Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1936)

PHOTOPLAY MAGAZINE FOR AUGUST, 1936 37 "I suppose it's explainable," Nelson said. "My grandfather — he of the stem principles but with the kindness of God — played the drum and fife, and Dad was drum major of the First Regiment Band of the Rhode Island National Guard. Both of them taught me carefully the militant rhythms of American drum technique. Mother was a soloist in the Church of the Transfiguration. Father sang bass in the Universalist Church." And standing beside the family square piano while his mother's fingers raced over the yellow keys Nelson learned that the flooding melody that sounded within the rosewood box had its basis in a special science; that behind the easy flow of song lay months and years of the drudgery called study. Curiosity, finally, overcame his dread of lessons. He wanted to know what the little wandering hieroglyphics on that sheet of paper stood for, how ''Mom" could transform black printed spots into beauty. She, with infinite patience, taught him the complications of keys and scores — until at last he could read the meaning of the notes into his own voice, and sing them. Then, together, they sat through the long quiet afternoons, dueting the simple hymns of the Christian faith — with extravagant little interpolations and many laughing pauses while Nelson ran through a difficult bar until he knew it. They discovered, one day, that his voice was a boy soprano and rather nice at that. "I was good enough to join a boys' choir in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, at any rate," Nelson remembered. "I was ten then. And later I went to Grace Church where they had an organist named Arthur Tracy-Baker. He developed my voice for two years, and made me into a soprano soloist. "After that I squeezed in one more year at All Saints Church — and then one day my high C slipped madly into A flat, cracked completely and became a thin squeak. Young Mr. Eddy's voice, it was apparent to a flustered congregation, had adolescized. . . . Everyone said I'd better stop singing for a couple of years, and somehow it seemed like a good idea." T^ELSON EDDY came to his teens in this *^ fashion. I suppose during those preadolescent years he must have gone through the usual little-boy adorations for sundry fair-eyed pretties who switched their satin hair ribbons at him invitingly. Of course. "Of course," smiles Nelson. "Tom Sawyer and you and I and every youngster. And each episode is in the same category with red apples on the teacher's desk and getting into fights behind the backyard fence and not knowing the arithmetic lesson." An indication of nothing, in other words; and superfluous here. What's really important is that soon after he had been graduated from Grove Street Grammar School his parents took him into conference and told him of their decision to separate. He was to go with mother. They would make their way somehow. Which meant that at fourteen Nelson faced the prospect of odd jobs and hard work and uncertainty — a grown man's lot, under ordinary circumstances. The things it might have done to him are boundless in number; but its actual effect, because Mrs. Eddy was the sort of woman she was, left no scar on his mind or soul. And the details of those next eventful years, in which the man you know today was molded into being, should be written in capital letters. They're that important to your appreciation of Nelson as he is and must ever be. (To be continued) STA RITE Bob Pini STAY HAIR-DRESS PINS FOR AMERICA'S II CILOU m ameit Flying feet lap and swing, fasler, faster, liquid rhythm — the tempo increases, the flashing finale — a breathless bow — and you have thrilled again to the incomparable Paula, youngest starlet of the "Stepping Stones." You have seen, too, a sound reason for the amazing popularity of Sta-Rite hair dress pins, for only Sta-Rite could hold on through an action test like this. You may never step through such a lightning routine, but however you dance, whatever activity you enjoy, you can depend upon Sta-Rite Pins to keep your hair lovely to look at, positively in place. You want to do things, have fun, live a life of action, fine — let yourself go — but remember, half your charm Is the quiet, unruffled beauty of your hcdr dress. Fortunately, there is a type of Sta-Rite Pin for any style of hair dress. Shown here is the Blend-Rite, Dultex Coiffure Pin— a "textured" finish Bob Pin which blends right with your hair. All Sta-Rite Pins are displayed on this Gold Medallion card— look for it. Make this Famous Sta-Rite "Tension -Tite" Test Spread a Sta-Rite Bob Pin until the ends are open one and onehalf inches. Let go the ends. See how they snap back in place — a perfect pin again. Every Sta-Rite Bob Pin is made of specially tempered steel. They're "tension-tite." That's why they Sta-Rite where you put them. • • STA-RITE HAIR PIN CO., Shelbyville, 111. * AJaula <—>/i»te Featured Player "In Secret Service" Warner Bros. Picture STA RITE HAIR PINS BOB P] Shades