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x^jmp ITYdtlds, Here Comes Conrad
The benevolence of zJxfr. ^agelj ^Actor and Qentr 'Puts Polly anna To Shame
By CEDRIC BELFRAGE
SUCH caustic and embittered souls as hold that "perfect gent" and "in the movies" are a contradiction in terms, gaze, I beseech, upon the noble brow of Messer Conrad Nagel.
Besides being constantly called upon to represent the film colony at dinners, openings, tree-plantings and foundation stone layings, Conrad is the champion of the celluloid brotherhood's cause. He champions them in their battles for more and bigger paychecks, for shorter working hours. He also champions them in conversation, should anyone dare to suggest in his presence that there is no health in them.
He was at the bottom of an institution with that unmistakably genteel name, "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences." So genteel is it, in fact, that it is bruited that less than twelve movie actors could find it in their hearts to turn up at the last meeting, out of a round two-hundred invited by phone, letter, cable and other persuasive devices.
Conrad not only shuns the uncharitable in his remarks about mankind in general and the film folk in particular, but does it in a beautiful, resonant accent that bespeaks perfect breeding. He lives in a Colonial style house, and it seems utterly wrong that he should not have a corps of negro slaves to call him "Massa."
"God," Conrad says in effect on behalf of Hollywood, joining the swelling chorus of a thousand Elk, Optimist International, Kiwanis and Rotary
R. H. Louise
They say that Conrad Nagel, above in two poses, one with Greta Garbo — has with the advent of the talkies developed a type of S. A. that may or may not
stand for sound appeal
fraternities, "loves us." So convincingly does he say it that local Rotary clubs compete to have him reassure them about it.
HE BELIEVES IT
ONRAD is probably quite sincere. You should just see his wine-colored Rolls-Royce (imported).
It was in this princely barouche that he swept
me the other day from Warner Brothers studio.
We left its polished flanks exposed to the dust
of a nearby street, and went into a cafe for
lunch.
And this is what he told me about the film colony.
"Such nice, sincere, honest, kind people. You couldn't possibly find a better set anywhere. Generous, hospitable." So far as is consistent with good-breeding, he seemed almost to choke with emotion. "Not even a suggestion of snobbery about them. Look at Marion Davies, for example. What a sweet. girl! Everybody just loves her. Why, if you go to dinner with her, you're as likely as not to be sitting at table next to one of the electricians on her picture."
I boggled across the table. This was news indeed. "Take Jesse Lasky," he continued. I was about to accept him when Conrad pursued: "When Mrs. Nagel and I went down to his beach place last week, there he was playing with the kiddies on the sand, just as human and simple as you please. And then do you know what he did r He knew we were interested in Colonial antiques, so he left his guests and took us right through every room in the house, showing us every piece of furniture and telling its history."
Then there was another point on which Conrad was very definite.
"As to my public speaking," he said, ''I {Continued on page 94) \
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