Evening star., 1937-06-13
Mooozins Section
WHO'S A ''' I DU0NMY ?

Really like tweeds better" broke in
Charlie, but art is everything
II put together night club sketch. Smart
ened up my routine We tried out at the Helen
Morgan Club in New York and caught on
Then we played the Chez Paree in Chicago
and the Rainbow Room in Radio City. We
we're getting along now. Most of all, we were
helped by an appearance at Elsa Maxwells
famous party, Everybody important in the
theater world saw US there
Noel Coward. Gertrude Lawrence, OH
everybody" cut in Charlie. Tell him how
Charlie Macarthur protested the other night
because my name was so much like his - said |
people would probably think l was Helen |
Hayes's husband!'
Bergen returned to his story. Rudy Vallee |
had watched us work at the Chez Paree,
he went on, 'and he gave us a chance on his !
radio hour We were to be a one-time novelty
Nobody thought ventriloquist could get
over on the air.
II certainly vowed them," said Charlie. |
I'VE stayed second week, went on Ber-
gen They asked me if had any more mate
rial said Id write some more - and they
looked worried. Most vaudevillians have one
or two routines, and that's all. But | wrote
another sketch and they asked if it were really
up for three years on new Hollywood pro- 1
gram. l write all my own material"
ITS his writing ability and my personal
ity," Charlie put in
Unfortunately" Bergen went on, most
ventriloquists have used such awful material
that this sort of entertainment has slipped
pretty low in public estimation
He looked at Charlie. Charlie is great
safety valve, he unused.
Don't know whether | like that or not,
Bergen" protested Mccarthy
Il can put words into his mouth to save
most situations. If radio rehearsal goes hec
tic and temperamental, Charlie can kid
enough to relieve the tension. It's surprising
what word from him will do. When there's a
disturbance in night club or theater one
word from Charlie will fix things. One dummy
at time Mccarthy will say - and there's
silence after that :.
Speaking of dummies" Bergen continued,
let me show you Elmer Mortimer Snerd.'
That guy gets in my hair. 'sneered Charlie.
"A country pumpkin. No sophistication.
Gosh durn it" put in Elmer shyly, 'how
you 60 on
I've used Snerd in my night club work,
but never on the air"
Huh" sneered Charlie, "a hick - no
radio personality
I'm working on two eccentric hens who
will cluck and talk barnyard gossip" Bergen
went on 'I'll tell you how l develop my
dummies work on sketches until get the
right expression. Then l get the head in
moulding clay. After that we make plaster
model The final working head may be
nothing like the original sketch.
Let me tell something about Bergen
exclaimed Charlie IF he is going to drag in
Snerd, let's have the whole truth. Bergen's
middle name is John. Blue eyes, Delta Up
silon, blond hair, what there is of it, and be-
longs to the Society of American Magicians,
so watch your watch Tell about my fan mail. :"
Il get an average of $50 letters week"
related Bergen.
More than half are addressed to me- " said
Charlie Il got one the other day that was
forwarded from the coast 1t was just ad
dressed Charlie Mccarthy. Hollywood. |
guess that's fame or is it? Only the other
day the staff of an ocean liner wrote for an
autographed photograph Down in Georgia
an officers enCampment made me an honor
D@,,,, t,,I <l,o