Thursday, August 10, 2017

Lillian Gish and Grandma Moses Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars 1952





                     Photo: Lillian Gish, right, and Grandma Moses, circa 1952, discussing a Playhouse of the Stars TV production of "The Autobiography of Grandma Moses." It was a live production and not recorded. This photo shows Lillian is paying her legendary detail to playing Grandma Moses.


I wrote Schlitz, which sponsored the program, and by the below email they have no records. See my below letter and their corporate email response.

Member California State Society
730 24th Street NW Suite 502
Washington DC 20037
(202) 577-9064

July 18, 2017

Schlitz Brewing Company
P.O. Box 792627
San Antonio, Texas 78279-2627

Sirs,

In 1951 Schlitz began sponsoring Playhouse of the Stars on CBS TV. A family friend appeared in an episode and I am requesting copies of all correspondence, other records and photographs from the 
1952 broadcast of The Autobiography of Grandma Moses starring Lillian Gish.

Kindly provide me with all related correspondence and photographs of Miss Gish to the above address. Email copies are preferred. Please contact me if I can answer any questions. Thank you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

James E. Patterson, Editor

The Schlitz Reply:

August 10, 2017

Dear Mr. Patterson,

Thank you for writing to Pabst Brewing Company and Schlitz products requesting that we forward correspondence, other records and photographs from the 1952 Broadcast of The Autobiography of Grandma Moses Starring Lillian Gish.

Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you with your request. We do not have a corporate historian, and regrettably, we have not kept and do not keep, historical records, photographs or any memorabilia, and merchandise or marketing advertisements.

We apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause, and wish you luck in your research.  Thank you again for contacting us.

Cheers!

 Karen Yates
Consumer Relations - Pabst Brewing Company
Indulge Responsibly - Drink Exceptionally
 cid:image001.png@01D0655E.D41FF620

Notes and TV columns on the 1952 production follow:


Variety March 1952:

CBS-TV’s “Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars” may not always have the lush sets and expensive properties featured on some of the other TV dramatic showcases, but for the warmth and human qualities of its presentations, it is seldom topped.

##

Variety review of Lillian Gish in “The Autobiography of Grandma Moses,” the nonagenarian primitive artist. “emerged as a pleasant but lackluster video entertainment as staged by CBS-TV’s Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars Friday night (March 28).

Adapted by David Shaw from Mrs. Moses’ recently-published autobiography, the play had Lillian Gish in the title role spinning tales to her grandchildren on her early life and how she won recognition with her colorful American primitives after she had passed 80. Story flashed back from camera shots of Grandma Moses paintings to the related incidents in her life, which was a clever technique. This was one spot, though, where color TV was urgently needed.

With Miss Gish etching a warmly human characterization of the nice old lady who was as eager to receive compliments for her strawberry preserves as for her life on a farm dating back to the days when Abraham Lincoln was President. Sisters Denise and Jane Alexander were competent as the artist at the ages of five and 12, respectively, and Georgianne Johnson turned in a sympathetic portrayal of Mrs. Moses at age 26. Russell Hardie was good as her husband, and Sidney Smith limned an okay role as the art connoisseur who discovered her artistic talents.

Joseph Scibetta reined both the actors and the cameras through their paces in fine style. Sets and other production mountings were standout. Durward Kirby again handled the Schlitz commercials, tying them cleverly with the sets of the play.

Jim Patterson note:
 Lillian liked the role and Grandma Moses. She recalled the role in interviews from the 1960s and until the end of her life. She channeled Grandma Moses for a scene where she is painting in 1987's "The Whales of August." 
###

Playhouse of the Stars: The Autobiography of Grandma Moses” March 26, 1952
1-hour Airwaves by John Lester Nassau Review Star April 3, 1952 Friday night 9 p.m. broadcast

ONE OF THE BIG dramatic disappointments of recent weeks was "The Autobiography of Grandma Moses," the nonagenarian artist, which was presented on "The Playhouse of Stars" last
Friday from 9 to 10 P.M. (Eastern) on CBS-TV. It was adapted for TV from Mrs. Moses' recently published book. (Grandma Moses: My History)

Lillian Gish, in the title role, portrayed the celebrated landscape artist by telling stories of her early life to her grandchildren dwelling, of course, on how she achieved fame as a painter after she was 90 years old.

Miss Gish, an experienced and sensitive actress, did her best but, somehow, she wasn't able to lift the material beyond a level of light, pleasant entertainment.

