From under my hat (1952)

From under my Hat reign, when Leo the Lion's roar meant the best picture in town, I was deputized to show celebrated guests around the lot when I wasn't acting. Once I hit the jackpot. The guest was none other than General Douglas MacArthur, as handsome a gent as it's been my privilege to see— before or since. I was so impressed I couldn't resist asking for his photograph. "Only if you'll give me yours," he said gallantly. So I got his picture. I took it for granted that mine would wind up in some military wastebasket. During World War II, I'd look at MacArthur's picture and smile over the remembrance of a happier day. That was my one and only contact with him until the late spring of 1951 when he was bounced out of his job by President Harry Truman and returned to New York to receive a hero's welcome. I can be a fan too! In New York for the Newspaper Publishers Convention, I neglected my business to haunt the lobby of the Waldorf Towers in hope of catching a glimpse of the general and his sweet wife. But I kept missing them. The day came when I was invited to sit in the reviewing stand at a big parade which MacArthur was to review on Fifth Avenue. Glory be, I was seated just a couple of seats away from the general and his wife! Believe it or not, I kept my mouth shut and stared at that wonderful man. I was introduced to Mrs. MacArthur, who pulled the general by the sleeve and said, "Look who's here." "Why, Hedda," said MacArthur, "how are you? I'll bet you didn't keep that photograph I sent you." Ill never get over his remembering after all those years. During the Olympic games of 1932 my duties as hostess were more frequent than my sound-stage jobs. Metro put on quite a show for the athletes, especially the Swedish delegation, for some reason. What a job I had rounding up the important Swedes in town to meet the competitors. Parties were given by social and civic leaders. The Japanese