St. Louis Globe-Democrat from St. Louis, Missouri • 256

I a May 12, 1957 Kanto I 3G. A-' May 12, 1957 et: Kanto Stribt-13tmorrat. I V61 Sunda Sunday, Sunday, 11 K4 3 1 Ik! avmon urr Tv 6TJ' ond Burr -A TV Mq(le Hard Batik For 'Helen Morgan' Story rally Made' Hard liattle, da 1 6H 7 For elen Morgan Story -a-k 1 el Iii. 6 -3 B' HA.I.. HUMPHREY gin: li.1 HOLLYWOOD, CAL.

May 11. -y A Finding the right actor to pia the title TOlii in the new "Perry Mason" series, which re- places Jackie Gleason on CBS 1 Union into putting Miss Mor- By PETE RAHN i September was almost as if.Zr,.,P''',i','!, tough as casting the part of Globe-Democrat songs on a restricted next Setb 'IA list. It took more time and Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With 1 TV Radio Editor more of my money for law- 41 me --or so Pm told A It has been a long, tough s. yhers, but 1 finall backed Anyway, the interesting part 1 battle, but singer Polly Ber- them off, and 0.3S, Ya reed to 14 1 of- the story is that the fellow gen will do the life story of finally chosen has been trying 1 -c- i', show singer 'Helen Morgan on i-'1 t. for years to become a hero.

In 2' some 90 motion plc ures an "Playhouse 90" Thursday Ir. those TV rights, Polly says '1W countless TV dramas Raymond 1 11 er Ever since she acquired night. 1 ht go through with agreed TV 1 p- i ti her search for background rii k''', famed blues Burr has always had to play First, a brief pallse for 'le ze, aterial on the ame the or the doltish side- i Identification. "t- 0 singer has taken on ridicul- kick to the hero "zi Polly Bergen is the beautl- ous proportions at times -1--: PI When his naine irst 'Itt "Perry Mason." producers, their ,.1.7.4.., 7 stpreonutgdayis raanndensigannts brought to the attention of the I ful, blue-eyed brunette who d' lb has done dozens of TV shows. kr to; newspaper s.

l've immediate reaction was that Of late, 8, ay 1 'Burr would be perfect for the 0 she has been a panel talked to everyone in show- business who knew Helen. I Pi regular on CBS's "To Tell ot4.4.-,; 41 --ii-: district attorney role, but not chatted with Mrs. Morgan the Truth" quiz. but it offers 41 as "Perry" Burr had no de- for hour after hour. I'm an little opportunity for acting ..1, sire to get trapped in TV's Ak expert on Helen Morgan." pi weekly grind with a type of and none for singing so Polly 1 1 1 '2.

s- :4 characterization which he can 1 has--- been tricking bigger -4 It It was my thought that 14 do in his steep, so he made a TV's NEW 'PERRY MASON' game in her spare time. -zr perhaps she has gone to a 1.1 bargain. He would make two Raymond Burr (left) cross-examines a witness 5,,, in his upcoming film series. 1- Helen Morgan was the fab -4 lot of unnecessary trouble Ri tests---one as the D.A., the other 4, steeping herself in Morgan kg1 as "Perry." ulous, footloose torch singing queen of the roaring twen- mittit1174 former movie star and wife ties. The toast of the giddy, -I lore.

After all, many of to-, 1 -1' day's TV viewers are of a ia' '1 After each had been screened for CBS executives and others of Cornwell Jackson, who is k' generation. who will say: K' a vice president of the J. Wal- k4 Involved In production of the gaudy prohibition era, she ''s c4' 'Helen who? She got a rec- sk: 4 en ter Thompson Advertising Ell series, Burr at least had man- made and spent $2,000,000, cord going" An entertain- ei eel. Agency. 5, aged to split his potential, Th during her carefree ftE1.1A ployers 'at two camps.

Jackson met Author Gardner ing show is what they will be f' looking for come Thursday: years ago when he was the tat- was twice married -unhappily I pro-Burr group won. when ter's agent. He and. wife Gail You hit it," answered 0,. Erie Stanley Gardnerikauthor died a pauper In in a ,11 partners with Gardner in of 41 are par Polly.

