Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1941)

at the foot of the bed and the little balcony beyond the French door. They're permitted in this room, however, only when Linda is there — which makes it even more wonderful. For here Linda keeps her treasures. In the cedar chest she has a collection of dolls dressed in the native costumes of many countries. On shelves are the books that are important to her, "The Nazarene" most important of all. "I got as much out of 'The Nazarene' as I got out of the Bible," Linda says. And Linda knows whereof she speaks when she talks of the Bible. Mrs. Darnell required all her children to read one chapter of the Bible every night before they went to bed. Until they could read themselves she read to them. And they all had perfect Sunday school records to boot. success I've had in it." Frances Klampt, who is a charge of the studio school, comments on Linda: "If Linda didn't want a motion-picture career she could write. She has an immensely fertile imagination and a fine general curiosity. She might even be able to earn her living as an artist. She does lovely light things with pastels and her pencil sketches have real individuality." Last spring Linda was graduated from high school. Because of her career she will not be able to go to college. And from now on the studio will not sit back, as the law required them to in the past, and wait for Linda to complete certain hours of study every day. However, with Frances CALVIN DARNELL, a quiet man, has had the same job for many years. He sees no sense in giving it up because his daughter acts in pictures. At times he misses his family frightfully. But he isn't much at home, especially in the hunting season. And if he can't get to California for some special occasion, Mrs. Darnell joins him in Texas. Last spring he took his summer vacation early so he could stay with Monte and Bubber, while Linda and Mrs. Darnell went to Mexico. Without embarrassment or dramatics Linda admits she went to Mexico to see her old sweetheart, Jaime Jorba. Jaime is a Spanish refugee who was forced to leave Spain because of his father's political ideas. He and Linda met when they were in the same class in a Dallas school. They hadn't seen each other for two years, however, until Linda went to Mexico where Jaime lives now with an uncle who is in the hemp business. "Jaime's one of the men who interest me," Linda began. Then she changed her mind and decided to be wholly honest. "Jaime's the one person who really intrigues me," she said. "He has high ideals and a superior intellect. But I know, in spite of this, that nothing ever can come of our feeling for each other. Jaime never would comprehend Hollywood or my career. He's extremely jealous. He would want his wife at home. I would have to give up all the life but the one I could live around him. And I couldn't do that now — now that I've been shaped by my work and the ANSWERS TO lU[u)ie Bad ? (page 41 ) Right: Olivia ("Liwie") de Havilland, star of "The Strawberry Blonde" James Cagney, who kidnapped Bette Davis in the Warners film, "The Bride Came C. O. D." r Below: Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner, who appeared together in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" Jean Arthur, a prizewinner at a costume party, with her husband, Frank J. Ross Klampt's help, Linda has outlined her plan for further education. "In my own time," Linda explained, indicating a large package of books that had just arrived, "I'm going to study psychology. It's so important to know why you do things. I've had four years of Spanish and I'll continue with it and take a year or so of French, too. I definitely want to go on with my art," BESIDE Linda's bed there is a night stand where her mail is left for her. Much of Linda's mail is bills, for she handles all the household finances. Every night she goes over the bills that have come in, makes out checks and leaves them in the letter box in stamped addressed envelopes. "That's the easiest way to keep things straight," says Linda, who now earns seven hundred and fifty dollars a week, "and stay out of debt. It's difficult staying out of debt. I know how ridiculous that would have seemed to me once, considering my income. But it is, really. "You see the California law requires that fifty percent of my salary be deposited in a trust fund. I don't even see it. It will be wonderful when I get it at twenty-one, of course, but in the meantime the going is a little lean at times. Out of the three hundred and seventy-five dollars I get I have to pay the income tax on my entire salary which is a very great deal of money, give ten percent of my entire salary to my agent and one percent to social security. I have to contribute my share to the Motion Picture Relief Fund. And I have to keep up the appearances which my studio position calls for. "In fact," she went on, a slight pucker between her velvet-brown eyes, "we all had to use the family car until I bought a roadster a month or two ago. The old car finally reached the state where I couldn't drive it to the studio any more. You know, we've transported children and pets in it, and soda pop and hot dogs and honey corn do leave spots on upholstery no matter how careful you try to be. "Now, of course, we'll have to have someone to do the family driving. I guess we'll get a couple. But I dread it. I don't Uke having servants around — probably because I've never been used to them. They never do things to suit us somehow. And until now we've managed well enough with a woman coming in to do the cleaning and the laundry." Like most working girls, Linda finds clothes a problem. By the time her taxes, commission and overhead expenses are paid there's not much left for clothes. And, of course, she must look fresh and chic always. She's constantly on parade. "So," she says, "I live in slacks. I never wear a dress to the studio unless something extra-special is going on. And my only fur is a white fox I bought in a burst of self-indulgence. (Continued on page 91) 48 PHOTOPLAY combined with movie mirror