Evening star., 1943-05-09
Susan Peters
Continued From Page Ell

ptdl III SuSdll ana IOQ. L was m
| tervieWed and landed a small role
1t wasn't much. but at least 1 was
gaining the necessary experience
I'm afraid that during the shooting
of the film l didn't make much of
an impression
You'd be all right. Susan" the
director said. If only you didn't talk
through your nose. Your voice
doesn't floW-it squeaks!"
More angry than discouraged. |
finished the picture and headed
straight for Max Reinhardt's School
of Drama.
Il haven't any money! l con-
fessed. but may l addition for a
scholarship"
I studied there for months and
was given the leading role in "Holi-
day" Needless to say. 1 concentrated
all efforts on improving my voice.
Not wanting to take advantage of
the kindness shown me- 1 left when
the scholarship expired. Then fol-
loved days and nights of study at
home. l read every play and book
l could get my hands on. Suddenly
the skies frightened. Director Henry
Blanke had seen my brief appear
ance in Susan and God" and
through him l was signed by War;
ner Bros, to a long-term contract.
The next two years were tedious
harfI .u-nrl-Jy,u cl, Il
ways be grateful for every moment
of them. For some reason. turned
out to be the official test girl. >
When a potential masculine star
tested for part on the lot l was
always the one who appeared as the
lady in the piece No stock COM
pany. vaudeville circuit, or dramatic
school could give me the training l
received by making these tests
Every cne presented a new play. a
different type leading man and a
lesson in acting.
Of course, this testing period was
intorspersed with brief parts in a
few films Then came the big
chance. I was to test for one Of the
most important roles in Kings
Row Every one raved about the
test and I was tcld the part was
mine You can imagine how thrilled
and excited I was. A few mornings
later l picked up the paper to read
that another girl was going to play
my part.
1 was ready to quit then. I had
never really wanted to be an actress
anyway and the disappointment OF
the past two years were anything
but encouraging. l was through and
didn't care much. Soon the three
years would be up and I would have
filled my quota of determined effort
A few weeks later my contract was
dropped by Warner Bros. That was
the final biol.
Almost to the point of seeking en-
rollment at a medical school.
was stopped by a telephone call
from my agent. Metro-Goldwyn
Mayer needed young girl for a
featured part in "Tish," an adapta-
tion of Mary Roberts Rinehart's
novel They wanted newcomer. but
preferably some one with dramatic
experience.
One more disappointment now
certainly wouldn't matter, l decided
and went to meet the director
| When he told me the role was mine
couldn't believe it. AS matter OF
fact. it didn't seem real until the
end of the first days work when
saw the. cameraman take the film
out Of the camera-and / knew my
face was on that film.
My life seems to be packed with
surprises, each one more exciting
thansthe last. But one I am going
ing to write about now. tops them
all I've yet to recover from this
one.
During the filming of "Tish.'
always walked from the sound stage
to the studio commissary at lunch
time. The exercise was good anc
I'm fresh air addict. This partic.
ular day. as I strolled back to the
set. a man walked up to me.
You're going to be Kitty in Ran
dom Harvest he said without
even introducing himself.
That's flne!' was my answer
But who's Kitty?"
You'll find out!" he Informed
me with broad grin and walked
away
The first shock came when
walked into Mervyn LeRoy's office
and realized that the man l hac
met on the street earlier-was Mr.
! Leroy.
/ I'll never forget the first day OF
! the set. I was scared to death. Mis-
| Calson and Mr.. Colman were two
of my favorite stars and my knees
shook more than they did the day
of that oral dramatic exam back
| at Hollywood High.
After the first take, Mr.. Leroy
| took me aside.
I'm afraid you haven't got wha,
it takes he said. Kitty is a CIR
with poise and dignity. YOU'RE