Christian Bale’s insidious Southern accent

Christian Bale commits. If his temper tantrum on the set of “Terminator: Salvation” wasn’t proof enough he takes his roles very seriously, consider this. Bale played FBI officer Melvin Purvis in “Public Enemies” and kept his southern accent on and off set throughout filming.

The film’s director, Michael Bay, said: “Melvin Purvis was really a southern gentleman. So Christian kept the accent for 24 hours a day. It freaked out his young daughter. She said: ‘Daddy doesn’t talk like that!’ he replied: ‘Well, ah’m sorry, mah dear, but daddy’s studying for a part, and ah’ll be speaking like this for the next four months.’ ”

Bay also said Johnny Depp, who plays John Dillinger, was influenced by the wardrobe, including clothes that actually belonged to the gangster.

“We got to see some of Dilinger’s packed suitcases, which he had left behind after an escape, and Johnny was able to actually hold his shirts in his hands,” said Bay. “They still had the pink paper band around them from the Chinese laundry. And there were more accoutrements than you’d have thought for a guy on the run ? shaving kit, talcum powder.

“You bet there’s magic to that stuff. I’m not superstitious, but I couldn’t help it.”