Modern Screen (Dec 1949 - Nov 1950)

II man walking into the boss's office to ask for a raise so he can buy a new suit, picture him, also, as he really is, storming up the side of a steep hill on a roaring motorcycle, gambling blood and bone for a thrill In most other matters, too, Bill Holden is more on the mad side than sober. A couple of years ago he needed a larger house. He and Brenda went shopping and she, being sensible about the matter, looked at places in their practical price brackets. One day Bill took her by the hand, led her to the car and drove to a swanky street in the most exclusive section of the San Fernando Valley. He stopped in front of a huge house, a mansion style home, and • helped Brenda out of the car. "Nice, isn't it?" he said. "It's gorgeous," said Mrs. Holden, "but let's not look at it too long. Let's go look for a house to buy." "We're through looking, honey," Bill said. "I just bought this palace." They say he had to run into a neigh' bor's house for a glass of water to revive ; her on the curb. It may not have been that bad, but it was a shock she didn't get over . for a long time. Now the place is loaded with antique early American furniture and is a show place. It was a crazy thing to do, but it was typical Holden. Take, for instance, the Bill Holden poker parties. After sitting in a couple of games with neighbors, Bill decided he was ready to organize a game in his own home —and maybe pick up a buck or two on the side. He bought a fancy table, some fine chips, a set of comfortable chairs and, to his wife's protestations that the thing was becoming as expensive as a Las Vegas gambling joint, he offered the comforting explanation that with his talent with cards he'd have the money back in no time. Well, the crowd met six times. Bill lost an average of a hundred and fifty a night. His food bill that period ran into something representing the cost of opening a small restaurant — and in a howling rage at four o'clock one morning Bill dragged all the equipment out to the garage where it has been gathering cobwebs ever since. The morning that Bill shoved into the head man's suite at Paramount and said that the fellow at the guild meeting calling him Mister was the last straw seems to have been a turning point in his career. People on the lots who have known him for years are looking at him now in obvious awe. "Hey, the guy can act," they say in great surprise. Holden likes that. He likes the whole idea. "Wait till you see Sunset Boulevard," he said happily, on this particular day in his dressingroom. "I play a real rat. A monster. Man, I loved it. In Union Station, I'm a good guy — but strong." He reached for the phone and took the instrument off the hook, holding it in midair while he spoke. "And you know what I do in Born Yesterday?" He chortled. "I steal this guy's girl right from under his nose — and I louse him up for keeps. That's for me from now on. Let some of the new boys play the clerks." Dizzy with the new experience, he dialed the number of his home slowly. When the phone rang through, he answered it, and a rather bold expression, blended neatly with just a decent trace of fear shifted across his face. "Hello, honey," he said to his wife. "I'm at a meeting in the studio. Ought to be home in half an hour or so." He winked, and hung up. "Let's have a little refreshment," he said. "We've got lots of time." The End Most make-ups shout Made-up!Magic Touch whispers; Natural beauty Replace that heavy "made-up" look with natural-looking loveliness by using Magic Touch. No puff, no sponge. 39c and 1.00 everywhere 6 magic shades Magic Touch is NEW ... a tinted cream make-up so sheer your skin glows through! . . . yet it hides each tiny blemish while it smooths and softens and adds glorious color. . . . Apply with fingertips (with or without powder) — so quick, so easy, so naturally lovely! THE NEW SITROUX tissues SOFTEST, FINEST, STRONGEST YET! Guaranteed by «1 L Good Housekeeping . I Amazing Offer — $40 Is Yours Ifor selling only 50 boxes of Christmas ICards. And this can be done in a single ■ day. Free samples. Other leading boxes Ion approval. Many surprise item: It FREE SAMPLES PERSONALIZED CHRISTMAS CARDS STATIONERY NAPKINS nothing Dept. S-33. White Plains, N. Y. YOU ARE IN DEMAND 91