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Elliott Lewis

Among some actors—always the less successful ones—to regards directors as frustrated performers who, because they, themselves, have no talent, take delight in lousing up the performances of those more gifted.
Not even the most disgruntled thespian in Hollywood, however, would think of muttering such a charge against Elliot Lewis, the new producer-direcer of Auto-Lite’s award-winning “Suspense” series, heard Thursday evening on CBS.
Lewis can play the leading role, write the script or handle the direction with facility—and if an engineer or sound effects man were turn up missing, he could handle their jobs, too.
The 34-year-old producer-actor-writer is unquestionably the most formidable triple-threat man to emerge in radio since Orson Welles—and he has the same zeal, imagination, and boundless energy.
As an actor, his range is staggering. This is the Elliot Lewis who won a following of sophisticates throughout the nation with his smooth, romantic narration of Gordon Jenkins’ musical tribute to New York, “Manhattan Tower”. This is also the Elliot Lewis who socks in the belly-launghs every week as the rowdy “Frankie Remley,” lowbrow guitar-playing pal of Phil Harris, on the Harris-Faye show.
Lewis liked both roles but he likes directing even more and feels that “Suspense” offers him the greatest opportunity he has had in radio.
“I love “Suspense”, he says, “because it’s off-beat, it’s intelligent, it’s artistic, and at the same time, it’s intelligent, it’s artistic, and at the same time, it’s commercial. Most so-called “class” shows are resigned to having a very limited audience, but “Suspense” always has a top popularity rating because it offers something for everybody—action for the action fans, plus intruiguing characterizations and psychological twists for those who enjoy the more subtle touches.
Lewis has not yet “won his ulcer” in radio, and doesn’t believe he ever will. “I can stand pressure just so long,” he explains, “and then I go to sleep”. Thus, he withstands a schedule which, at times, has called for him to direct four network shows a week, act in half a dozen more, and teach a radio course at UCLA.
The one thing that makes him nervous, he confesses, is film acting. “When a ton of whrring machinery closes in on me for a closeup,” Lewis says, “I’m terrified”.
Lewis was born in New York City and grew up with a strong “New Yorkese” accent. It took years of dramatic training to overcome it—but he finds it still comes in handy when playing “heavies” or for roles like “Frankie Remley”.
He moved to Hollywood after finishing high school, and entered Los Angeles City College. He intended to be a lawyer, but got to fooling around with college theatricals, and when CBS producer True Boardman gave him a four-line role in a “Workshop” play, that settled it.
Since then, he has been heard on virtually every network dramatic show originating in Hollywood and, during World War II, earned the Legion of Merit for his work in the Armed Forces Radio Service.
Appearing on CBS program with him, shortly before his army service, was a red-haired MGM actress with the same last name as his. They were introduced (“Miss Lewis, meet Mr. Lewis”) and now are known as one of radio’s top husband-and-wife teams. Some of the columnists, in fact, have taken to calling Elliot and Cathy Lewis, “Mr. and Mrs Radio”.
In addition to playing leads in dramatic shows, Cathy is well-known for her regular portrayal of “Jane”, Marie Wilson’s closest friend, on the “My friend Irma” program.
Elliot cares little for sports, as a participant, and has relatively few hobbies outside the world of show business.
“If you really enjoy what you’re doing”, he says, “I don’t think there’s much need to get away from it all.”
Vital Statistics: Elliot Lewis.
Birthdate: November 28, 1917.
Birthplace: New York City
Education: Mount Vernon N.Y. (high school) and Los Angeles City College.
Professional Debut: 1936, Station KIO. Los Angeles.
Married to: Cathy Lewis (April 30, 1943).
Children: None.

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