A Reel Character

 

George Winslow (George Karl Wentzlaff 1946-2015) was an American child actor of the 1950s, noted for his deadpan expression and slow, monotone delivery, belying his young age. Though hard to justify, he was nevertheless nicknamed "Foghorn." The Los Angeles native broke into the entertainment business on Art Linkletter's radio program, People are Funny. When asked his name the youngster said: "George Wentzlaff, but I'd rather be Casey Jones." Cary Grant heard the show and was impressed, which led to Room For One More (1952) and more famously as the leader of young Indians giving Hugh Marlowe a mohawk scalping in Monkey Business the same year, also with Grant. He was the scene-stealer opposite Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). With brilliant Howard Hawks comedic casting, Wentzlaff played Henry Spofford III, Monroe's young admirer. His lines about her possessing a "certain animal magnetism" or confronting her with, "Are you a burglar?" are the most charming moments in the film. He had another fine turn in the comedy Mister Scoutmaster (1953), where he traded barbs with Clifton Webb's character. After fifteen acting credits, "Foghorn" retired from show business in 1958 at age 12. He finished school and served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.