Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1945)

The Enchanted Couple ( Continued from page 34) say when her husband announced, of a Sunday afternoon, that he felt like joining some baseball friends in an amateur game. She’d say, “Go ahead, dear. I’ll stay home with a book.” But Betty is no average wife; she invariably says, “Great! I’ll go, too, and watch you show off!” Then she piles into an empty grandstand at some ball park, complete with a baseball-mad nineyear-old nephew, and the two of them shout their hearts out over Harry’s playing! And that, alone, should prove what makes their marriage a success. ONLY there’s more of it, much more. There’s the cross-country trip Harry had to make, playing one-night stands, right after Betty was up again after small Victoria’s birth. Because Betty had so recently had a Caesarian operation, her doctor definitely disapproved of her going with Harry on the trip. Besides, who’d want to go, even in the best of health, on an exhausting grind of one-night stands all over the country? Nobody would, but Betty. She not only wanted to go, she went; day after day, due to wartime crowded conditions, the band had to ride in baggage cars, with the scenery flashing by the big open doors. Betty rode with them — her hair in pigtails, her famous figure in slacks, her mood completely happy. And for months the days repeated themselves, one after another: Hours of jouncing travel in baggage cars, with no seats but the band’s suitcases, and no food but paper-bag lunches. The band would be playing for six hours straight, while Betty sat backstage and waited for the brief intermissions when she and Harry could be together. Many a town never knew she was along. When towns did find out, she’d wave at people on the street and sign every autograph that came her way — but she made a rule never to come out front with the orchestra and take a bow. “Why should I? It’s Harry’s party,” was her idea. And a rare one it is, in show business! Betty has changed entirely with this marriage. There’s no denying that. She’s changed as every wife does who sincerely wants to make two separate lives into one. Take her appearance, alone. All of us remember Betty when she wore her hair up and invariably topped with a bow or flower; when her make-up was heavy and her clothes figure-sleek and eye-catching in color. Now all is changed. Harry asked her permission first, and then threw away all her hair-bows, rats and do-dads. Then he gave her a long speech on simplicity of looks — which, like most men, he far prefers to fanciness. You know the usual feminine answer to that: “What does a man know about women’s clothes?” Well, that is not Betty’s answer. She believes that Harry knows what he wants, so down came her hair, away went the hair trinkets; and she swept her closets clean of the dresses Harry objected to. Instead, she wears simple sports suits in gabardine, which Harry (and all men) loves to see on women; and she wears them in the colors he likes — which are blue and white. And by this time, she’s as pleased at the change as is Harry. Maybe the biggest rule of their home life that makes for the happiness of these two top career people is this one: Neither talks shop — or practices shop — around the home. Most career couples talk about nothing else. But Harry and Betty agreed on this rule at the start of their marriage, and so far they’ve kept it completely. Harry leaves his trumpet in its case at AMERICA'S SECRET WEAPON . . . The Bofors Gun isn't a secret any more . . . nor is it a secret that one of America's most potent weapons is the young, eager, active junior who does so many things to uphold America’s morale . . . You'll find many of these smart young girls in charming, inexpensive PEGGY PAIGE dresses like these . . Left: No. 8038. The double-duty jumper dress that can be worn with or without a blouse. New dolman sleeves. Contrasting Boftnaz embroidery. In rayon gabardine in lime, grey, aqua, blue. Right: No. 8039. Two-piece dress with flattering; ruffled square yoke neckline with pleated peplum. In new Butcher Weave rayon print. Black on she' I pink, lime, blue or aqua. Sizes 9 to 15 each $6 at good stores everywhere. FABRICS BY KAYBEE. Write v» for the name of the store in yovr city. PEGGY PAIGE, 224 We** 35th Street, New York City 1