Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

:Tve told Sandra over and over like a Dutch uncle that the public wants movie actresses to be glamourous and exciting. The dullest thing in the world is this current sloppy fad — or even worse, looking and acting like that mythical girl next door! I told Sandra the worst thing she can do is to pose for 'kitchen art' — whipping up cakes she can't cook, pretending to be an expert on household tips. If the fans want household hints — get a recipe book!" Ross really was on a soapbox. "One of the most terrible things that ever happened to screen stars is this fad for being 'average.' People have been kind and called me a successful producer of such movies as Imitation Of Lije, Pillow Talk, Portrait In Black. I believe that a big part of that success is that my pictures deal with beautiful and exciting women wearing expensive clothes in costly backgrounds." "Did you have to work hard to sell Sandra on this philosophy, Ross?" I chuckled. "No!" he admitted with a big smile. I repeated this conversation to Sandra and she admitted she had listened to Ross and believed what he said. "Even so," she dimpled, "I was scared when I bought that full length white mink — and I had cause to be. Ross was just a bit" — she pinched her little finger and thumb together indicating a smirch. — "taken aback. He reminded me, 'It's one thing to be glamourous — but first keep out of the poorhouse!' " Sandra was completely enjoying herself as she added, "So — before he could lecture any more — I was given a new contract by U-I with more money on a seven year deal — and each year it goes higher. Even Ross had to admit the poorhouse isn't right around the corner for me." I LOOKED THOUGHTFULLY at this young goddess as she suddenly rose, walked to the window and looked down at the world of average people, the world in which she had decided she would never be able to live — and thought of the sadness, unhappiness and even tragedy that has stalked the paths of the women who have trod it. One has been closely associated with Sandra in movie making— Lana Turner. "Sandra, are you too young and happy — or have you ever looked around you at the private lives of these exciting actresses you admire so much? Have you wondered if the heartaches and some of the bitter things that have happened to them are worth it? I mean, will you be willing to go through the same fate, if need be, for the same heights?" Again I was almost bowled over by the insight of this girl who still looks and sometimes acts like a teenage novice. She answered in that soft voice of hers with its little girl pitch, "Most of the big heartaches that come to girls and women are based in unhappiness in love. Movie actresses, particularly, seem to be unwise or unhappy in love — at least, through their first loves. "So far — love hasn't happened to me although it has often come to girls even younger than I. I've had crushes, yes — and yens, and things like that. But I've never been seriously in love. "Who knows what it will bring when it comes? I want to love and to be loved — and any girl who says differently isn't telling the truth." I didn't want to interrupt her for she seemed eager to talk about this subject which fascinates women of all ages. "I hope I won't be badly hurt by love," she went on, "but who am I to expect that heartaches will never cross my path? I can tell you this: If real love comes along, something I know in my heart is real and wonderful — I won't test it, or question it or dodge it because it might not last forever. I will welcome it for whatever it brings." Recalling that some love experiences can be pretty bitter and unwonderful, I asked Sandra if she and Lana (an expert in heartache) ever had any talks on the subject during the making of two films together. "I wouldn't presume to ask questions of Miss Turner," she answered immediately, "because she does fiot wear her heart on her sleeve. I have been working with her when she has gone through some pretty terrible troubles and worries. But, on the set, you'd never guess her unhappiness — except for an unguarded moment or two when I've caught her face when she didn't know anyone was looking. "What I like so much about her is that she never seems to wallow in self pity. She wears courage like a Jean Louis gown!" I repeated what I had previously asked, if Sandra and Lana had talked about 'the price of love' in the glamour world. "Not exactly in the way you mean," Sandra replied. "After all — while Miss Turner does not treat me like a little girl and we are very good friends, I am only two years older than her own daughter. She'd hardly speak disillusioningly to either of us, her screen daughter or her real daughter." "DO YOU KNOW CHERYL CRANE?" I asked. Sandra said, "I've met her. Cheryl has come on the set when we are working and when she is with her mother, surrounded by the people her mother works with, Cheryl seems happy. You can tell just by watching them together — Lana Turner loves her daughter deeply and she is a devoted and loving mother" — Sandra said this as though she defied anyone to challenge her statement. One more important question remained to be put to my young friend. "Sandra, you are a child of divorce — of a broken home. Do you think it has had any unhappy effect on your life, any lasting hurt?" She shook her head emphatically. "No. None at all. I know this isn't what a lot of moralists contend — but I can only speak from my own experience. I believe that real happiness can be built over the lessons we learn from unhappiness. My mother has told me this and I have seen it with my own eyes — and heart. If we learn wisely from mistakes and unhappiness — we appreciate even more the happiness that comes into our lives." Talk about "out of the mouths of babes"— Sandra was proving with each new thing she had said to me how truly she is "grown-up." WE HAD ENJOYED a long and to me illuminating talk. It was time for Sandra to leave. There was much for her to do before taking off again for Europe. As for me, my telephone calls had been backing up as they always do when I "close off" for an hour or so. I gave Sandra a little hug and bade her godspeed. 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