This article is written by Piper Laurie's sister,Sherrye Wade, and specially transcribed by Glenn Abernathy.
The little old lady stood hesitantly on the busy street corner, her frail body supported by a cane as she gazed helplessly at the stream of traffic. Her head was wrapped in a hankerchief to protect it from the chill breeze, and thick spectacles rested atop her nose. A tall gentleman passed, passed, then approached her.
"May I help you across?" he asked solicitously. "Oh thank you," quavered the little old lady and gazing up gratefully at him, she accepted the proferred arm and allowed herself to be piloted safely across the street. Her murmered thanks continued as the gentleman bowed and departed, his head held proudly in the knowledge of a good deed done.
Could the kind gentleman have followed the little old lady a short distance, he would have been in for a rude shock. Slowly she tapped her way to a small house in the block, turned in at the walk, then lifting her skirts she proceeded to race to a large hedge behind which two small girls were doubled in laughter. She removed her spectacles, pulled the kerchief from her hair, and her howls of merriment blended with the others.
And that, dear readers, I consider the best performance of my sister, Piper Laurie. For the "little old lady" was none other that Piper, her 9-year old face heavily powdered and lined, her red hair secured by a scarf, and her slight body clothed in one of our mother's dresses. Piper will have to go some to surpass the realism and conviction she put into her role that day.
People frequently say to me, "Isn't it surprising that your little sister has grown up to be a famous movie star?" In all honesty, I have to answer, "No." The instinct toward pretending was always strong in her. For another, I always knew that Piper would be famous some day. There are some people in this world who seem touched with a golden light, some special magic. We were aware of that quality in Piper from her earliest childhood. In the pictures we used to take as children, she would stand out from the crowd like a beacon. I am not surprised that the screen has discovered and captured this quality.
I am a nurse in the office of a pediatrician, and my work has made me appreciate how wise and understanding our mother was during our childhood. There were only two of us children. I remember the day Piper was born, though I was only 2 1/2. She was born in our home in Detroit, because even then Mother thought of both of us and would not leave me alone to go to the hospital. Piper made her debut at 5 o'clock in the morning. I can remember my father coming in, awakening me and saying, "You have a wonderful little baby sister."
Later my mother showed me the tiny little redheaded bundle of life and said to me, "Sherrye, this is your baby. I am depending on you to help me take care of her. It's a big responsibility.
I took my mother seriously. A few days later the nurse went into the nursery to take little Rosetta, as she was named then, to my mother for feeding. She let out a shriek of horror. "Mrs. Jacobs, the baby is gone!" she cried.
My mother, though ill and weak, got up and came at once to my room. Sure enough, the baby was there in bed with me and I was attempting to feed her milk from a spoon. I knew I had done something wrong but I was not sure what. Mother sat down on the bed beside me.
"But you said she is my baby," I protested. "I have to feed her."
Of course she is your baby, darling, but she is our baby too. While she is so little we will all take care of her together.
We lived in Detroit until Piper was 7 and I was 9. Those were hard years for us in many ways as it was the aftermath of the depression. Father's earnings weren't always enough, so Mother would make some of her wonderful pastries and sell them in the neighborhood. I have read a story saying Piper and I used to go from house to house selling pies. That isn't true. We were too little, for one thing. It is true that mother used to bundle us both into Piper's big carriage and take us with her to make deliveries.
Piper and I were happily unaware of being poor. Our childhood was filled with fun. We became movie fans at an early age. We would go to one of the big movie houses where there was aways a stage show. The local orchestra leader got to know us, for we always sat in the front row, and he would wave a greeting to the two little bright-eyed redheads. Our favorites were Jane Withers and Deanna Durbin. We would go home afterward and Piper and I would sing all of Deanna's songs. We used to put on our own shows, too. Piper did most of the planning and writing, such as it was, and often she would take several roles. I think even then her mind was made up to be an actress, but she would not admit it. She insisted she was going to be a manicurist.
We moved to California in 1939. My family felt it would be easier for us there and that the climate would be good for Piper and myself. Piper attended John Burroughs Junior High School, where she was the class valedictorian. We were so proud of her that day! Then she went to Los Angeles High, where her screen career began to get under way. It was about this time that she took the name of Piper Laurie.
Naturally, a great many stories have been circulated about Piper. Some of them are quite far-fetched. For one thing, her feud with Tony Curtis has been exaggerated. I can say in all honesty that Piper has a great respect for Tony as an actor and as an individual. Why, they've just finished making UI's Johny Dark together. Nor is it true that Piper prefers the company of older men. She is a very healthy, normal young woman. The rumors began because of her friendship with Leonard Goldstein, the producer. Actually, Mr. Goldstein is a friend of the entire family. He comes frequently to our house for dinner and we all discuss various aspects of Piper's career. Piper has dated Rock Hudson, Dick Anderson, Carlos Thompson, Brad Jackson, Dick Contino and other young men in Hollywood. She is not in love, to my knowledge.
I remember Piper's first date vividly. She was 11. A boy in our neighborhood had a crush on her. Finally Mother consented to a date. The two of them went to a movie. The boy bought Piper a beautiful camellia. She used to tease me that she had her first date before I did. I didn't mind. Later, I met the man of my heart and married him. Piper was maid of honor at my wedding. She wore a rose-colored taffeta dress and at the reception she sang The Anniversary Waltz. I can still see her. Contrary to what is generally said about redheads wearing red or rosy shades, she looked beautiful. My husband and Piper are great friends. Perhaps its because he takes the place of the brother she never had. The three of us go to movies together, sometimes to Piper's pictures. They always tease me unmercifully for I am an emotional person and project myself wholly into the character Piper is playing. When she cries, I cry, when she laughs, I laugh. She sometimes says UI should by paying me!
What is she really like? It's hard to say knowing her so well. One thing is certain she hasn't changed becauswe of her success. She has no conceit, rather,there is a humility about her. She doesn't look upon herself as beautiful. In fact, I have seen her sitting and staring dejectedly at her reflection in the mirror. She loves to cook and is very good in the kitchen. She paints exceptionally well and I think she might have had a career as a commercial artist, if she had wanted it. She's good at sports, especially swimming. There is a quality in her that all true champions have; she will not do anything poorly.
Hollywood is a town of miracles, they say. Certainly, my sister and I have found it so. I have found here all the happiness a woman would ask of life, and Piper has made her dreams come true. Could anyone ask for more?
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