The Washington times., 1938-03-19
Spencer Trocy
Says Thanks
To All Friends
BY SPENCER TRACY
HOLLYWOOD, March 10

Resting here in q hospital,
with nothing to do but con-
valesce from an operation, it
struck me owed my constitu.
entS-and that includes the
motion picture critics Of the
nation--a vote Of thanks.
They helped me win the
Academy award for the role Of
Manuel in Captains Coura-
Geous," and I consider it the
greatest thing that has hap
pened to me since I took UP the
precariouS career Of actor.
Friends all. I wish I could put
into words the gratitude that
fills my heart.
AS a writer, I'd make a good
circus clown and there's really
nothing more can say about
that award excepting to say that
I was deeply moved when my
wife came to the hospital to tell
me I'd won-and to add I hope
all who gave q vote to Tracy
may, some time, hit the jackpot.
Outside Of that I'm thinking
now Of a vacation.
You'll probably remember
that it took IL months to
make Captains Courageous"
Wien the picture started, I had
already applied for a vacation,
which was promised immedt-
ate!y upon the conclusion Of the
sea film. No one knew the
troubles that were to be encoun-
tered in that picture, so I looked
forward to an early trip to Eu-
rope. My wife took the trip
and kept working.
AS Captains Courageous"
drew to a close, studio officials
asked me how I would like to
play opposite LuiSe Rainer in
"Big City" I've always admired
the actress and told Fred Datig,
the casting director. that I
would rather take the part In
the picture than a vacation.
VACATION DEFERRED
But did promise myself that
nothing else would interfere
with the twice-postponed rest.
I reckoned without the persua-
sive abilities Of Hollywood's di-
rectorS and producers. big
City" had only been in produc-
ton a week when Joseph Man
kiewic7 showed up on the set
with the script Of "Mannequin, "
the news that Joan Crawford
was playing the leading-lady
part and the request that I read
the script with the idea Of tax
ing the part opposite her.
7 read the script, liked 1t so
much, and wanted to play in a
picture with Joan Crawford so
badly, that once more I fore
went q vacation and jumped
from one picture into the next.
However, I promised myself it
was the last time I would be per-
Suaded to give up the vacation.
I broke that promise to my
self. but only after a bit Of a
struggle. Only I wasn't as
good an arguer as Victor Flem-
ing. I've had the greatest ad-
miration for him since he di-
rected Captains Courageous. /"
He called me one day, told me
he was going to direct "Test
Pilot" and that I was the only
person he would put in the role
Of Gunner Sloane" I an
swered that it was too bad, as
] was just packing preparatory
to q trip to South America. He
told me to unpack, as I had to
play in his picture. He fl
nally convinced me I would be
better off for the part than the
rest.
I'm sincere in saying that
I am glad I skipped the vaca-
ton and took the part Of Gun
ner Sloane" Maybe it isn't the
biggest part I've had, but I got
more real enjoyment out Of
working with the "Test Pilot
company than I've ever had in
pictures.
And. I'm getting the vaca'
tion now. My wife and I are
going to Honolulu, skip over to
Pago-Pago and catch a round
the-world ship home again. Their
! want to take an extra week tc
visit Fathe,' Edward j. Flana
gan, founder and head Of Boys