In our research, we were lucky to have the help of family members, friends, associates, film historians, psychiatrists, attorneys, and others whose help we gratefully acknowledge. This book would have been incomplete without the invaluable assistance of, first of all, the Mick himself; the wonderful members of the Rooney family, especially Jan Rooney and Mickey’s oldest daughter, Kelly Rooney; her younger sister Kerry Rooney Mack; son Teddy Rooney, who, despite his critical illness, was a valuable resource as he communicated with us through his respirator. Teddy’s wife, Carol, was a huge help, as was Mickey’s oldest stepson, Christopher Aber. Dan Kessel, a stepbrother to the Rooney brothers, looked up to Mickey Jr., Timmy, and Teddy and was an important asset to this book in every way. Jan Rooney’s sister Ronna Riley was a great help as well. Grandson Hunter Rooney was also very helpful, as was Pam McClenathan, the patron saint to many in the Rooney family. She played an important role in the care of Mickey’s late son, Timmy, during his fatal illness, and to Mickey’s second wife, Betty Jane Rase, and to third wife Martha Vickers. She now provides hospice care at her own home for son Teddy Rooney. We are indebted to Pam for her kindness, her memory, and the countless records and photographs she provided that helped complete this book.
Our list of thank-yous continues with the Hollywood legends themselves, whose interviews became the background for this story. These include directors and producers George Cukor, Billy Wilder, William Asher, Dick Cavett, Jules White, Hal Roach, and Edward Bernds; writers, performers, and producers such as Sam Marx, Sheldon Leonard, Leonard Stern, Art Linkletter, Lois Linkletter, Bob Denver, Tony Curtis, Wallace Seawell, Roscoe Lee Browne, Roddy McDowall, Patty Andrews, Eddie Fisher, Milton Berle, Phil Silvers, Eddie Carroll, Frank Bank, Ann B. Davis, Joey Bishop, Larry Gelbart, Del Reisman, Paul Henning, Dick Wesson, Robert Finkel, Irving Brecher, Hal Kanter, Morey Amsterdam, Ben Starr, Gary Owens, Sid Caesar, Richard L. Bare, Frank Faylen, Carol Hughes Faylen, Alice Ghostley, Bud Abbott, Grady Sutton, Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser, Emil Sitka, Babe London, and Jean Hagen; talk show legend Joe Franklin; actress Carla Laemmle (niece of Universal founder Carl Laemmle); film editor Stanley Frazen; comic Billy Gilbert; and comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen. Using our combined notes dating back to the late 1960s, we were able to cull memories not only of Rooney but also of the era of burlesque and vaudeville, the structure and background of the film studios, and of the films specifically—all of which allowed us to paint a historical picture of the entertainment industry that Mickey thrived in for more than nine decades. We appreciate the assistance of Aaron P. McGarvey and Stephanie Reynolds.
Many others helped us with their memories of Mickey, a veritable “Who’s Who” of Hollywood legends. We need to thank film legend Jerry Lewis, Julie Newmar, Academy Award–winning screenwriter Barry Morrow, artist and writer Stephen Carnegie, Scott Michaels, autograph expert Nelson Deedle, book editor and Sirius Radio host Judith Regan, film director Paul Sirmons, Mickey publicist Dick Guttman, filmmaker Fredrica “Fredde” Duke, our friend Melody Doff, film historian Lou Sabini, comic Rip Taylor, director William Friedkin, actress Quinn O’Hara, actress June Wilkinson, actress Jane Withers, MGM actress Margaret O’Brien, John Iachetti and Michael Feinstein, TV historian and friend Stuart Shostak, The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg, Hollywood autograph impresario Ray Courts, the talented comic legend Shecky Greene, actor Walter Willison, Los Angeles Times reporter Susan King, film director Brian Barsuglia, and actor David Beatty. Also to my great friend, the talented and brilliant Austin “Rocky” Kalish and his wife, the pioneering writer Irma Kalish; musician Richard Kates; historian and attorney Jay Stiefel; professor Adrienne Stiefel Callander, granddaughter of Mickey’s partner and manager Sam Stiefel; author Steve Cox; author and film historian James Robert Parish; actor and producer Tim Dorian, television legend Norman Lear; TV writer and producer Bernie Orenstein; Saul Turteltaub; director Caroll Ballard; director Shawn Levy of the Night at the Museum films; film producer Kiel