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Harry Cohn is calling."
"Oh?"
"He asked me to allow him to sign with you and ask you to be the production director of Columbia." I was stunned, "I didn't expect him..."
"I spoke to Mr. Meyer and our decision was to turn him down. There are two reasons, firstly, we are very happy with your performance in this company and secondly, we think Harry Cohen will destroy you. He is a Very difficult guy to deal with. I've called Cohn back with our decision." Then he looked at me expectantly. "The final decision is still in your own hands."
There are many factors to consider.Running a major studio is the most respected job in Hollywood, but then again, Shari and Mayer might be right about my working with Cohen.I was reminded of the scene I witnessed in Cohen's office.Harry, Donna Reed is also on the line.Tony's crew was going overseas, and Donna wanted to be with him in San Francisco before he left.
she can't go.
Would I be willing to work for such a person all day long?Thinking of this, I made up my mind, and said, "I'm having a good time here, Dole."
He smiled, "Fine. We don't want to lose you either."
When I returned to my office, I found Harris Cattoman, an agent from the top Hollywood agency MCA, waiting for me, "I heard that Harry Cole wants you to take charge of Columbia."
I think the news travels really fast enough. "Yes, Dole just told me."
"Our company will be happy to represent you, Sidney. We can help you negotiate a very favorable contract for you..."
I shook my head. "Thank you very much, Harris, but I have already decided not to accept his invitation."
He looked puzzled. "I've never heard of anyone turning down a great opportunity to run a film company."
"Now you've heard."
He stood there, trying to find something to say, but nothing came out.
I am still a little curious in my heart, if I accept Harry Cohen's invitation, what will my life be like in the future?I'm reminded of the doorman at Columbia Corporation.
I want to be a screenwriter, who should I meet?
Do you have a reservation?
no, but...
Then you don't want to see anyone.
Harry Cohen wants you to run Columbia.
Shortly after talking to Dole, I went to the company cafeteria for lunch.I saw Sasha Gabor at a table not far from me with a very lovely brunette.I met Sasa Gabor a few months ago and thought she was very interesting.She and her sisters, Eva and Magda, are already Hollywood legends and famous.Back then, they came to Hollywood from Hungary, and quickly gained a firm foothold relying on their talents and mavericks.But right now, it's the girl next to Sasha that catches my interest.After eating, I walked over to Salsa's table. "Honey—" she greeted everyone, including strangers. "Hi, Sasha." We blew Hollywood kisses to each other. She turned to the young woman beside her. "This is Joa Cotwright, a wonderful actor. This is Sidney Shelton." Joya nodded, "Hello." "Sit down, honey." I sat down as I said, and said to Qiao Ya: "Since you are an actor, what movies have you acted in?" She said absent-mindedly: "There are all kinds of movies." I was very surprised by her reaction.Actresses are often eager to brag about their accomplishments to producers. I looked at her carefully, and there was something about her that attracted me.She was a classic beauty, with bright, determined brown eyes and a husky voice that sounded special. "You two come to my office after dinner." I suggested. "With pleasure, dear." Joya didn't say a word. On my way back to the office, I stopped by to see Jerry Davis, a screenwriting buddy of mine. "Jerry, I just met my future wife." "Who is it? I want to see her." "Oh, no, not yet. I don't want anyone to compete with me." Fifteen minutes later, Sasha and Joya came to my office. I said, "Please sit down." We chatted ramblingly for a few minutes.Finally, I said to Joya: "When you are free some night, can we have a meal together?" I picked up a pen, "What is your phone number?" "I'm afraid I don't have much time," said Joa. Sasha looked at Joya in horror, "Don't be stupid, my dear. Sidney is a producer." Joya said, "I'm not interested..." Sasha interrupted her loudly and gave me Joya's number.Joya glared at her angrily, clearly displeased. "It's just a meal," I said to Joa. "I'll call you." Joya stood up, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Sheldon." I felt a chill rise in the room.As I watched them leave, I thought, this is not going to be that easy. I checked out Chajoya Cortlett's work and it was amazing.She's acted in TV shows and movies, as well as Broadway musicals.She's playing Stella in the Broadway hit "A Streetcar Named Desire" these days, and the tour has just begun, and she's turning heads. "The New York Times" commented: "Joya Cortlett's Stella has infinite vitality. She has a precise judgment on the role, and she shines with warmth, compassion and understanding." Her performance in the film "Whistletown" also received rave reviews.In addition, she has acted in more than ten important TV series. The next morning, I called Joya and asked her out for dinner."Sorry, I'm not free," she said. I called her every day for the next four days and got the same answer each time. On the fifth day, I called her again: "I'm throwing a party on Friday night, and there will be a lot of famous producers and directors. I think getting to know them will help your career." After a long silence, she said, "Okay." I have a feeling that she accepted the invitation because it was destined for us to be together. Now, I have to start figuring out how to bring in what I call famous producers and directors. I contrived to hold this banquet.Several producers and directors have seen Joya's performance and have raved about her. After dinner, I asked Joya, "Did you have a good time tonight?" "Very happy, thank you." "I'll take you home." She shook her head. "I drove here myself. Thank you, it was a good night." She began to walk to the door. "Wait," I said, "how about having dinner another day?" She thought for a moment, "Okay." There was no enthusiasm in her answer. The next morning, I called her: "Are you free tonight?" For the first time, she answered so happily: "I'm free." "I'll pick you up at seven thirty." This is how the story begins.
