Director Mervyn LeRoy shared some memories
with us during filming of "The Green Berets":
Paul Muni "loved the business and did great work, but was a hard guy to get
to know. A real
loner."
Errol Flynn was "self-indulgent. Never took his work seriously. Not
my favorite guy."
Clark Gable "would have been in 'Little Caesar,' but the studio brass said
no."
Lana Turner "was not the actress Gable wanted to work with in "Honky Tonk.'
Do you believe that? She was a beautiful girl and terrific in
the picture."
James Cagney "directed 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.' Michael Curtiz got the
credit, but he did little more than direct camera angles."
Mickey Rooney is a "brilliant guy. Who doesn't love working with Mickey
Rooney?"
Irving Thalberg was "a brilliant guy. He knew more about the business
than anybody."
Louis. B. Mayer (boss man at MGM) "didn't want Judy Garland for 'Wizard of
Oz.' He wanted Shirley Temple."
Frank Sinatra: "Love that guy. Love him. He got me a special
Oscar for 'The House I Live In.' "