Hollywood

by Ed Nelson

  “We can rent everything in place for another western which will reduce the studio’s losses at the same time we don’t have to pay the upfront costs of bringing everything together. We will use the sets that are already in place on the lot. We will not have to pay for any of the filming already done, but from it we know how everyone should look.”

  “The current cast will stay in place. The only addition will be a young lady to play my daughter and to be your love interest. We will use someone from Central Casting rather than an established star.”

  “Sir, you appear to have given this some thought.”

  Mr. Wayne made a gesture to include the others, “We have worked as a team for many movies. For us time is money. We could make a little money drawing this movie paycheck or a lot of money by producing and selling our own movie.”

  “Part of the deal with the studio would be that we give up our paychecks from The Cowboys and draw our money from Sir Nicklaus. All the other actors won’t see a change and yours will go up so that shouldn’t be a problem. You and I are the only people that are absolutely needed, me for the drawing power, and you for the ability to play an English cowboy.”

  “An English cowboy?”

  “Dusty, give Rick an outline of the story. The boys wrote this several years ago and we have been holding it as an ace in the hole if we had to fill in with a B movie. I hate to admit it but with me as the only name in the movie it will be rated as a B.”

  “Rick, the story opens in 1889 England, Sir Nicklaus an eighteen year old has just been sent down or as we called it expelled from Eton. Sir Nicklaus son of and heir to the 6th Earl of Grays had smuggled a goat into the Dons or Deans lounge.”

  “By itself no big deal, except the lounge was set up to entertain visiting Queen Victoria, while her tea was being served the goat made its presence known. Her Majesty was not amused. Unfortunately for Sir Nicklaus, who is called Nick by his friends, is seen leaving the premises. His father the Earl is also not amused.”

  “During the first scene interview Nick is informed that he is being sent to the Earls younger brother James Braxton in the Wyoming territory. The Honorable James Braxton has established a successful cattle ranch of twenty thousand acres. There Nick will hopefully learn what it takes to be a successful adult.”

  Dusty continues, “The Earl doesn’t know that he is sending his only heir into the middle of the Johnson County Range War.”

  “Nicks Uncle James, played by John Wayne is determined to stay out of the war, thus he pleases neither side. He has a larger than normal number of ranch hands who all can handle their weapons. He doesn’t hunt for trouble, but is ready when it comes to him.”

  “When Nick arrives at the ranch he goes through a learning curve which has some humor in it. He proves that it isn’t a good idea to try to rope with an English saddle. It has no saddle horn to tie the rope off. He is pulled off his horse as he tries to halt the cow.”

  “Then he probably will take a bath in a horse trough when he smarts off to his Uncle James. We see him go from an English dandy with no goals to a serious young man with the aim of excellence where ever life may take him.”

  “There is a love interest in the Ranch Foremen’s daughter Anna, who turns out to have been educated at, as Nick put it, a quaint colonial college called Yale.”

  “Nick is tested in the movie several times. The first is a run in with The Hole in the Wall gang while in town. Life becomes serious as he kills a man in a gun fight.”

  “Nick’s major test comes when Uncle James and his wife go to Cheyenne for the second anniversary of Wyoming as a state. James had been instrumental in obtaining statehood. While they are away Wolcott’s Regulators attack the ranch from two directions.”

  “The bulk of the ranch hands protect the herd from being taken while Nick leads the defense of the main ranch. After a prolonged gunfight the Regulators withdraw and the ranch is saved.”

  “At movies end, Anna and Rick pledge their love as he returns to England to attend Sandhurst Military College.”

  “The last bit of film will scroll that Colonel Lord Braxton 7th Earl of Grays, VC, GC, KG, GCB, GCVO was killed in the battle of the Somme 21 March 1918. He is survived by his wife of thirty three years Anna, son James the 8th Earl of Grays, and three other children.”

  “Why all the honors and final history displayed at the end?”

  “Three reasons Rick, it shows that Nicklaus went on to a full and eventful life, it gives plenty of room for action sequels and it gives closure to the story if there is no sequel.”

  Mr. Wayne added, “The TV special the studio has been making to introduce you still works and can be used to promote Sir Nicklaus. You know you will be the big winner out of this. You are now a lead actor.”

  “I have to do the job first.”

  “We have faith Rick. Hey, I hear you are buying a new T-Bird.”

  “That’s right, want to take a ride after I get it?”

  “Sure if we find time,” Wayne responded.

  How cool would that be, me driving down Hollywood Boulevard, top down with John Wayne! We never did find the time but it was a nice thought.

  Ron Dodge asked us if we had seen today’s newspaper. We hadn’t. He told us it had the story about the rabid coyote and how Paul Grant had run from the set while I killed it and John Wayne was running to the danger. It went on to quote me as saying I didn’t think much of Grant.

  Mr. Wayne wanted to know what I actually said. When I told him he responded don’t worry about it, they always twist things. As far as the person who asked all the questions and then sold the information to the newspaper, it is a time honored tradition in movie land.

