by
Lester Berke
In 1946 the Studio in Studio City stood for Panther Studios. The one who cleverly had a Panther leaping instead of a lion roaring. And Studio City had a slightly run-down motel -- The Vaya Con Dios Motel, though its acquaintance with the Dios part was somewhat distant.
Why? Because as a movie town there were still actors, comics, directors and -- less defined celluloid denizens -- trying for the brass ring, the brass ring with the spotlight on it and the camera in front. Some stayed at the Vaya Con Dios.
Like Gladys Murch a nearing 30 actress, taut and shiny. An extra when there was work and ... well she also did those extras to get the work. But she knew when and when not to. She brought a cerain pride and earnestness to her acting. It is in the blood.
Like Shadow Lansdowne, vaudeville headliner, snappy chatter and soft shoes. Threadbare and bourbon was his routine now. But for a young boy who did yard work around the motel there was magic in his words and a good friend before his drinking came to a permanent, final end..
Some did not live at the Vaya Con Dios. Sheila Montague didn't. She was secretary to Millard Harmon, one of the more useless producers at Universal who won awards because Sheila knew how to spot and edit even a bad screenplay into a success. Except Millard was too much of an egotistical wimp to understand. He was not evil. He didn't have a clue. 1946 was a man's world, even for a Millard with a ... man in his past...
There was love. Sheila did meet Delbert. Eyes open, at least. And Gladys met the world's most unfunny comedian, actor, Dixie. And he was persistent. True love.
Of course, when Sidney Blumberg, President of Panther Studios tried to shut the Vaya Con Dios down for his own reasons, using a certain 'prostitute' as the excuse, Dixie had connections, a certain Mr. Donatello connected to certain people controlling gambling in Vegas. That was one problem for Sidney. The other? Hiring Millard away from Universal, sans Sheila.
Well, this is but a sampling of the way life was in the 40's in a company town. Not in the glitzy Hollywood of money and moguls. But in a small town, the other town.
Mr. Berke's style is comic and his vision nostalgic. When men said 'excuse me' to a lady if they carelessly uttered the word 'damn'. The trials swirling around the Vaya Con Dios are funny, very funny, and the players slightly, and sometimes very, well ... disarranged one might say ... but the soil is honest and deep.