Servideo; actor Jerry Perna; writer Kliph Nesteroff; Hawaiian columnist and writer Pomai Souza; performer Nalani Kele; producer Karen Kramer and her daughter, actress Katherine “Kat” Kramer; actress Eileen Wesson; author and television columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer Mark Dawidziak; writer Monika Henreid; writer Meredith Ponedel; writer and celebrity columnist Richard Skipper; comic Sandy Hackett; Leatrice Gilbert Fountain; photo maven Howard Mandelbaum; author Ted Schwarz; Rooney estate executor and attorney Michael Augustine; Rooney attorney Bruce Ross; actor Ron Masak, publicist Roger Neal; comedy writer and historian Geoffrey Mark; Scott Gorenstein; actress Cathy Silvers; author E. J. Fleming; author Scott Eyman; Mickey’s longtime manager and agent Robert Malcolm; writer Jean Rouverol; actress Shirley Jean Rickert; film director Keith Black; Mike D’Uva; classic film actress Marcy McGuire Cassell; film actor Wally Cassell; influential film historian and Penn State professor Dr. Kevin Hagopian; Max “Jethro” Baer Jr., of The Beverly Hillbillies; Rick Donat; producer Chris Lewis; Page Six columnist Cindy Adams; actor Martin Milner; syndicated columnist Liz Smith; Jennie Sevano; television historian Joel B. Gibson; Bud Abbott’s nephew, TV and film director Norman Abbott; TV producer Michael Stern; film historian and author Jordan R. Young; TV director Peter Baldwin; actress/singer/dancer Ann Jillian and her husband, Andy Murcia; Jason, Sonja, Andrew, and Alyssa McGarvey; author Chris Costello, Lou Costello’s daughter; Valentina Quinn; actor Dwayne Hickman; actress and former California state senator Sheila James Kuehl; actor William Schallert, television legend Alan Young of Mr. Ed; television historian Barry Grauman; actor Ed Asner; Joan Howard Maurer, Moe Howard’s daughter; Bill Berle, Milton’s son; author Gerald Clarke; Edward “Ned” Comstock of the USC Film and Television Archives; journalist Sam Maronie; Norman Brokaw of William Morris Group; actor Jamie Farr; radio host Doug McDuff; actress Vicki Lawrence; character actor Jason Wingreen; writer Monty Aidem; legendary MCA agent and VP Jay Kanter; actress Melinda Cummings Cameron, Robert Cummings’s daughter; actress Linda Henning, of Petticoat Junction; Rose Marie, of The Dick Van Dyke Show; actor Robert Easton; singer Phyllis McGuire, of the McGuire Sisters; Susan Oka from the Margaret Herrick Library, of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; publisher Larry Flynt; and countless others. If we left off your name, please forgive us.
We also thank Donald Trump for his advice and insights into Mickey’s life. We thank the theatrical producer of Sugar Babies, Terry Allen Kramer; Roger Kahn and Jeanine Basinger, for the foreword and introduction, respectively; and the talented actor Paul Petersen (a former Mouseketeer, Jeff on The Donna Reed Show, and founder of A Minor Consideration) for his perceptive piece, which touches upon the pitfalls of being a child star. We are also thankful to the talented author Ellen Easton for her help and her contribution to this book.
We are indebted to our editors, Mitchell Ivers and Natasha Simons, at Gallery Books, for their guidance and direction. They helped us through the publishing process, enabling us to shape and create what we hope will be an enduring chronicle of the historic career and life of Mickey Rooney.
Rick and I are thankful for the background help we received from our family members, who were, in their different capacities, part of Hollywood history, ranging from performers and entertainment lawyers to agents and managers.
From Rick Lertzman: I’d like to send my unconditional love and my heart to my wife, Diana. Without my Lady Di and her unflinching support, I could never have attempted to undertake this project, which took my full focus. It was Mickey 24/7 during the research and writing, and throughout that process, she was my rock and sounding board. My love to my son, Matthew, for his great support as well.
From Bill Birnes: Thanks to my wife, Nancy Hayfield, for her love, her patience, and her support; to my children and grandchildren, who will now get the attention they deserve; and to my son David, who was there whenever necessary. Finally, to the great vaudeville team of Burns and Kaye, whose Broadway patter, songs, and taps on the bottoms of their dance shoes still echo in the rafters
of the Palace Theatre.
