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Being ■discovered’
The long road to stardom
by Arlene G. Peck
Recently my friend and
neighbor, June Oldstein called me
with the exciting newt that her
“baby” girl (who is an absolute sex
symbol), had received a leading
part in a movie to be filmed in
Atlanta. It is to be released in
about six months starring, Henry
Fonda, Glen Ford, Shelly Winters,
Joanne Nail and best of all June's
daughter, Joan Rich, profession
ally known as Ja’ Townsend.
For several years Ja’ has been
modeling and doing commercials
and is very well known locally.
Personally, I didn’t know her from
that, but rather from when she
used to come next door to play
with one of our kids or our new
puppy, whichever was handy.
Now and then, June would
mention how her daughter had
tried out for this acting part or that
modeling job. Mostly 1 figured
that she’d probably end up starring
in Hadassah plays. Was I ever
wrong!
Somehow, and I have a feeling it
was by sheer talent, or maybe good
looks, she landed a large part in
this film about the occult entitled,
“The Visitor.” Actually, the apple
didn’t fall too far from the tree in
this case, as her mother is a
stunning woman. June called me
all excited to relate that some of
the scenes were to filmed in
Atlanta. They would be using a few
local people and would I be
interested in being an extra. Would
1!! This might be my chance to be
discovered!
June mentioned that I would be
able to bring along three friends to
be in our big scene so I called up
Betty Mislow, Sharon (Cookie)
Draluck and Nancy Cohen and
told them this might be our chance.
I neglected to mention before I got
their commitment, that we were to
meet in front of a Lenox Boutique
Where the Italian crew would be
filming. We were to be background
shoppers in the store with the
“stars."
Usually I’m so rushed I run into
Lenox Square, dressed in jeans
and sneakers and grab what I came
for between carpools. However,
this morning, at the crack of dawn,
and I mean six o’clock, I was
sitting in front of my mirror
applying make-up. After all, who
knows, this could be my big
chance?
1 had to leave myself plenty of
time to put on and take off
eyelashes, and look for a skinny
outfit. Actually, 1 felt like “Holly
the Hooker” layering on the
cosmetics that 1 never mastered
but I wanted to look “show biz!" 1
was exausted by the time June
arrived, looking elegant and very
Gucci Pucci, and we headed to
meet the crew.
We arrived on time but the
Italian crew didn’t. It was close to
ten before the camera and lights
were set up. The rest of my friends
wore appropriate and comfortable
clothes but I managed to put on a
new pair of platform shoes
that made me look like the jolly
Green Giant and 1 apt sure were
made for walking streets, not
standing all day in a shopping
center. And stand all day we did!
We never realized it was such hard
work to become famous...or
infamous!
We spent half the day
waiting for an Italian crew, who
didn’t speak English, direct a man
from Peking China in how to act
American. Betty and 1 were to be
the reflections in the window,
while the actresses were doing their
thing inside the store. And, it was
just like the movies...really! Every
few minutes the make-up man
would pat powder on Ja' or the
hair stylist would fluff her hair
while we wilted outside the
window.
Lunch was a catered affair in the
shopping center auditorium and I
can see why those teen queens in
the movie profession can all walk
around wearing no bras, body suits
and hip hugger pants. They don’t
eat a thing! 1 asked Ja’ why she
wasn't eating and she said that it
wasn't “Pesadich." All that and
observant too!
At one o’clock, exactly, we were
sent back to our positions where
they made sure that we earned our
Mm
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twenty dollars. Frankly, I would
have paid them to be in it and I was
furious when the casting director
insisted on paying us in cash. I
wanted a check to prove to my
husband, Howard, how I had
spent my day, and now I have
nothing to frame.
For the next five hours we tried
to look interested in the shoes in
the window that were by now
looking very tacky.
There were fun parts though,
especially when mid-day arrived
and people we knew who were
headed into Neiman’s stopped,
recognized us and we couldn't talk
because we were “filming.” I loved
it when the director told one,
“Quiet Madam, Please! We’re
filming a ‘take.’ Lights! Camera'
Action!”
I’m sure Ja’ and Joanne Nail
were terrific. We never really saw
them because during the many
hours we spent there, Betty and I
were stuck by those damn shoes
while Nancy and June walked
behind us, three hundred times.
Inside, Cookie was a shopper, but
later told us all they filmed was the
back of her head.
So, in a few months if you’re in
the mood to see a movie about the
occult, pay special attention to the
reflections in the window. You
never know, Lana Turner was in
her soda shop, Marilyn Monroe
had her calendar... may be I’ve got
my reflection!
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Page 13 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE May 5, 1978