"We are going to nar- til of the "Perry Mason" my OFF :1 if a Chicago hospital at the age, ,7:.6..,,9., I tery novels, saw Burr Paisano Productions, the corn- I kg() row the story down to cover 's tests s''' only the highlights in her life and "That's pany turning out the new "Per- DOC1C Int Mason" TV show. Perhaps many readers will best remember Helen Mor- (1 POLLY BERGEN care about. "We'll do it from et gan perched atop an upright that we think people will It Mason." i They also are planning an- High Budget other TV series based on Gard- thp standnoint of a fashion- 1 A 1 1 1 i'i I I 1 1 4 i ti-i' I z. I 1 I 1 1 ig 1 st SN I By PETE RAHN Globe-Democrat TV-Radio Editor It has been a long, tough battle, but singer Polly Bergen will do the life story of singer Helen Morgan on "Playhouse 90" Thursday night. First, a brief pallse for Identification.

Polly Bergen is the beautiful, blue-eyed brunette who has done dozens of TV shows. Of late, she has been a panel regular on CBS's "To Tell Truth" quiz. but it offers little opportunity for acting and none for singing so Polly has- been tracking bigger game In her spare time. Helen Morgan was the fabulous, footloose torch singing queen of the roaring twenties. The toast of the giddy, gaudy prohibition era, she made and spent $2,000,000 during her carefree career, was twice married unhappily and died a pauper in 1941 in a Chicago hospital at the age of 41.

Perhaps -many readers will best remember Helen Morgan perched atop an upright POLLY BERGEN 11 union Into putting Miss Mor- songs on a restricted list It took more time and more of my money for yers, but I finally backed 4 them off, and CBS agreed to go through with the TV 4 show." 74 Ever since she acquired -j those TV rights, Polly says her search for background z. raterial on the famed blues singer has taken on ridicul- ous proportions at times. "I've spent days and nights digging through libraries and newspaper morgue S. I've talked to everyone in show- NI business who knew Helen. I chatted with Mrs.

Morgan 11 for hour after hour. I'm an expert on Helen Morgan." It It was my thought that perhaps she has gone to a 1 lot of unnecessary trouble steeping herself in Morgan lore. After all, many of tok, day's TV viewers are of a generation who will say: "Helen who? She got a cord going?" An entertaining show is what they will be i rlooking for come Thursday: "You hit it," answered Polly. "We are going to narrow the story down to cover al only the highlights in her life that we think people will care about. 'We'll do it from the standpoint of a lacy also are planning an- ERGEN care about.

"We'll do it from p-z uUtilk (rh Budget other TV series based on Gard- the standpoint of a fashion- Ili 1: ae By HAL HUMPHREY HOLLYWOOD, CAL. May 11. Finding the right actor to play the title TON' in the new "Perry Mason" TV series, which replaces Jackie Gleason on CBS 0 next September, was almost as tough as casting the part of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With OI the so Pm told. Anyway, the interesting part Of the story is that the fellow 0,1 finally chosen has been trying 01- for years to become a hero. In re: some 90 motion pictures and countless TV dramas Raymond Burr has always had to play 9, the "heavy:" or the doltish side-NI kick to the hero.

tl When his name was first t'jl brought to the attention of the Perry Mason" producers, their immediate I reaction was that la Burr would be perfect for the rdistrict attorney role, but not as "Perry:" Burr had no desire to get trapped in TVs weekly grind with a type of characterization which he can 0 do in his sleep, so he made a rbargain. He would make two tai tests-one as the D.A., the other NI as "Perry." Ai After each had been screened rd for CBS executives and other; Involved in production of the series, Burr at least had man. aged to split his potential ern. rployers ipto two camps. The pro-Burr group won, when BI Erie Stanley Gardneri-author of the "Perry Mason" mystery novels, saw Burr's tests ql and said, "That's Perry h1 Mason" 1 ti High Budget tlign Duaget TV's NEW 'PERRY MASON' Raymond Burr (left) cross-examiner a his upcoming film series.