Appendix
Mickey Rooney Filmography and Credits (in Chronological Order)
Sources listed here are from http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Mickey_Rooney.aspx and FilmReference.com.
FILM WORK
Mickey McGuire Short Film Series
In this series, he played Mickey McGuire, but was billed variously as Mickey Yule or Mickey McGuire.
Mickey’s Circus, 1927
Mickey’s Pals, 1927
Mickey’s Eleven, 1927
Mickey’s Battle, 1927
Mickey’s Parade, 1928
Mickey in School, 1928
Mickey’s Nine, 1928
Mickey’s Little Eva, 1928
Mickey’s Wild West, 1928
Mickey in Love, 1928
Mickey’s Triumph, 1928
Mickey’s Babies, 1928
Mickey’s Movies, 1928
Mickey’s Rivals, 1928
Mickey the Detective, 1928
Mickey’s Athletes, 1928
Mickey’s Big Game Hunt, 1928
Mickey’s Great Idea, 1929
Mickey’s Menagerie, 1929
Mickey’s Last Chance, 1929
Mickey’s Brown Derby, 1929
Mickey’s Northwest Mounted, 1929
Mickey’s Initiation, 1929
Mickey’s Midnite Follies, 1929
Mickey’s Surprise, 1929
Mickey’s Mix-Up, 1929
Mickey’s Big Moment, 1929
Mickey’s Strategy, 1929
Mickey’s Champs, 1930
Mickey’s Explorers, 1930
Mickey’s Master Mind, 1930
Mickey’s Luck, 1930
Mickey’s Whirlwinds, 1930
Mickey’s Warriors, 1930
Mickey the Romeo, 1930
Mickey’s Merry Men, 1930
Mickey’s Winners (also known as Mickey Wins the Day), 1930
Mickey’s Musketeers, 1930
Mickey’s Bargain, 1930
Mickey’s Stampede, 1931
Mickey’s Crusaders, 1931
Mickey’s Rebellion, 1931
Mickey’s Diplomacy, 1931
Mickey’s Wildcats, 1931
Mickey’s Thrill Hunters, 1931
Mickey’s Helping Hand, 1931
Mickey’s Sideline, 1931
Mickey’s Busy Day, 1932
Mickey’s Travels, 1932
Mickey’s Holiday, 1932
Mickey’s Big Business, 1932
Mickey’s Golden Rule, 1932
Mickey’s Charity, 1932
Orchids and Ermine, 1927
Mickey’s Ape Man, 1933
Mickey’s Race, 1933
Mickey’s Big Broadcast, 1933
Mickey’s Disguises, 1933
Mickey’s Touchdown, 1933
Mickey’s Tent Show, 1933
Mickey’s Covered Wagon, 1933
Mickey’s Minstrels, 1934
The Lost Jungle, 1934
Mickey’s Rescue, 1934
Mickey’s Medicine Man, 1934
Andy Hardy Series (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Mickey Rooney played the title role of Andy Hardy.
A Family Affair (also known as Skidding and Stand Accused), 1937
You’re Only Young Once, 1937
Judge Hardy’s Children, 1938
Love Finds Andy Hardy, 1938
Out West with the Hardys, 1938
Loews Christmas Greeting (The Hardy Family), 1938
The Hardys Ride High, 1939
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever, 1939
Judge Hardy and Son, 1939
Andy Hardy’s Dilemma (short film; also known as Andy Hardy’s Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics . . . and Other Things), 1940
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante, 1940
Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary, 1941
Life Begins for Andy Hardy, 1941
The Courtship of Andy Hardy, 1942
Andy Hardy’s Double Life, 1942
Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble, 1944
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (also known as Uncle Andy Hardy), 1946
Andy Hardy Comes Home, 1958
Alone: Life Wastes Andy Hardy (short film), Canyon Cinema, 1998 (in archive footage)
Motion Pictures
Some sources cite an appearance in a version of Heidi.
