Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

times," he said lightly, that fascinating smile returning, "there were many, many delays making Let's Make Love including another illness of Marilyn's — plus the actors' strike at that time. "I WAS BESIDE MYSELF because I had signed a contract to appear in Japan and if I did not keep it, the Japanese managers were threatening to sue. Mr. Buddy Adler was then head of the studio and because it was not my fault that I could not fulfill my engagement in Japan, he offered to make my loss good to the Japanese. "At the time I did not feel I could accept it. But as the picture dragged Hayley (Continued from page 28) top British star John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell Mills had grown up in a world that was a mixture of the brightest literary and theatrical circles — and the quietness and quaintness of the old English countryside. Her god-parents were among the most famous figures in the world. And when "Uncle Larry" (Olivier) would visit the farm, he'd take her piggy-back riding. And "Uncle Noel" (Coward) would send her pretty toys from all over the world. But in the morning — way before breakfast, she'd run down to the barn, feed the baby colts, and in watching them with the mares, learn the marvels and mysteries of life. AND HER HEART WOULD ACHE with the longing to grow up fast, so she too could have babies all her own. Her sister Juliet, four years her senior, wasn't in that much hurry to grow up. At sixteen, Juliet was an experienced actress: one who had been on the stage periodically since she was a baby. And although Hayley had seen her father in movies and on the stage and thought he was "quite wonderful," she couldn't understand her sister's preoccupation with all "that make-believe stuff," or how she could have the patience to be locked up in her room with a script, when she could spend that same time riding over the countryside, or taking care of the vegetable garden, or playing with the animals. Then — suddenly, the night before, a big change came over her. A friend of daddy's, director J. LeeThompson came to spend the weekend and confer with John about the script of their new movie together, Tiger Bay. They were talking about it at dinner. "We can roll tomorrow," he said, "if we can get the proper child. But we've tested two dozen and can't find one that's just right. "We want someone fresh and beguiling — and without precocious mannerisms . . . Someone like . . . well, someone like your little Hayley." Hayley played with her potatoes and roast beef, and as he kept talking, her eyes grew wider and wider. Then she went to her room and "thought and thought and thought." At 6 A.M. she went down to the barn — "and thought some more." By the time she went in for breakfast —she had made up her mind. She still wanted to be "a mother" when she grew up, but she also wanted to be an actress. on, and this very fine man became my friend and was so kind to me, I went to him and said I would give an option on my services in return for taking care of the Japanese cancellation. "The last business talk that I had with him he said, 'When we have something for you, Yves, that will be fine. But we do not want you to feel bound.' His death is not only my loss — but all of Hollywood's." To this I said a heartfelt "Amen." It was a working week day and our talk had extended well past the noon hour, longer than Yves or I had intended. My secretaries were holding important calls for the column upstairs and with his ex She asked Daddy about it at breakfast. "I want to be Gillie, Daddy. I know I can do it. Honest I can. If you'll let me." "Are you sure, Hayley?" Mills asked. "It's a lot of hard work. And it means giving up your summer vacation and going to bed early every night and learning lots of lines." "I'm sure, Daddy." Mills was apprehensive. After breakfast he discussed it with Thompson. "Do you want to take a chance with a completely inexperienced child?" he asked. "I never even knew Hayley wanted to act — and frankly Lee, I don't know if she can." "Well, she has the quality and the charm. I'll take the chance — if it's all right with you. After all you're the star of the picture." After two weeks of shooting, John told his friend: "Well, I was the star of this picture. From here on in, I'm just a supporting player." HE MADE THE SAME CONFESSION to his daughter: "Hayley, when this picture is released, no one will even know I am in it. I can see the reviews now. They are going to say that you are the greatest child actress in twenty-five years." "Oh Daddy, do you really think so?" "I don't think so ... I know so." The picture ended almost too soon for her. And then it was time to return to school. "But Daddy." she said. "I want to act ever so badly. Do you think I will soon again." "Again, Hayley, but not soon. Not until next summer." "But next summer is so far away. I should be forgotten by then." "I promise you will not be forgotten, once this picture is seen." She returned to classes at the Angelo Catholic school, where her sister had attended before her. She wished that Juliet was still there so she could share her feelings and her delicious anticipation with her. There had only been one year in which she and Juliet had been at the school together: her first and Juliet's last — and it was the most wonderful fun of all. She had lots of other friends — but somehow she couldn't tell them about it. They would ask: "What did you do this summer, Hayley," and she would answer, not untruthfully, "Oh ... I played." She never mentioned the picture to anyone. She concentrated on her school work, and daydreamed only a little about next summer. And then suddenly Tiger Bay was ready to be premiered in London. Mills wrote Father John, the padre of the school and made arrangements for Hayley to get off to come to London for a few days. pected departure in twenty-four hours, there was much remaining for Yves to attend to. I walked to the door with my charming caller to wish him godspeed. "Thank you for letting me explain." he said, "I like you and I trust you and I know you are a good friend of Marilyn's. The sooner the situation is clarified — the better for all. I should like very much to say goodbye to her but — " once again that expressive shrug. Then he was gone. end Marilyn stars next in United Artists' The Misfjts, and Yves' new films are Time On Her Hands, also U.A., and Sanctuary, for 20th-Fox. Mary and John opened the London flat, and made a real holiday of it. It was especially wonderful because it meant a reunion with Juliet who was then appearing on the London stage in Five Finqer Exercise. There was a new party dress and a dinner celebration and, all the trimmings, but she still went through the evening in some kind of a daze. The applause at the end of the picture was real enoush. So was daddy's, "You're a star, darling." But she still couldn't believe it. She spent another sleepless night — her first since making the "big decision." And she got up at seven in the morning to wait for the paper boy. The rest of the Mills family were sleeping soundly as she turned from one drama page to another. HER HEART JUMPED at her reviews. The marvelous praise — the lines and lines and lines written about her. Then her heart sank. For in their overwhelming praise and enchantment of Hayley, John Mills was all but forgotten. She heard stirring in the other room and hurriedly gathered up all the papers and hid them under a chair cushion. Mills came out from his bedroom. "Up so early, Hayley. After all that excitement I thought you'd sleep until noon." "Oh. I wasn't very sleepy." John looked around the room, and outside the flat. "Hramm . . . the papers should be here by now. Wonder what's delaying them. I'm anxious to see the notices. Aren't you9" Hayley became terribly absorbed with some specks of dust which had gathered on the coffee table. "Well, let's go to breakfast. Starving?" "Yes, Daddy." Throughout breakfast Mills got up to see if the paper boy had arrived. "Can't understand it," he muttered. "On this of all mornings, the delivery should be so late." Hayley became terribly absorbed with a speck at the bottom of her glass of milk. After breakfast they returned to the living room. Mills sat down on the big easy chair — which this morning wasn't easy to sit on at all. He pulled up the cushion and saw all the papers piled beneath it . . . turned to the cinema pages. "Hayley!" "Yes, Daddy." "Why didn't you tell me the papers had arrived and you read them." "I'm sorry, Daddy. But I'm afraid they are all about me. And . . . and, well I didn't want your feelings to be hurt." "Hurt? Hayley, I'm delighted. I told you they wouldn't know I was in the 7