This is wherein my disappointment lay.

I expected an hour much richer in personal recollection, anecdotes and even language. I believe I was right to so expecting unless the whole Grandma Moses story is a fraud and hoax .. . and that I can't believe.

The TV treatment of the story did recount some of Grandma Moses' philosophy of life, however, this was charming in its simplicity and quaintness what there was of it.

Russell Hardie, long-time stage star and famous film idol back in the '30s and '40s, was Mrs.
Moses' husband and turned in his usual very good performance. Mrs. Moses, as a child, was portrayed by sisters. Denise, 8 and Jane Alexander, 13. Sets were excellent. Camera
work was likewise fine.


TV News and Programs Buffalo Evening News Jan 3, 1952, Page 24:
Helen Hayes who will costar with Anthony Quinn in "Dark Fleece'* on Playhouse of Stars tonight at 11:30, will be seen as Grandma Moses on WBEN-TV around mid-March. Sponsor of the Playhouse has just obtained one telecast rights to the forthcoming "Autobiography of Grandma Moses" for $2,500. The purchase is believed to be a record price for single-time video rights to a book.

Jim Patterson note: If this article is accurate, it appears Helen Hayes was initially expected to be in “The Autobiography of Grandma Moses.” Perhaps a busy schedule led Miss Hayes to suggest Lillian Gish for the production. It was a live performance and it is not believed a film or kinescope was made of the broadcast. I've written the sole surviving cast member, Jane Alexander, for her thoughts on the filming. 

###

In the below 1962 article, Lillian recalled playing Grandma Moses:


In December 23, 1962 Joan Crosby wrote “Silent Star Back” for The Knickerbocker News, Albany New York,

“Miss Gish, who doesn't look within 15 years of her 65, had a marvelous time making the show. In a droll, holiday-season play titled "Grandma TNT," she'll portray Louise Clarendon, a sweet little old lady—albeit a bit daffy—who tries to rob a bank.

The elder of the famous Gish sisters, who were both winning hearts as little tykes in some of the most famous epics of the silent screen, was doubly pleased with her Defenders assignment because the script was written by David Karp

Years ago, I appeared in another script of his, and it was a joyous experience. I played Grandma Moses, and it was the first time I had ever been asked to portray a living woman. The show made me quite a fan of the lady, who had such spirit. I stood before one of her paintings recently and counted 50 shades of green in it, and that made me realize what there was about her that spoke of such greatness. She was a woman of the soil—American, simple and uncluttered, and we've lost so much of that.

In her six decades as an actress—"Goodness me," she exclaims, "be sure to tell them I'm not 80 years old!"—she has been through the whole cycle, from road-company melodrama in her pre-teen days, the silent films when she was known as the "First Lady of the Screen," and now the theatre and television of today.

Lillian Gish, who gained screen and stage fame with her sister Dorothy, made her film debut in New York City as an extra in 1912. She was then 16 years old.

Miss Gish's other activities these days involve voluntary work with the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and her strong advocacy of a Secretary of Arts and Sciences in the federal government, with Cabinet rank.

You know, we are the only people in the country who can't take our problems to Washington," she said. "A farmer can, a businessman, labor and management can, but we have no court of appeals.
### 

In a non-bylined 1962 article in The Binghamton (New York) News titled “Lillian Gish Stars in Defenders,” about Lillian’s role as “Grandma TNT” episode for the CBS-TV series “The Defenders.” The title of the episode may have been suggested by Lillian and it was intended, I believe, to show that older women, Lillian Gish, make powerful TV characters, powerful film stars, powerful Broadway stars, and, like Grandma Moses, powerful artists. End note. 

In one of her infrequent television appearances. Miss Gish, whose credits are virtually endless and run the gamut from the epic film, 'The Birth of a Nation" (1915) to stardom on Broadway in "All the Way Home" and "The Trip to Bountiful," appears in The Defenders as Louise Clarendon, a maiden lady of charm and grace who lives with her elderly maiden sisters in a faded Brooklyn brownstone. Portraying Miss Gish’s sisters, Elspeth and Genevieve, are Enid Markey and Mary Finney, respectively.

In "Grandma TNT” it is apparent from the start that the dainty if slightly daffy Clarendon sisters have seen better days, financially speaking. Hanging over them is a city tax lien on their home in the amount of $1,342.76.

