Evening star., 1954-11-05

and drama department.
Chronologically, often the
briefest time between two points,
1t goes like this:
A few months ago as member
of Olney theater's repertory COM
pany, Mr.. Callahan "a large
coiled-spring type creature-had
to become a member of Actors
Equity. In the process, he en-
countered the Equity rule that it
is too confusing to have two
members of the same name.
There was, he did not need to
be told, already a William Gala
han on the roster, a dancer
singer now in another business
but still q union man.
William Callahan, the second,
like an acquiescent actor in need
of a job. got a telephone direc-
tory and began to search for a
name as yet unappropriated by
one Of Equity's some 1000 men,
bers. He settled finally on Car
Isle, to which he turned out to
be quite a credit if the pioneer
Carlisles are curious about that.
Olney's season ended, Mr.. CAL
an-Carlisle went to New York
to find a job. Unlike most actors,
whatever their names or COM
binations thereof. he found one
in Elaine Perry's forthcoming
production of "Anastasia. The
single blemish on his happiness
was a sudden, inexplicable rest
lessness with the name. Carlisle.
Having discovered that an ac-
tor is free to handy about names,
he tried on a number of others.
Unfretted by any necessity to
change initials on cuff links. lug
gage, and the like, he chose
Morgan Evans this time. It is, as.
Miss Ethel Barrymore's admirers
will recall, the name of the hero
character in "The Corn Is
Green"
It is also close to Maurice
Evans" and it was only a short
time after becoming Morgan
Evans that this proximity began
to disturb the man who was Will
liam Callahan Carlisle Morgan
Evans. 1t could look as if he
were sailing under suspicious
colors.
No man could be quicker to
shun such grounds for suspicion.
So. the actor resumed his quest
for a name.
This time, he had the help of
Alan Schneider. who is directing
"Anastasia" and who once
taught the actor. nee Callahan,
at Catholic University. Now,
under their very noses, lay the
name that had been there ever
since Equity banned Bill from
LIle Callahan can.
"Callan," it was. For DR.. Jo-
sephine McGarry Callan, also a
former teacher of Bills at Cath
olic University and one Of the
greatly beloved figures on that
faculty. Now the search was, and
still is, ended and William Cali
lahan is William Callan, two
letters less than he ever was be-
fore and pleased as Punch.
DR.. Callan also is pleased. And,
If any one cares, so are we. We
were beginning to despair.
ANNIVERSARY: Although to-
day is the first anniversary Of |
"This Is Cinerama's" gala OPEN
ing in Washington. the formal
celebration ceremony will come
next week. This will be a birth
day luncheon on Tuesday in
honor of the film with the Ad- |
vertising Club of Washington |
acting as host and a great many
notables turning up to be guests |
of honor.
Near the center of the head |
table will be Lowell Thomas,
one of Cinerama's proudeSt |
founding fathers, and the diplo-
matte representatives of seven
Far Eastern countries. These
represent the area in which the
third Cinerama production, 1.-THE
Seven Wonders of the World"
will be made under the direction
of Mr.. Thomas. The second pro-
duction, "Cinerama Holiday" is
now being processed for release
at an unspecified date.
A number of civic organiza-
tions also will be represented at
the birthday fete.
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