MY NEW LIFE AT HOLLYWOOD PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
By Pat Molittieri
When I first heard that I might get the opportunity to attend Hollywood Professional School, I was so excited I
couldn't sleep for two nights! This is the school right on Hollywood Blvd. Where almost every famous star
went if he or she was under 18 and in the movies. In past years such celebs as Molly Bee, Tuesday
Weld, Annette, Roberta Shore, Doreen Tracy, Tommy Kirk, Tommy Cole, Sherry Jackson, Steve Stevens,
Anita Louise, and Marlene Willis all went there.
My first day at the school was wonderful. I
went in wondering what I was getting into, but after meeting the school's director, Mrs. Mann, I realized
everything was going to be neat. A girl escorted me around to my classes to make sure I'd make it all
right. I went into each class wondering if the kids would like me. But most of all I was really curious
about what they'd be like. Right away I started looking around for movie stars and found out that a lot
of them had graduated in the last class. I guess I was sort of disappointed but there were still some
professionals in the school such as the Steiner Brothers, one of the Addrisi Brothers and Cubby
O'Brien.
I soon found out that Hollywood Professional isn't just a school for movie stars but is also for anyone
who has to work after school and can't get out early enough from public schools. A lot of the kids
who go to Hollywood Professional want to become directors and producers and don't care anything
about acting.
Hollywood Professional differs in many ways from public schools, but the main difference is that the
school holds only morning sessions. This, I like! School hours begin around quarter of nine and
last until 12:45. There are also afternoon sessions if you miss too much work because of absence.
The main reason we get out early is because so many of us work after school and have to get to
our jobs by 1:00. The subjects taught include all the state requirements and the school is accredited
by the University of California. In fact, most of the kids who graduate from Hollywood Professional
School go on to college! The thing about the school which really fractures me is the fact that it
includes all the grades from pre-school right up to the senior year in high school.
I'm graduating this June since they do not have mid-term graduations. I'll make up credits in summer
school since I don't have quite enough to make the graduation legal. It's really going to feel funny
because I'll receive my graduation diploma in the June exercises, but the diploma will remain blank
until I make up the credits needed to fulfill my course. Some deal, isn't it?
The very most fun thing about the school is the assemblies. They call them Aud Calls. Since almost
all the kids are professional performers, they just get up on the stage and let loose. You wouldn't
believe how tremendous these Aud Calls are. They're far better than most rehearsed TV
spectaculars. Mrs. Mann keeps telling me to get up there and do something. Imagine!
I love every minute of my life at Hollywood Professional and I wish all of you out there had the
opportunity to come and visit the school. It would be an experience you'd never forget. I have
only one sad note to add and this is how I feel about my graduating class back in Philly. I'd like
to make a public announcement to all of them as I most likely won't be able to see them graduate.
May God bless You All in anything you plan to do for the future. You all deserve it!
P.S. I did forget one terrific thing that happened to me on my 17th birthday. I got to go to the
world-famous Coconut Grove to hear Johnny Mathis. It's a fabulous place and Bobby Burgess
was my date. We had so much fun dancing and Johnny Mathis was just wonderful.
Pat Molittieri's "professional page" in the 1960 HPS yearbook.
[This article reproduced for reference purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.
The article is reproduced because of the scarcity of this magazine, the fact that it is not indexed, and
back issues are not available from the magazine or on microfilm.]