We went to Chase's.According to my past experience, when you talk to an actress, the content of the conversation is nothing more than "So I told the director...", "I told the cameraman...", "The actor..." kind of stuff.When I have dinner with an actress, the conversation is usually about things in the entertainment industry.However, when I was with Joya, the entertainment industry didn't appear in the conversation at all.She was talking about her family and friends.She's from Mina, Arkansas, and she still has a small-town vibe about her.She was unlike any actress I'd ever known before. Towards the end of dinner, I said, "Joya, why are you so reluctant to accept my invitation?" She hesitated and said, "Do you want a frank answer?" "of course." "It's been said that you've dated a lot of women. I don't want to be on your date list." I said, "You're not just making up numbers. Give me a chance." She looked at me seriously, "Okay, let's see." After that, I saw Joya every night.The more we meet, the more I feel like I've fallen in love.She was funny and mischievous, and we laughed a lot when we were together.Our relationship has grown closer. One day after three months, I put my arms around Joya and said, "Let's get married." The next day, we headed straight to Las Vegas. I arranged for Natalie and Martin to come to Hollywood to meet Joya and they got on really well.Natalie asked Joya countless questions, and finally concluded that she is a perfect match for me. I planned a honeymoon in Europe and bought a tiny house in Coldwater Valley, Beverly Hills. Otto and his wife Ann live in Los Angeles. I told Otto about my marriage and he patted me on the shoulder. Board, take this as my wedding present." Otto's latest is a siding business, specializing in installing aluminum siding on the exterior walls of other people's houses.This was a great gift, as siding was very expensive. "very good, thank you!" I took three months off with Kenneth McCain and then sailed to Europe with Joya.The honeymoon was a dream, we went to London, Paris, Rome and my favorite place in the world - Venice.I couldn't be happier, and the dark clouds have been left behind me. The moment to go home finally came.We got back to Los Angeles and Otto was waiting for us.As we were driving home, he said, "I think you'll like it." He was right.With the shiny aluminum siding, the house is stunning. "...Let me tell you my plan," Otto said generously, "I will give you this at cost."
Joya kept filming TV series, and she appeared in many of the most popular series one after another. One night, Joya had a dream in which a group of people were going to lynch a man.To stop them.She gave an impassioned speech in public.Halfway through the dream she woke up.Sit up straight.She thought her speech was very good, and although she was fully awake, she went on to finish it.
