Movies

The Naturals Hollywood, you people, have a knack of recognizing the “Naturals” and snatching them up, much like the great artist in a drawing, a painting picks up the real person behind the skin – and so the camera does. The vibrant, wholesome, charismatic stars: Shirley Temple, Deanna Durbin, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Betty Grable, Tyrone Power, Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Henry Fonda, Doris Day, Van Johnson, Debbie Reynolds, James Garner, Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Sally Field, Robin Williams – to name a number of. Some played themselves best of all and repeatedly. Henry Fonda admittedly didn’t work hard at his craft. He didn’t have to! Our family laughed at Gary Cooper when he so obviously read his lines. Such a shy guy before the camera! A natural or more just inept? But in Saratoga Trunk, I pegged him. I type cast him in this role. It suited him like a glove. A young westerner, strikingly attractive to the ladies – free – without funds – an entrepreneur – steely minded, looking for his big cash in. He finds it! Did he come into his own in this one! And audiences will never forget his portrayal of Lou Gerhig in The Pride of The Yankee’s—wasn’t he great—lot of just himself in this one? Bing Crosby, at ease, unconcerned, adroit, confident, thirty-five to forty – regardless of time. He sure was more than an outstanding baritone voice. A voice that never left him! He was a unique, likeable presence on screen. We all accepted and loved him. Our family felt a particular closeness to Der Bingo! His family had called the Eastern part of our state home. He attended Gonzaga. Shirley Temple’s ease, confidence as an actress must have originated in her childhood roles, yet as a teenager and young adult, she proved a healthy, intelligent, strong, capable personality in her few roles. Seemingly, a natural with lines and parts, professional before the camera. Or was she more? A pro in all her roles throughout her life: Star, wife, mother, diplomat. She knew who she was at all times. She should have married a producer. She might have knocked the socks off us as an adult star! Nothing like those natural, down-to-earther’s. I could swear I met Steve McQueen or his double at a singles dance in the late sixties. The same sturdy, rugged, bold, hungry young fellow, the same guy who came across so believably in all his chase, adventure roles. Even as a baby, he must have had a tough little face – a triumph of nature. Westerns provided the ideal for the “Naturals” in the Cowboy Roles. The Detective Films have carried on. Clint Eastwood bridged the gap between John Wayne, Randolf Scott, Joel McCrae to Sinatra, Nick Nolte, Patrick Swayze and Eddie Murphy. Modern day, made for the films—the DI, The Police Detective persona like no other—Patrick Swayze and Eddie Murphy. They play the same role in all their films. Their direct, absolute power is a built in. They are relaxed, sure of themselves. Standing up to anyone—natural, confident! No one is better than anyone else. Position, color, race have no place. Fear doesn’t exist—for man, woman, or beast. I believe this to be a token from our country—a sort of implicit, stand-up for yourself American attitude—nearly a tradition. This positive, absolute power for the good of all remains a good influence as long as it is not equated with “Do as you please.” They embody the virtues every wife expects when she brings her heavy problems to her husband. She wants action. She seeks total elimination of whatever—just do it! Pride is a given with Pat and Ed. Pat is serious. Ed is always ready for the joke, even if he’s the butt. Sureness effuses, suffuses their persons. They could have been a Knight of the Round Table! Enemies they don’t have. Conferees, momentary adversaries—yes! Strangers—there are none! Friend or Foe determined in a glance, a word, a gesture. Justice, integrity are takens. The American way—righting the wrong in the face of all odds. Cornered, only sharpens, brings recovery sooner. Pat’s Philosophy Student persona in Road House typifies the situation ethics which prevails. “Be Nice, Expect the unexpected, If it escalates—take it outside! And no arguments—while I’m in charge!” There are those who go beyond, “The Naturals.” Rather, I would say, “They were born to act.” What else might they have done so successfully. They just had to perform Errol Flyn, the supreme male clown! He had his leading ladies laughing, smiling, grinning on screen when not all part of the script it appeared. Privately, personally he was not especially respectful of the female. He ran a sad film for a family birthday party—all children—evidently to enjoy the effect it would have on the children. They were all in tears—he laughing! Ginger Rogers, Linda Darrell appeared—confident, competent from the start. It was their place! Tony Curtis, Warren Beatty—two more—right-at-home fellows! Sidney Potier in boldness and magnitude—physical presence alone! What else could they all have done as well? They were like Ducks in the water! Hollywood, you have managed to make stars on the spot, often times skipping acting schools and rigorous training. I recall a college student, who though ordinary in appearance walking on stage, giving out with his lines—perfect the first try—stage presence came instantaneously. We all recognized it. He had stepped into his profession!