former movie star and wife of Cornwell Jackson, who is a vice president of the Walter Thompson Advertising Agency. Jackson met Author Gardner years ago when he was the latter's agent. He and wife Gail are partners with Gardner in Paisano Productions, the company turning out the new 4.4Perry Mason" TV show. They also are planning another TV series based on witness'. GET OFF THE I DOC1C piano her show business trademark singing songs she made famous "Bill," "Can't Help Lovin1 Dat Man." Wants For years.

people who knew or saw Helen work have been telling Polly that her style is a dead-ringer for that Of the idol of the '20s. be-en -t-ha-t. her style is a dead-ring-er for that al the idol of the. '20s. ner's crime novels about Ber- tha Cool, -v Burr already has begun shoot- female private eye, ino the hour-long films for what and her assistant, Donald Lamb.

will be one of TV's highest Benay Venuta will play Bertha budgeted weekly series. He has a three-year contract wi th on- and Jockey Billy Pearson (of tions for two more Question fame) will be ra.) Donald. It's cinch that Burr Burr already has begun ino the hour-long films for what will be one of TV's highest budgeted weekly series. He has a three-year contract with options for two more. Gardner's crime novels about Bertha Cool, female private eye, and her assistant, Donald Lamb.

Benay Venuta will play Bertha and Jockey Billy Pearson (of $64,000 Question fame) will be Donald. It's cinch that Burr fashionable torch singer who led a tragic life." Will Polly get aboard that pianoin Morgan fashion? "Funny you should ask me able torch singer who led a 1,4 tragic life." Will Polly get aboard that pianoin Morgan fashion? ii "Funny you should ask me ki 1,41 a i II 0 11 1 ii'; 1.1 il t', 1 1 5 ..1. ,,...1 a 1 ii9 I 1:4 II i--: ...1 1 ii.j.,. 3 5 ii.1 1 il I I i' 1 ill 1 El 1 1 li 1 l- ill or t'' Ill 1 :1 I 1 .4 4 --0 it :.,1 k- ..,::,1 iiii 1 i fl k- i4! KI 1 1 Eef -xi i'--1 3 A 4 ila li or Plays 'Helen Morgan'' snapped up the Idea and agreed that she could be the star before she could say -Polly. 1.

Morgan idea and could be the le could say 4 a triat. sue says. 1 Ilan tt 'That is, I have if my physi- a -timril 1-) LI I I (11 could never make the weight lc 'Meanwhile," she says, devil a time learning that 2 cal limitations will allow to play Donald. -J. "Warner Bros; decided to go trick-how do you get up on says Burr; "I'm on a six-day a a piano without looking like a ahead on the movie with shooting schedule eery week, "It finally reached a point Ann Blyth in the role they.

') Helen had it at. a horse. and the seventh day is usually -Writer Eudora city where I decided to work five promised I's a matter of leverage. taken up memorizing the script Guest 4r six of Helen's numbers were they put out when You back up to it, put your 'd and planning wardrobe." I into my night club act, said they heard about POily's TV and on top and lift Try Th 1 ere also is another "phys- Eudora Welty, noted short story writer from Mississippi I Polly When she telephoned coup climbina and it makes a very ig in Burr Ki.i.1 'cal limitation 's case, last wee, "an also e- are boiling," unattractie ie vw for the and that is his eight He had lv camera." ill be among guests on Chan- p. tn.

nel 9-NBC's dail 5' 30 'OIN came determined that in one claims Miss Bergen. "They mera." to trim -off. 30 pounds to make 1 Educational Dr Project this way or another I would some- threatened to sue me and 2 Will there be-any pre-re- the "Perry Mason" weight, and week. day relive Helen Morgan's CBS and finally, did the cording for vocal numbers? tips the scal now at slightly The author will appear on THE FUN' life. network to- postpone 'Helen ''It's a 'live' sliow," she over 200.

