STORM CLOUDS

Kenneth Turan’s fascinating story “When Nazis Walked the Earth” (March 30) brought me back vivid memories.

As a beginning actor, I appeared in two of the anti-Nazi films mentioned, “The Mortal Storm” and “To Be or Not to Be.” The former was filmed at a time when Germany had bypassed the Maginot Line and seemed ready to invade Britain. It looked as if they were on the way to winning the war. One day, a man in a vested suit showed up on the set. It turned out he was from the Swiss consulate. Word quickly spread that he had news from Nazi Germany. The exact quote was, “Everyone appearing in two motion pictures, ‘Confessions of a Nazi Spy’ and ‘The Mortal Storm,’ will be remembered when Germany wins the war.”

I also remember Bob Young pacing back and forth saying, “My children, what will happen to them?” Being on Hitler’s death list was not part of our SAG contract. Bob played an evil Nazi officer, but ironically the most sadistic Nazi of them all was played by ex-Broadway song-and-dance man Dan Dailey. (Incidentally, Bob Young just turned 90, is a bit frail and could use a word of cheer from his friends. His address is c/o Westlake Village, CA 91361.)

“To Be or Not to Be” was a whole different scenario, with three of my favorite people in the world: Jack Benny, Carole Lombard and Ernst Lubitsch. This daring movie tried to make a satirical comedy out of Hitler’s occupation of Poland. It is now regarded as Ernst’s masterpiece, but at that time everyone, especially the press, lambasted it as in terrible taste. In fact, Jack Benny’s father was so mad he wouldn’t talk to Jack for three months.

Carole Lombard was killed in a plane crash after the picture wrapped and Lubitsch died soon after. A few years after they were both gone it was suddenly discovered that “To Be or Not to Be” was a cinematic gem for the ages. So much for overnight success.

As far as “The Mortal Storm” is concerned, Germany did not win the war, so Hitler did not get the chance to remember us--however, we all remember him.

ROBERT STACK

Los Angeles