‘Dead’ Mixes Fantasy and Ax-Grinding

An obscure historical fact--that movie mogul Jack Warner refused to release William Faulkner from his $300-a-week studio contract despite the author’s receipt of a Nobel Prize--comes to symbolize Hollywood’s exploitation of the creative spirit in “Only the Dead Know Burbank” at Actors Alley at the El Portal.

Peter Lefcourt’s comedy involves a present-day studio hack (Stuart Fratkin) with delusions of grandeur who discovers Faulkner (Joe Garcia) in the next office, still cranking out a vehicle for Clark Gable and Joan Crawford. No one bothered to tell him they’re dead.

Garcia’s magnificent portrayal of the genteel, alcoholic Faulkner--a poetic soul hopelessly out of touch but doggedly trying to do his best--almost makes us forget that the man would now be 99 years old. Unfortunately, Lefcourt’s confused story oscillates disconcertingly between charming fantasy and reality-based ax-grinding against a cliched, unfeeling show-biz machine. Without a coherent point of view, the viewer is left wondering how literally to take this oddball premise.

Jeremiah Morris’ smooth direction and fine performances all around enliven but don’t fundamentally clarify a script that’s too bitter for whimsical satire and too lightweight for serious commentary.

* “Only the Dead Know Burbank,” Actors Alley at the El Portal, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends Nov. 17. $16. (818) 508-4200. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.