Akron Beacon Journal, October 6, 1963

By JACK MAJOR

WASHINGTON – I have no way of knowing for sure – certainly he’d never admit it in an interview – but Ray Walston doesn’t strike me as the type who’d want to do a TV series ... this or any other year.

But he did ... and his show, “My Favorite Martian,” made its debut last Sunday on CBS in the spot vacated – at long last – by “Dennis the Menace.”

Walston recently was part of a whirlwind CBS publicity tour and he stood out from the other network personalities like a sore thumb – and I mean sore.

Claiming he was tired, Walston was noticeably less enthusiastic about his new venture than his traveling companions who were bubbly about everything.

Not once did Walston promise a hilarious show. Nor did he promise something “different.” (Have you noticed how many people think being “different” is all it takes to be successful?)

Walston just said he had a series and hoped people would like it.

So why did he go into television? He answered that one like a politician ... which means he gave no answer at all.

Money seems the obvious reason, especially since Walston has part ownership in “My Favorite Martian.” The series might also be the best offer the actor has received lately.

Walston also is a family man and says he and his family have grown to love their California home. A television series guarantees he’ll stay in California and do it in the manner to which the Walstons have cheerfully become accustomed.

Like other unsung supporting actors, Walston also hopes a television series will establish his identity with a nationwide audience.

In recent years Walston has suffered a fate that too often befalls actors who are too good in certain roles. Walston’s undoing was his memorable performance as Applegate, the devil, in the stage and screen versions of “Damn Yankees.” Since then he has been flooded with offers to play other devils, but turned them down.

Now he has jumped from hell into the heavens to play a visiting Martian, which shows how his resistance broke down. I don’t know about you, but to me there is a strong similarity between someone from down below and someone from out in space. They’re usually pixies by different names.

In either case the pixie is capable of strange powers over humans, and this supernatural power is generally the secret of the character’s charm

The first episode of “Martian” bore this out. Walston was still Applegate, except he wore antennae instead of horns ... and a superior smile instead of an evil grin. I’m not knocking it. I thought this first episode of “Martian” showed more promise than any other new comedy this season, including the much-anticipated “Phil Silvers Show.”

It’s too early to know how successful “My Favorite Martian” will be, but my hunch is the series will never completely do Walston justice, which is a shame because the guy is very good.

Because of its early timeslot, “Martian” may be labeled a kids’ show, and because its central character is a Martian, the program might well be ridiculed by critics.

Walston is aware if the pitfalls and has rationalized the situation well.

“As an ex-newspaperman and critic, I can appreciate playing the role of a Martian,” he said. “Critics have a wonderful time expertising on performances of actors playing mere Earthlings, particularly by actors who play the roles of newspapermen.

“But what can a critic say about a guy playing a Martian? What standard of critical evaluation does he have? Oh, it isn’t hard to find descriptions of men from Mars in popular fiction, but it’s another matter finding any two fantasy writers who agree on what a Martian is really like. And how many critics do you know who are Martians themselves?

“So if I come from Mars to Earth in a spaceship, who’s going to quibble about my method? And if, as a Martian, I leave no fingerprints on anything I touch, can you argue? I saw Martian have no fingerprints.

“If I come to Earth on a purely peaceful mission, can anyone argue it is unrealistic, claiming that all Martians are warmongers?

“When I cause inanimate objects to move through the sheer strength of my will, I do it because all Martians are practicing telekinesists.

“In short, our guess as to what a Martian is, thinks, does and feels is probably as good as any critic’s.”

Walston has been in show business more than 20 years, but is regarded as a late bloomer. He was born 43 years ago in New Orleans. He quit school during the Depression and got a job as a printer at the New Orleans Item-Tribune making $8 a week. Later he got a better-paying job – was there any worse? – as a linotype operator in Houston. He saw a play one night and became fascinated with the idea of acting.

He made his stage debut in a Houston Community Playhouse production. He had one scene and one word – “Hello.”

He moved to Cleveland in 1943 to work with director Margo Jones at the Cleveland Playhouse. He remained there 30 months before deciding he was ready for Broadway.

Walston made little progress in New York until 1949 when he was the New York Critics Award as best supporting actor of the season for his role in Tennessee Williams’ “Summer and Smoke.”

Hie next major role was in “Me and Juliet,” which ran a year in New York. He followed that up with his biggest personal triumph, “Damn Yankees.”

Then Hollywood called ... and Walston leaped at the offer. He should have looked before he leaped, because his first movie – “Kiss Them For Me” – was a disaster. Walston’s pride suffered only minor wounds because most of the blame for the film fell on the three stars – Cary Grant, Jayne Mansfield and Suzy Parker.

Things picked up for Walston, however, and he was given juicy parts in “South Pacific,” “Damn Yankees” and “The Apartment.”

Like others who found gold in California, Walston has gotten used to the good life there. And he has become a fanatic about photography and physical fitness. Photography equipment occupies most of his basement; bar bells and a punching bag take up space in the garage.

He begins each day by peddling his bicycle two miles up the mountains near his home. Then he works out in his garage before going to work.

Walston also is active in Hollywood’s Theater East, a workshop for actors, writers and directors.

He has everything he wants, it seems. A successful TV show will help him keep it.

“But,” he said, winking as he assumed a pixyish post, “if the critics pan my performance and my show flops, I simply shall play my ace in the hole. Remember, Martians can disappear at will.”