After returning to MGM, in the late spring of 1952, I finally found the material I wanted.That is Alfred Levitt's short story "The Dreaming Wife", which is about the war between the sexes.A bachelor is engaged to a beautiful State Department official whose fiancée is too busy dealing with an oil crisis in the Middle East to marry him.The bachelor could bear it no longer, and decided to marry a young and beautiful princess he had met in the Middle East.With the intensification of the world oil crisis, the plot has become more complicated. I arranged for a promising young screenwriter, Herbert Baker, to write the script with me.The script was written very well.I envisioned the actor as Cary Grant, but I also knew he had a very busy schedule. When I concentrate on doing one thing, I will become very devoted and unaware of time.One night, I was working late at the company, and suddenly I had an idea for a scene. I was very proud, so I picked up the phone and called Herbert Baker. "Come right over," I said, "I've got an idea that you're sure to like." Then I hung up and got back to work. An hour passed, and Herbert Baker had not arrived.I decided to give him another call.I glanced at my watch as I reached for the microphone. Four o'clock in the morning. The script of "Fantasy Wife" was finally done, and I started casting. My colleagues in the casting department asked me, "Who do you want to play?" Without thinking, I said, "The combination I have in mind is Cary Grant and Deborah Cole." "We'll do our best to arrange it." The script was sent to Gary.Five days later, I got a reply, "Gary likes the script, he would like to play." I was shaking with excitement. "He made a list of the directors he is willing to cooperate with, and I will confirm them one by one right away." Bad news the next day, "The directors Gary likes are directing other movies. Why don't you talk to him?" I met Gary for lunch. "Gary, there's a problem. None of the directors you want to work with have the time. What do you want us to do?" He thought for a while, "I know who I should ask for guidance." I breathed a sigh of relief, "Who?" "you." I?I shook my head. "Gary, I've never been a director." "I know what kind of mind you have. I want you to direct this film." This year is definitely my lucky year.How high can the elevator go? I'm going to see Dor Shari. "Gary wanted me to direct The Housewives." Dole Shari nodded, "He called me, if he wants that, fine. You can be the director." It's a miracle.Just a few short years ago, I was an usher in a movie theater watching these glamorous and unattainable stars.And now, I write scripts for them, act as a producer, act as a director, and affect their lives just as they affected my life back then. I couldn't help being elated.The list of talented directors Gary has worked with can be long: Alfred Hitchcock ("Suspicious House" and "), George Cukor ("Holiday" and "Philadelphia Story"), Leo McCurry ("The Girlfriend" and "Once Upon a Honeymoon"), and Howard Hawks ("Bringing Up" and "Girlfriend Friday").Now, I'm going to be on this list too. I got up to leave. "Wait, Sidney," Dole said, "you're the writer, the director, and the producer of this movie. You don't really need that many titles." I turned to look at him, "Then what do you think?" "Producer put my name on it," he said. I didn't think it was a big deal, so I nodded, "No problem." This decision nearly ruined my career.
We started casting other characters and soon got Walter Pidgeon, but the Middle Eastern princess was not so easy to find.Someone suggested Beta St. John, who was filming South Pacific in London. I flew to London and asked her to audition.She was perfect for the role and I signed her.When I got back to work, I found a message on the phone that Harry Cohn had called me.I called him back right away. "Sheldon, I hear you're going to direct a Cary Grant movie." "yes." "Then you have to be more careful." "What's the meaning?" "Cary Grant is a scourge, he's very controlling. Do you know why he chose you to direct this movie?" "Because he thought I..." "You're on his way. His wishful thinking is to get an inexperienced director to back him up and he won't be blamed for any problems. Keep that in mind, Sheldon. A film There can only be one director. Tell him that." I wasn't going to tell him that, "Thank you, Harry." The next day, Gary came to my house for lunch.I pondered what to say to him. Thank you, you are such a friend.. Thank you for believing in me.. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.. Hope you can help me as much as you can.I know you won't embarrass me... Our cooperation will be very pleasant... Gary walked in smiling. He said, "I hear you found our princess in London." "Yes. She will not disappoint us." Gary sat down, and I heard myself say, "I need to talk to you, Gary. There can only be one director on a film. I want to make that clear before we start shooting. Okay?" In fact, I had no intention of saying such a thing to one of the greatest stars in the world and a good friend of mine.Sometimes, without warning, you can lose control of your words and actions.In ten seconds, Gary can knock me out of this movie. He sat there, looking at me without saying a word.After a while, he opened his mouth and answered, to my surprise, "Okay." Big mistake. The trouble started before we even started filming. Gary walked into the studio one morning and stopped in front of a set. He shook his head, "If I had known it was like this, I shouldn't have accepted this film." I cut out three unnecessary lines, and Gary said, "If I had known you were going to cut these lines, I wouldn't have taken this film." After seeing his outfit, he added, "If I had known they wanted me to wear something like this, I wouldn't have done this film." The night before we started shooting, Deborah Cole called me. "Sidney, I just wanted to tell you that Gary said we should join forces against you. I said I wouldn't do that." "Thank you, Deborah." What am I looking for for myself! Shooting started the next morning, and Gary completely blew his first scene. I said, "Stop—" Gary turned to face me. "Don't yell 'stop' in the middle of my performance." Everyone in the studio heard him.Since then, similar embarrassing things have continued to happen.In the evening, I said to the assistant director: "This is the last scene, I quit." "You can't quit. Try again. Gary will settle down." Gary did settle down, but he still tested me every day with little things like this. There’s a scene where Gary and Deborah are filming together, and Deborah explains to him that she can’t have dinner with him because she has to go to the Middle East to handle some State Department business.Deborah begins to speak her lines to Gary, then bursts out laughing. "Stop," I said. "Let's try again." The camera pans again. "Sorry I can't have dinner with you," Deborah said. "I've got to go..." Then she laughed again. "stop." I walked up to them, "what's the matter?" Gary looked innocent, "No problem." "That's good." I said. "Let me play it again." We started acting.I said, "I'm sorry I can't have dinner with you--" Gary stared at me so intently that I couldn't help but laugh. "Gary," I said, "come on, let's get this done." He nodded, "OK." Then, the scene went off without a hitch. The shoot for the day is over and I am very happy with the results.Deborah is so talented and she and Gary are a perfect match.
