About that Next Gig…. (Rick)

The Beijing Playhouse also runs a casting agency and last week a filmmaker filmed me to see if I might be good for a role in a movie about Harry Truman and China. They emailed and wanted me to come for a final tryout for the role of John Leighton Stuart, who was the ambassador to China from 1946-49. They were going to pay me 4000 Yuan (about $600). 

The night before the final arrangements the head of The Beijing Playhouse called and said they were not going to participate in the casting of this movie because it was a propaganda film! Here’s some of the dialogue for my part. What do you think? (P.s. Since we are in China on a US government grant it seemed better not to take the chance at embarrassing the government. They’ve been too good to us. I passed up the role.)

32、南京美国驻华使馆俱乐部（日、内）（1948年4月30日）天津
司徒雷登和傅泾波在打保龄球，收音机里播放着中共的五一口号。
傅泾波：蒋李还没有宣誓就职，中共就要成立一个新的政府，可能吗？
The CCP wants to establish a new government before Jiang and Li’s inauguration, how could that be possible?

司徒雷登：说说而已。五一口号只是毛泽东向全世界宣告他依然存在的形式。蒋在军事上还有优势，所谓政治协商，仅仅是个笑话而已。
It’s just talk. The May 1st slogan is nothing more than Mao’s announcement of his existence to the world. Jiang’s military might is greater. The so-called political consultation is just a joke.


69、南京美国驻华使馆（日、内）(1949年1月2日)天津梁启超故居
司徒雷登正在接见代总统李宗仁。
李宗仁：大使先生，我希望美国政府直接参与国共之间的调停工作。
Mr. Ambassador, I hope the US government can participate directly in the intermediation between the KMT and the CCP.

司徒雷登：总统阁下，我个人非常乐于效劳，不过很遗憾，中共方面恐怕不会接受你的和平条件。
Mr. President, I’d be happy to oblige personally. But unfortunately, I’m afraid the CCP won’t accept your conditions for peace.

李宗仁（苦恼）：长江一线已经有共军部队活动。毛泽东昨天发表措辞强硬的声明，称委员长为战犯元凶。我需要支持。
The CCP has set their foot along the Yangtze frontlines. Mao delivered a strongly worded statement yesterday, calling Mr. Commissioner the foremost war criminal. I need support.

司徒雷登：是啊，形势很危险，需要代总统出面挽救。
Yes, things look dangerous. It’s time for the deputy president to step up and alleviate the risks.