Uncle Milty was a real professional. Always a fine show, with great attention to detail, and always a sense of timing and the necessity to make the show move. A pleasure to work with as a pro. And at heart a good guy.
However.
Comedy is very taxing, very nerve-wracking, and in a subtle way (not obvious to the audience, that is) extremely energy-demanding and tiring. And it takes a psychological toll which often needs a release.
For Berle, it took an aggressive form: immediately after every show (or at least 9 out of 10 shows), Milty would call in his bandleader, who at the time was Len Sues, and chew him out for about 20 minutes. And I mean REALLY tear a piece off him. Anything and everything about the show was fair game. It took me a while to realize that the mistakes in the show (which were often imaginary) were not the issue - this was actually Berle's way of releasing all the tension and stress of the just-finished performance.
It was hell for Len. I really felt for him. It's one thing to be chewed out. It's something altogether different to be lashed by a professional; and for things that were either inconsequential or non-existent. And Berle could certainly deliver the nasties when he chose.
Poor Len's reaction- it's part of the job, and it's what he pays me for. And pays well.
Pfah. I still think it contributed to Len's early death. A shame. Nice guy and a great trumpet player.
P.S. - at the end of the week, there was always a case of quality scotch whisky for the band; usually Haig & Haig Pinch. (Ah well, the chicken always comes with the feathers.)
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