Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1948)

Cornel Wilde Talks Back ( Continued from page 49) the beautiful Mrs. Wilde had asked for her release from Twentieth, capped by the report that Cornel planned to “support” her as her leading man in an outside movie. But this time, he was my boy and I quickly made a date to go out and see him at his home. The Wildes live in a house originally built by Norma Talmadge. Sitting before an open fire in the same room where I had attended so many parties when Norma lived there, I carefully took note of the new tenant, my host, Cornel. Well, I had a good chance to study him, for I was there for hours and this is my first and strongest impression of the boy: There is no happiness for Cornel Wilde in Hollywood until his beautiful wife gets the acclaim he feels is her due. Fame, riches and success have all come his way since he landed here practically unknown and certainly unheralded. But none of this can ignite a spark of happiness in his sensitive, troubled heart until his adored Pat, his wife for nine years, is given the place in the film limelight he feels is rightfully hers. ALL the things he said to me he said seriously and without a trace of humor. Humor is one, big, beautiful saving grace he lacks, and believe me, you need it in this town. But back of his dark, romantic features is the unmistakable mark of his Hungarian blood — those moody, gypsy-like people who hit the heights of elation or the depths .'’ despair with equal ease. “The thing that upsets me most,” he said, “is that Pat shouldn’t, and doesn’t, need my help in her career. She’s beautiful, as you know. She is a splendid artist. Why couldn’t Twentieth appreciate her? “I know very well, now that she has asked for her freedom, she will go far at some other studio. Rita Hayworth was at Twentieth for a long time and never did a thing until Columbia gave her a chance. The same thing has happened to other stars. I myself was at Warners without ever making a picture. “Everyone who has seen her tests has said that all she needs is a break and a chance— but I want you to know that it isn’t true that I ‘demanded’ that Pat get bigger breaks. I wouldn’t insult her by any such tactics. It’s true that I had dreamed and hoped we might make a picture together on my lot. But it was Pat herself who asked for her release when she realized she would never get a break there. She wasn’t willing to have anyone think she was trading on my name. She doesn’t have to,” he said warmly. As he was talking, I thought, “Why is it that he is so willing to efface himself in Pat’s favor?” A snap idea was that she perhaps nagged him in the privacy of their home for his failure to get her good roles. But I discarded that one in a hurry. I sincerely believe that Cornel’s unhappiness over his wife’s career is completely due to his adoration of her. He cannot stand to see her unhappy — and every word he said proved it. He went on, “Pat stood by me when we didn’t have a nickel. She has worked and believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. It wasn’t easy for me to get started on the stage. You know that story of how I went from one or two successes to a half dozen failures. But Pat never let me down. “It’s time to let her know I feel the same confidence in her — it’s time I did something for her. Not that she really needs me,” he qualified again with that note of apology and pride in his voice, “I just design patented Lovely jewelry, delicate and disarming, enlivening the fashion scene with charm and sparkle. You’ll find them at all leading stores. Gold finished sterling. Clip pin about $ 22.00 * Earrings about $ 18.00 * *plus federal tax Coro Inc., New York * Chicago * Los Angeles * San Francisco * Miami • Toronto * London BESTFORM Strapless Bra artfully wired, made of finest nylon marquisette ... $3 BESTFORM -7# -finQ l jt?/UCC/ F —