Show Business: Success Is Habit-Forming

No question, the guy was different. A drawly, vaguely rural voice that started somewhere way back in his throat and almost didn't make it past his lips; a quizzical, unblinking gaze that tended to make other eyes turn away in embarrassment; a perfect, foot-wide smile that flashed on and off like the Eddystone Light. The casting director asked a few uneasy questions, paused, then blurted: "I don't know what we'd ever use you for, but if we need you, we'll need you very badly."

That was Jack Nicholson's first try for an acting job, and...

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