Modern Screen (Jan-Nov 1944)

a gal whom I'll call Betty. Everything starts off nicely, but by the end of the evening the two joes are practically slugging it out over Betty, and I'm left out in the cold. It's not that she's prettier than I am, but she's terribly cute. I'm getting discouraged. Jane McA., Inglewood, Calif. Don't blame me, chum, but there are two things you can do about it. One is to speak to Betty. Swallow your pride and ask her to lay off. She doesn't have to be that cute. Ask her to confine her eyes to her boy. To lower her voice a little so that some of your cracks can be heard. If you know her very well, you might ask her to 'cue you for some of your funny stories for a change. Another suggestion is this. Try to overcome that prickly little worried feeling you undoubtedly have acquired about all your double dates with Betty. That beats you down before you even start. Be sure that you are looking your best and that you have something amusing to contribute to the conversation. Try to carry on a private chat with your date instead of making it one big open forum. Captivate him by laughing at his jokes, by being interested in what he has to say, by using his name frequently while you're talking to him. If, in spite of all your efforts, his attention wanders to Betty, let it wander. Sit back, relax and try to figure out what she's got. Next time maybe you can finesse her at her own game. I've gone with a boy for a year now, and we think we are very much in love with each other. We talk about getting married some day, but we are still too young. He'll be leaving for the Navy soon, and I am very scared he will find many other girls and will not love me any more. Do you think we should get engaged? How can we be sure that we love each other? L. Senkow, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It's sort of hard to tell you how to be sure that your love for each other is lasting and not just a teen-age crush. However, the fact that you've loved each other for a whole year shows that the feeling must be pretty deep. Question is, is it deep enough? Well, are you miserable when he's out of your sight? Do his wishes seem more important than your own? Do you know his faults and love him all the more because of them? Are you proud of him? Do you have faith in his ability to make a success of his life? If all the answers are "Yes," we'd say that this was it. About the engagement. Why not wait a little while? Our idea would be to give each other some freedom for the next year or so. If this is the 14-carat stuff, it will bear comparison with minor nutters, so don't worry about losing your sailor to some other gal. If it isn't, don't you think it's wiser to discover it now? If, however, you both feel you've had sufficient friendships with other boys and girls to be very sure, and if it would make you both happier to be engaged, by all means go ahead. I have red hair and freckles, but am not unattractive to the boys. At least not to one named Pete whom I've gone around with a long while. I like him, but he is very dull. Take John now — there's a boy I could really go for. How to let Pete down easy? Grace McConna, Pelham, New York. Look, chum, don't go burning your bridges. Has John made a move? Does he know you're alive? S'posing you axe Pete — what are you doing Saturday night? Sitting around kicking yourself most likely. Be a bit bright and ease yourself back into the stream of things gradually. Noise it around that you are no longer Pete's monopoly. Be seen in the halls with somebody else by hook or crook. Turn down a date with Pete and go to the movies with the girls by way of declaring your independence. If his feelings are hurt, explain to him as gently as you can that twosomeing is all very well for the married, but that until you meet your pipe and slippers boy, you think you'll kind of look around. I am fifteen years old and have been madly in love with a boy of twenty. I told everyone I had a crush on him, and of course he heard about it. I let school work go for two months just thinking about him. However, he never paid any attention to me, and now I dislike him and hate other boys because I was so badly hurt by this one. Ginger Lambert, Newark, N. J. You, my fine friend, should be spanked. You can't go around hating all men just because one old dope ignores you. Don't you know you can't bowl over every boy you meet? Even Betty Grable's not that good. You were unlucky enough to fall for one of the ones who wasn't for you. Pick yourself up and profit by that experience. Next time, tell no one that you have a crush. If you do, he'll eventually find out, and then you'll be so self-conscious with him, you'll never get anywhere. Study the actions of the girls you know who are big stuff with boys. Get on to the small tricks that cut so much ice with the guys. When you have a bit of self-confidence, go to work on some of the lesser lights at school. As you gain in experience, toss your wiles at some of the big wigs. Don't reach for the moon in the very beginning, but later on, don't settle for anything else. My brother has entered the Navy this past week and has promised to give my Velvet enchantment for your lips when you wear Irresistible's most fascinating Lipstick shade fuchsia plum ... a deep, rich plum tone, to lend that look of tender fullness that is so inviting to romance. The secret whip-text process gives your irresistible lipstick luxurious, creamy smoothness, making your lips so much lovelier longer. Try this exquisite lipstick today.' Complete your make-up with Irresistible Rouge and Face Powder. 10c-25c SIZES 0f-&rW STAY ON LCIPER LIPSTICK S-M-0-O-T-H-E-R! A touch of IRRESISTIBLE PERFUME Assures Clamour