Gary was married to the young actress Bestie Drake at the time, and they had made a movie together.Every night after shooting, when Gary and I left the set, Joya and Besty would be waiting for us outside.Gary would take Joah's arm and start complaining about my behavior that day, and I would take Bestie's arm and complain about Gary's misdeeds.
One day, while filming opposite Walter Pidgeon, Gary's eyebrows fluttered up and down like Groucho Marx. "Stop! Gary, what are you doing?" He looked innocent, "I'm filming." "Don't move your eyebrows." "As ordered." When filming resumed, his eyebrows were still moving.Such a scene is so ridiculous that even I can't help laughing.I was standing behind the camera, biting my hand to keep myself from laughing so as not to screw up the scene.I didn't make any sound, but in the middle of the filming, Gary, who had his back to me, suddenly turned around and said, "Sidney, if you still laugh like that, I won't be able to continue filming." Gary and I came to some sort of settlement.The truth is, we both like each other too much to hold grudges against each other.
One day, Elvis Presley came to visit the set.At that time, his career was in full swing, and I couldn't imagine what his visit would be like.But he was surprisingly humble, addressing us with "Mr. Sheldon," "Yes, sir," and "No, sir."Everyone is fascinated by him. His life after that was very bad.He took drugs, his voice was ruined, and he became fat and unattractive. When he died, one mean person said: "It was a breakthrough in his career."
After filming, Gary and I had lunch. Gary said: "Sidney, if you want to be my director again, tell me anytime. I don't even need to read the script." He's a big star that every studio is chasing after, which is a huge compliment to me. Dole and other executives watched the film and were all pleasantly surprised. "Big news," Dole said. "Radio City Music Hall is going to show it." I am ecstatic.It's every director's dream to have their film screened at the prestigious Radio City Music Hall, and I did just that with my debut feature. "I'm proud of you," Dole said. "You did a great job." Eddie Mannix announced loudly: "Gentlemen, we have another blockbuster movie." Communications director Howard Stricklin agreed: "There should be a massive PR campaign." Dole smiled, "Let's begin then." The elevator has reached the top floor, and nothing can go wrong.
