The Motion Picture Studio Insider (1935)

70 Motion Picture Studio Insider January. 1937 DESTINED TO SING (Continued from Page 33) liis mood. Joan! There had been no letter for him before he left Naples. After all, she couldn’t care for him as he had been fool enough to believe. His eyes darkened and he forgot for a mo¬ ment the beauty of a terra-cotta frieze with its dancing angels in the picture of a slim, tweed-clad girl with wide, gray eyes. “Ecco! Look, Carlyle, did you ever see such heavenly shades — those terra¬ cotta figures against the background of turquoise-green,” exclaimed Armini. anxiously scanning his companion’s troubled face. “What’s the matter, you were happy a moment ago. Your sweet¬ heart in America? You must ‘snap out of it’ as you tell me.” Dick pulled himself together but be¬ fore he could reply there came a great chord of hidden music and a clear, high soprano voice trilled through the open¬ ing Latin of the oratorio that was part of the festival. As the joyous “Hosanna” gradually subsided tears of emotion welled in Dick's eyes and he turned away with Anglo-Saxon self-conscious¬ ness. “Introduce me to ihe girl, will you,” he whispered. “We might get together on a duet.” An amused smile answered him. “Sorry, my friend, that 'girl' is a choir boy, vowed to the service of Santa Maria and quite beyond your blandishments.” Then Dick remembered having heard of certain male choirs world acclaimed for the beauty of their soprano voices. “I thought they were a thing of the past,” he said as they came out on to a large, cool porch where they saw a number of peasants in the most colorful array of native costumes imaginable. As the indoor service ended the crowd broke into loud outbursts of joy and laughter, bells rang merrily and all kinds of hand wielded toys added to the noise. The girls especially were more than aware of the two handsome young strangers and many languishing glances were cast upon them. To hide his emotion Dick cried, “Get a load of all that feminine pulchritude, Armini. Couldn't we buy them a drink?” “‘Get a load!" 0. I see. But have patience — there will be time for the girls, later. First I want you to see all that goes on at the festa /’ Then Dick noticed flocks of sheep be¬ ing lead by both shepherds and shep¬ herdesses. After mingling a while, the flock separated and those with the girls went to one low, grassgrown hill, those with the youths, to another, set at a little distance. As they climbed to points of vantage a chorus of sweet singing arose joyously, then the shepherdesses were silent while their men sang the Serenata della Alpi. in the same old words that had rung out in that same village celebration for hundreds of years. The girls’ melodious reply was full of the sound of flower names so that the air itself became scented with the thoughts and pictures the sounds conjured in the imagination. “The music of the spheres! cried Dick in a low tone of entrancement. “But what do they say?” “Oh, just pure romantic nonsense, I would call it. The shepherds ask their girls if they would like to hear the nightingale sing and the girls reply that they would give roses and jasmine for the privilege — or words to that effect,” explained Armini, who was not quite sure what his American companion’s re¬ action had been. His large, brown eyes were constantly searching the throng and they flashed as he noted the ap¬ proach of a particularly pretty girl. He stepped forward, still looking searchingly beyond her, then he bowed low over a small hand that was somewhat timidly placed in his. A few words brought a blush to the girl’s soft cheek just as Dick came down to earth and the power of observation. He advanced towards the couple and was duly pre¬ sented to Signorina Giovanna Gonnelli. “You have a great name. Miss Gon¬ nelli,” said Dick in his labored Italian, but with impressive interest. “Are you of the family of the great Giovanni Gon¬ nelli? Do you also sculp?” The girl laughed, showing the most perfect teeth Dick had ever seen. "You tell him.” she rep 1 ied turning to Armini, and speaking very quickly. “Giovanna’s family have kept the Albergo delle San Vivaldo for gener¬ ations.” Armini explained, “but they have claimed no further distinction. You mustn’t let the terra-cotta angels go to your head, Carlyle.” “They are having a lot of competition right now,” returned Dick, meaningly, his eyes on the dark beauty of the girl. “That is good. But we should lunch first. In fact I think this would be an excellent opportunity for us to sample some of old man Gonnelli's famous ‘vino’ and the polenta that is food for the gods,” was di Achillo’s suggestion. As they made their way through the crowd of merrymakers, the girl with a light hand on the arm of each. Armini asked, “Where is Lucia?” “She w ill j oin us later.” “And where is the good Ettore?" A shiver ran through the girl and she glanced around fearfully. “His father is ill. He had to go home — but he will return.” a d d d ( d ( ( « d « ( i ( ( d d C ( Its Far Simpler to Have Premiere Prepare the Christmas Dinner in Your Own Home ^$3 l — i-O In this manner you can entertain the Christmas or New Year guests with complete freedom from responsibilities. Every¬ thing will be handled with the greatest taste — we bring attractive Bavarian china along with the choice of many menus in keeping with the season. Competent trained help will see that the meal moves smoothly without your supervision. Unique Cakes and Ice Cream Molds for the Holidays Years of experience Catering to the desires of those who demand pleasant table sur¬ prises. 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