Camden Man Wins Role in Hollywood Film
Camden Courier-Post —
Rosalind Russell, Van Johnson Comedy Being Shot in Philadelphia
By CHARLES PETZOLD
Courier-Post Staff
A member of the Camden Theater Company has been selected for a role in “Where Angels Go…Trouble Follows,” currently being filmed in Philadelphia.
“I’m excited but I don’t want to show it,” said Len Antonelli, 28, of 3312 Howe Street. “I’ve had similar opportunities before and when the time came for filming they changed their minds.”
Antonelli said he was picked for the role by Director James Neilson following a conversation with Neilson.
Not Sure What Part
“I’m so excited I’m not sure what the part is yet,” he said. “I think I’m going to be an agitator in front of a crowd. I’ll have a few lines to speak, but not many. All I know is I’m going to be there Monday.”
The film stars Rosalind Russell, Stella Stevens, Binnie Barnes, Mary Wickes, Van Johnson and Susan Saint James. A Philadelphia girl, Betsy Gindele, also was selected for a part during a recent contest at radio station WFIL. She was named the Philadelphia area’s “Miss Typical Teen.”
Antonelli, who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Philadelphia, is an apprentice in the Camden Theater Company, where he performed in “Cinderella” under the direction of Mrs. Norma Luisi, executive director of the Camden Cultural Development Association.
Works As Bricklayer
He also has performed with the Merchantville Playcrafters, Society Hill Playhouse and the Roxborough Theater. He performed in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolff” for Theater 14 in Philadelphia.
Antonelli earns a living as a bricklayer. He is married and has three children, Leonard, 9; Patti, 7, and Cheryle, 4. His wife’s name is Patricia.
Antonelli won’t be the only one with butterflies in his stomach during the filming.
Len Antonelli Makes Nervous Debut as Demonstrator
Camden Courier-Post —
By CHARLES PETZOLD
Courier-Post Staff
PHILADELPHIA — Camden’s Len Antonelli hardly had any trouble memorizing his lines for his first film role, a part in “Where Angels Go…Trouble Follows.”
In four scenes, he speaks a total of 17 words.
“But it’s a start,” he said yesterday as he waited on the steps of the U.S. Courthouse on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the likes of Rosalind Russell, Stella Stevens and other cast members.
“You never know what might come of it,” he said, fishing a ball point pen from his pocket. The pen extended to almost two feet in length.
“JUST IN CASE: I came prepared to sign contracts,” he said, flourishing the sword-like pen in a mock signature.
“I only hope my scenes don’t end up on the cutting room floor.”
In the first scene filmed Tuesday at St. Mary’s Academy in Amber, the 28-year-old actor led a group of demonstrators, his lines were brief. “Agitate. Demonstrate. Fight for peace.”
In the second scene, Len was on the delivery end of a comedy line. “What do you mean, there’s no George? That’s St. George, the dragon killer.”
IN ONE SCENE he is in a closeup with Stella Stevens, and with Rosalind Russell and Miss Stevens in additional demonstrator scenes, he is among the demonstrators.
Antonelli is a bricklayer by trade, although he is an apprentice actor with the Camden Theater Company, under the direction of Mrs. Norma Luisi. He has taken time off for the filming.
“I’ll probably lose money,” said Antonelli, who is married and the father of three children. “But I don’t care. It’s not the money that counts. It’s the opportunity. This is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
ANTONELLI praised the film’s director, James Neilson.
“You always read about people complaining how hard it is to work for a certain director. But with Mr. Neilson it’s been just the opposite. It’s a lot of fun.”
Neilson said later the most difficult job with a large group of extras is “to keep it spontaneous.”
Several trucks filled with equipment soon dotted the area in front of the Courthouse. Technicians were busily laying cables while policemen labored to keep the gathering crowds from getting too close.
PRODUCER William Frye stood admiring the police cars.
“In California the police cars are black,” he explained. “But we’re filming in color and the red cars will show up well.”
“All right, move it back,” cried one of the city’s finest. The crowd edged backwards.
THE DEMONSTRATORS picked up their signs with slogans such as “We Love Sister George,” “Protest” and “Free Sister George.”
Antonelli grabbed a sign which said simply, “Push Peace.”
In his checkered shirt and maroon pants, Len was soon nothing more than a face in a crowd.
But to him, it was a beginning.