Shortly after talking to Dole, I went to the company cafeteria for lunch.I saw Sasha Gabor at a table not far from me with a very lovely brunette.I met Sasa Gabor a few months ago and thought she was very interesting.She and her sisters, Eva and Magda, are already Hollywood legends and famous.Back then, they came to Hollywood from Hungary, and quickly gained a firm foothold relying on their talents and mavericks.But right now, it's the girl next to Sasha that catches my interest.After eating, I walked over to Salsa's table. "Honey—" she greeted everyone, including strangers. "Hi, Sasha." We blew Hollywood kisses to each other. She turned to the young woman beside her. "This is Joa Cotwright, a wonderful actor. This is Sidney Shelton." Joya nodded, "Hello." "Sit down, honey." I sat down as I said, and said to Qiao Ya: "Since you are an actor, what movies have you acted in?" She said absent-mindedly: "There are all kinds of movies." I was very surprised by her reaction.Actresses are often eager to brag about their accomplishments to producers. I looked at her carefully, and there was something about her that attracted me.She was a classic beauty, with bright, determined brown eyes and a husky voice that sounded special. "You two come to my office after dinner." I suggested. "With pleasure, dear." Joya didn't say a word. On my way back to the office, I stopped by to see Jerry Davis, a screenwriting buddy of mine. "Jerry, I just met my future wife." "Who is it? I want to see her." "Oh, no, not yet. I don't want anyone to compete with me." Fifteen minutes later, Sasha and Joya came to my office. I said, "Please sit down." We chatted ramblingly for a few minutes.Finally, I said to Joya: "When you are free some night, can we have a meal together?" I picked up a pen, "What is your phone number?" "I'm afraid I don't have much time," said Joa. Sasha looked at Joya in horror, "Don't be stupid, my dear. Sidney is a producer." Joya said, "I'm not interested..." Sasha interrupted her loudly and gave me Joya's number.Joya glared at her angrily, clearly displeased. "It's just a meal," I said to Joa. "I'll call you." Joya stood up, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Sheldon." I felt a chill rise in the room.As I watched them leave, I thought, this is not going to be that easy. I checked out Chajoya Cortlett's work and it was amazing.She's acted in TV shows and movies, as well as Broadway musicals.She's playing Stella in the Broadway hit "A Streetcar Named Desire" these days, and the tour has just begun, and she's turning heads. "The New York Times" commented: "Joya Cortlett's Stella has infinite vitality. She has a precise judgment on the role, and she shines with warmth, compassion and understanding." Her performance in the film "Whistletown" also received rave reviews.In addition, she has acted in more than ten important TV series. The next morning, I called Joya and asked her out for dinner."Sorry, I'm not free," she said. I called her every day for the next four days and got the same answer each time. On the fifth day, I called her again: "I'm throwing a party on Friday night, and there will be a lot of famous producers and directors. I think getting to know them will help your career." After a long silence, she said, "Okay." I have a feeling that she accepted the invitation because it was destined for us to be together. Now, I have to start figuring out how to bring in what I call famous producers and directors. I contrived to hold this banquet.Several producers and directors have seen Joya's performance and have raved about her. After dinner, I asked Joya, "Did you have a good time tonight?" "Very happy, thank you." "I'll take you home." She shook her head. "I drove here myself. Thank you, it was a good night." She began to walk to the door. "Wait," I said, "how about having dinner another day?" She thought for a moment, "Okay." There was no enthusiasm in her answer. The next morning, I called her: "Are you free tonight?" For the first time, she answered so happily: "I'm free." "I'll pick you up at seven thirty." This is how the story begins.
We went to Chase's.According to my past experience, when you talk to an actress, the content of the conversation is nothing more than "So I told the director...", "I told the cameraman...", "The actor..." kind of stuff.When I have dinner with an actress, the conversation is usually about things in the entertainment industry.However, when I was with Joya, the entertainment industry didn't appear in the conversation at all.She was talking about her family and friends.She's from Mina, Arkansas, and she still has a small-town vibe about her.She was unlike any actress I'd ever known before. Towards the end of dinner, I said, "Joya, why are you so reluctant to accept my invitation?" She hesitated and said, "Do you want a frank answer?" "of course." "It's been said that you've dated a lot of women. I don't want to be on your date list." I said, "You're not just making up numbers. Give me a chance." She looked at me seriously, "Okay, let's see." After that, I saw Joya every night.The more we meet, the more I feel like I've fallen in love.She was funny and mischievous, and we laughed a lot when we were together.Our relationship has grown closer. One day after three months, I put my arms around Joya and said, "Let's get married." The next day, we headed straight to Las Vegas. I arranged for Natalie and Martin to come to Hollywood to meet Joya and they got on really well.Natalie asked Joya countless questions, and finally concluded that she is a perfect match for me. I planned a honeymoon in Europe and bought a tiny house in Coldwater Valley, Beverly Hills. Otto and his wife Ann live in Los Angeles. I told Otto about my marriage and he patted me on the shoulder. Board, take this as my wedding present." Otto's latest is a siding business, specializing in installing aluminum siding on the exterior walls of other people's houses.This was a great gift, as siding was very expensive. "very good, thank you!" I took three months off with Kenneth McCain and then sailed to Europe with Joya.The honeymoon was a dream, we went to London, Paris, Rome and my favorite place in the world - Venice.I couldn't be happier, and the dark clouds have been left behind me. The moment to go home finally came.We got back to Los Angeles and Otto was waiting for us.As we were driving home, he said, "I think you'll like it." He was right.With the shiny aluminum siding, the house is stunning. "...Let me tell you my plan," Otto said generously, "I will give you this at cost."