Not to Be Trusted, 1926 (short)
Midget, the Nephew
The Beast of the City, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1932
Mickey Fitzpatrick
Sin’s Pay Day, 1932
Chubby Dennis
High Speed, Columbia, 1932
Buddy Whipple
Fast Companions (also known as Caliente and the Information Kid), Universal, 1932
Midge
My Pal the King, Universal, 1932
King Charles V
Officer Thirteen
Buddy Malone (billed as Mickey McGuire)
Emma, 1932
Sonny (unbilled bit part)
The Big Cage, 1933
Jimmy O’Hara
The Life of Jimmy Dolan (also known as The Kid’s Last Fight), 1933
Freckles
The Big Chance, 1933
Arthur Wilson
Broadway to Hollywood (also known as March of Time, Ring up the Curtain, and Show World), 1933
Young Ted Hackett III
The Chief (also known as My Old Man’s a Fireman), 1933
Willie
The World Changes, 1933
Otto Peterson as a child
Beloved, 1934
Tommy
I Like It That Way, 1934
Messenger
Upperworld (also known as Upper World), 1934
Jerry (scenes deleted)
Manhattan Melodrama, 1934
Blackie at age twelve
Love Birds, 1934
Gladwyn Tootle
Half a Sinner, 1934
Willie Clark
Blind Date (also known as Her Sacrifice), 1934
Freddie
Hide-Out, 1934
William “Willie” Miller
Chained, 1934
Boy Shipboard Swimmer (uncredited)
Death on the Diamond, 1934
Mickey
The County Chairman, 1935
Freckles
Reckless, 1935
Eddie
The Healer (also known as Little Pal), 1935
Jimmy
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1935
Puck, or Robin Goodfellow
Rendezvous, 1935
Country Boy (uncredited)
Ah, Wilderness!, 1935
Tommy Miller
Riffraff, 1936
Jimmy Thurger
Pirate Party on Catalina Island, 1935
Himself
Little Lord Fauntleroy, 1936
Dick Tipton
The Devil Is a Sissy (also known as The Devil Takes the Count), 1936
James “Gig” Stevens
Down the Stretch, 1936
Fred “Snappy” Sinclair
The Lost Jungle, 1934
Boy with Dog (uncredited)
Captains Courageous, 1937
Dan Troop
Slave Ship, 1937
Swifty
Hoosier Schoolboy (also known as Forgotten Hero and Yesterday’s Hero), 1937
Shockey Carter
Live, Love and Learn, 1937
Jerry Crump
Cinema Circus, 1937
Himself
Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry, 1937
Timmie “Tim” Donovan
Love Is a Headache, 1938
Mike O’Toole
Hold That Kiss, 1938
Chick Evans
Hollywood Handicap, 1938
Himself
Lord Jeff (also known as The Boy from Barnardo’s), 1938
Terry O’Mulvaney
Boys Town, 1938
Whitey Marsh
Stablemates, 1938
Michael “Micke
y”
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (also known as Huckleberry Finn) 1939
Huckelberry Finn
Babes in Arms (musical), 1939
Mickey Moran
Young Tom Edison, 1940
Thomas Alva “Tom” Edison
Strike up the Band (musical), 1940
James “Jimmy” Connors
Rodeo Dough, 1940
Himself
Trifles of Importance, 1940 (in archive footage)
Babes on Broadway (musical), 1941
Tommy “Tom” Williams
Men of Boys Town, 1941
Whitey Marsh
A Yank at Eton, 1942
Timothy Dennis
Personalities, 1942 (in archive footage of screen test)
The Human Comedy, 1943
Homer Macauley
Thousands Cheer (musical), 1943
Master of Ceremonies at Show
Girl Crazy (musical; also known as When the Girls Meet the Boys), 1943
Danny Churchill Jr.
Show Business at War (also known as The March of Time, Volume IX, Issue 10), 1943
Himself
National Velvet, 1944
Mi Taylor
Mickey the Great (short film), 1946
Screen Snapshots Series 27, No. 3: Out of This World Series, 1947
Himself
Killer McCoy, 1947
Tommy McCoy
Summer Holiday (musical), 1948
Richard Miller
Words and Music (musical), 1948
Lorenz Hart
The Big Wheel, 1949
Billy Coy
Quicksand, 1950
Daniel “Dan” Brady
The Fireball (also known as The Challenge), 1950
Johnny Casar
He’s a Cockeyed Wonder, 1950
Freddie Frisby
The Strip, 1951
Stanley Maxton
My Outlaw Brother (also known as My Brother, the Outlaw), 1951
J. Dennis “Denny” O’Moore
Sound Off, 1952
Mike Donnelly
All Ashore, 1953
Francis “Moby” Dickerson
Off Limits (also known as Military Policeman), 1953
The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney Page 53