Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 57

ALL 20-C The Arizona Republic Phoenix, Sunday, May 27, ISO 'Cleopatra' Burlesque Produced Stars Can't Produce And Also Act In Film, Tony Says Jesse's Dad HonestCritic HOLLYWOOD (AP) Jesse Pearson, who wears gold lame suits and other kookie outfits in his role of the uninhibited rock roll idol of "Bye Bye Birdie," has an honest critic in his father. Pearson, who created the role of Conrad Birdie on the stage, flew his parents out from New Mexico to San Francisco tor the West Coast opening of the show. After the performance, he asked his father anxiously: "Well, how did you like it?" "It was nice, son," said the elder Pearson, "but you mean they pay you for doing hat?" Must Pay HOLLYWOOD (AP) Officials at 20th Century Fox, after $25 million and two years of filming between delays, is now praying that "Cleopatra" runs as long as it took to make. Studio executives are aiming at a $100 million gross but only if it gets finished. "If this picture, which is now three fourths done, doesn't get finished, it will be the end of 20th Century Fox as a studio.

It will make us the biggest parking lot in Beverly Hills," says one studio executive, who adds: "and I'm not kidding." HOLLYWOOD Some of Broadway'g brightest stars came to the Great White Way through the rough and tumble alleys of burlesque, according to film director Mervyn LeRoy who has been in show business since he was a child. LeRoy currently is directing "Gypsy," a saga of burlesque at Warner Bros. This is the life story of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, one of the most glamorous gals to stroll the runway at Minsky's burlesque palace. The musical has Rosalind Russell as Gypsy's aggressive stage mother. Natalie Wood as the titular heroine and Karl Maiden as mama's admirer.

After her burlesque days, Gypsy went on to Broadway stardom, film stardom and became the author of several successful books. She even appeared in straight plays in which she did not remove a stitch of attire. LeRoy feels that the tough audiences frequenting burlesque honed performing talents to a sharp edge. "You had to be good or ticket buyers razzed you off the stage," LeRoy recalls. "Performers had to sell hard and fast.

Those who made a hit at Hurtig and Seamon's, Minsky's or on the Columbia Wheel found Broadway audiences easy by comparison." Who were the great stars that emerged from burlesque? LeRoy flicked through the card index of his memory and answered, "Well. Al Jolson, for instance. The Mammy singer started in show business with Al Reeves' burlesque company in Washington, D.C. Eddie Cantor commenced his career with Frank B. Carr's leg shows and in Jean Bedini's 'Puss-Puss Fannie Brice came to the Follies, and afterwards to the famous Baby Snooks character, by way of the "College Girls" burlesque company.

And these weren't the only great stars to emerge from burlesque, LeRoy points out. To the names already mentioned he added Abbott and Costello, Bert Lahr, Red Skelton, Phil Silvers, Jack Haley and George Jessel. from message pictures. Besides his own company, Curtis will work for other producers. "We're going to try and do more comedy than anybody else," he said.

"My basic responsibility is to entertain an audience. I do pictures I like because I feel that's what my audience wants to see "MY TASTE in films is not sophisticated. I like a good Western, adventure storv or Curtis is separated from his wife, actress Janet Leigh. He spends most of his time working on "40 Pounds of Trouble" and other projects. Sitting on a dressing room couch, Curtis said something which applies to his personal and professional life.

"The important thing, and it goes to the heart of everything in your life and work," he said, speaking slowly, "is that you have to find a moment of truth." HOLLYWOOD (L'PI) Tony Curtis, appearing in his film company's first picture, is determined not to take over production of the movie to satisfy his ego. "That's the only reason some of those gus do it." said Curtis. "To be involved in production meetmss for no other reason except your ego is madness. "Everything suffers, the production and your ai'tinj. There isn't anyone I know who can direct and at in a moie, let alone write and produce it.

"Leave the day to day produc Savings Of 10 to 40 store yo home 1911 Your TT for the since inn Yes, this is the same set You admired when it was 27990 "Quartet" 3-pc. modern bedroom to I 68" triple dresser with 9 drawers prgr i big, brilliant vertical framed mirror "'1 t'l full or queen sixe panel headboard and frame tion problems to someone else. You can't possibly do other way." TOXY IS STARRING in "40 Pounds of Trouble," his company's initial venture, after a series of co-production deals with other filmmakers. The actor, who will be 37 years old next month, has come a long way since starting as a low-paid boy star years ago. He now commands a first class salary and has his pick of good roles.

None of it came easy. Curtis made his share of mistakes and tried to learn from each one. He was kidded a lot about being the handsome young man, but hp set out to be a good actor and is now a top box office attraction. "I thought it would be different." he said, explaining how it now feels to work for himself. "But it's like making a picture for anybody else.

I get the same call in the morning and the same makeup on my face. "It's like your first custom-made suit. You get it fitted and then it's just like any other suit." CURTIS WAS UNDER contract to Universal International Studios for years and most of his roles were decided by others. He makes his own decisions now. "The company gives me autonomy I never had before," he said.

"I get the opportunity to do stories I want to do and my own conception of them." Curtis feels he's outgrown his old movie image, dramatically and personally. He describes the early Hollywood Tony Curtis as "one of many people trying to get ahead in this business, a sort of bobby sox idol." Having played a variety of roles for other producers, Curtis said his company will concentrate on humor, staying away Every piece is a perfect example of fine cabinetry "Quartet" has sleek lines that lend itself to traditional or modern settings The skillful use of beautifully grained woods makes the difference. In pecan is the predominant wood, elegantly combined with butternut fronts that are accented with rich elm burl and hickory overlay each piece hand-rubbed to a gleaming, highlighted light spice finish. See this beautiful bedroom now at Barrows. Jr.

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"Westerns are good experi-eme," says the raven haired beauty, "but not for girls. How much acting can you do holding the horse or pouring coffee?" Cat as a regular on the "Wells Hrvismn MTies, (he found her duties h-r some time off camera. So she took up writing seriously. A producer already has taken an option on a script which features a brautiful young girl in modern dress. "He can pick up the option on the script on only one condition," says Lory, "and that If guess-who plays the girl." 'iu-? Iyour store for the homeI iinr i 7m i mi'.

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