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From under my Hat
"But, Mr. Mayer," Fred said, "we've arranged a Fourth of July party for our children. I understood your guests would be so-andso."
"That was so," his boss replied, "but fifteen minutes ago they canceled, and I want you to fill in for them."
Again Fred offered an excuse. But L.B. fastened those blue eyes on him and in a cold voice said, "Be at San Pedro at 6 p.m."
The Niblos were there.
It wasn't too many years after this that Fred lost his MGM contract and found himself at liberty. One of our finest directors and a founder of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he remained at liberty until his death. His son Fred Jr., a fine writer, did well at the studios until he testified before the Un-American Activities Committee that there were Communists in Hollywood. Niblo declared his loyalty to America. A year later he was helping to build airplanes at Lockheed.
Ida Koverman was Mayer's good right hand. Her kindness to newcomers Robert Taylor, Judy Garland, Nelson Eddy, Mario Lanza, Elizabeth Taylor, and dozens more has become a Hollywood legend.
L.B., a thwarted thespian, always could outact any star he had under contract. One of the best stories he ever told me was how he got Greer Garson to play Mrs. Miniver, which won her an Academy Award. Norma Shearer, thinking she was too young to play the mother of a son old enough to go to war, turned the part down. Greer felt exactly the same way.
When Greer went to L.B.'s office to argue the point, he put on such an act that at the end of the interview she said, "Mr. Mayer, you're demanding that I play Mrs. Miniver?"
"No," said the wily L.B. "I'm pointing out to you what a wonderful character she is— sensitive, fine, noble. What an example you'll be to all actresses. You'll prove that youth doesn't matter, that an actress can play anything— a girl of eighteen or a woman of eightyfive."
"Then," Greer said, "if you feel that way about it, I'll play the part." She left the room, closed the door, and fainted in the hall.
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