HOLLLYWOOD HOODWINKS-Part 2

It seems Otto had chosen Naples for "the most beautiful skies in the world." And because it was far enough away from Miami that he could dodge the union, who he was in a bitter dispute with. Something about using scabs, non-certified movie makers in this most unionized of businesses. Or so we were told. Otto was saving money by using scabs. We found out later, he knew several other economies.

Well, the movie ticked on, with several scenes shot on the beach south of the pier, and at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, where cast and crew were staying. They were nice enough folks, except the self-important Preminger, and everything seemed to be sailing on like a fat duck on a smooth pond. Then one night, about two in the AM, I received a call from the desk man at the Edgewater. I'd talked to him previously and, not trusting movie people, asked him to call me if anything unusual went on.

"Otto and the whole crew have packed and are loading up. Most are gone already," he said. "Moved out like Oral Roberts' tent show when folks found out he'd healed that geezer in the wheelchair about 300 times."

"Be right down," I told him. I hurried but was too late. Located the desk man. "He pay his bill?" I asked.

"Nope, but his accountant left me his card with his office address on it, said to mail it there." I wrote down the name and address and phone number in New York City.

We, and everyone else, are still waiting to be paid. The firm, address, and phone number were bogus. The cards had been printed in advance so this scam was a premeditated act. We never caught up with Otto, being glad to be rid of him.

After production, Lisa Minelli, was quoted as saying she'd never work with the "tyrannical" director again. And the movie didn't do well at the box office. Most critics though it was not Otto's best work. He had few good ones afterwards. I saw the movie and though the actors did an excellent job, the thing was so slow in many parts it'd put a junkie riding out a horse load of crystal meth to sleep.

In Part 3, more goofy movie stuff.

Thanks to Chester Keene for his research.