Motion Picture (Feb-Jul 1932)

BANNISTER IN RENO After he and Ann Harding issued their startling statements, Harry Bannister left for Reno at once — to establish residence for the divorce. When asked on what grounds he would sue, he declined to say. Hollywood divorce attorneys doubt he can get a divorce on the friendly grounds he and Ann offered. And, for once, Hollywood does not have the inside story. Ann and Harry have never taken the world into their confidence. They made no exception now. Ann Harding, who was once a stenographer, typed these letters to the press with her own hands. The first her confidential secretary knew of the matter was when the newspapermen descended on the house. The first her studio heard of the incredible news was when the RKO telephone lines began to hum with excited inquiries. Mrs. Robert E. Nash, Ann's sister, was first told of the divorce plans by a reporter. Joan Crawford and Loretta Young. Ann's closest girl-friends, were shocked into tears by the news. Ann and Harry, of course, immediately "disappeared" — Ann to fly to Palm Springs and Harry to start his trip to Reno. .Hollywood, recovering from its first shock, already has "explanations" to offer. There are those who mention other men (one the mayor of a midWestern city, another an actor who recently played opposite Ann) — and other women (one said to work as an extra in Ann's own studio). There are stories of Harry's reputation as a gallant in his old bachelor days on Broadway. He is painted as something of a fortune-hunter, although the proposed property settlement gives Ann everything, including the custody of Jane. People wag their heads over the folly of isolating themselves from society and recall the Bannisters' boast that they spent their eve nings quietly listening to the radio, reading, writing, talking or playing cards, and went to bed at ten or ten-thirty. NOT the Reasons for Divorce THOSE who blame Harry for precipitating the divorce interpret the letters as meaning, under their kind words, that Harry was jealous of Ann's success and fame. Those who blame Ann read into the soft phrases that she preferred to remain in Hollywood with fame and fortune rather than to abandon her career and follow her husband to New York. We believe that we can say absolutely that these conjectures are wrong. A writer for Motion Picture Magazine has been honored by the friendship of these two unusual people, Ann Harding and Harry Bannister. He was the last writer to talk with them before their decision was announced to the public. And although he was as much taken by surprise as everyone else, Was Ann Harding's statement (left) dictated by her desire to repay Harry for his "martyrdom" for her? he sees in their decision an amazing story of devotion and self-sacrifice. The letters announcing their divorce plans were delivered on Wednesday. On the previous Sunday evening, after a preview of " Symphony of Six Million," he talked with Ann and Harry. They seemed as happy as a pair of youngsters as they met him in the theater lobby. "We have the most glorious news!" said Ann gaily. "Yesterday Harry obtained his release from his RKO-Pathe contract. We are so happy! It means he's free at last to do what he wants to do!" " Isn't it great? " Harry asked. " I feel as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I am no longer tied down. I'm free, I tell you — free as a bird! I'm going back to the stage!" "Come up to the house tomorrow night," they urged, "and we will tell you all about it." For three hours, on Monday evening, the Bannisters talked with our correspondent and his wife. Harry and Ann, sitting on the divan holding hands, seemed light-hearted and gay. Their attitude toward one another was no different from what it had ever been. If anything, they laughed more than usual. It was (Continued on page 72) 41