The Screen Guilds’ Magazine (1934-10)

October, 1934 13 Genius In The Raw • . . • By AL MARTIN S OB” JONES (as we lovingly call him)—he of the Monstrous Motion Picture Company, cantered into his lux¬ urious private office, and squatted in a rather large chair. His shoulders were also broad. “What’s wrong today, Miss Mur¬ phy?” he bellowed at his secretary. “Well,” the secretary nervously an¬ swered, assorting some blotters, “Doug¬ las Wentworth hasn’t been able to think of a climax for 4 The Widow’s Revenge’. ’’ “Sob” Jones said several things that Miss Murphy tried not to hear. Then he calmed down and pulled the desk tele¬ phone loose from its connection and threw it out of the window. “For eight months I’ve been promised that climax! ” Jones roared. 44 All Went- worth, my highest paid scenario writer, gives me—is excuses! ’ ’ 4 4 Sob ’ ’ stopped short. Over Miss Mur¬ phy’s shoulder he saw the heavy-paneled door slowly open. And, there, facing him, was his son, Gregory. 44 Sob” Jones was always glad when Gregory faced him, because from the rear his twelve- year-old son’s ears reminded him of the handles on a loving cup. 44 Why aren’t you in school?” 44 Sob” demanded, forgetting the widow and her revenge for the moment. “I quit, Papa,” Gregory bluntly an¬ nounced, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his coat. 44 You what?” Gregory strutted over to a comfortable chair beside the huge desk and sat down. He asked to be alone with his father. Miss Murphy ran for the nearest exit. Then the child wonder put his feet on the desk and looked at his father ques- tioningly. 4 4 Did you forget our agreement, Papa?” Jones seemed to look in eight directions at once. 4 4 What are you talking about ? ’ ’ he snapped. 4 4 Well,” Gregory drawled, 4 4 last month you said that if I got a good re¬ port card at school you’d make me a supervisor. ’ ’ 44 Sob’s” jaw dropped. He clearly re¬ membered the proposition, but never dreamed that Gregory could make the grade. 44 But there isn’t an opening right 44 That’s a lot of hooey!” Gregory yelled as he jumped to his feet and turned his back on his father. 44 Sob” stared at the handles of the loving cup. Presently, he found his voice. “Listen, Gregory,” he pleaded, 4 4 you’re too young to go to work. Be¬ sides, a little education won’t hurt you any—maybe some day you’ll take my place.” Tears of disappointment started to trickle down Gregory’s cheeks. “But what will I tell the girls at school?” he whimpered. 4 4 You promised them jobs ? ’ ’ his father wigwagged. 44 Yes, Papa,” Gregory bawled. Then he threw himself down on the floor and proceeded to kick and yelp, crying as though his heart would break. “I want to be a supervisor—I want to be a super¬ visor,” he wailed. Miss Murphy stuck her head in the doorway. 44 Did you call, Mr. Jones?” she excitedly asked. 4 4 No!’ ; Jones waved her out and tried to reason with his son. 4 4 But, Gregory-^ you can’t be a supervisor if you cry”— 44 Well, most of yours do all the time,” Gregory sniffed. 44 Sob” was licked. 44 All right, son— you can be anything you want, but stop crying—stop crying, do you hear me?” Gregory heard. He dried his tears on the sleeve he previously used. 44 Sob” Jones sighed with relief. He smiled, but not for long. 44 Now that I’m working for you, Papa,” said Gregory hurriedly, 44 I’d like to supervise 4 The Widow’s Re¬ venge’. I know you’re stuck for a cli¬ max,” he added quickly, 4 4 and I got the climax,” he rushed on. 44 It’s a push¬ over, Papa! The widow can he rescued hy the Marines!” 4 4 Sob’s ’ ’ eyes opened wide with aston¬ ishment. He wept with delight. The Marines rescue the widow! 44 Tell me, Gregory,” the puffed-up father im¬ plored, 4 4 how in the world did you ever conceive such a clever idea?” The twelve-year-old genius stood up. 44 It was simple, Papa,” Gregory di¬ vulged. 4 4 Last night I saw a picture made by your rival, Abraham Fink. It was called 4 The Revenge of a Widow.’ That’s where you got your idea. You used everything in that picture but the ending—and that’s where you went wrong! If a picture idea is good enough to steal—steal it all!” 44 Sob” beat his desk with his fist and roared with glee. 44 Right! It’s Fink’s greatest picture and I’ll steal it all. Grand larceny or nothing!” Gregory closed his eyes, putting a hand over them. Then he suddenly snapped back to almost normal. His words came slowly, but they came. 4 4 You know, Papa,” the genius spoke, 44 when I was six years old I remember that you made a silent picture called 4 The Widow Avenges Herself’.” 44 Sob” nodded. 44 Yes—yes.” 44 Well, Papa—that’s where Fink got his idea in the first place.” Los Angeles Grand Opera Co. L. E. Behymer presents November 2 — jRethberg, Chamlee, “Bartered Bride” fWindheim, Gandolfi November 6— 1 Doris Kenyon, Nelson “Secret of Suzanne” Eddy - Louis D ' Ansel ° j Emily Hardy. Tudor and “Le Coq d’Or” November 8— “Carmen” November 9— Manon” •' Williams, Adolph Bolm Ivallin. Chamlee, Pinza, j Gandolfi, D’Angelo I Vallin, Crooks, Windheim. Pinza, Gandolfi, D’Angelo Four operas—$4, $5. $0, $8, $10, $12, plus tax Single—$1, $1.50, $2, $2.50, $3, $4, plus tax WEST Boxoffice, Philharmonic Auditorium, MU. 1983 Southern California Music Co., 737 S. Hill, TU. 1144 REWARD for Prompt Return The COUPON at the bottom of this ad is lost, and is looking for a thrifty man. 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