The New Movie Magazine (Jan-Sep 1935)

Bette Davis from New England (Continued from page 44 j of the night, there they were. — the pink and luminous elephants. And though he knew there wasn't any reason to be seeing them — there they were. He decided to ignore them. They simply couldn't exist. And in ignoring them, he spoiled a great joke. Next morning, he sauntered up to Bette and said, "Listen, Davis, wait till I've earned the nocturnal D. T.'s" . . . and Bette, properly crushed but still inventive, pulled out the little orchestra. Bette and Ham share those domestic kicks under the table that are a true barometer of a companionable and intimate coupling of thoughts. They scold and laugh and weep together . . . if they feel so inclined, and Ham and Bette are like, — well, like ham and eggs, — they somehow just seem to "fit in" together. A lifted eye-brow tells an untold tale — a wide grin holds a joke unshared with any living creature, a sudden cough means, in their secret parlance, "thumbs down." Ham's name is really Nelson and Nelson was. so history has it, the one-armed hero of Trafalgar. Our Nelson may have both his arms, but he is, none the less, the Iron Man of his household. When he says "yes," it's yes. When he says "No," — well, that often depends on Bette! Bette is the world's most devoted big sister. Her truly beautiful young sister, Bobbe, has been seriously ill for the past year and Bette has cared for her most tenderly. Bobbe, better now, bless her independent heart, in an attempt to "make up" to Bette for all she's done, has sent her several interesting maps of Hollywood and its environs, sewed in colored threads on a sail-cloth background. She has started a veritable fad in this old town. If Bobbe cared to, she could make a pleasant living with her maps. They'll be worth a lot some day, — more, I think, than the samplers our grandmothers used to make as girls, because they are so infinitely more amusing. Bobbie, in her own way, is as talented as Bette. A little less sure of herself from a commercial standpoint, but I still feel that she'll accomplish a great deal one of these days. And, as for Ruthie — mother of all swell mothers — she'll doubtless have the job of seeing both of her girls riding the crest of the wave, because she has "builded well." Ruthie is a nonpossessive mother. As a matter of fact. she doesn't intrude her maternity on her daughters at all. She's far more like a grown sister who cheers the younger ones on to fulfillment, with the dreams of her own aspirations still lingering in her eyes. She's the best friend in the world to have and the most implacable enemy. The whole family, Bette and Ham and Bobbe and Ruthie, seem to have a soldier's agreement to stand shoulder to shoulder, come fire, flood or famine! Bette is no angel of heavenly disposition. She has a flaring temper and often quick petulance that blossoms, nine times out of ten, into those famous roars of laughter that are noisy enough to wake the dead. She can't manage to stay mad a moment, once you've been able to conjure up those shouts of whole-souled laughter. She's no lady of exotic subtleties, she's herself — laugh and all. She fights anyone's and everyone's battles. She gets sputteringly indignant at injustice and will take on an army in hand-to-hand combat. Bette has a good deal of vision and courage. She can stand afar off and lake stock of herself and when she thinks she needs a good "redding up" Bette can get to work on Bette as though she were someone else entirely. She plans the changes she has made in herself, entirely without suggestions from anyone, but she refuses to experiment. She's sure of the effect she wants to achieve before she starts. But. and this is a most important but. she's never satisfied with her work. She feels if she had Mildred, the little cockney waitress in "Bondage," to do over again. there are a hundred and one improvements she could make in her characterization. She thinks she did as well as she could have at the time, but knows that now she could do a better job. That's why Bette will continue to grow artistically— she's eager to learn, willing to work, and never, never satisfied. She is often, and easily, misquoted, because she thinks so rapidly that, by the time you've caught up with her, your mental notes are sadly garbled. She is so out-and-out frank that she often gives people the wrong impression. Only her friends are capable of judging her. They alone can know and appreciate Bette. One of the first parts Bette ever played was with my husband, Wallace Ford, in a special engagement of "Broadway," in Rochester, N. Y. As I recall, she hopped into the part of Pearl when the tempestuous lass then playing it