Johnny Dark Movie Book

32 It seemed to me that most of the workers at the plant appeared to take our movie - making more or less in stride – up to the point where Janet – (my wife Janet Leigh) arrived for a personal look - see. They probably just hadn ’ t seen a chassis of her particular model, because the men were giving her as much attention as next year ’ s car design. Maybe, even a little more. I know the conductor of this column, Mitch Woodbury, would be inclined to reach for his blue pencil at any hint of a personal mention, but I have his solemn promise, witnessed and heard by Janet, that he ’ d let it go unedited, except for spelling and punctuation needs. He arranged something I ’ d always wanted to do, but never thought would actually happen – a chance to pitch the first ball at a playoff game. Wow. Talk about excitement. That ’ s got it. I only hope the studio decides to have the world premier of “ Johnny Dark ” in Toledo, because that would give me a chance to return and renew some of the wonderful friendships gained there. The picture is one I think folks will enjoy, especially if they like an action tale, because this one has got it, with most of the story centered around a border - to - border sports car race. Sports cars are just about the most important new development in the auto industry, with most manufacturers joining the movement to get their own product on the market. In a way, “ Johnny Dark ” will give impetus to this development, it seems to me, by introducing this new automotive phrase to a lot of people who perhaps have not as yet been exposed to it. All the cars in the border - to - border race are of special design, turned out by some of the foremost sports car men in the country. The designs are futuristic in conception, and I think they ’ re impressive enough to make a change in the type of cars tomorrow ’ s automobile buyers will want. Since undertaking the role, I ’ ve had a chance to take lessons in race driving from some of the best men in the field, including Louis Tomei, the former Indianapolis speed pilot. I think I ’ ve learned how to handle a car at high speed, but I ’ ve learned one thing more – that few race drivers would think of operating an ordinary passenger car – the kind you and I drive – at a greater speed than 50 or 60 miles an hour. The race pilots tell me that if they have learned one thing about safe driving on the road, it might be summed up in the admonition that you should never try to outguess the other driver, because you can never really tell what he ’ s going to do. I like this column writing, because if I didn ’ t become an actor I think I would have tried to be a reporter. And so I ’ m going to close with a pitch for another go, just as soon as Mitch can spare the space.