Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Editors Diary 1949-04-27 Featuring Vanessa Brown

Introduction

In the February 6, 2025 release of "Harold's Old Time Radio," host Harold McArthur welcomes guest Vanessa Brown, a multifaceted young talent excelling in acting, writing, and academia. The episode, titled "Editors Diary 1949-04-27," delves into Vanessa's impressive career achievements, her recent activities in post-war Germany, and her insightful perspectives on the cultural and industrial reconstruction of the era.

Academic and Acting Career

Vanessa Brown, who recently celebrated her 21st birthday on March 24, is concurrently pursuing a degree at UCLA while establishing herself as a successful movie actress. During the conversation, Harold highlights her dual roles:

• Host Harold McArthur: "Vanessa is still a student at UCLA in Los Angeles and gets her degree this spring. At the same time, she's a successful movie actress. How many pictures, Vanessa?" [01:18]

• Vanessa Brown: "Eleven, all told." [01:35]

Beyond acting, Vanessa contributes to the California Daily Bruin, UCLA's daily newspaper. She also writes fiction, with her short stories being purchased by The Daily News in New York for $50 each.

• Host Harold McArthur: "And you also write, don't you? You write for the college paper." [01:37]

• Vanessa Brown: "Don't you see me flash my press card? It's from the California Daily Bruin." [01:41]

Recent Activities: The German Airlift Tour

Vanessa recently participated in a significant tour in Germany, performing for the GIS (Geographical Information Service) across ten major Air Corps bases. This tour, organized by Constance Bennett, featured notable figures such as Charlie Ruggles, Donald Woods, and Jimmy Lydon.

• Host Harold McArthur: "You just got back from Germany, didn't you?" [00:41]

• Vanessa Brown: "Yes. This play that I just mentioned, the cast and me included, we flew the airlift." [00:44]

The troupe's performances spanned key locations including Celle, Fastberg, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, among others.

Personal Background and Education

Vanessa Brown, born Smila Brind in Vienna, pursued her education across prestigious institutions in New York and Los Angeles. Her academic journey includes attendance at Joan of Arc Junior High School, Hunter High, Hollywood High, and UCLA.

• Host Harold McArthur: "Her father is a writer and a linguist, and her mother is a child psychologist, Vanessa's real name, you know, is Smila Brind. Is that the way you pronounce that?" [02:19]

• Vanessa Brown: "That's right." [02:30]

Her early involvement in acting was solidified through her participation in Lillian Hellman's play "Watch on the Rhine," which affirmed her passion for the craft.

• Host Harold McArthur: "While you were in New York, you started your acting career. I believe you were in Watch on the Rhine, Lillian Hellman's play, weren't you?" [02:46]

• Vanessa Brown: "That's how I knew what I was going to be. I was an actress, and I liked it very much." [02:51]

Thoughts on Post-War Germany

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Vanessa's observations from her time in the American zone of Germany. She articulates a critical view of the German industrial resurgence, expressing concerns about the potential for renewed militarization.

• Vanessa Brown: "I think the Germans are getting back on their feet. ... And I think we should help the people who helped us, France and England, more than we are helping the Germans." [03:42 - 04:19]

She further elaborates on her skepticism regarding the effectiveness and necessity of American assistance to German industry, suggesting that Germans could rebuild independently but remain wary of their industrial capabilities being repurposed for war.

• Vanessa Brown: "Those products certainly can their plumbing, their dyes, their optical works. And the Germans are very good at all those things." [05:07 - 05:14]

Current Projects: "Over 21" and "Vanessa the Heiress"

Vanessa is actively engaged in rehearsals for the play "Over 21," where she plays the role of the young bride. Additionally, she stars in her latest film, "Vanessa the Heiress," directed by William Wyler and produced by Paramount Pictures.

• Vanessa Brown: "I played the young bride. Beatrice Pearson played the part in New York." [06:12 - 06:19]

• Vanessa Brown: "An Irish maid? I acquired a brother." [06:27]

Her role in "Vanessa the Heiress" places her alongside prominent actors such as Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery, Cliff, Ralph Richardson, and Miriam Hopkins, working under the esteemed direction of William Wyler.

• Vanessa Brown: "Oh, and Wyler. Working for William Wyler is the greatest experience that anybody can have, I think." [06:44 - 06:56]

Personal Reflections and Closing Remarks

In a lighthearted exchange, Harold comments on Vanessa's intelligence and youthful age, prompting a humorous response from her about preferring to be "dumb and stupid and beautiful."

• Vanessa Brown: "I would like to be dumb and stupid and beautiful." [07:06 - 07:10]

The episode concludes with mutual appreciation, highlighting Vanessa's impressive accomplishments and promising future in the entertainment and literary fields.

• Host Harold McArthur: "Well, Vanessa, I don't think you'll ever make it. You're pretty enough, but you'll never be dumb, so I think you'd better let well enough alone. And thanks very much for being our guest this morning." [07:10 - 07:21]

• Vanessa Brown: "Thank you, Mr. McArthur." [07:21]

Conclusion

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" offers an insightful glimpse into the life of Vanessa Brown, a young woman balancing academic pursuits, a burgeoning acting career, and literary endeavors. Her experiences in post-war Germany provide a poignant commentary on the complexities of international relations and industrial recovery. Vanessa's articulate reflections and diverse talents make her a standout guest, embodying the spirit of the Golden Age of Radio through her multifaceted career and intellectual depth.

Notable Quotes

• Vanessa Brown on Germany's Recovery: "I think the Germans are getting back on their feet... And I think we should help the people who helped us, France and England, more than we are helping the Germans." [03:42]

• On Her Acting Career: "That's how I knew what I was going to be. I was an actress, and I liked it very much." [02:51]

• Expressing Humility: "I would like to be dumb and stupid and beautiful." [07:06]

Key Takeaways

• Vanessa Brown is a 21-year-old UCLA student, accomplished actress with eleven film credits, and a writer for the California Daily Bruin and The Daily News in New York.
• She recently toured Germany performing for the Air Corps, gaining firsthand experience of the country's post-war industrial landscape.
• Vanessa holds critical views on the rehabilitation of German industry, advocating for prioritized support to France and England.
• Her current projects include the play "Over 21" and the film "Vanessa the Heiress," achieving roles that highlight her versatility and dedication to the craft.
• Vanessa's background is rich with multicultural influences, being born in Vienna and educated in both New York and Los Angeles.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of Vanessa Brown's vibrant career and insightful perspectives as discussed in the "Editors Diary 1949-04-27" episode of Harold's Old Time Radio.