Hollywood (1942)

remember me, I want them to say that I've brought some happiness into the lives of those who have seen me on the screen. And I want them to say that I've done the best I've known how." That perhaps is the keynote to the entire personality of Don Ameche. He has a keen sense of responsibility and he is not one to rationalize or excuse his own shortcomings. He never shirks. He does his job. Don leads a quiet, family life. He has four sons — Donny, nine; Ronny, six and a half; Tommy, three, and Lonny, two. The oldest one has just reached the age where he enjoys following Dad around the golf course. "Like every working man, I don't get to see the children nearly enough." he declares. "When I am on a picture, I leave before they're up, and I get home long after they're in bed. I try to make up for it on Sundays." The Ameches are considered in Hollywood among the most happily marrieds. Don met Honore, his wife, when they were both youngsters, attending school in Dubuque, Iowa. Six years later they met by accident in Chicago. Don's theater apprenticeship was behind him. He had had the "bean course" — which means that when he was trying to grab a foothold in New York, he subsisted mainly on beans. He had had a few fairly good parts on which he had cut his acting teeth. At the time of their Chicago meeting, Don was well established on the radio as the star of the "First Nighter" programs. He took Honore dancing, and while dancing, he told her that he was going to marry her. Just like that. Honore thought he was kidding. Their courtship was conducted at long range, since Honore lived in Dubuque and it's quite a stretch from Chicago. One night he telephoned her not to go to bed — that he had a surprise for her. At four o'clock in the morning he arrived— greasesmeared from changing tires — and half a minute later, Honore had an engagement ring on her finger. That romantic flavor to their marriage has lasted. Honore goes wherever Don goes. If impulsively he decides to fly up to San Francisco, or to drive down to Palm Springs or up to Arrowhead in the middle of the night, she isn't the wife to dissuade him. But such excursions, of course, are between-picture episodes. When he is working, he has time for nothing else. Like the rest of Hollywood, he is in service for the duration, and his talents are at the disposal of his country. That means that he will entertain the boys in camps, play in benefits, go on bond-selling tours at any time he is called to do so. Through the years Don has been on the screen, there has never been a waning period in his popularity. Year by year, his fan mail grows. Year by year his value to his studio has increased. As the options on his contract have come up, Twentieth Century-Fox has lifted them. The studio has just picked up another one on him. If life has pulled up an easy chair for Don Ameche, he hasn't been satisfied to just sit in it. He tries everv day to re-earn the right to occupy it! | x*u M^-^^-t^j^^ Will you ever forget how proud he looked as you glided down the long staircase? What he said wasn't nearly as important as the way he said it! His eyes told you that being with you is what makes a furlough worthwhile. To think that at five o'clock you were ready to break your date! Because today's eight hours of defense work had seemed like eighty! Then in stepped Destiny . . . her name was Diana. "Why let trying days of the month rule your life?"— she asked. ••Why should you be a deserter when other girls carry on in comfort every day? ^t«c dovct" yvuuL a. kujvloujAM. "You don't need time-out" she explained . . . that is, if you choose Kotex sanitary napkins. And how right she was! Because Kotex is made in soft folds, so it's naturally less bulky . . . more comfortable . . . made to stay soft while wearing. A lot different from pads that only "feel" soft at first touch. You'll take Kotex for confidence, too ... to put an end to edgy little worries. Because the flat, pressed ends of Kotex keep your secret safe. And a new moisture-resistant "safety shield provides added protection! Maybe it did take you until today to learn why Kotex is more popular than all other brands of pads put together. But you're glad that you did! Because now you can breeze through work or play as millions do — with never a thought of deserting! / \i Keep Going in Comfort -with KOTEX*! (*T. M. Reg. U. S. Pat. Off.) Tells All -Quickly! Send today for the bright, new booklet— "As One Girl To Another". Lots of tips for keeping in the fun on "difficult days". . . what to do and not to do. Mail name and address to P. 0. Box 3434, Dept. FW-10, Chicago, for copy FREE ! 41