Among some actors—always the less
successful ones—to regards directors as frustrated performers who, because
they, themselves, have no talent, take delight in lousing up the performances
of those more gifted.
Not even the most disgruntled thespian
in Hollywood, however, would think of muttering such a charge against Elliot
Lewis, the new producer-direcer of Auto-Lite’s award-winning “Suspense” series,
heard Thursday evening on CBS.
Lewis can play the leading role,
write the script or handle the direction with facility—and if an engineer or
sound effects man were turn up missing, he could handle their jobs, too.
The 34-year-old
producer-actor-writer is unquestionably the most formidable triple-threat man
to emerge in radio since Orson Welles—and he has the same zeal, imagination,
and boundless energy.
As an actor, his range is
staggering. This is the Elliot Lewis who won a following of sophisticates
throughout the nation with his smooth, romantic narration of Gordon Jenkins’
musical tribute to New York, “Manhattan Tower”. This is also the Elliot Lewis
who socks in the belly-launghs every week as the rowdy “Frankie Remley,” lowbrow
guitar-playing pal of Phil Harris, on the Harris-Faye show.
Lewis liked both roles but he
likes directing even more and feels that “Suspense” offers him the greatest
opportunity he has had in radio.
“I love “Suspense”, he says, “because
it’s off-beat, it’s intelligent, it’s artistic, and at the same time, it’s
intelligent, it’s artistic, and at the same time, it’s commercial. Most so-called
“class” shows are resigned to having a very limited audience, but “Suspense”
always has a top popularity rating because it offers something for everybody—action
for the action fans, plus intruiguing characterizations and psychological
twists for those who enjoy the more subtle touches.
Lewis has not yet “won his ulcer” in
radio, and doesn’t believe he ever will. “I can stand pressure just so long,”
he explains, “and then I go to sleep”. Thus, he withstands a schedule which, at
times, has called for him to direct four network shows a week, act in half a
dozen more, and teach a radio course at UCLA.
The one thing that makes him
nervous, he confesses, is film acting. “When a ton of whrring machinery closes
in on me for a closeup,” Lewis says, “I’m terrified”.
Lewis was born in New York City
and grew up with a strong “New Yorkese” accent. It took years of dramatic
training to overcome it—but he finds it still comes in handy when playing “heavies”
or for roles like “Frankie Remley”.
He moved to Hollywood after
finishing high school, and entered Los Angeles City College. He intended to be
a lawyer, but got to fooling around with college theatricals, and when CBS
producer True Boardman gave him a four-line role in a “Workshop” play, that
settled it.
Since then, he has been heard on
virtually every network dramatic show originating in Hollywood and, during
World War II, earned the Legion of Merit for his work in the Armed Forces Radio Service.
Appearing on CBS program with him,
shortly before his army service, was a red-haired MGM actress with the same
last name as his. They were introduced (“Miss Lewis, meet Mr. Lewis”) and now
are known as one of radio’s top husband-and-wife teams. Some of the columnists,
in fact, have taken to calling Elliot and Cathy Lewis, “Mr. and Mrs Radio”.
In addition to playing leads in
dramatic shows, Cathy is well-known for her regular portrayal of “Jane”, Marie
Wilson’s closest friend, on the “My friend Irma” program.
Elliot cares little for sports, as
a participant, and has relatively few hobbies outside the world of show
business.
“If you really enjoy what you’re
doing”, he says, “I don’t think there’s much need to get away from it all.”
Vital Statistics: Elliot Lewis.
Birthdate: November 28, 1917.
Birthdate: November 28, 1917.
Birthplace: New York City
Education: Mount Vernon N.Y. (high
school) and Los Angeles City College.
Professional Debut: 1936, Station
KIO. Los Angeles.
Married to: Cathy Lewis (April 30,
1943).
Children: None.
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