Joya kept filming TV series, and she appeared in many of the most popular series one after another. One night, Joya had a dream in which a group of people were going to lynch a man.To stop them.She gave an impassioned speech in public.Halfway through the dream she woke up.Sit up straight.She thought her speech was very good, and although she was fully awake, she went on to finish it.
After returning to MGM, in the late spring of 1952, I finally found the material I wanted.That is Alfred Levitt's short story "The Dreaming Wife", which is about the war between the sexes.A bachelor is engaged to a beautiful State Department official whose fiancée is too busy dealing with an oil crisis in the Middle East to marry him.The bachelor could bear it no longer, and decided to marry a young and beautiful princess he had met in the Middle East.With the intensification of the world oil crisis, the plot has become more complicated. I arranged for a promising young screenwriter, Herbert Baker, to write the script with me.The script was written very well.I envisioned the actor as Cary Grant, but I also knew he had a very busy schedule. When I concentrate on doing one thing, I will become very devoted and unaware of time.One night, I was working late at the company, and suddenly I had an idea for a scene. I was very proud, so I picked up the phone and called Herbert Baker. "Come right over," I said, "I've got an idea that you're sure to like." Then I hung up and got back to work. An hour passed, and Herbert Baker had not arrived.I decided to give him another call.I glanced at my watch as I reached for the microphone. Four o'clock in the morning. The script of "Fantasy Wife" was finally done, and I started casting. My colleagues in the casting department asked me, "Who do you want to play?" Without thinking, I said, "The combination I have in mind is Cary Grant and Deborah Cole." "We'll do our best to arrange it." The script was sent to Gary.Five days later, I got a reply, "Gary likes the script, he would like to play." I was shaking with excitement. "He made a list of the directors he is willing to cooperate with, and I will confirm them one by one right away." Bad news the next day, "The directors Gary likes are directing other movies. Why don't you talk to him?" I met Gary for lunch. "Gary, there's a problem. None of the directors you want to work with have the time. What do you want us to do?" He thought for a while, "I know who I should ask for guidance." I breathed a sigh of relief, "Who?" "you." I?I shook my head. "Gary, I've never been a director." "I know what kind of mind you have. I want you to direct this film." This year is definitely my lucky year.How high can the elevator go? I'm going to see Dor Shari. "Gary wanted me to direct The Housewives." Dole Shari nodded, "He called me, if he wants that, fine. You can be the director." It's a miracle.Just a few short years ago, I was an usher in a movie theater watching these glamorous and unattainable stars.And now, I write scripts for them, act as a producer, act as a director, and affect their lives just as they affected my life back then. I couldn't help being elated.The list of talented directors Gary has worked with can be long: Alfred Hitchcock ("Suspicious House" and "), George Cukor ("Holiday" and "Philadelphia Story"), Leo McCurry ("The Girlfriend" and "Once Upon a Honeymoon"), and Howard Hawks ("Bringing Up" and "Girlfriend Friday").Now, I'm going to be on this list too. I got up to leave. "Wait, Sidney," Dole said, "you're the writer, the director, and the producer of this movie. You don't really need that many titles." I turned to look at him, "Then what do you think?" "Producer put my name on it," he said. I didn't think it was a big deal, so I nodded, "No problem." This decision nearly ruined my career.