  “Wait a couple of days and see what Hedda Hopper, Louella Parsons and Jack Parr have to say. I suspect Parr’s Tonight show will have several jokes about Grant. When you are done here, check with the office there are probably several requests for interviews. Before you talk to anyone see me and I will have Will Jamison my publicist help you come up with responses.”

  Mr. Wayne continued, “You should be aware that there were cameras running. The studio had the whole event from three angles so there will be pictures released to the paper and a clip added to the TV feature. At the rate you are going, it won’t be on TV, it will be a full feature length movie!”

  We adjourned and I did stop at the office where they did have twenty five of those pink, while you were out, call slips. They were with various media requesting interviews.

  Chapter 30

  I checked with the receptionist, and Will Jamison was on site in a suite of offices reserved for Mr. Wayne. Taking a chance I walked over. I got lucky, he was in and had time. John Wayne had forewarned him so he knew what was going on.

  Mr. Jamison was a lot younger than I thought he would be. He was in his mid-thirties. He was dressed casually in a golf shirt and dress slacks. He was well built and looked like he could shoot a good round of golf. That reminded me I had to get some clubs and a course to play.

  His advice was pretty much common sense. I did what I had to do, what other people did and how they reacted was their business. As far as Mr. Grant I was too busy to think anything about him or anyone else. A charging rabid coyote can really cause you to focus.

  “All that is true you know,” I told him.

  “I know, along with any other combat veteran, you don’t worry about the small things at that moment. Surviving is enough.”

  “At least I could take action,” I said as I thought of Bill Samson waiting for that landing craft door to open on Normandy Beach.

  “Yeah I hated the waiting. It gave you too much time to think.”

  Mr. Jamison asked, “How close did that coyote get anyway?”

  “It was in the air when I shot, so I suppose a couple of feet and closing. When it hit the ground I didn’t have to move to stick the pistol in its ear.”

  “That’s what you want to tell people. Before the story is done it will have left fang marks on your neck.”r />
  “I think I will wait for my grandkids before I let it get that close.”

  He helped me go through all the call slips and decide which ones to return. We finally settled on Jack Parr, who probably wanted me on his show. I had to talk to both Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons or neither one as they had a feud going and if you talked to one and not the other it would cause bad feelings. Walter Winchell was to be avoided like the plague as he was pure poison.

  As he went down the list I realized that everyone that had stories in print would be able to twist things as they wanted. The only place I had a real chance of getting my side out was on TV. Even that could be edited, but I had the best chance. Besides I liked the idea of being seen in Bellefontaine by my friends.

  I explained my reasoning, Will agreed, he thought I could get away with it this time, but I would have to face the press someday.

  After lunch I went to my schoolhouse. To my surprise there were a half a dozen kids there and several chaperons. A new movie had started apparently. They all looked like fourth graders so I would have nothing in common with them. Both Miss Sperry and Mr. Danson were there. When he saw me, Mr. Danson came over.

  “Rick, as you can see we have more students. Let’s step outside where we won’t disrupt them.”

  “Sure,” As we stepped outside.

  “Rick, this is a little embarrassing. We didn’t know we were getting these kids till yesterday morning, a film schedule changed overnight.”

  “I can relate to that.”

  “Yeah, I guess you can. Anyway we told you how we could handle anything in that one room. However the little kids need close teaching and supervision. Miss Sperry will have to do that. We have come up with a plan B for you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Your tutoring will be at Hollywood High by a Biology teacher. It actually will work out because you do need some lab time. Dissecting earthworms, a frog and any other creature they have lying around.”

  “How long will I have to go there?”

  “The teacher, Miss Powell has reviewed your exam results and feels that she can have you ready for the California competency tests in three weeks if you apply yourself. I can tell you I have had one busy morning setting this up.”

  “When do I have to be there and where are they? Besides Hollywood High, I mean.”

  He gave me the address and a letter to take to the school office. The school had to sign off for me to have my tutoring there. Apparently they were used to working with actors and actresses. Most of the student’s parents were connected to the industry in one way or another.

  “That sounds like it will work, thanks for your effort.”

  While saying this I shook his hand.

  “You’re welcome, Rick, I’m glad you are taking this well. We have set you up in another room for the Spanish test, after that you are free for the rest of the day.”

  After taking the Spanish test which seemed very easy, I headed over to my home away from home, the stunt area. They were dueling with civil war sabers today so I was very interested. As usual when I showed interest they had me in the mix. There were four of us in a line with an instructor facing us. He showed us the positions and basic moves.

  After we had the basic moves down, he started calling them out by name. We would have to go from one to the other. He kept calling them faster and faster. I felt like my arm was going to fall off from the weight of the sword and I was sweating like a pig. I also realized that I was the only one still moving. The others had stopped and were watching me.

  “Rick that was the darnedest swordplay I have ever seen. Once you know the moves you do them by reflex. I have never seen anyone do them so fast. If you can do this every day for the next couple of weeks we could have you do your own swordfight scenes. You have the reflexes, and coordination what you’re lacking is the muscle memory, so you can act without thinking, and the strength.”

