Ed. Note: This was among the papers of George Childs Noonan, Jr. upon his death and was written by his father, George Childs Noonan, Sr., at a date uncertain. Given the sort of paper it is typed upon and the sort of print, it was probably written some time prior to 1970. It is incomplete, comprising 17 type-written pages. Whether there ever was anything else to this biographical essay is unknown.
Part I may be read here.
Before moving on, let me relate a thing that happened to me. A thing, I think, that could happen only in Hollywood in the picture business.
On the surface it is pretty hard sometimes to tell a no-talent from the real McCoy and so I was able to fast-talk myself into a job on the writing staff of the Hal Roach studio. They had several units, Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang, All Star etc. continuously in production making two reel comedies and it was the job of the writing staff to come up with stories and gags for them. They hired me on at the minimum salary of $500 a month. It took them about four months to find out that I was a no-talent, whereupon they let me go.
Here’s the thing: Shortly after being canned from the Roach studio, a fellow came up to me in the lobby of the Christie hotel, “you’re Georgie O’Neil who worked on the Roach lot?”. “That’s right”. “Well, I’m Jack Adolphi and I have a package contract to write and direct a series of comedies over at the Educational studio – if you’ll help me put together a couple of quickies I’ll get you on the payroll as my assistant”. We went up to my room and hashed it out. Adolphi thanked me for my contribution and promised to call me in a couple of days.
Weeks went by and no word from Adolphi. I figured he tried but was unable to deliver on my behalf. I understood – some exec’s son-in-law was given the job, par for the course in Hollywood. Then one day I got a call out of the blue. It was from Ivan Kahn, the actors agent, “DeMille studio has been calling all over town for you”.
I hustled out to the studio and was greeted like I was a big shot and in hushed confidence, “the picture stinks. It needs some laughs to save it – see what you can do – they are shooting some war scenes down on the back lot – don’t crack to anyone – just sit around and observe and catch the rushes for a couple days and we’ll get together later”.
Before the end of the week a messenger from the front office came to the set to escort me to the front office, “Georgie, what’s your salary – what did they pay you at Roach?”. “Five hundred”, I replied. “O.K., then, $500 it is”. When my pay check was delivered to me at the end of the week it was for $500 – I was on the payroll for $500 per week, not $500 a month!
What happened was this: DeMille studio had a sick picture on its hands and needed a gag man to help doctor it up, a writer expert in comedy construction. They did the natural thing in calling a comedy lot to recommend someone. They called Educational studio and Jack Adolphi just happened to be in his office – he gave me a big buildup as a Hal Roach staff writer and for the work I had done for him. At $500 per week I was able to bluff it through long enough to end up with enough loot to get married and go on a honeymoon – first cabin.
Next Week – Part III
Side Note: Two of George Childs Noonan, Sr’s sisters were Hollywood actresses:
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