Masters Of Disguise

Gene Hackman once lamented that the worst thing about becoming a famous actor is that you lose the ability to observe people without being noticed yourself. But some performers are so good at disguises that notoriety is no obstacle. A case in point was John Barrymore trying to buy his first house in Beverly Hills in 1926. Frustrated by rising real estate prices due to stars like Tom Mix and Charlie Chaplin moving into the neighborhood, Barrymore went to look at a lot dressed as his most famous movie role, Mr. Hyde. The realtor was taken aback by the long haired, wild eyed, fiendish looking man who got out of the limo. Every time the broker would suggest a price he was met by an intimidating growl. Finally he made the sale by lopping twenty thousand dollars off the initial number.

Barrymores penchant for disguises did not end with his home purchase. The actor was often arrested and locked up for vagrancy, specifically being drunk and going through his rich neighbors trash cans to find scraps for his pet buzzard. His experiences were put to good use when he showed up to a costume party put on by Marion Davies dressed as a bum. Unfortunately, his outfit was so authentic he was turned away.

Sometimes an actor will believe that they are turning into the character that they play. The disguise will give them a confidence they dont have in their own lives. Before Dustin Hoffman was famous he used to follow movie producers into bathrooms, wait till they got into the stalls, slide his head shots underneath the door and run away. He almost blew his audition for The Graduate 1967 by getting nervous and grabbing Katherine Ross breasts during his screen test. The insecure actor became more comfortable as he got outside his own skin, especially when he played Dorothy Michaels in Tootsie 1982. Dustin was so convincing as a flirty southern belle that he actually fooled his uncomfortable Midnight Cowboy 1969 co-star Jon Voight in New Yorks Russian Tea Room. Their real life encounter was later turned into one of the films funniest scenes. After the experience was over he didnt want to be Dustin again. "Maybe there can be a sequel where I give birth."

Another uncertain star, Gregory Peck had his decision making powers rise up several notches when he played the title role in MacArthur 1977. Pecks wife Veronique wished to buy a new lot in Holmby Hills and wanted Gregs approval. Local residents were amazed to see what looked like Douglas MacArthur chauffeured around in an open convertible, wearing his full Generals Uniform, complete with the pipe and dark glasses that he was famous for. When he arrived, Veronique began telling him about the property. After two minutes he interrupted her,"Buy it!" He saluted, got back in the car, folded his arms and ordered the driver to move on. Later the former Berkley student said," How refreshing to have the Generals decision making ability, Greg Peck would have dithered around for days."

Method actress Kim Hunter was shocked when she saw her chimp make-up in the mirror for the first time while playing Dr. Zira in Planet Of The Apes 1968. She actually started crying. "Oh my God. Im not Kim anymore. Im an ape." After she calmed down she turned in a great performance. The star of the film Charlton Heston attended the Planet Of The Apes premiere with his wife Lydia. Rare for a Hollywood leading man, Hestons marriage has lasted over fifty years without a hint of an extramarital affair. A strange woman came running up to him. "Chuck, how are you Nice to see you." She began hugging him and kissing him. "Hey, get off me lady," said Heston giving Lydia a bewildered look. Of course, it was Kim Hunter who Charlton had never seen outside her ape costume.

Heston and Hunters Apes co-star Roddy McDowall kept his humor throughout the make-up ordeal. He loved driving down the 405 freeway in his full ape costume waving at the other cars while stuck in traffic. Roddy also had fun at the expense of his old friend and Camelot co-star Julie Andrews. Miss Andrews was working on the Twentieth Century Fox lot, near where workmen were building the Ape City. One day she was in her dressing room, agitatedly smoking a cigarette talking to her analyst on the phone. "My God these people here. I dont know who to trust. Theyre all trying to backstab me. Dont tell me Im paranoid! My God theres a giant ape coming through my window!"