Gossip Friday: Clark’s Favorite Newsboy

From December 1939:

Clark Gable’s Christmas present to a little boy resulted in the screen’s discovery of its outstanding child actor since the advent of Shirley Temple.

It was while Martin Spellman was a newsboy at the MGM studios that he got to know all the big stars. He sold them magazines, newspapers and shoeshines, and his only ambition was to win a shiny red bicycle that was a prize for the most magazines sold.

But young Martin, he is only 12, who knew every big star and important executive on the MGM lot, has his favorites, like every fan. They are Myrna Loy and Clark Gable and Norman Taurog the director. And each of these three came to mean something very important in Martin’s young life.

First, when Christmas rolled around last year, Clark Gable, as a Christmas present to his favorite newsboy, gave him two days’ work as an extra in “Test Pilot.” Martin’s mother made him save the money, and it is still in the bank.

“Test Pilot” was his first and last extra work. Soon after he finished in this film he had his picture taken selling a magazine to Myrna Loy. Many directors commented on the sincerity in Martin’s eyes, and the “spiritual quality” reflected in his face.

Norman Taurog was one of these, and when he came across, in the script of “Boys Town,” a role demanding just such qualities, he decided to take a chance and give Martin the part.

And Taurog, discoverer of Jackie Cooper, found another junior satellite on his hands when the picture was over, for little Martin Spellman, in his memorable bit of the boy who walked half a continent to reach “Boys Town,” won, next to Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, most of the acclaim.

Overnight Martin was a movie star, although he himself wouldn’t believe it. His mother says it was quite a while before she could persuade him that he should turn over his newspapers and magazines to his little brother, because he had a picture career ahead of him.

Martin’s next picture was with Monogram in which he appeared in “I Am a Criminal,” with John Carroll. When Scott Dunlap, Monogram production head, saw this film, he immediately signed Martin to play the role of Jackie Cooper’s little pal in “Streets of New York,” which is coming to the Hollywood Theatre.

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This story sounds made up, but it’s actually true. Martin wasn’t the next big star, but did have roles in “Beau Geste,” “Son of the Navy,” “Streets of New York” and a few others, after his turn in “Boys Town.” His film career was over by 1941 and he joined the Army Air Corps during World War II. Martin died in 2020 at the age of 94.