Modern Screen (Dec 1949 - Nov 1950)

seemed partially to satisfy his wanderlust, while they served to introduce me to the Western scenery — a n d J o h n's sweet though tfulness. I'm still sentimental about one of his touring gallantries. Wherever we'd go, he'd stop along the highway if he saw a flower stand. And he'd buy me one perfect red rose. . . . Then, on an afternoon some months after our first date, we were driving home from Santa Barbara when John suddenly pulled over to the side of the road. I was puzzled. There wasn't a flower stand in sight. Then the reason for his stopping became clear. He wanted to say a few words — only a few — but they were enough for me. "You're wonderful," he said. "Let's go to Mexico and get married." Thereupon, Pati Behrs — that logical, calculating, career-minded girl — and I had a fight. She won. But the thought of a career wasn't the reason for the victory. "Let's wait," said that sensible girl to John. "We've known each other such a short time — really not long enough." "But — how long is long enough?" asked John. "When do you think that'll be?" "I'll tell you when I think the time has come," I promised. "Then I'll propose to you!" how she proposed . . . Six months later, I proposed. "I think now we can get married," I proposed. I was in for a shock. "Sorry, darling," said John. "But right now I have nothing to offer a wife. It's best for us to wait a while." He was right, of course — as I had been right when I first suggested a postponement. But all the same, I was insulted! Things looked pretty grim. John left Fox, for there were no roles for him. There wasn't much consolation in being secretly engaged. Then, along came our big break — John's role in Knock On Any Door. We set a date for the wedding and the day arrived. 1 was working, on a picture. John was supposed to pick up the ring, then wait for my call to let him know what time I'd be finished. When I finally called, it was to tell him that I'd be at the studio until late afternoon. Too late for a wedding! "Good thing we aren't easily discouraged," he laughed. He could say that again. However, the next day found us in Las Vegas, all ready for the ceremony, with friends Candy and Bob Brand, who were going to stand up with us. "What luck, what wonderful luck!" John and I kept telling each other. We were practically on our way to the chapel before we realized something was missing. The ring! It was a very special one. John had searched for weeks until he found just the gold link chain he wanted. He'd made arrangements with the jeweler to pick it up. And he'd forgotten. We both wanted that ring and no other would do. Two nearly-weds placed a frantic call to the jeweler, an understanding man who dashed to the airport to send the ring on the first flight to Las Vegas. John was sheepish when he met the plane. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" the stewardess teased as she handed him the box. He was. After our marriage, I realized just how absent-minded he can be at times. For instance, one night for dinner I fixed cheeseburgers, which he adores — but instead of using the usual American cheese, I used Swiss. "Best cheeseburgers I've ever eaten," said John, after his third. "Thank you, dear," I replied, putting another on his plate. He took a bite — then looked unhappy. "Say," he said. "This one's got a different kind of cheese. You know I only like them with American cheese.' "Then you've certainly been very brave," I informed him. 'You've been eating Swiss cheeseburgers all evening." John grinned. "Well, what do you know!" he said. And he finished his cheeseburger in contented silence. reforming john . . . Gradually, I'm reforming his appetite, I think. When we were first married, I'd set some delectable French dish on the table and John would look at it for a moment, and then say apologetically, "I don't think I like this very much." "Have you ever had it before?" I'd ask. "No." "Well, try just a bite." He would. Then, "Hmmm . . . uh . . . well, it's not bad," my husband would admit— and have three helpings. If John had his way, he'd sleep at least 12 hours every day. And its really a job to awaken him. Once I tried sprinkling water in his face. I was very pleased with my efforts when he jumped right out of bed. Then he raced into the bathroom, turned on the shower full blast, and raced back to the bedroom. "Forget something?" I asked. "No," he said, "but you did — you forgot your husband should be treated with respect!" And with that he lifted me off my feet and, grinning fiendishly, deposited me, in my robe and pajamas, under the shower. Then he went back to bed. My husband really has practically no temperament, and it takes a lot to make him fighting mad. His fisticuff days are over now, but there was a time when he had to hold his own. He was a pretty child and he often found it necessary to establish himself in school by roughing up a fellow classmate. However, he still follows a bit of advice he received when he was small: "Find out if the offender is kidding. If he is, take it that way. If he's serious, let him have it." Through the years, John has come to realize that being as handsome as he isn't a handicap. That thought that he was a "pretty boy" had haunted him throughout his teens. But, after all, if he hadn't looked the part of the good-looking, brooding Nick Romano, he and I might still be playing our love scenes in class. Even worse — I might be just another career girl! Now I've learned. I've learned that a career isn't everything. Of course, John wouldn't demand that I give it up, but we both want a family — a good -sized one — and one career in the family will do. Making a home for John is every bit as fascinating as being at the studio. That's his doing. For example, he leaves notes for me all over the house. Just the other day, he left one in the refrigerator. It was written on a check. It read: "Pay To The Order Of: Pati Derek. One Million Kisses." Some hours later he got around to cashing it for me. I couldn't help smiling between payments. "Why the grin?" he asked. "I was just thinking," I answered smugly, "what a very sensible girl I am." I gazed fondly at him for a minute — then started for the kitchen. Bernhardt had to put the dinner on. The End YOUNG WIVESUSTfflf cjet these extra advantages in INTIMATE FEMININE 1 HYGIENE OnrMAI ATTDAPTinM* THE MARCH MODERN SCREEN IS THAT ortulML Ml IKAbllUIM. special Elizabeth taylor issue! Greaseless Suppository Gives Continuous Medication for Hours Zonitors are one of the most important steps forward in intimate feminine cleanliness. They provide a modern scientific method of continuous medication — so much easier, less embarrassing to use yet one of the most effective methods. 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