Why the publicist is needed

Reasons why, over the ages, people have employed publicists, include some poignant moments in the history of Hollywood. At the time when Zsa Zsa Gabor was married to George Sanders, a momentary event put the “writing on the wall” for their marriage when the couple were taking a walk in Hollywood. A group of teenagers noticed them, recognised Zsa Zsa, ran up to her begging her for an autograph.

One of the teenagers asked Sanders his name. He was an Oscar-winning actor whom the teenagers had failed to recognise. The moment Gabor saw her husband’s face, she knew their marriage would not last; she was far more successful than he would ever be. Sanders went beserk at his studio publicity department, and even tried to employ an outside publicist to up his image. Of course, at that time,the studios ruled the roost and refused to allow him an independent publicist.

A similar event came in 1938 when both Clarke Gable and Spencer Tracy had just filmed “The Test Pilot”. The two of them were out one night when suddenly Gable found himself totally mobbed by fans demanding autographs. Spencer Tracy was completely ignored. Tracy too turned to outside help to boost his public persona.