Modern Screen (Dec 1931 - Nov 1932 (assorted issues))

STRANGE SLANTS ON HOLLYWOOD Revealing the Sari Maritza Hoax (Left) Vivian Caye, Sari Maritza's manager and (right) Sari herself. Few young girls who've become bitten with the movie bug ever put over quite such a clever hoax as Sari did with the help of Vivian. It started in London some years ago. By LAURA LOUISE L O W R Y IT all started as a prank — a hoax perpetrated on dear ole Lunnon by two school-girls. But it had a farreaching effect that climaxed in Hollywood's importation of a new "foreign" star — namely, Sari Maritza. Three American studios competed for her services. Paramount won. In the biography of Sari Maritza as prepared by Paramount, her birth in Tientsin, China, in 1910, her education in English and Continental schools and her ultimate success in pictures made in England and Germany are reported accurately and entertainingly. The biography also established Miss Vivian Gaye as the discoverer and manager of Sari (pronounced "Sorry" as in "I'm sorry). The most interesting chapter of the life story of this young actress, however, is omitted, or at least ignored in the Paramount account — perhaps purposely. We heard the tale from a London friend and immediately sought out Vivian Gaye to ask for her version of the affair. "I never have told the real story for publication," she said. "I can see no harm in doing so now. You seem to know a good deal about it and you might just as well have all the facts." Vivian Gaye, it must be admitted, is not at all the sort of person one generally associates with managerial duties. She is young — only two years older than Sari — blond and quite attractive. Certainly she could seek an American screen career of her own if she were so minded. VIVIAN GAYE has had a little over a year's experience on the English stage and a good deal more in amateur dramatics. It was a modern-dress version of "Hamlet," performed in her final year in finishing school, that led to her start in the professional theatre. Her father, however, did not approve and after a year he prevailed upon her to give up the stage to devote herself to the management of his house and the entertainment of its guests. This because of the illness of her Russian mother. Toward the end of her first season of social activity, some friends told Vivian of a young girl about to be graduated from a school in Switzerland. This girl was Patricia Detring-Nathan, the daughter of Major Detring-Nathan. Since childhood, Patricia had talked of nothing except her ambition to become an actress. It was thought that, as Vivian had had professional experience, she might be willing to help young Patricia. Permission was asked to bring the girl to call when she returned to England. Vivian's own school days were not so far removed that she could not find ready understanding of the theatrical ambitions of Patricia. The two girls hit it off immediately. They discussed the best ways of winning quick recognition on the stage and from their discussions, a wild plan evolved. It started more or less as a prank to direct attention to the newcomer. When it worked so well, they decided to continue the hoax. Having been educated on the Continent, Patricia was practically unknown in London. It was decided to invent an exotic and colorful history for "an actress fresh from triumphs in the capitals of Europe." A seasoning of scandal was added to flavor the tale. It was suggested that despite her youth, she was a noted figure in several intrigues that concerned (whisper) royalty! It was indeed a glamorous background, but it needed a glamorous name. Between them the girls concocted Sari Maritza. It fitted beautifully. "We even gave Sari a heavy accent," Vivian Gaye told us. "We pretended to lease the home of Major DetringNathan and whenever anyone called on business, we locked the poor man in his study or got rid of him some other way. AS sponsor and manager of the newly-created Sari, my first attempt in such a capacity, I sent glowing accounts of her "arrival" to the press. From a carefully prepared list of fifty-odd names (Continued on page 87) 64