Photoplay (Jan - Jun 1943)

Betsy came close to Phil, sat at his feet. Her eyes were wide and fearless. "There is a reason, Phil. Shall I tell you what it is?" While he stood in the studio doorway talking to the script girl of other matters, having already dismissed the Jordans from his mind, the projection room telephone rang. "Hi, Boss," cried the excited voice of an assistant camera man through the phone. "That Foster picture — you can chalk up another wow!" "What's that?" "Click!" Kovaler said. "The preview's over and the crowd's knocked out. Doris Foster's a hit, Boss. They're mobbing her in the lobby. She's with that Jordan fellow — the funny one — Phil. . . ." Van Dirk hung up. "A miracle," he MAY, 1943 laughed. "The well-known Hollywood brand." Doris Foster had at last justified the money spent on her. She was a hit. I T wasn't till late the next day that ' the message came from Sam that the Jordans' option was not to be picked up. At ten o'clock that night, Phil stepped into the apartment to hear the telephone ringing. He thought it might be Doris, just calling to say an extra good-night. It wasn't good-night. It wasn't Doris. For the moment it looked to him like curtains. He sat frozen beside the telephone. Discord. That's what had done it. The boys each fighting for a place in the sun, like kids. He'd have to pull them together now — get a fresh start. . . . Phil called the bar and ordered drinks sent up. The boys hadn't come in yet. At one-thirty there was a knock. He wasn't expecting Success. She didn't come. A telegram had arrived instead. Married tonight Sailing Hawaii midnight Promised Lorna give up career Three little Jordans cooking in a stew one got et then there were two. Chet Phil almost couldn't comprehend this. It (Continued on page M) 49