Hollywood (1942)

with Charles Boyer," Miss Morgan told us. ''That makes me very happy. My first big picture was Gribouille — over here it was called Heart of Paris — with Mr. Boyer. Later, we made The Storm together. I understand it was very widely shown in this country." Michele made over a dozen films and became one of the foremost French stars in less than three years. Being a linguist, she even made a picture in Sweden. Her real name is Simone Roussel. She was born in the Parisian suburb of Neuilly on February 29, 1920 — which makes her just past voting age. She's only had five actual birthdays, however, February 29 being that famous Leap Year day. Papa Roussel was an exporter, a strict, conservative Frenchman who believed that woman's place was in the home, and that the theater v/as a lot of nonsense. So it came as quite a shock when his wife announced that a fortune-teller had predicted that Simone, then three, would become a famous actress. "When I was older, Mother made the mistake of telling me about the prediction," Michele recalled. "It changed my whole life. From then on, I had but one desire — to become an actress. "I was lousy in school. (Indeed yes, Miss Morgan is Americanized!) I liked drawing and music, but that was about all. I was really a problem child. My one desire was to make the fortune-teller's prophesy come true." When she was 15, Michele proved to her parents that she was serious about becoming an actress. The family was spending the summer at the seacoast resort of Dieppe, and Michele, by saving every penny of her allowance, finally got the price of a ticket to Paris. One night she stole out of the house and took the train. In Paris, she sought refuge from her grandmother, but that lady gave her a cool reception — and sent a telegram to Papa Roussel. He arrived snorting, and Michele was taken back to Dieppe. Michele promptly went on a hunger strike. "I am obstinate, too, like my lauiur." she smiled. "And finally I won out. It was agreed that I could return to Paris and live with my grandmother and go to dramatic school. Once there I was happy — really happy. I threw myself heart and soul into my studies — not only dramatics, but singing and dancing." A gawky youngster when she entered the dramatic school, in two years Michele bloomed into the vivid beauty we see today. And she was a prize pupil. So much so that a French movie company took a risk and gave her an important lead opposite Charles Boyer. Miss Morgan worships Hollywood, and has had a wonderful time ever since she arrived. She is an ardent movie fan, and loves to see the stars in person. Shortly after her arrival, she went to the premiere of The Dictator, which had a great stellar turnout — only she sat in the bleachers built outside the entrance for the fans and tourists! And she had the time of her life applauding stars as they stepped from their limousines. Around the R-K-O Radio lot, Michele is a great favorite with everyone. They think she's regular. She spends long hours on the sets watching other people make pictures. "I am glad that I wasn't given a picture immediately," she confessed. "The swift tempo of Hollywood might have confused me. But not now. I've grasped the Hollywood methods of production." She took the name of Michele Morgan when she entered dramatic school. The "Morgan" she chose because it seemed to her a typical American name (as we mentioned, she was already looking into the future!). "Michele" she adopted after she met a typical American young man named Mike, who made quite an impression on her. The lady is quite fancy free, although her name was linked romantically with that of the great Jean Gabin before they both left France. The Americanized Michele Morgan, she says, has little time for romance! 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