Evening star., 1939-03-05

4 RHToN H. BREN was the sort of boy
M over whom neighbors shake their
AV6 heads. He had knack for getting ex-
PEELED from school and even for getting hailed
into police court, but, despite all this Milton
thought he was pretty swell fellow because
he loved his mother!
Twenty years later, this amazing boy is still
being talked about - but in far different
way For he is producing motion pictures -
pictures that are breaking precedents and box
office records.
And Hollywood blinks as it looks toward
the future of this youthful producer - only
thirty -four.
Bren's family were Tennesseans who were
impoverished by the Civil War. (His grand
father was captain of Confederate infantry.)
They migrated to St. Louis, where Milton was
born; then to Los Angeles.
Milton at nine became necessary factor
in the support of his mother and two sisters.
Selling newspapers netted three dollars
week. He took it all home.
Throughout his turbulent boyhood shines
the quiet figure of Mrs. Bren - usually in the
kitchen or behind an ancient sewing machine.
Good ground round" could then be bought
for ten cents pound; the children ate fifty
seven varieties of hamburger. They stayed
neat; they lived in decent neighborhoods;
Mrs Bren kept Milton in school. Frequently,
though, she had to convince not only him but
the school authorities that school was the
place for him.
For Milt had another side Between the
morning and afternoon editions of the papers
he sold, several hours intervened. Front yards
seemed drab but in alleys boy could find
things - beer bottles worth ten cents dozen.
Going into richer neighborhoods, Milt's alley
gang found whole cases of beer bottles - on
back porches.
Mischief builds In an era when grocery
deliveries were scant, Milt and his friends
would do housewives morning shopping for
nickel tip We'll walk mile to cut
rate store, Mrs. Jones, and really save you
money" Sometimes they walked more than
mile. The same back porches that boasted
beer bottles by the case held iceboxes, too.
The butter, eggs and meat they contained
we're of excellent quality. And the profit was
100 per cent.
What really needed, and could take
without too much risk, took. Twice week
l remembered to bring Nom flowers. Of
course, swiped the flowers"
Capacity for work and loyalty to his mother
were assets to the blue-eyed, lively youth But
money hunger. bunting his standards, tripped
him often.
The summer Milt was twelve neighbor
got him job as Office boy to one of Los
Angeles leading law firms. He simply ate
work, became librarian" Late at night he
pursued and marked cross references for lazy
law clerks.
Those snooty clerks and the other office
boys. sons of bank officials and railroad bond
holders. laughed at the eager youngster with
the patched pants.
Pay came Fridays in a sealed envelope:
five-doar gold piece and a silver dollar. Milt
took it home each week unopened so Nom
could see the color of the money. He gave her
the five, stretched the dollar over the week
II found could buy slightly aged tomatoes
for practically nothing. wouldn't have gone
to lunch with the other boys anyway" When
they went out he ate his vegetarian meal
Now he shudders: Il hate tomatoes
When school reopened, the head of the law
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