In desperation – she’s unwilling to accept charity – Louise enters a plush Fifth Avenue bank
and startles a woman teller with the note "Please hand me $1,349.76 or else.” When asked,
"Or else what?” she says, “I’ll blow up the bank.”

The sisters, select Lawrence and Kenneth Preston (series stars E. G. Marshall and Robert Reed) as their attorneys, by closing their eyes and sticking a pin in a name in the telephone book.

Also in the cast, are Kermit Murdock as District Attorney Larkin, Elisabeth Fraser as Mrs.
Hunt; Lou Jacobi as Schwartz, the neighborhood. druggist, and Sam Capuano as Straffucci, a
junk dealer.

"Grandma. TNT" was written by David Karp and directed by Elliott Silverstein.

The Troy, New York, listing for the broadcast:
—The Defenders, "Grandma TNT." a comedy drama about a sweet little old lady charged with trying to rob a bank. Guest: Lillian Gish


An unbylined article on “Grandma TNT” in The Buffalo Evening News on December 22 1962 page 14:

“Nowadays Miss Gish makes infrequent television appearances in between sea voyages to distant ports with sister Dorothy.

Miss Gish's other activities involve voluntary work with the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and her strong advocacy of a secretary of arts and sciences in the Federal Government, with Cabinet rank.”

TV Listing in Yonkers New York Herald Statesman December 22, 1962:

The Defenders. "Grandma TNT. " The wispy, otherworldly grace and consummate skill of actress Lillian Gish, sets the stage for David Karp's "Alice in Wonderland" type story of a genteel lady robber and her dealings with the law. The funniest episode in the play is her perfect and in character escape from prison. In fact, except for the out-of-character, soap opera ending, this is an ingenious and amusing romp.

Harry Harris Screening TV column in The Philadelphia Inquirer December 24, 1962  

With nary a reference to Christmas, Saturday’s The Defenders " episode, "Grandma TNT, " was aglow with the yule tide spirit.

David Karp's yarn about a sweet little old lady — once wealthy, now in genteel poverty —who threatened to blow up a bank (with a jar of calf's-foot jelly) unless the cashier handed her exactly $1342.76 to pay an overdue tax bill, provided an amusing, heartwarming change of pace for the series' lawyer heroes—and its viewers.

Chucklelsome twists involved a jailbreak (she merely accompanied touring do-gooders out the door, to lunch and home); a single dented toaster that the charity shunning old girl had been swiping from a drugstore and selling to a junkman every week for four years (with the connivance of neighborhood stores, the resultant $7 kept her, her two maiden sisters and a friend in necessities), and the lady's eventual confession that she'd known about her neighbors' kindly plot all along.
In the title role, silent movie veteran Lillian Gish was delightful—sometimes droll, sometimes most touching. Enid Markey was fine as the less ineffectual of her sisters, and there were also first rate performances, under Elliott Silverstein's direction, by Lou Jacobi and Sam Capuano, as the toaster's owner and buyer, and —in more frolicsome mood than usual — series regulars E C Marshall and Robert Reed



###


Final note, in Lillian's last film, "The Whales of August," she has a scene where she is sitting outside and painting a landscape. She brought some physical items to the film's set, including a photo of her mother. She also brought with her the memory and gift of friendship from Grandma Moses for what was her last film.




                                                        Lillian Gish learning from Grandma Moses.



In her autobiography with Ann Pinchot, The Movies, Mr. Griffith and Me (Prentice-Hall, 1969), Lillian wrote (page 363):

“One of the highlights of those early television years for me was my meeting with the great primitive artist Grandma Moses, whose life I portrayed on television. Grandma Moses was pure spirit. She may have had little knowledge in the worldly sense, but she possessed great intuitive wisdom. She was all affirmation. After the production, she gave me one of her paintings, which hangs to the left of my living room fireplace alongside another Grandma Moses, a treasured gift from Helen Hayes.”

Jim Patterson note: The black and white photograph of Lillian and Grandma Moses in this blog post is included in Lillian’s book.

In Dorothy and Lillian Gish (Scribner’s, 1973), page 256, the below photograph appears with heading: Grandma Moses: 1952. Caption: “It was my good fortune to play the engrossing life of the great American artist.  Both of her ancestors came over on the Mayflower.” Schlitz Playhouse, CBS, 1952, March 1952. Photograph, IBM, courtesy Galerie St. Etienne.:



                                                      Grandma Moses and actress Lillian Gish. See credit above.

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