Charlie Butz: ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ

My agent told me to get out to Warner Bros. in The Valley immediately. They’re casting for Clint Eastwood’s next big film. I lead-footed-it out there and was immediately called into The Room. The woman sitting next to Don Seigel, the director, asked: “Did you read the script?” “No. I just got–!” She condescendedly said, “Well, the only part still open is Charlie Butz”, and pointed out a line in the script to Mr. Seigel, saying: “The script says he’s short, bald, and wears glasses.” Don Seigel said, “The audience doesn’t have the script.” He turned to me and said, “You wanna do Charlie Butz?” Not knowing who or what, I blurted, “Yeah.” He smiled, “Okay, you got it.” I didn’t react (they never tell you that at an audition). “You think I’m kidding you, don’t you?” I nodded a disappointed, “Yeah.” “Tell you what: go home, sit by the phone and see what happens.”