Spencer Tracy_ A Biography - James C. Curtis [326]
This was a man, Miss G. decided, who needed protecting. Early in her tenure, she and her new boss worked out a way of deflecting the endless appeals that came his way, the clinic having come to take up much of what might otherwise have gone elsewhere. “I think it’s possible,” she said, “that every charitable organization, at some time or another, approached him for support.”
Invariably an episode would begin with a call from Larry Keethe, Tracy’s ubiquitous wardrobe man, who would say, “The boss wants to see you.” On the set, Tracy would introduce her to a fund-raiser who had made it onto the lot, sometimes at his own invitation, sometimes at the invitation of a colleague or friend, and who had settled into one of the red leather lounges that lined his portable dressing room.
Mr. Tracy would say, “Miss G., how much money do we have in the till?” This meant honestly and for sure, “What’s left in our charitable fund?” Often I would start with a tentative, “You could possibly manage a few thousand …” He would ask, “Have we got five Gs?” or “Have we got ten Gs?” and, learning that we did, he would say, “Let’s write it.” I would return to my office with the full particulars and write the check and return it for his signature.
On the other hand, if he wasn’t about to contribute, he would say, “Miss Giannini, how much money do we have in the till?” This meant, “I don’t think I want to go along with this one,” and indicated that we play the scene. “Your charitable budget for the year is committed,” I’d reply, and this was usually accompanied by a tightening of the face of our audience of one. Then I would brightly offer my suggestion: “However, we could postpone the new altar you promised the Sisters of—” And this line would be interrupted by quiet outrage on the part of Mr. Tracy. “Miss Giannini,” he’d say, “are you suggesting that I renege on my promise to those wonderful nuns? Those dedicated women who spend their lives praying for good in this world?” And the fundraiser would suddenly look upon me with equal disapproval, as if I had suddenly assumed the head of Medusa. “Very well,” I’d say. “That’s the only suggestion I have, and Mr. Evans has been very firm about your commitments for the rest of the year.” (Ross Evans was our tax man.) Then Mr. Tracy would reach for a cigarette, my cue to leave and tell the assistant director to call him for a shot. I’d depart, and a few moments later the assistant would say, “We’re ready when you are, Mr. Tracy.” His Nibs would warmly shake the hand of his guest, regretting ruefully that he couldn’t help out “this time” and the fundraiser would leave knowing that Spencer Tracy was a fine man indeed and wondering how it was that he was stuck with such a horrible woman on his staff as Miss Giannini.
Where Miss Griffith occasionally did get into trouble was when she was pleading someone’s case for a couple of lines in a Tracy picture.
He was rather like a school for young actors on the Metro lot. Inasmuch as I kept them at bay, I also knew something about them, their small credits and abilities. I didn’t always try to help, but I did have my favorites, those I thought showed potential. An approach to Spencer Tracy was not easy. He always walked to the set, but never alone. Larry Keethe accompanied him or, sometimes, I walked with him and discussed business affairs. One did not accost a star of his magnitude, so the only way to try it was through me. If I thought someone capable, I would very often ask Mr. Tracy to give him a thought. One word from him to the director was all that was necessary. This aggravated him … superficially.
I frequently had to listen to a lengthy and well-played scene attesting to my incompetence. “Miss Griffith, what do I pay you for? You are paid to handle these demands without annoying me. I have all these problems … all these demands upon me … And you … What do you do? You come to me with every indigent actor on the lot …” Knowing very well I wouldn’t bother him with anyone who wasn’t a genuinely viable possibility.