Leslie Howard's Rules of Etiquette

I have learned many things about Leslie Howard's personality during my research into the man. One characteristic I have uncovered was his need to be in control. Fortunately, Howard oozed charm and that, along with his wry sense of humor and incredible generosity, made those who loved and worked with him happy about giving him whatever it was he wanted. Following is a story from Movie Classic, March, 1936, which illustrates my point. 

Let me set up the scene. If you have seen The Petrified Forest (1936), you will remember the Black Mesa Filling Station and Bar-B-Que where Leslie Howard's character, Alan Squier, meets Bette Davis' character,
Gabrielle Maple. If you haven't seen the film, I encourage you to set your DVR to TCM this Friday [check your local listings]. The atmosphere is pre-Film Noir. Alan Squier is a penniless intellectual who has given up on life. He has been tramping across the United States, ostensibly on his way to the Pacific Ocean. Squier now finds himself alone in the Arizona desert. He is dirty, tired and very, very hungry. He comes upon a diner where he sees Gabrielle Maple, the waitress, for the first time. Squier orders "Today's Special," with an appetizer of cream of corn soup and a beer.

Now picture Archie Mayo the director, watching Leslie Howard the man, the Englishman, eating his soup—eating his soup with such good English manners, so silently, not a sound was heard. "I think we ought to hear it just a little," Mayo interrupted. "Not much, you understand. Just a suggestion of a slurp. Remember, you're hungry."

Leslie Howard put down his soupspoon caressingly. He looked up gravely with not a hint of a smile to go with the faint twinkle in his eyes. "I think not," he said, "You see, although the chap I'm playing is hungry, he is essentially well-bred. It would distress him to eat soup with a perceptible slurp, It would distress him no end. Slurping, or blibbing, as it is referred to in some countries, would be quite foreign to his nature and..."

Howard went on. The whole vast subject of slurping was gravely, learnedly and completely brought forth.

"Okay! You win! Play it—or slurp it—any way you like!" Mayo shouted. He turned to the sound man. "Hey, Lou! You might as well take your mike and go for a walk—this is a silent take!"

The lights went on and the camera turned over. Leslie picked up his spoon caressingly. Mayo called, "Action!" In the cathedral stillness of the set, the actor proceeded with his soup—and the careful, studied slurping could be heard to the rafters. But the sound man was far, far away and Mayo was slumped disgustedly in his chair, now realizing he had just been pranked by Leslie Howard.

[Leslie Howard in The Petrified Forest, 1936]

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