We started casting other characters and soon got Walter Pidgeon, but the Middle Eastern princess was not so easy to find.Someone suggested Beta St. John, who was filming South Pacific in London. I flew to London and asked her to audition.She was perfect for the role and I signed her.When I got back to work, I found a message on the phone that Harry Cohn had called me.I called him back right away. "Sheldon, I hear you're going to direct a Cary Grant movie." "yes." "Then you have to be more careful." "What's the meaning?" "Cary Grant is a scourge, he's very controlling. Do you know why he chose you to direct this movie?" "Because he thought I..." "You're on his way. His wishful thinking is to get an inexperienced director to back him up and he won't be blamed for any problems. Keep that in mind, Sheldon. A film There can only be one director. Tell him that." I wasn't going to tell him that, "Thank you, Harry." The next day, Gary came to my house for lunch.I pondered what to say to him. Thank you, you are such a friend.. Thank you for believing in me.. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.. Hope you can help me as much as you can.I know you won't embarrass me... Our cooperation will be very pleasant... Gary walked in smiling. He said, "I hear you found our princess in London." "Yes. She will not disappoint us." Gary sat down, and I heard myself say, "I need to talk to you, Gary. There can only be one director on a film. I want to make that clear before we start shooting. Okay?" In fact, I had no intention of saying such a thing to one of the greatest stars in the world and a good friend of mine.Sometimes, without warning, you can lose control of your words and actions.In ten seconds, Gary can knock me out of this movie. He sat there, looking at me without saying a word.After a while, he opened his mouth and answered, to my surprise, "Okay." Big mistake. The trouble started before we even started filming. Gary walked into the studio one morning and stopped in front of a set. He shook his head, "If I had known it was like this, I shouldn't have accepted this film." I cut out three unnecessary lines, and Gary said, "If I had known you were going to cut these lines, I wouldn't have taken this film." After seeing his outfit, he added, "If I had known they wanted me to wear something like this, I wouldn't have done this film." The night before we started shooting, Deborah Cole called me. "Sidney, I just wanted to tell you that Gary said we should join forces against you. I said I wouldn't do that." "Thank you, Deborah." What am I looking for for myself! Shooting started the next morning, and Gary completely blew his first scene. I said, "Stop—" Gary turned to face me. "Don't yell 'stop' in the middle of my performance." Everyone in the studio heard him.Since then, similar embarrassing things have continued to happen.In the evening, I said to the assistant director: "This is the last scene, I quit." "You can't quit. Try again. Gary will settle down." Gary did settle down, but he still tested me every day with little things like this. There’s a scene where Gary and Deborah are filming together, and Deborah explains to him that she can’t have dinner with him because she has to go to the Middle East to handle some State Department business.Deborah begins to speak her lines to Gary, then bursts out laughing. "Stop," I said. "Let's try again." The camera pans again. "Sorry I can't have dinner with you," Deborah said. "I've got to go..." Then she laughed again. "stop." I walked up to them, "what's the matter?" Gary looked innocent, "No problem." "That's good." I said. "Let me play it again." We started acting.I said, "I'm sorry I can't have dinner with you--" Gary stared at me so intently that I couldn't help but laugh. "Gary," I said, "come on, let's get this done." He nodded, "OK." Then, the scene went off without a hitch. The shoot for the day is over and I am very happy with the results.Deborah is so talented and she and Gary are a perfect match.
Gary was married to the young actress Bestie Drake at the time, and they had made a movie together.Every night after shooting, when Gary and I left the set, Joya and Besty would be waiting for us outside.Gary would take Joah's arm and start complaining about my behavior that day, and I would take Bestie's arm and complain about Gary's misdeeds.
One day, while filming opposite Walter Pidgeon, Gary's eyebrows fluttered up and down like Groucho Marx. "Stop! Gary, what are you doing?" He looked innocent, "I'm filming." "Don't move your eyebrows." "As ordered." When filming resumed, his eyebrows were still moving.Such a scene is so ridiculous that even I can't help laughing.I was standing behind the camera, biting my hand to keep myself from laughing so as not to screw up the scene.I didn't make any sound, but in the middle of the filming, Gary, who had his back to me, suddenly turned around and said, "Sidney, if you still laugh like that, I won't be able to continue filming." Gary and I came to some sort of settlement.The truth is, we both like each other too much to hold grudges against each other.
One day, Elvis Presley came to visit the set.At that time, his career was in full swing, and I couldn't imagine what his visit would be like.But he was surprisingly humble, addressing us with "Mr. Sheldon," "Yes, sir," and "No, sir."Everyone is fascinated by him. His life after that was very bad.He took drugs, his voice was ruined, and he became fat and unattractive. When he died, one mean person said: "It was a breakthrough in his career."
After filming, Gary and I had lunch. Gary said: "Sidney, if you want to be my director again, tell me anytime. I don't even need to read the script." He's a big star that every studio is chasing after, which is a huge compliment to me. Dole and other executives watched the film and were all pleasantly surprised. "Big news," Dole said. "Radio City Music Hall is going to show it." I am ecstatic.It's every director's dream to have their film screened at the prestigious Radio City Music Hall, and I did just that with my debut feature. "I'm proud of you," Dole said. "You did a great job." Eddie Mannix announced loudly: "Gentlemen, we have another blockbuster movie." Communications director Howard Stricklin agreed: "There should be a massive PR campaign." Dole smiled, "Let's begin then." The elevator has reached the top floor, and nothing can go wrong.