DEAR STAFF: I have seen about everything on a movie lot - just about everything that humans are interested in. All these things have to be there so that life in all its beauty or ugliness or realism may be reflected in pictures produced for our delectation or annoyance or pleasure - or whatever. This week, I was amused and educated at 20th Century-Fox. Monkeys looked me over. Jungle denizens taught me a thing or two. Well washed, perfumed monkeys, they were. You see, Tony Campanaro was there with his Professor Peppy, notorious for stealing good shows away from top actors and actresses. Tony grinned and winked at Richard Burton, Jean Simmons and Victor Mature, who were doing a scene in "The Robe." Tony said:
"My monkeys are smart as actors. Have human brain." And I began to think, in a non-scientific way, that Darwin once thought that way, more or less. Tony turned to Professor Peppy and said: "T'row ball to lady." Professor Peppy, the simian, who is 32 years old, tossed a rubber ball to Miss Simmons. Tony nodded to the actress. "Now catch, Professor." He caught the ball thrown back to him.
Two other monkeys, Jimmy and Tojo, watched jealously. Tony caught my inquiring eye - I wasn't going to ask a question - but Tony said: "I have another monkey. He so frandly, so nice, I call heem Stupid. But they make $50 a day - twenty-fi' dollar for me as handler."
Tony said Professor Peppy has been working for him for 21 years. The simian has earned as much as $3000 a year for him. Professor Peppy started his screen career with Janet Gaynor, and he has danced with Fred Astaire - and others, many others. Tony put his monkeys through numerous tricks. I was truly amused. These fellows from jungleland were diverting in the extreme. Tony hopes to give Professor Peppy a starring role in a picture - some of these days - oh, any sort of picture, maybe jungle, maybe Broadway. "All the same with Professor Peppy," said Tony.