The Vegas Voice June 2021

The Closed Door
By: Beverly Washburn / Hollywood Memories
thought I’d share my memory of working way
I back in 1953. It was with Gene Lockhart in
a TV show called Schlitz Playhouse of Stars.
The episode was called “The Closed Door” and it was one of my
favorite roles. And with today’s remarkable technology you can watch
it on YouTube by simply googling Schlitz Playhouse of Stars/The Closed
Door.
Gene Lockhart was a wonderful character actor as well as singer,
writer, and director. He also lectured dramatic techniques at the Julliard
School of Music.
He found stardom on
Broadway in the Eugene
O’Neill comedy “Ah
Wilderness.” The acclaim
for his performance
allowed him to proceed
to Hollywood and led to a
contract with RKO Pictures.
He returned to Broadway
in December 1949 in a
production of “Death of a
Salesman.”
Lockhart appeared in
over 125 films. In 1938
he was nominated for an
Oscar playing a villain in
the movie “Algiers.”
He also wrote the lyrics to “The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise”,
which would become a huge World War I hit and later was recorded by
Les Paul and Mary Ford. That version became a million seller in 1951.
I’m sure you’ll also remember him as the judge in “Miracle on 34th
Street.”
He was born in 1891 and died in 1957 at the age of 65. He suffered a
heart attack while sleeping.
One of his famous quotes was, “In spite of the amount of work in a
typical day, I don’t get thin.”
His daughter, June Lockhart is still alive and well at 95. And of
course, she will be forever known from shows such as Lassie, Lost in
Space and Petticoat Junction. His granddaughter, Anne Lockhart was
well known from the show Battlestar Galactica.
I enjoyed working with him as he was very kind to me. He gave me
his autograph along with some very gracious words at the completion
of our filming. Unfortunately, I was too young to realize just how
important and respected he was in the industry.
Now looking back, I feel quite blessed at having had the opportunity
to have worked with him. Until next time, remember: Kind words are
like honey - sweet to the soul.
Beverly Washburn graced the silver screen as a child actress and
is the author of Reel Tears. You can contact Beverly at: bjradell@
hotmail.com.
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