Bringing Up Roddy

THE WILLING AND MOST CAPABLE MR. McDOWALL HAS BEATEN THAT "FORMER CHILD ACTOR" JINX

THE difference between Roddy McDowall and the scads of child actors whose careers never quite survived adolescence is not one of talent alone. Young McDowall (he’s not yet 30) has helped his own cause no end by deliberately seeking stage roles calling for the widest possible gamut of characterizations. Since his American movie debut in "How Green Was My Valley" 17 years ago, London-born Roddy has proved his versatility in such diverse stage works as Shaw’s "Misalliance"; Ira Levin’s "No Time for Sergeants"’ and, most recently, as the frenetic Artie Straus in "Compulsion." This summer (if all goes as well as he’d like) he’ll be seen in the projected tryout of "Carnation Lily, Lily Rose" in Westport. The new play was written by Robert Thom, who assisted in the dramatization of "Compulsion," and Roddy would be playing a sensitive young man battling the influence of a strong-willed sister. McDowall’s also been asked to repeat his "Artie Straus" portrayal for the movies. All in all; it shapes up as a mighty busy time for a chap whose strongest competition once was a collie named "Lassie."

A tableau from the recently closed "Compulsion," with Roddy and Dean Stockwell (right) flanking Barbra Loden and Ina Balin. Although the play itself never reached hit status, McDowall’s fine performance as Chicago thrill-killer Artie Straus won high praise