Washington, D.C.  Circa 1987

     They say "War is Hell" - well, so was being an "Extra" in the TV Mini-Series "War & Remembrance"!       (you know..part of "The Winds of War"  Herman Wouk)

  Looking back, I was bright eyed & bushy-tailed as I drove into downtown D.C. for a 7 AM Call to work in my first Movie - my one day in the Sun.  Yeah, it was 98 degrees; one of those killer August days, and I, along with 600 others, were dressed for a 1940's Winter in Suits, Coats, Stockings, Hats & Gloves!

     Someone once said, "If you can't take the heat...get out of the Picture"!  Well, it wasn't me, 'cause I was absolutely thrilled to be in the Movie.  Like they say, I would have paid them to do it!  Our Pay?  I knew you'd ask.  Let's just say; I didn't get as much as POLLY BERGEN!

     Not only did I find out that it meant being Putty in the Director's hands; but you're more than just a body - you add movement, perspective, color, spirit, atmosphere & life itself.  Oh sure, you wish you could be "The Star", but you work hard for your pay & get pleasure in that and being part of a vision.  You also are permitted to enter a private Fantasyland.  And if it's a Period Picture like this one; you literally go back in time!  There's no pill around that can do that - or maybe I just don't go to the right parties!

     What's it like being "an Extra"?  Well, two days before this "Shoot" all of us - Men, Women & Children had Costume fittings in temporary tent-like dressing room areas in a school closed for the summer.  When selections were made and our alterations marked; we left everything to be retrieved on the day of shooting.  All this; and we might even end up on the Cutting Room Floor!

     On the exciting day of the Shoot; after we were dressed in our first of many outfits; Beauticians transformed us into likenesses of Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford & in my case - Judy Canova!

    The male Extras had their traumas, too. That morning, men had to submit to a 40's haircut right there inside the Costume Truck. (I actually saw several guys quit on the spot after hearing this requirement)  When they were all turned out; they looked as sharp as if they had stepped off the cover of "Life" Magazine!

     But those chosen to be dressed in Military splendor literally made my knees weak - be still my heart!  During that 1 day, I was in love half a dozen times; and would in a minute, have promised to be that special woman waiting for him to come home from the War!

     At 10 AM we boarded a caravan of buses for a 10 minute ride to 12th & Constitution; our Outdoor shooting location. Immediately we were given directions (in this business; listening is the key; time is money & everything happens very fast - or very slow) 

     No, the Director did not have a Beret & Riding Crop but he very obviously had power.  Just my luck; he starts picking on me - just because I interrupted him & asked "What's my Motivation"?

     Our Indoors location was inside a cavernous Government Building where a mock-up of Union Train Station had been created - as it was Christmas 1941 & where I worked with a 10 year old boy - a wonderful talented child who upstaged me everyTake!

     That brings me to the subject of "Scene Stealing"; you know, anytime the camera is on; you find a way to get all the attention - so they'll remember you.  Well, as directed, I walked with my back to the camera - but while I was walking; I slowly twisted around to check the Seams in my Stockings.  You see, straight Seams was a big deal in the 40's.  A woman could be the biggest Tramp in her neighborhood; but if her seams were straight - she was vindicated!

     But there was one "schtick" that I didn't plan!  While I was doing "more walking"...my beautiful black wide-brimmed hat; that one moment sat on my head at a glamorous vampy angle - the next moment; flew off & fell to the ground!  The cameras were whirring and I wanted to crawl in a hole.

     I thought I was going to be booted out on my ear!  I was so undone; I continued walking right out of the Scene and into the crowd of Movie Fans standing behind a roped off area!  I chastised myself really good...."You remembered your Deodorant, your Dental Floss, your Breath Mints, your Autograph Book & a Condom....but NOT ONE HAT PIN"!

    But I felt much better when I saw the Actor from "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE" come on the Set.  I'm not kidding when I say he really,really looked at me!   You know; with his eyes!  For a minute there I pictured tomorrow's Grocery Store Tabloid Headline: 

"MYSTERIOUS "EXTRA" HAS ONE NIGHT STAND WITH PETER GRAVES"!

     Then the person next to me - told me I had lipstick on my teeth!  Damn!

     Before I forget...how will you know which one is me if you watch it?  It's easy....look for the idiot with NO HAT!