It Burr deviates from American In 194' a ar af yete Hel replies "and that th a fairly Spartan diet his Morgan once. They even fi way et a from the cit II foot-tvvo frame adds poundage study of "The Recent Renais- as nagled-Ptte song writers' I'll do my musical numbers." en died, Warner Bros. bought sance in Southern 'Literature." i away froni traffic the movie rights for a hiog- faster than a dowager on a Africa Today" will be the raphy from her mother, 1 bon-ban kick. At one of Geography topic a out in the openl Lulu Morgan. Warners told -hi career' Burr- 3-10 "Mathematics and Music will me the role was mine, but pounds.

be the Mathematics theme GET YOURSELF if ter a series of postpone- "I 'wai' playing romantic Wednesday; "The President and ments they shelved the pic- leads then, too," he recalls, Congress" will be the American': A BOAT'. ture. I was disappointed, Govubje ct hur a sdy, i "but I was radio so it ernment MEP t.z, but there wasn't anything I '''-'4 I' frit' isi- didn't matter." and "French Opera Comique" i Even after dropping over 100 Will be on Opera' Histor Fri Could do, so I fOrget about' Ge off die dock and dis- 'Pt- i 1:: pounds Burr never was able to, day. co, er a new ld nw for awhile." 'c, convince, n3ovie producers that 7 friends-. experiene on Ill'e lakes aml rivers! i'''-it he as cut out for something As it out, the besides character parts.

When "ghost of Helen Morgan hip Fisii. Swim! Be- wt WANT I 4 aX vo nrs If a oat 1 Ix they aw the thinner Burr, he didn't let Polly "forget it kc-00- 0 TO ROW UP IN OUR OWN i al relv IVE your bo ll '1-4, ff to the wardrobe 'as rus lays "ass- a from it all!" too BACK TARDSI" A fes.v years later, she had i- department and padded to suit the castinr, director's opiginal ou 11 always I int! a seiee- 4' tion of motors, boat just completed her act at a sision of the man he had CHOOSE New York club when an el- 1 hit id)litr, 2' trailers, nautical equip ment deny woman stepped up and --------,) 111 tbinatiolt el it A HOME in the Globe-Democrat's -r. said: "You sing sad. Just like- The opportunity to play the 4- you've got Helen's hurt in 0 hero wasn't the only factor in Of Your Own- GUARANTEED side you." It vas Lulu Mor- Burr's decision to do a TV se- A gan Helen's In sub- ries howeNer TODAY! TO GET RESULTS if.quent to visi. gether, it de- "I'h usiastic about 'Per- se WANT ADS! lop TURN TO THE i ent 4, Wveloped that someone at ry.Masonlbecause great care is or REAL ESTATE arner ros.

made a boo-. -0, 1 being taken with the stories. PAGES IN Your Boot? Wont to Sell Yo boo. "They had the movie Erie Stanley Gardner has script The Glob and See How Coll riahts but hd failed to tie r' approval and there are six top A GLOBE YOU can Place A GLOBE WANT up the TV rights for the writers and six good directors AD with Morgan saga. on this series.

I don't see how 0.., ii we can miss with that combina- I. CLASSIFIED RESULTS The wily Miss Bergen tion Burr says promptly paid Mrs. Morgan PRINCIPAL PLAYERS He might ha SECTION! GUARANTEED ve mentioned lir'zitzellk, $10,000 for said TV rights and also that the "Perry Mason" hied over to CBS with "Play-, Miss Bergen (center), lloagy Carmichael and series has the most attractive NEW and OLDER HOME BARGAINS GA. 1-1212. house 90" in min.

S. Sylvia CB Sl 1 t'l executive producer in Holly-, EVERYDAY III YOUR GLOBLI I wood She is Gail Patrick the 1 1 1, "It finally reached a point where I decided to work five six of Helen's numbers Into my night club act," said Polly when she telephoned last week, "and I also became determined that in one way or another I would someday relive Helen. Morgan's life. 1942, a year after Helen died, Warner Bros. bought the movie rights for a biography from her mother, Lulu Morgan.

