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Ch evalier
Maurice Only Seems To Be A French American
By LLliABETH GOLDBECK
O
^.Nt, ui Hollywood's pet superstitions is that Chevalier has become Americanized. Various things gave rise to the myth. One was the marvelous performance he gave as the FrancoAmerican Babbitt in "The Big Pond." So convincing was the transformation that it seemed Maurice himself must carry pencils on his ears and talk slang for the rest of his life.
Another is that Chevalier, in person, fails so utterly to meet the popular specifications for a Frenchman, that people who didn't nave a chance to scrutinize him on nis arrival get the impression that America has altered him to fit her national ways.
There's his cap, for instance — always a source of disjppointment to those who have a blind faith in the frenchman of the black silk hat. .And his clean-shaven face where, according to the traditions of the industry, there should be an impudent mustache!
And most misleading of all — his personality. How disconcerting for those who expect a gay, chattering, gesturing, romantic, trifling Frenchman, to find a person with all the outward appearance of a sober American business man !
The key to that enigma is simple. Chevalier is a great actor— not of a part, but of a pers^mality. It's hard for anyone to realize that a personality can be assumed — especially one so lively, so spontaneous. Everyone who meets Chevalier is amazed by the complete absence of that sparkle and eagerness that seem so innately and inevitably his on the screen.
The Star Hoarder
E\ h.\ his clyse Iriends admit that he saves that radiant good humor and affection for professional use — on the stage, on the screen, and for being a master of ceremonies. The brilliance of it is not dimmed by overwork.
In an entirely different way, his own private personality is very charming, too. Quiet, sympathetic, kindly, J little patient, without eagerness, without enthusi.i ■ hi is a contradiction of everything you believed al him. Like the wrong side of a lustrous fabric.
When he says. "I am very happ>," he neither looks hjppy, nor acts happy. He almost kx>ks disappointed. Hut very sweet, (.'hcvalier denies that he has become Americanized in ■llywood.
f was very American before I ever came to America," 1 I, in a very tentative sort of English. "The modern {Continued un page go)