  “Strength,” I inquired?

  “Try holding that sword straight out for two minutes.”

  “Oh, that will take work.”

  “Actually until you can do it for ten minutes you couldn’t win a fight. Most real sword fights are over in seconds but you have to be prepared for an equal match.”

  “You act like I need to really be able to fight with the sword.”

  “All stunt men can, it’s the actors who can’t. Which do you want to be?”

  “Could I have one to take home to practice holding out when I do my morning exercises?”

  “Sure we will sign that one out to you.”

  So now I was going to be a swordsman.

  He started me up again on the moves and of course I had forgotten the names associated with most of the moves. Some moves I had forgotten already.

  “Don’t worry Rick that is normal for a beginner.”

  When we were done I had time to look closely at the sword. From its markings it was a replica of a Civil War army officer’s sword.

  He asked me, “Ever seen one like this?”

  “As a matter of fact I own one that is original.”

  I then proceeded to tell him that I was a second lieutenant in the 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a civil war reenactment unit. They thought that was cool. I didn’t tell them I had just joined.

  I lifted weights. I hadn’t been at it that many days but I could feel a difference.

  When I got back to the apartment there was a note on the door. It was from Dick, Dad had a call from our entertainment lawyer, Mr. Spiller who had reviewed the agent’s contract. The contract was a standard contract with a five percent fee. The only thing not standard was the one time fifty thousand dollars for the first movie.

  Mr. Spiller thought that the upfront payout was a good idea. By paying a large sum up front I could potentially save a lot of money over the years. Of course if I never made another movie I had lost big time. He recommended we sign the contract.

  We could have Dick Wyman sign using the power of attorney. It had originally been intended for medical treatment and minor contract modifications. This was a new contract but nothing precluded him signing on my behalf. Dick indicated in his note that we would both meet at the lawyer’s office in the morning before going to the studio for the signing.

  There was a note from Janice that she had called the phone company and that I would have a working phone of my own by the end of the week. I think that was a hint. It had been a busy day, I didn’t even think about reading.

  Chapter 31

  After the morning routine on Thursday, Dick and I went to the law office. They were ready for us and seemed to be really nice people. Later when I found out that they had made one hundred dollars for reviewing the contract I felt they should have been nicer.

  Mr. Baxter was there and anxious to get the deal signed and start negotiating. I took him aside in the parking lot on the way out and told him.

  “From the way Mr. Wayne was talking I think maybe we should ask for two points.”

  Mr. Baxter laughed and said, “No, we will ask for five, hope for three but settle for two.”

  When I arrived at the studio they started coaching me on Sir Nicklaus’s lines immediately. John Wayne sat in for a while to confirm that I could do the accent. He must’ve been satisfied because he quietly left.

  After lunch Mr. Danson took me over to Hollywood High. After checking in at the office and confirming that everything was still on track he took me to Miss Powell’s classroom. It was a free period for her so we were able to talk.

  I liked her and was convinced she would really help me. She was the first black teacher that I had met, so it was going to be interesting. She was a happy outgoing person. If she is like that all the time Biology will be fun.

  We agreed that I would come back at one o’clock next Monday and stay till three. Mr. Danson took me back to the studio where I spent the time with the stuntmen. I practiced roping on the ground. I was hoping to graduate to a horse one of these days.

  After that I went through the
sword exercises. I had a list of the moves and if I saw the name I could go through the correct motions. I started out to do them slow and sped up each round.

  My arm was starting to get tired, so I switched to lifts. These seemed to help the tiredness. It must be stretching the muscles the other direction or something.

  When I got home I found that the telephone installers had been and gone. Janice had come over to let them in. I called Mum and Dad and talked to them for a long time. A lot had happened. They thought I had been handling things well.

  Dad had some big news. We had our first inquiry on the adjustable shower fixture. Detroit Faucets wanted to meet with Dad to see about a license.

  I reread a book that night, a Western about Cullen Baker. The author had him as a good guy. The actual historical record shows a different story. The theme of the story is that a man should have good friends in life. While the story wasn’t close to being accurate it makes a fine tale.

  Friday there was actually a light rain. The first rain I had seen in California. After my exercises with my new addition of holding my sword out straight, I managed two minutes before my arm began to quiver.

  Dick and I still ran. When we got to the studio they had me go to costuming and makeup. They had me try on several outfits for a young English nobleman. They fit so they would be used in the movie. They already had my western clothes from the other movie.

  After that we did walk throughs of several scenes so we wouldn’t waste time learning in front of the camera. Fortunately for me the longest speech in the movie was given by Sir Nicklaus’ father after he had been sent down. My responses would be, “Yes Sir, No Sir, and as you say Sir.”

  It was your standard teenage boy chewing out.

  My Dad had given me a few in the last couple of years so I knew how to play that part. I could play resentful of being unfairly put upon. Of course from a distance they didn’t seem so unfair at all.