suffered a semi-sprained ankle just before the second-act curtain. Bette the Brave, the light of battles shining in her eyes, did as neat a show-saving job as I ever hope to see. She played it so well that when the pseudo-sprained ankle miraculously healed after the matinee. Bette stayed on in the part. Before this Bette trained as a classical dancer, no less! From then on, she left terpsichore to struggle on without her, and turned to the sister aft. BETTE reads all her own fan-mail and answers the greater part of it herself. It's a goodly task, I might add. because I've helped her with it. She saves and re-reads letters of honest and constructive criticism. She's artistically ambitious to a startling degree. If ever a girl loved and respected her work, that girl is Bette Davis. That's the reason for her occasional tiffs with her studio. She feels that once she'd made a definite step ahead, she should be permitted to retain the ground she's won. and not be forced to slide back into stereotyped roles. She's not afraid of hard work, but she is afraid of bad parts. To change the subject abruptly, Bette and I waited on table at the Assistance League two weeks ago. When you wait on table at the League, you're a Junior Leaguer, a sub-deb or a Somewhat Important Person. We waited on table — I, being none of the above — I'm used to it. But Bette to all intents and purposes a veritable beginner was fully expected to cave in under the strain. But she took to it like the proverbial duck to water. Everyone waited on. and in. the side-lines did a thorough-going gasDing job, but Bette didn't let them flounder in admiration long. ''For one solid mortal year." she stated flatly. "I waited table to earn my way through school, and I was a he — ck of a good waitress. I ought to be good. . . !" And there is Bette Davis . . . my friend and your particular joy in life . . . and the best and smartest blonde in all the world, synthetic or otherwise! am&t are NATURALLY CAUTIOUS (GOOD FOR THEM THAT THEY ARE) CAUTION is strong in woman. It has grown strong through her instinct to protect her home. In most households, she willingly takes upon herself the final responsibility for the well-being of the family. She is adept in stripping facts from fancies. Weighing values. Making right decisions. Why, then, are women in so confused a state about a matter of such importance as their own personal, intimate hygiene? If you know the history of feminine hygiene, you can readily understand. Older women keep talking to the younger about feminine hygiene as it used to be practiced — before the days of Zonite. NOW I CA, GIVE MY APPROVA Only a few short years ago, grave discussions were usual between doctor and patient about the -proper antiseptic for feminine hygiene. The only antiseptics you could then buy, which were strong enough for the purpose, were caustic and downright poisonous. Much as the doctor sympathized with the woman's desire for surgical cleanliness, he could not and he would not advise her to use those poisons on sensitive tissues. But Zonite is not poisonous. Zonite is not caustic. No danger of scar-tissue from Zonite. No membranes desensitized. This remarkable modern antisepticgermicide is positively gentle in action — and it is far more powerful than any dilution of carbolic acid that can be safely applied to the human body. MMA IN MY JUY DAYS Women no longer need make the choice between poisonous antiseptics or nothing at all for feminine hygiene. They can all get Zonite now — Zonite, the only nonpoisonous antiseptic comparable in strength to the caustic poisons. Zonite is famous all over this country as the powerful non-poisonous antiseptic. You can get it at your own drug store, even if you live in the smallest village. It comes in bottles: 30e\ 60c' and $1.00. Ask your druggist, too, about Zonite Suppositories. They have the same antiseptic principle as liquid Zonite in a semi-solid form. Each pure, white and greaseless Suppository is sealed in its own glass vial. In boxes of a dozen: SI. 00. Some women use both forms. SET ME STRAIGHT Why don't you send right away, today, for the booklet "Facts for Women"? Just mail the coupon below. Women say that "Facts for Women" is so clear and straightforward that it / puts certain matters before them in a light that is new, different, and most helpful. Don't wait. Mail coupon now. Every married woman should read this book. ZONITE PRODUCTS CORPORATION TM-53 Chrysler Building, New York. N. Y. Please send me free copy of the booklet or booklets checked below. □ Facts for Women □ Use of Antiseptics in the Home Name (Please print name) Address City State (In Canada: Sainte Therese. P. Q.) The New Movie Magazine, March, 1935 61