Modern Screen (Dec 1931 - Nov 1932 (assorted issues))

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With Genevieve Tobin in "The Cay Diplomat/' Ivan's latest effort for RKO-Radio. He wrote the story in addition to playing the leading role. It is said that RKO expects him to be one of their really big stars. That was a curious trick that some of his friends played on Ivan Lebedeff. It concerned the waitress in his usual restaurant. His reaction, however, quite baffled his companions. Below is a John Decker caricature of Ivan. of the former Czar — that his name was listed in the reknowned Velvet Book of Russian aristocracy! Where did he get that stuff? Didn't every Russian in Hollywood claim the same thing? AND so it was that the tall, dark-eyed man whom l Hollywood jokingly referred to as "The Ex-Prince," became the most misunderstood man ever to play in pictures. He had failed to await the arrival of fame in the movies before becoming eccentric and spat-wear ing . . . thus he was stamped as an outcast from the colony. One well known magazine went so far as to have his "Russian Prince Story" checked abroad ... it was their idea to print an expose when the real dope arrived from the land of the peasants! But they found to their utter amazement that Ivan Lebedeff hadn't begun to tell them the story of his social and family connections! He was all he claimed — and more ! But the joke was on them ... so the truth was never printed! That is the way of Hollywood! If they are wrong they will admit it — but only in unheard whispers. It isn't sensational to be a non-bogus prince! And the funny part of it all is that he is succeeding in spite of them. He is being starred! Of course, most women are supposed to like him . . . but on the other hand, most men aren't. What is it that the fans see and like about Lebedeff that Hollywood is missing? I think I can explain it to you. HOLLYWOOD has never taken the trouble to learn to know the man. They laugh at his hand-kissing and kid about his white spats, but they never allow themselves the pleasure of knowing him personally. They are content to sit off at a distance and judge him ... a proven gentleman of royal birth ... by comparing him with the rest of the other struggling hams in the movies. Lebedeff has been filed and card-indexed by Hollywood according to the general formula. He has been found wanting — according to American standards. But Ivan Lebedeff is Russian ! And since I know that those of us who have given him a real hearing and learned to know him, invariably like him — I think it only fair that we tell you what we have found. Let us judge Lebedeff by the standards of a Russian gentleman. Then if he is found wanting, Hollywood is entitled to a laugh . . . not only at Ivan, but at me. But you shall be the judge. According to an old, white-haired Russian army officer in Hollywood, a man in his (Continued on page 128) 87