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Bob Hope Wasn't The Only One Who Used Idiot Cards

By Stephen Schochet

448 words

When Bob Hope moved into television, he lost the opportunity to hold
his script in his hand , something he had gotten used to working in
radio. The presentation would look too stiff to his audience. He
tried to memorize his monologues, but that proved to be too
cumbersome of a task and it took away from his golf game. The
solution was cue cards, or idiot cards as they are known in the
industry. This worked well for the performer, but was hazardous for
others. On one of Hope's early NBC broadcasts a well meaning
assistant director held up the cards so his star could read them,
then tossed them back over his shoulder almost decapitating several
members of the studio audience.

Idiot cards are a way for performers to lose the respect of their co-
stars. James Caan, Robert Duvall and the rest of the cast of the 1972
classic, The Godfather , were thrilled to meet the star of the movie
Marlon Brando. Actor Lenny Montana, who played the thuggish character
Luca Brasi was so in awe of Brando he kept fumbling his lines when
they both shared the same scenes. Director Francis Ford Coppola made
it work by having the character of Luca nervously rehearse what he
was going to say prior to meeting the Don, making the situation
appear seamless. But if Montana was willing, if unable to learn his
lines, Brando was not. In his scenes there were cue cards everywhere,
causing Duvall to yell at him," Marlon, why don't you learn your
lines you fat #*^%*@!"

Brando stubbornly refused to change. A year later when performing in
the controversial and sex charged Last Tango In Paris (1973) he wrote
some of his lines on the bottom of his shoe and in a few scenes had
to hop around awkwardly to read them.

For some actors, idiot cards are the ultimate security blanket.
Shortly before he died the great John Barrymore had a scene where he
only had to deliver one line: "Yes". Dutifully, his personal
assistant stood ready to hold up a cue card. One of the film techs
informed the director that Barrymore's helper was standing in the
way, they would not be able to light the scene properly. When
Barrymore arrived on the set the director said, "Jack, Can I talk to
you?" "Certainly." "Would it be possible for you do this one scene
without your idiot card?" "Absolutely Not". The director sighed,"
Jack you only have to say yes, that's it. What happens if I order
your friend to leave?" Barrymore looked at him coldly. "I might say
no." In the end new lighting arrangements were made.


Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks
Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post
Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally
entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at
http://www.hollywoodstories.com.

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