Evening star., 1943-04-24
BY SHEILAH GRAHAM.
HOIL,YWOOD

"This is q h of an interest,"
ing story!" says Joseph Gotten, as
he roars with a laugh that could
have come from Orson Welles. The
two men have worked together so
or mannerisms apart. The Inter
esting story" about which Mr.. Cot
ten is indulging in sarcasm, is his
own life story. And if any of my
feminine readers want to lose weight,
the quickest way Is to interview
Mr.. Gotten for the purpose of writ
ing his life story. It's the hardest
assignment I have ever tackled.
Not that Gotten was unco-operative.
He was anxious to help all he could.
But the boy has an enormous in
feriority complex about himself and
his work as an actor that nearly
every sentence he speaks is ac-
companied by an explosion of
derision.
It's an interesting story for all
that. But because the subject Is
Mr.. Gotten and he is different"
it might be simpler to start at the
SAAA AIM WI n bdNhW al 10. Lie 1lCW.
est event in his life is his current
co-starring assignment with Deanna
Durbin in Hers To Hold" The
job is alarming him.
mo, it isn't Deanna," he says In
reply to much questioning. Its
the role. It's something I've never
done before in pictures. I have. to
play myself, light comedy version
OF myself and I'm not sure can
do it. Yesterday, in the middle of a
scene an invisible chasm opened up,
and I was terrified and unsure of
myself. I knew was giving a rot
ten performance and there was
nothing I could do to change It,"
Mr.. Gotten is lucky man, however.
An "act of God" rescued him. A
scratch on the film negative neces-
STATED remake of the entire days
work. I was so pleased" states
Gotten.
The good-looking, blond star who
for my money is among the ten best
leading men in Hollywood, has a
theory about how actors can give
their best to the camera or stage.
Stay up late the night before and
come to work with a mild hang
over!" he says. Too much rest is
bad for certain types of people.
When I wake up feeling wonderful
and full of beans I haven't anything
to worry about but my work and
that makes me nervous! When I'm
feeling wretched through lack. of
sleep can act better" During most
of our conversation, Gotten is rub
bing his eyes and grimacing with
pain. It's those d lights he
explains. I gather that he had a
late night. So his work must be
good today!
Like Alfred Hitchcock, who di-
rected Gotten in Shadow of
Doubt" the boy likes food. Il used
to cook rather we'll" he tells me
with a shy smile. The best thing I
did was sponge cake. I used to
make it for my mother. I don't
cook now any more, though. Why
should I? My wifes a good cook"
He married the former Lenore Kipp
II years ago. They have a house in
Pacific Palisades. few miles from
Santa Monica, with the usual trim
mings-that is, a swimming pool
and tennis court.
Before the Hitchcock film Gotten
appeared in Journey Into Fear"
Before that he was in THE Mag
nj -
Citizen Kane" His meeting up
and joining acting forces with Orson
Welles is typical of the two men.
They were on a radio show in New
York dealing with Greek athletics.
They got to giggling over the dia-
logue and were both elected from
the studio. Which was the begin
ming beautiful friendship that cul-
minated in the Mercury Theater,
founded by Welles in New York.
Gotten also appeared with Kath-
arine Hepburn in The Philadelphia
Story"
His first stage assignment was
as understudy to the late Lynne
Overman in Dancing Partner and
he was an unusual understudy II
used to pray that Mr.. Overman
would not get sick!" he tells me.
Gotten got the job by calling on
Mr.. Belasco one Friday afternoon.
What can I do for you, young
ADJUSTMENTS.