Milt on Frank Loesser

“How many people can pick the way they’re going to die?” That was Frank’s rejoinder when badgered by his friends to stop his heavy smoking. It was a terrible choice. The death of this genius was painful, and prolonged and cut short the production of his brilliance much too soon.

I was very lucky. I had the good fortune to work for two geniuses: Mike Todd and Frank Loesser. Each in his own purview, each talented in different ways. The one thing geniuses have in common is their ability to focus. When Frank zeroed in on a target, whether it be a new musical show or an interest in jade, or cabinetry, it was seeing a laser at work.

My good fortune was to work for him for 15 years and to enjoy his confidence and a personal relationship beyond employer/employee. I remember everything he said.

One of my corollary duties was to run interference with the media. I was charged with graciously refusing press interviews, TV specials and even eulogies after his death.

“If they want to know who I am let them read my writing.”

There was one exception. The City Center was doing a complete season of Loesser shows. I convinced him to sit for a major newspaper interview to stimulate the box-office and he reluctantly agreed provided I was present to run interference should he say something he may regret. He shot from the hip a lot. During the interview (I think it was with Stuart Little for the Herald Tribune) he was asked:

“With your first show, WHERE’S CHARLEY, you have written only four shows. During that same period Rodgers and Hammerstein have written ________. Do you write slowly?”

“No,” said Frank. “I tear up fast.”

Epilogue

My friend was dying a long time, slowly wasting away to almost a skeleton. He had a favorite nurse who looked a lot like Red Buttons and he and Julio became friends. When Frank was in extremis, his attendant rushed to get Julio who was down the hall. When Frank, who was propped up on pillows struggling for air saw Julio he gave him a big smile, raised both hands, waved bye-bye and succumbed.

Photo credit: Frank Loesser Enterprises