Movieland. (1945)

THE LITTLE WIFE— HEDY LAMARR 'CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 1) and wanted to get back to work. At that time it seemed that John was being considered for the name role in Mr. Skeffington, but tests indicated that he didn’t fit the part. So, once again, he asked for a release from his contract. “Wait two more months,” he was urged. Now a long period between pic¬ tures is likely to perforate the aver¬ age man with serious doubts of his value. Not in a dejected tone, but bringing a judicial attitude to bear, John smiled at Hedy and said, “Per¬ haps you’re biased in your opinion of my ability. Maybe I’m not so hot after all!” Hedy simply stared at John. “How long have you been in this business!” she demanded in astonishment. “I simply will not talk to you if you are going to say things like that. It’s ridi¬ culous. You know you have every¬ thing you need to be a big success in pictures. Don’t say such a thing to me again. Not ever!” Of such wifely partisanship is mar¬ riage made. Somewhat later, Hedy said tenta¬ tively, “You should go to your agent and tell him that you want to do some radio work. You have the voice and the diction for it. Even though you might do only small shows at first, it would lead to something good. I’m sure of it.” So John went on sustainers and found that he liked radio work very much. At the end of the two-month War¬ ner waiting period, John returned to his studio with lifted eyebrows. A part? A new picture? Because of one of those curious lulls that descends upon Hollywood occa¬ sionally, there was still no role in pre¬ paration for Mr. Loder. Mr. Warner agreed, reluctantly, to abrogate John’s contract. Whereupon, John wrote a letter of appreciation to the Burbank I Executive. In return, he received a note from Jack Warner which he will cherish forever. It is one of the friendliest of contract-termination missives. “Now,” said Hedy with wifely con¬ viction, “you’ll see that things will start happening.” The first thing that happened was the chance of a contract with MGM — Hedy’s home lot. A contract that was turned down by the independent Mr. Loder. “Thank you very much. I appreciate the honor you have done me,” he said, in effect, to the studio, “but I will not ride into a contract on the skirts of my wife.” And that ended that. Within the next few weeks, John was signed as the Director of the radio “Silver Theatre” every Sunday night, and he was signed by Jules Levey to play “Lazar” in Eugene O’Neill’s story, The Hairy Ape, which is being produced in film for the first time. The title role, inciden¬ tally, is being created by William Bendix. “And so,” John said to a group of friends one night, summing up his professional advancements, “in a year of marriage, my wife has urged me into a brand new career in radio, and into a revitalized career in pictures. No wonder I consider myself an ex¬ ceptionally lucky man.” If Hedy has proved to be the dyna¬ mo in the furtherance of John’s career, John has proved to be the balance wheel in their marriage. Hedy is one of the most mercurial of investors. Almost any salesman with a reason¬ ably convincing manner and an oilslick line can fascinate her with the aspects of whatever he happens to be selling. Don’t get the impression from that that Hedy isn’t a good business wo¬ man, because she is. It is her very financial success that sometimes im¬ pels her to recklessness. That’s when a husband is a valuable commodity. After a year of matrimony, the Loders have grown reconciled to one an¬ other’s foibles. In the morning, John lights his pipe upon awakening, and smokes it on his way to the bath. In the bathroom, he puts the pipe on Hedy’s dressing table. Invariably he forgets the pipe and returns to his room to dress. Hedy upon entering the bathroom, always picks up the pipe gingerly and transports it, to. John’s pipe stand, calling, “The place for your pipe is here, not my dressing table.” The following morning they go through the same routine. The begin¬ ning of a junior “Life With Father” tradition. About the house, Hedy is scrupu¬ lously neat. Every ashtray has to be in its place, every picture must hold an even keel; every book must be in its particular spot on the bookshelf. But when she changes clothes she is inclined to drop a shoe here, a stock¬ ing there. Lingerie is likely to be draped over a chair, and a dress over the chaise longue. John’s house habits are lackadai¬ sical; he is likely to have littered ash¬ trays in convenient rather than deco¬ rative spots. He wads pillows on which to rest his head, and a coffee table four feet out of formation annoys him not at all. However, about cloth¬ ing he has the views of an inspecting general, his shoes are always placed on trees and lined up in proper rows. His suits are always brushed before being hung away at the end of a day. Ties are placed in a press, and shirts are relegated to the hamper. Here is the twist that makes mar¬ riage such a wonderful institution: John’s fastidious treatment of his clothing causes him to appreciate Hedy’s meticulous attitude toward their house. And Hedy’s casual view¬ point on the care and hanging of clothes makes her tolerant of John’s offhand treatment of household goods. The Loders continue to be enthusi¬ astic givers of presents to one another. For Christmas Hedy gave John a wrist watch, the case of which is constructed in a woven gold design which matches his wedding ring. And, while they were in Mexico City last fall, John gave Hedy a gorgeous matching set of star-shaped amethyst-studded Mexi¬ can silver consisting of earrings, neck¬ lace, bracelet and ring. The trip to Mexico, incidentally, was a second honeymoon. They stayed at The Reforma; they visited Xocbimilco; they attended their first bull fight. 1 WHATS TROUBLE p ID RATHER NOT TALK W ABOUT it/ Many people needlessly suffer the itch¬ ing, soreness and distress of simple piles or hemorrhoids. V nguentine Rectal Cones, made by the makers of famous UNGUENTINE, help to bring quick relief . . . help guard against in¬ fection and promote healing. Unguentine Rectal Cones are Easy to use . . . Sanitary , . . Inexpensive. If you do not get prompt relief, consult your physician. Money-back guarantee. UNGUENTINE RECTAL CONES •fU*. V. 8. P«t. Off. A NORWICH PRODUCT \OMRM PERFUME An enchanting perfume of ir¬ resistible charm, clinging for hours like lovers loath to part. Just a tiny drop Is enough. 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