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46 IT TOOK NINE TAILORS
was a star and that Griffith was my director. After every scene Griffith would bow and tell me that I was magnificent. I would bow back and assure him that he was a genius. We were Alphonse and Gaston all over the place.
Next morning I was out of bed at seven; I donned my blue double-breasted broadcloth, put on a fresh collar ( Arrow Apollo ) and a new blue cravat with white polka dots, and hied me to the barbershop. After a shave, a haircut, and a tonic I dropped into the Natty Tailor Shop ( suits pressed while you wait ) for a press and a shine. Then, drunk with my own elegance, I had breakfast at the Astor. At a quarter to ten I strolled out of the Astor with only seventy-five cents left in my pocket but brimming over with aplomb and well-being.
The offices of the Equitable Pictures Corporation were on the fifth floor of the Fox Film Corporation Building at 130 West Forty-sixth Street. I presented myself to the girl at the reception desk, gave her my name, and informed her that I had an appointment with Mr. Sheer.
"Oh, yes. Mr. Sheer is expecting you. Go right in."
My ego swelled. I was no longer one of the mob of extras waiting in the yard at Vitagraph until a director pointed at me. I was now a featured player with quick access to the inner sanctum of a big picture producer. I lit a cigarette, strolled nonchalantly into Mr. Sheer's office, and greeted the gentleman with enthusiasm, at the same time retaining proper dignity and poise. But he blew my poise right out the window.
"Sorry, Menjou," he told me. "That picture has been called off. Drop around again in a couple of months."
My heart dropped right down to my toes and then bounced up into my throat. I couldn't have been more stunned if he had hit me over the head with a blackjack. If I said anything to him, I have forgotten what it was; I was too dazed to remember anything. Pretty soon I was out in the hall again and in the elevator. I couldn't go back to Father and tell him I had hocked my ring and squandered the money on a dress suit and cutaway. He