Movieland. (1945)

BETTY GRABLE CONTINUED Harry was playing at the Hollywood Palladium just before the blessed event. Betty stayed close to him, colled the baby "it." and mahogany — a house not for big Hollywood parties, but rambling, with unexpected wings, as if it had been built for a big family. It was a very private, very personal place to them. They seldom even gave interviews at the house. After their front page elopement and midnight marriage in Las Vegas, last July 5th, they had met reporters at the studio, or at Betty’s mother’s home. When they had moved into their home they seldom gave interviews at all. The Jameses had moved off the front pages and settled down to domesticity with their hearts in it! “Punkie” ruled the roost — and at the moment he was going mad trying to get either Betty or Harry to close the door on the hated “place.” “We’re going to have to see that Punkie gets a formal introduction to the baby,” said Betty, “He’s going crazy being jealous of something he can’t locate!” Harry looked at his watch. “I have to hurry, Honey” (they never called one another “Mama” or “Pappy” or any other of the pre-blessed event terms). “It’s time for my radio rehearsal — almost two o’clock.” “I’m going, too,” she said. This had been one of the really swell things about the whole — waiting! They were together all the time. Ever since Betty had notified her studio that she was in “retirement” and ever since Harry finished his engagement at the Pal¬ ladium, Hollywood’s most deluxe and super favorite dance hall, they spent every hour, day and night, together. Harry went to get the car. From the driveway he sounded the signal, two long, one short on the horn. But Betty didn’t come out. He yelled, “Ready?” Maybe she couldn’t hear him. When he went to see — she wasn’t ready at all. Not to go to a radio rehearsal. She was lying on the divan, her long bobbed hair (the way he liked her to wear it) spread fan¬ shaped on a pillow. “Betty! You feel all right?” “Yesss. I guess so.” They looked at each other. A look of surprise, won¬ der, questioning crossed her face. But her voice was calm, Betty’s old slightly kidding voice when she said: “I think, Harry — maybe you had better call the doctor.” That was 2:30 p.m. — the afternoon of March 1st. It was 4:30 a.m. the morning of March 3rd before ■ ^ Her legs are lyric, but they are not the only thing that has made Betty Grable box-office queen. Her good common sense has helped. Victoria Elizabeth James was bom! Prematurely . . . one month too soon . . . the dangerous 8th month ... in a Caesarian operation that almost cost Betty Grable’ s life. In “woman’s talk” — Betty James had a “hard time.” The baby was large — seven pounds, ten ounces. Later, thinking back on it, the women remembered that Betty hadn’t dieted. She had eaten and laughed at their hints and warnings. “I’m the healthiest person you know. I’m hungry — and besides, IT’S hungry!” As a matter of fact Betty has never dieted under any circumstances. Like her close friend, Lana Turner Crane, she had refused to be a glamorous invalid. Right up to the very last she had gone every place with Harry. To his rehearsals, his broadcasts, to dinner and to the night spots. It just wasn’t in Betty to worry about herself. “Of course,” she laughed one night in a poker game, “I do hope the baby isn’t born with a deck of cards in its hands.” Betty and Harry and their close friend. May Sunday, and Lana and Steve Crane and two or three others, played cards almost every night. The Jameses usually won which surprised Betty. She had never been much of a card holder. “Maybe ( Continued on page 74) 26