Movieland. (1949)

“Gel me up early — by hook or by crook,” demanded Kirk Douglas, and his loving Diana took him at his word. Her method isn’t recommended hut it certainly worked! Arise, My Love! performance of Academy Award caliber, though she had to wait for several years and “Kitty Foyle” to win the Oscar. I have been lucky enough to meet Ginger a number of times, both on her trips to New York, and on mine to California. The last time was in July, 1948. Although Ginger was at 4R Ranch in Oregon during a large part of my visit, we did get to see each other, as she was called back by Metro -GoldwynMayer to appear in “Barkleys of Broad¬ way,” with Fred Astaire. I had been in constant touch with her charming sec¬ retary, Penny Pascoe, who has been such a good friend to me and the club, and as soon as Ginger did get back, Penny made arrangements for me to see her at the studio. We spent an hour and a half in her dressing room and had a chance to talk about her vacation at the ranch. She was really excited at the prospect of getting back to work and was in cos¬ tume for rehearsing her “high kicks.” That same evening, Ginger, Penny and I went to Chasen’s for dinner and had more chance to talk about club matters, the new picture and other things. I asked Ginger if she would find it a bit difficult to dance again after so many pictures in straight roles, but she said she wouldn’t feel the rehearsals, as she keeps in condition with so many out¬ door sports all the time. At the ranch she fishes, plays golf and hikes. At home in Beverly Hills, she swims, plays ten¬ nis and is generally active. I told Ginger I was so pleased the new film would be in color, as I’ve been waiting for that ever since “Lady in the Dark. During my last visit to Hollywood, while Ginger was still at the ranch, Penny took me to the house in Beverly Hills and showed me all through the place. It is a real dream house — and very beautiful. The playroom was just as cozy as you can imagine and the famous soda fountain just as I had pic¬ tured it. The swimming pool looked in¬ viting enough to jump into. When I went into the studio where Ginger does her painting and sculpturing, I noticed the table with her paints was just as she’d left it when she and Jack Briggs went on vacation. Ginger always has cooperated with the club, and it has been a wonderful asso¬ ciation through these years. Our club journal is issued every three months, and a rather recent feature is a Ques¬ tion Box in which Ginger personally an¬ swers questions asked by our members. This department has made a big hit, and everyone, including Ginger, is get¬ ting a big kick out of it. We always include one snap each issue and Ginger has several times donated them to the club. She sends out a personally auto¬ graphed photo to all members. I have always done my best to keep in close personal contact with the members, and the club has a reputation of being a very friendly one. We have a large British Chapter, and are very proud of our English members. Included, of course, are some in Scotland, Wales and North Ireland We also have members in Can¬ ada, Holland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Trinidad, B. W. I., so feel truly international. Our honoraries include some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and most of them take time to write very nice letters about our journal. I have had many happy years and made so many friends through the club that I look back on this time with pleas¬ ant memories, and with many thoughts to the future. Ginger, one of Holly¬ wood’s most versatile stars, is bound to continue to reach new heights with each new role she undertakes. The End The rains came. Maybe I had better stop laughing and get ready for a quick retreat. “Is this necessary?” howls Kirk. He’ll get to the studio early — but not cheerful.