Movie Classic (Sep-Dec 1931)

You Up-to-date About Billie Dove? You think you know Billie Dove? Well, you don't — not until you read this story. She's different since her return to the screen. There are certain things she doesn't do or say or like — and here, for the first time, you learn what they are and get brand-new ideas about the brand-new Billie. You'll be surprised! By Elisabeth Goldbeck T rHE New Billie Dove" Is not a publicity myth. Billie no longer has many of the characteristics that used to distinguish her. Physically, she has not changed — except for hair that has gone suddenly and attractively grayish. Any man, asked to describe Billie negatively, would look at her with pleasure and say promptly, "Well, she's not ugly. And she's not deformed." Because of her rarely beautiful face and figure, Billie Dove will never be without the admiration of men. And like any other girl she is not averse to their flattery, and not happy without their attentions. Moreover, her beauty is no longer at a disadvantage. Her taste in clothes does not in the least resemble what it was two years ago. She no longer appears in leathers and bows. She now dislikes fussy clothes, a great deal of jewelry, and too much make-up, and she is never overdressed. , Billie can never be accused of indiscretion. She will make no statements about children, mothers, religion, sex, or any of the other contro (« * i . --- versial subjects. Nobody could be more tactlul and cautious than Billie. -^n She cannot be inveigled into making any unkind personal remarks, or even general remarks that might possibly be interpreted as being aimed at some individual. She will not consciously offend anyone or pick flaws in anyone. She is not garrulous. She isn't inclined to confide the details of her private life, except to a few intimates. And love affairs are a tabooed topic. She's No Housekeeper BILLIE is not domestic, but she doesn't mind admitting that she's romantic. She can't bear raw onions or toupees, and she hates to dance with a poor dancer — which attitude you'd expect from a former Follies girl. She dislikes box seats at the theater, and box lunches. She doesn't like to shop for clothes more than twice a year, and she never buys short evening dresses or uncomfortable clothes. She doesn't like brown, a color which she finds very depressing. She objects to wearing hats, and in summer manages almost never to wear one. She doesn't believe in foolish extravagance, but she thinks some extravagances are justifiable. She doesn't like to be alone, but she'd rather be alone than with somebody she doesn't like. She won't listen to certain people on the radio, and never fails to shut off women radio announcers. She doesn't like gossips. Billie never gets seasick, not even in an airplane. She dislikes closed 'planes, and never flies in anything but a small open one. She doesn't want to give up flying, although her studio wants her to, and will not allow her to fly during a picture. She has not yet made a solo flight, and hates to see her brother solo. She particularly dislikes flat tires when making a landing. Unlike most a c -.-. m tresses, Billie does not pine to go to Europe and live in a r--~» villa on the Mediter ranean, when she retires from pictures. Moreover, she does not miss New York, and prefers not to live in any city. She has no love for cold weather. How She Passed That Year BILLIE is not intellectual, but she never misses a chance to develop and improve herself. She makes no secret of her interest in the arts, in which she herself dabbles with paintbrush and pen. That's how she spent most of the year she was away from the screen. Nobody could be daintier or more feminine than Billie, but she is unmoved by the sight of blood, and does not turn a hair while engaged in her favorite sport of watching operations. She is not often depressed. She doesn't think she is conceited, and is equally disgusted with both vulgarity and prudishness. She doesn't like pessimists, or people who are always complaining. She can't stand people who talk out loud at the movies. (Nor can anyone else.) {Continued on page 81) 50