Modern Screen (Jan-Jun 1945)

First, he must have money. Leaving the freight car at Bend, he worked for three months as a lumberjack. At first his palms bled constantly — to the scorn of his partner, a big silent Swede. "Ay tank you bane verkin' inside too much," said his partner. In three months, it was the only observation he made. Portland. Selling neckties in a department store. Meeting Earle Larimore, then a fellow salesman. Joining his Little Theater Group and working with them to organize a professional company. Opening in Astoria, a hundred miles north. In the first play, Clark was a Negro cook. In another, a seaman. In a third, a huge baby in a huge crib. Plenty of fun, but no money. The drama held no appeal for fishermen. On milkboats, they worked their way back to Portland One of the group was a pretty girl named Franz Doerfler. She and Clark fell in love. He asked her to marry him, but Franz was afraid. What would they live on? He spent a few weeks with her family on their ranch near Portland — a few idyllic weeks, running around in overalls with Franz, forgetting his troubles. The girl's pet name for Clark was Big Calf, because of his ears. Later, Spencer Tracy was to call him The Moose for the same reason. He worked in the hop fields, he worked on a logging road and — again — in a lumber camp. Again with a Swede. Clark had no luck with Swedes. One day Ole said, "Dis fella too dumb for work wit' me," and walked out. Money saved again. Back to Portland. Back to the endless hunt for a place in the theater. Knocking at every door till his money gave out. Then a job in the want-ad department of a morning paper. There might come an ad for work round a theater. If so, Clark would see it first. No such ad came. The indoor life was too much for him. So when the telephone company wanted a lineman, Clark put the ad in his pocket and applied and went to work, never guessing that the telephone line would lead straight to his heart's desire. What was destined to happen didn't happen for a year. telephone for a ticket . . . Miss Josephine Dillon of Los Angeles, dramatic coach, came to Portland to start a Little Theater. A telephone wire in her theater broke down. She called the company. They sent Clark to mend it. Before he left, Miss Dillon had heard his story and had offered to help. At first, her interest was wholly professional. She saw Clark's possibilities. She taught him stage presence, how to walk and sit and use his hands. She read plays with him. For the first time, his floundering efforts were being directed by someone who understood and she found him an eager, appreciative pupil. Through her influence, he joined the Forest Taylor Stock Company. But by now they were more than teacher and pupil. When Josephine returned to Los Angeles, Portland ceased to hold much charm for Clark. He followed. On December 13, 1924, they were married. It was the end of lumber camps, but far from the end of struggle. They lived in a bungalow, their rent twenty dollars a month. To begin with, Clark tried the studios. In the tight suit of a grenadier, carrying a sword, he made his first appearance before the cameras in a Lubitsch picture. Mr. Lubitsch did not cry "The great Gable!" Mr. Lubitsch took one look at the grenadier and passed on. A day's work here and there. Soon Clark felt sure that the movies were not for him. He began to think of New York, where plays were produced. But for New C yOUfc KITCHEN • It's easy and it's fun to decorate with Royledge. • No time ... no tacks ... no trouble. Just lay on shelves and fold. • So beautiful . . . always! Th double-edge won't curl in ste A damp cloth keeps it shin • Royledge is wonderful fo morale! Choose your f from the heaps of gay I 5-and-10, neighborhood today. 9 whole, feet HEADACHE! If you are one of the few who never have a headache, be grateful — you don't know how lucky you are. If you are one of the few who have frequent or very severe headaches, see your doctor. If you, like most of us, have only an occasional headache, try DR. MILES ANTI-PAIN PILLS They can relieve promptly. Take Dr. Miles AntiPain Pills for Muscular Pains, Simple Neuralgia, and Functional Monthly Pains. Get DR. MILES ANTIPAIN PILLS at your drug store. Regular package 25c. Economy package $1.00. Caution; read directions and use only as directed. Miles Laboratories, Inc., Elkhart, Indiana Weary Feet Perk Up With Ice-Mint Treat When feet burn, callouses sting and every step is torture, don't just groan and do nothing. Rub on a little Ice-Mint. Frosty white, cream-like, its cooling soothing comfort helps drive the fire and pain right out . . . tired muscles relax in grateful relief. A world of difference in a few minutes. See how medicinal Ice-Mint helps soften up corns and callouses too. Get foot happy today, the IceMint way. At all druggists. QUEST All-purpose DEODORANT A most effective powder, for body odors, for foot comfort.