Movieland and TV Time - July 1972

Glenn Ford and Bobby Sherman
What They Learned From Each Other!    By Michael Harp

(For photos, see Cades County Extras)

Do you believe the stars all know one another? Well, you shouldn't. Many of them never meet!

In California they go to studios scattered all over huge Los Angeles and suburban cities, or further to perform. Their homes no longer are in certain sections. Few feel belonging to a particular social group is necessary.

What happens when two stars do get acquainted?

They're mighty curious about how the other one tackles life. And they can be as surprised and affected by what they learn from a new friend as you are.

Today women who long to be wooed glamorously finagle to wind up as Mrs. Glenn Ford. Girls aching for the grooviest long-haired bridegroom are trying to nail Bobby Sherman.

Until recently this year, these prize bachelors remained strangers. Only Bobby's efforts to become more than his familiar self threw them together. Even after he was signed to guest star in one of the most stirring episodes of "Cades County," nobody introduced them.

"I was a little shaky when I started it because I'd never worked with anyone as famous," Bobby told me. Of course, he was awed. He wants to get into movies and Glenn has starred in 127 films so far. "Last fall I saw one of them twice on TV because he was terrific in it. Then I rented a print to screen at home for friends".

There are many myths about Hollywood's greatest stars. When I can reach the truth, it's an eye-opener. I was immediately impressed by the way everyone did his job so efficiently when I reported for that role. Obviously, Mr. Ford was in command and I found he permits no pressures because he's all for harmony.

"I didn't know what to expect when I reached my first scene with him, but I was eager to discover what he's really like. And I was afraid he'd already assumed I'd be a snotty kid!" Bobby continued candidly.

"As soon as he spotted me on the set, he came over and introduced himself quietly. He said, 'It's a pleasure to have you here.' I was thrilled to be welcomed with such unaffected courtesy. I wanted to reply, 'It's a privilege to work with you!' But I didn't manage to be that eloquent.

"To put me more at ease, he asked, 'Is everything all right?' I rallied with, 'Everything is fine, Mr. Ford!' He grinned and said, 'My name is Glenn.'"

Bobby proudly uses that first name with him, yet still refers to him as Mr. Ford. A fresh young kid he isn't!

If you saw that segment, you'll recall its drama. Bobby was cast as a distraught young fellow who, when his father was killed, bitterly claimed his stepmother did it. He'd heard quarreling and, never having liked her, lashed out at her and about her with wild accusations. That almost convinced Glenn, as the investigating sheriff, that she was guilty. For justice, he had to keep questioning Bobby.

I know both Glenn and Bobby, so I was invited to 20th Century-Fox to watch them do an intense key sequence.

Before they went into it, Glenn took me into his luxurious trailer dressing-room on the edge of the set and talked about Bobby.

"All I knew about him was what I'd seen and heard on TV, and what I'd read," he said. "Bobby seemed so good-natured. That's a plus for anyone. I looked forward to what he could do with the challenge of this part." Glenn then used the identical words Bobby had. He admitted, "I didn't know what to expect." As straightforwardly he added, "I'd never worked with a teenage idol before."

But Glenn was voted Mr. Bobby Soxer of American when he was Bobby's age. The country's teenage girls picked him as their dreamboat by a landslide. Compliments never could make him conceited because Glenn's sense of basic values was too ingrained. That's why he was happy when he found Bobby's adoring fans haven't made Bobby egotistical.

"In our conversations between scenes I've asked him my own questions," Glenn went on. "Opinions can be very revealing. If he's what's meant as far out when young people are blamed for all that's wrong, I won't worry about anyone like him!

"He's plainly anxious to concentrate for rewards he wants. He's always polite, on time, and fully prepared for whatever he's to do here. To me, a set is like a laboratory, the place actors can be scientific about their work. All the little details that have to be attended to by the director, the cameraman, and other highly skilled technicians who are never seen by the public are important for definite reasons. Bobby's entirely convincing in his role. I noticed how aware he is, besides. He studies what's actually going on because he realizes completely understanding how things operate helps. His attitude confirms what I've always thought. Idealistic young people who are intelligently realistic don't deserve a put down. I admire them, trust them!"

A tap on the door called him to a rehearsal with Bobby. They grasped the director's suggestions quickly, did what they were there for capably when he was ready to film.

Bobby had wondered if star power would pulverize him. Some stars in Glenn's league insist upon correcting a director and subtly weaken other parts to protect their fame. Now Bobby knows no star has to be petty or ruthless. He learned that from Glenn's never taking over like that.

When the camera and lights were being adjusted for a move in from a long shot to close-ups, Bobby turned to me to say, "I want to last in this business, as he has. I can't say how I'll do it. If I'm ever able to be as cool, I'll be more confident!

Last fall, in 'Getting Together,' I wasn't trying to act. I was just being myself. I'm still as excited about recording songs I like best, about going around the country to do shows face-to-face, about maybe being the emcee for a summer TV variety series. But success as an actor always has been my secret goal. So right now some heavy dramatic parts strike me as the right switch. My first one, in a segment of 'The Mod Squad,' was the breakthrough for me. I hope this second opportunity brings more chances."

Having the courage to aim for Glenn's range means he must become as excellent in acting. Bobby dedicated himself to the self-discipline required when he got his start as a singer. But he wishes he'd recognized the satisfaction from acting and done a lot in school since hearing Glenn made up his mind at thirteen to get into show business and won leads in high school plays, was outstanding in a community theater, and then worked as a stage manager before getting the nod as a professional actor on the stage. That foundation made him a star in films when he was younger than Bobby.

