Movie Classic (Sep 1932-Feb 1933)

THE NEWSREEL OF THE NEWSSTANDS Ruth Chatterton Divorces Forbes To Marry Brent Actress And Ralph Forbes Part Friends, Bringing Themselves To Long-Delayed Step — Romance With George Brent Began In Their Pictures Together By Jerry bannon RALPH FORBES was almost killed recently. It was when, seeing his wife off on her vacation trip to Europe, he remained a trifle too long on the platform of the train to give her a last kiss, and had to make a last-minute leap to the ground. A little more than a week later, Ruth handed a Madrid reporter a two-line statement of her plan to divorce for "incompatibility," and Ralph was departing from Hollywood to establish a residence for her in Reno. Since then, while Hollywood has buzzed with conjectures and the gossip-columnists have printed rumors of money trouble, another woman, another man, Ralph has received long affectionate letters from Ruth, telling him the news about their many mutual friends abroad. This bids fair to be Hollywood's friendliest divorce, surpassing even the Harding-Bannister parting. A few days before Ruth left for Europe, a friend (who had an inkling of her plans) asked / her: "What's the matter ) between you and Ralph? You're awfully sweet together — it's too bad to break it up." "It's just „ • • ,, J • , Ruth says similarity of n ' l' i_S 3i' temperament, not dif Ruth soberly, ference, caused break "A Lady of Scandal. "The Crash," upon rumors But Ralph and I "Ralph and I are as alike as though we were close relatives. The same tastes, ideas, dislikes — everything. It becomes monotonous after a while. Marriage needs differences in reactions, will always be friends." For a year, they have been denying the gossip of Hollywood — and doing it with obvious sincerity. They felt that some day there might come a parting, but they thought vaguely that it would come later — next year, some other time, not now. They are genuinely fond of each other, and eight years of marriage lie behind them. "It is a shock to make the break," they admit now. It was the first marriage for each of them. ■'^' Once before they _^\^ parted, but for the ' '~ ySf same reason did not get a divorce. They < / hated to take the final step, and presently in HolK wood they drifted togethei again. Ralph began to take Ruth > Both Ralph Forbes and George Brent have made love to Ruth Chatterton on the screen. At top, Ruth and her first husband in Lower, Ruth and her next husband in the completion of which she confirmed of divorce and new marriage to parties, and Ruth had Ralph to her house to dine. Presently, they took up married life again, and have continued together for three years. Rumor, ever romantic, has brought the name of George Brent, her leading man in both "The Rich Are Always with Us" and "The Crash," into the situation. Until the time when Ruth confirmed the divorce rumors, George laughed at rumors that he was in love with anyone. A week after Ruth's Madrid announcement, George told a reporter that he and Ruth planned marriage, but that the time and place were indefinite because of the divorce; he added that it had all been decided before her departure, but that they hail tried to keep it a secret. One thing it is only fair to say. Money does not enter into the parting of Ruth and Ralph. When Ruth entered on her contract with Warners, involving a million dollars, Ra,lph insisted on signing away any community rights in the contract. And Ruth has announced that the divorce will in no way affect their "professional partnership" — that they are, m facti planning to produce a play together in the Fall. M