Warners told me the role was mine, but after a series of postponements they shelved the pic-iure. I was disappointed, but there wasn't anything I could do, so I forgot about awhile." As it turned out, the "ghost" of Helen Morgan didn't let Polly "forget it" too long. A few years later, she had lust completed her act at a New York club when an elderly woman stepped up and said: "You sing sad, Just like. you've got Helen's hurt inside you." it was Lulu Morgan, Helen's mother. In subsequent visitS.

together, it developed that someone at Warner Bros. made a booboo. They had the movie rights, but 11.c1 failed to tie up the TV rights for the Morgan saga. The wily Miss Bergen promptly paid Mrs. Morgan $10,000 for said TV rights and hied over to CBS with house 90" in mind.

CB5 "Meanwhile-," she says, "Warner Bros. decided to go ahead on the movie with Ann Blyth in the role they. promised me." Were they put out when they heard about Po Ily's TV coup? "They are boiling," claims Miss Bergen. "They threatened to sue me and CBS and finally did get the network to postpone 'Helen Morgart, once. They even fin; nagled-litte song writers'' PRINCIPAL Miss Bergen (center), Sylvia Sidney.

that," she says. "I had a devil of a time learning that trickhow do you get up on a 'piano without looking a horse? Helen had it 'pat I's a matter of leverage. You back up to it, put your hands on top and lift. Try climbing and it makes a very unattractive view for the camera." Will there be-any pre-recording for vocal numbers? ''It's a 'live' show," she replies, and that's the way I'll do my musical numbers." PLAYERS poagy Carmichael and that she says. "I had a a "That is, I have if my cal limitations will allow it," says Burr; "I'm on a six-day shooting schedule evety week, and the seventh day is usually 0 taken up memorizing the script and planning wardrobe." There also is another "physi ical limitation" in Burr's case, and that is his weight.

He had to off. 30 pounds to make the "Perry Mason" weight, and now tips the scales at slightly over 200. It Burr deviates from a fairly Spartan diet, hissixit foot-two frame adds poundage faster than a dowager on a 'bon-bon kick. At one of his career Burr- weighed 310 pounds. a "I was playing romantic leads then, too," he recalls, Mi "but I was on radio so it didn't matter." iV Even after dropping over 100 potinds Burr never was able to, convince movie producers that he was cut out for something besides character parts.

When they saw the thinner Burr, he was rushed off to the wardrobe department and padded to suit the casting director's opiginal vision of the man he had hired iiit Combination The opportunity to play the hero wasn't the only factor in Burr's decision to do a TV se. 1.4!I however. "I'm enthusiastic about 'Perry Mason" because great care is being taken 'with the stories. Erie Stanley Gardner has script approval and there are six top writers and six good directors on this series. I don't see how we can miss with that tion," Burr says.

He might have mentioned kl also that the "Perry Mason" i' series has the most attractive executive producer in Holly-, i She is Gail Patrick, the 1 1 a could never make the weight to play Donald. Writer Eudora Welty 'Education' Guest Eudora Welty, noted short story writer front Mississippi, -will be among guests on Channel 9-NBC's daily 5:30 p. m. Educational TV Project this week. The author will appear on IVIonday's American Scene study of "The Recent Renaissance in Southern literature." "Afri-ca Today" will be the Geography topic uesda "Mathematics and Music will be the Mathematics theme Wednesday; "The President and Congress" will be the American Government subject Thursday, and "French Opera Comique" Nvill be on Opera History Friday.

WE WANT TO GROW UP IN OUR OWN BACK YARDSI" CHOOSE 1 A HOME Of Your Own TODAY! I TURN TO THE REAL ESTATE PAGES IN TODAY'S GLOBE CLASSIFIED SECTION! NEW and OLDER HOME BARGAINS EVERYDAY IN YOUR GLOM Get from the city away from traffic out 'in the open! GET YOURSELF Get off the dock and discoee a new Ivorld new new experiences on the lakes and rivers! Fish! Swim! Explore! Be- Get vont-self a boat really LIVE on your boll-days "away from it all!" You'll always find a selection of motors, boat trailers, nautical equipment in the Globe-Democrat's GUARANTEED TO GET RESULTS WANT ADS' Wont to Sell Your Baal? Call The Globe and See How YOU can Place A GLOBE WANT AD with RESULTS GUARANTEED!.