Bobby wants to be a jolt in a Western. He didn't get to ride a horse or shoot from the hip with Glenn, but he's been much keener about the great outdoors since being informed that Glenn has starred in 52 movie Westerns.

Now, when Bobby recalls that Glenn's been sent to Europe, South America, and the Orient to be a dashing hero where the action can have authentic locales, he hopes for that in his own future. Keeping his career going has kept Bobby from taking his first trip overseas. Learning that Glenn's been to Europe forty times and that he's had so many adventures in his free time there has inspired Bobby all the more.

"History was a big thing in school," he remembers. "I didn't care much for it because it's all be logged. I can't feel that my life is away back there in the past. But the tales that make me conscious of how human people are don't have dates to be memorized. I'd like to hear more of Mr. Ford's stories about his travels. He doesn't want to miss anything that could be marvelous. Neither do I!"

Bobby's going to squeeze foreign languages into his schedule since learning from Glenn how handy they can be. But the Ford flair for speaking French and Spanish, Italian and German like a native didn't spring from lessons before he traveled. Glenn simply supposed he ought to dive into the local lingo, so from the moment he arrived in a foreign country he listened carefully and experimented with the phrases he picked up.

"I'm so glad to find he's not cynical." Bobby confesses. "He gets such a charge from doing so many things enthusiastically. Being around him has taught me it's their own fault if people are bored!"

When Bobby said that, I told him how Glenn summed up the first step towards more fun to me. Glenn said, "The first thing to do if you want to enjoy life is don't take yourself seriously. I want to do whatever I do well. But it would be ridiculous to imagine that I'm indispensable. There's no sin in having a wonderful time after we've attended to our duties. Or while we're doing them, if we can. I don't like to wait!"

Bobby laughed, "I agree to that!" he assured me. The next minute he said, "You know I'm only influenced by show business in my working hours. I don't let it take up all my life."

I said, "I know that. But you're mysterious. You disappear as soon as you finish a job."

He answered frankly. "I'm not a party thrower or a party goer. Nor am I Mr. Lonely. When I'm alone, I'm not miserable. I like to dream about what might be, think of plans to make it happen, and there's always something to fix or read, music to play or hear in my house."

Glenn gathered that from their chats. It gave him a deeper conviction about today's smart youths. He's boldly been true to his own nature, and when he finds this trait in others there's a swift bond.

I suspect that when Bobby is feeling more secure he'll widen the small circle of personal friends he's stuck to. He's seen that Glenn has faithful ones.

Bobby had no idea Glenn has one of the largest record collections. Glenn didn't get much from rock groups, but he isn't narrow-minded. He was entranced when he heard that Bobby built his own recording studio while still living with his parents, and returns there to experiment with all the facts for better recording. Glenn's bought Bobby's newest albums and now understands why they're such a hit. "I like his sound!" he says.

The parents of both knew nothing of show business. Neither Glenn nor Bobby had to be rebels when they were determined to climb in it, fortunately.

"At first I was confused by my folks' encouragement," Bobby says. "I supposed they were trying to boss me, but then I saw they weren't. To them, I'm still their kid. To me, they're super friends."

His mother asked him if they could visit him on a set when he worked with Glenn, so they could meet one of their favorite stars. Bobby was delighted when he could arrange that. Glenn greeted them so sincerely and had such nice words about their son's attitude and accomplishments that they're beaming whenever his name is mentioned.

Glenn and Bobby did not discuss women. They're not given to comparing them with other men. This reticence made each respect the other even more.

Patti Carnel, the petite girl Bobby's been seen with oftenest, also visited him one day while he was working with Glenn. "We're not going steady," Bobby has again informed me. "I see Jill Banner and another girl, too. They're treasures!"

I asked him how he looks at marriage now, whether he believes living together without it is as good. He didn't hedge.

"If I found a relationship in which caring was fuller without formalities, I wouldn't worry about technicalities myself," Bobby told me. "If we couldn't make it, if her parents and outside influences were involved, I'd want to marry. If there were to be children, certainly they shouldn't be the victims.

"The person you're in love with counts the most, not a piece of paper proclaiming it's legal. I think marriage can be very worthwhile. If I truly love a girl, I'll want to do what will make her happy. I'll respect her, whatever she decides is best."

Glenn wasn't shocked when I told him what Bobby said. After all, Glenn's courted more glamorous feminine stars than anyone else in Hollywood. The screen sizzled when he and Rita Hayworth teamed in "Gilda." When he had to slap her hard in it, that was the only time he's ever hit a woman. "She was supposed to hit me back," he recalls. "She got so mad she knocked one of my teeth out with her swing!" They were a sexy team for five films and they've been friends ever since. Rita's his next door neighbor. Bobby is reluctant to date actresses. When he's over that hesitance, he may find them as intriguing as Glenn does. He's ended up the trusted friend of every woman he's dated because he's a gentleman. Accent on gentle, emphasis on man.

Glen has said about couples living together before marrying, "I approve. It's an adult, mature attitude. It's not hypocritical. It's honest. If you want to get married and make certain it's going to last, then you damn well better try it out first. You have to live together, or travel around together, spend morning, noon and night with each other. You've got to find out beforehand because courting isn't anything like actually living under the same roof."

That's the way these two bachelors talk.