Modern Screen (Jul-Dec 1945)

what? I never laid eyes on the woman!" They trotted out all the arguments— "bad publicity — mud always sticks, no matter who throws it — people believe what they want to believe — minute it hits the papers, the truth doesn't matter—" "It matters to me. I'm not the kid's father. I'm going to court and prove it—" He went to court and proved that he'd been in Oregon when, by the plaintiff's calendar, he should have been in England. And it ruined his career like the Japs ruined America. Sometimes the issue involved is personal loyalty. Loyalty, that's what I said. We're often kind to each other in Hollywood, honest. Even when it doesn't pay. You probably all know how Jack Barrymore stuck by his Ariel. Ariel simply had to act. So when Paramount wanted Jack for "Midnight," he said: j'Okay, but my wife goes with the deal — " I played in "Midnight" myself, so you're now reading a first hand account of the doings. Whether Ariel, Jack or Claudette Colbert suffered most is a toss up. Jack the husband would wrestle with Jack the artist, and lose. "Does she stink!" he'd groan, and not under his breath. Ariel would weep. Claudette would take her aside and coach her. Jack thought Claudette was an angel, but wasting her time. One day, while Ariel was out, he gathered us round him and gave out with his best Shakespearean orotund. "You see before you the blight of misplaced loyalty. We should alZ've stood in bed." You can't deny studios the right to cast their own pictures. It's when they go poking around into private lives that you love to see 'em get their fingers pinched. Remember Fred MacMurray in "Gilded Lily?" An overnight star. Well, in those days they didn't like stars to be married. The girl of your heart was also the skeleton in your closet. She might be there but you didn't talk about her. When Fred hit the jackpot, everything was lovely. He wasn't married. "I'm engaged, though," he said. They were big about it. They didn't say, "Break the engagement." They said: "Keep it dark — " "Why?" "Fans don't like leading men to be married. You've only got one picture under your belt. You could fade as fast as you shot up — " "That's too bad. But I'm not keeping Lillian dark." What happens to every new screen rave happened to Fred. The routine never varies. Today nobody knows you're alive — except a few firm friends. Tonight your picture's released. Tomorrow the hostesses swarm like locusts. Where Lillian wasn't invited, Fred wouldn't go. He turned a deaf ear to studio pleas and warnings. And when he and Lil were ready to marry, what d'you suppose they did? Why, they went and got married. Paramount really tore the roof down. But I notice MacMurray still has a few fans. By the time Alan Ladd came along, the no-wife-and-kids slant had pretty well fizzled out. But not altogether. "Softpedal the family stuff," Alan was told, especially after Alana was born. "A little's all right, but don't overdo it." Remembering how things were when she was a star, publicity-wise Sue backed the studio up. Alan balked. "I'm married, and always let people know it. Because, I don't believe in that stuff. I think they enjoy knowing that I'm happily married and five a normal life with my wife and kid. Anyway, it's a chance I'll take. Sue and the baby are part of me, and I'm not suppressing them." The studio stood its ground. When a feature request came up that involved the family, they'd quietly shelve it. It Oat *o *'•«» flowers.. ^ influence hus6anc/$ IS HE SHELF-CONSCIOUS? He'll pay off in posies when you slick up those shelves with fancyedged shelf paper stuck down tight with crystal-clear "Scotch" Cellulose Tape. IF HE LUGS A LUNCH Seal it with "Scotch" Tape. It'll help keep his sandwiches fresh. (Swell for sealing icebox leftovers, too.) DON'T KEEP HIM GUESSING what kind of jam or jelly it is. Stick the labels on with firm-holding "Scotch" Tape. They'll never curl up and drop off. We could go on and on . . . nobody's ever listed all of "Scotch" Tape's uses. You'll discover new ones every day. Too bad "Scotch" Tape is so hard to find right now, but it'll be back in your favorite store soon . . . ready once again to help you have a happier, neater home. IT SEALS : IT MENDS • IT HOLDS SCOTCH FOR QUALITY f . . . look for the "SCOTCH" trade-mark. It identifies the more than 100 varieties of adhesive tapes made in U. S. A. by Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co., Saint Paul 6, Minn. TAPE BRAND ) I94S M. M . Be Mi CO. Made only by Minnesota Mining & Mfg. company. Saint Paul 6, Minnesota