New Faces

New Faces

WILLIAM BENDIX has a special talent for looking dumb and “acting” smart. Took his movie initiation in 1941, and did his first leading part in “Wake Island” last year. Left: In role for Paramount’s “China.” Below:  “Records can be broken,” says Bill

<BENDIX in a scene from “China,” with Loretta Young, star of film>

—Paramount  Photo by Hai A. McAlpin                                                                    —Bruce Bailey Photo

WILLIAM BENDIX

First Job Was That of Batboy for New York Giant

AS “SMACKSIE” from Brooklyn to his Leatherneck pals in “Wake Island,” Bill Bendix more than justified Paramount officials officials’ confidence in his ability as an actor. But first time Bendix faced a movie camera, he admits has was “panic stricken.” That was when M-G-M signed him for the role of tavern-keeper in “Woman of the Year.” He was on Broadway rehearsing for a new show at the time, and flew to Hollywood to make his picture bow. Recalling his first scene, Bill says, “I didn’t find out where the camera was until I’d played clear through it.”

Since Bill has been climbing success-ward so fast in pictures, some well-meaning friends have suggested that he have his on-the-bias nose straightened. To that he shouts, “No! Not with my mug. That nose is money in the bank. Why, I’m practically the poor man’s Mature.”

Bill got that crooked feature playing football back in New York. In fact, as a boy Big Bill had his heart set on a career in baseball. Without his parents’ knowledge, he got a job as batboy with the New York Giants, and he was sure his future was set when he was invited to accompany the team south for the spring-training season. But Father Bendix has other ideas, and Bill, an only son, was not allowed to take the trip.

His father, an accomplished musician, thought his son might follow in his footsteps. But Bill didn’t inherit the family musical bent. He took up the acting idea seven years ago. Before that he was a grocery-store manager who liked the business and did a good job. At that time Bill’s only excursions into theatricals were purely amateur, save for an occasional job a night-club master of ceremonies, which he did just for fun.

After a series of failures on the stage, Bendix clicked as Krupp, the policeman, in Saroyan’s “Time of Your Life.” Both proved Broadway hits.

Now Big Bill Bendix is being acclaimed as a second Louis Wolheim in Hollywood. His next major role is in “China,” the new Paramount picture, with Loretta Young and Alan Ladd.