I finished reading this book last night, "Driving Marilyn"
by Joel Brokaw, and I thought it might interest some
of you r.a.t.-ers who are interested in early TV history.

The author's father was Norman Brokaw who started out
working in the mailroom of the legendary William Morris
Agency that handled some of the biggest stars of
Hollywood and the entertainment world.

There are plenty of familiar names of actors, entertainers,
and TV series in here with behind-the-scenes looks at
how certain deals, series, and contracts came about.

After a couple of years in the mailroom and doing go-fer
errands (including driving Marilyn Monroe around town to
auditions and sound stages, hence the title of the book),
Norman was assigned to start up a new section to look
into the possibilities for profit in the emerging world
of television content production.

He came up with the idea of finding TV opportunities for
stars who still had plenty of name recognition (like Susan
Hayward), but were fading from the top-billing stardom
of movies.

And in a few cases, helping to move some young actors
who started in TV into movies (Clint Eastwood).

Norman was also the first agent to sign up a former
president and first lady (Gerald and Betty Ford) to the
William Morris Agency. His work for them help to fund
the Betty Ford Clinic as well as give them a comfortable
retirement.

It's a short book (200 pages with lots of photos), and
a quick read, but has lots of stories behind how who
got what part and how some future stars were discovered.

Norman Brokaw spent 60 years with William Morris eventually
becoming the CEO and Chairman. Not bad for a mail clerk.

It's worth a look.

Nyssa, who learned a few things about a few actors and
TV shows she didn't know about before

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