Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1948)

This Is My Wife ( Continued from page 61) stairs and found the package and brought it up to the living room and let it fall heavily on a table. There were a dozen books in it. Jeanne, coming out of the bedroom, looked stricken. “That would be the package I’d leave for you,” she said. “Well, I just couldn’t help it, that’s all.” “You’ve got a three months’ supply here, according to your agreement.” “Which I herewith abrogate. I don’t want to sound piteous, but after all I don’t smoke or drink or have any other expensive vices and I’m not going to spend my life walking across streets to avoid passing bookshops.’’ So I moved a box of shoes into the breakfast nook, and life went on as before. YOU may be wondering where we’re going to put our baby, what with all the books, but I’m sure we’ll figure that out before March winds bring the stork. I will admit we’ve made precious few plans for it. You see, we really thought of a family as something for the more distant future when we planned the house we’re building on a Hollywood hilltop. Of course, we made allowance for a nursery wing and the blueprints were roughly indicated so the wing could be added when we wanted it, without much fuss. But getting a building permit is a long and difficult proceeding at present and it would be impossible to ask for a further permit or to make building alterations at this stage. So, for the present, the nursery will be the large dressing room located between our bedroom and bathroom. We’d like to roll out the red carpet for baby Brinkman, but we just can’t express our welcome with a luxurious nursery until building conditions change. But we’ll make up for that lack in other ways. For instance, not every baby can have a playmate like Shah. Jeanne and I had been married only a few months when we met her. It was at a soiree, complete with miniature circus and clowns, given in the best Hollywood tradition. We had wandered past one groaning buffet table and were approaching another when we came upon Shah. Shah was reclining in a cage about three feet long and two wide, designed as a perfect replica of a circus wagon, even to the wheels, tongue and gilt scrolls. Shah looked up at us with great eyes that seemed to use up most of her face, and the eyes said very plainly that Shah was not happy. Standing before the cage, fascinated, we soon discovered why. A circus employee, a photographer and a horde of smartly gowned women descended upon the little cage and Shah was lifted out. She was only a little African lion, two weeks old, and she did her part in the ensuing proceedings without protest. She allowed her mouth to be pried open and a Martini — which she had no alternative except to swallow — was poured in; she blinked as little as possible at the cigarette smoke blown into her small face; she made no effort to squirm out of the arms of the ladies while photographers’ flashlight bulbs went off before her. And after she had been put into her cage again she lay very quietly there on its floor, her chin on her paws, her eyes closed. But she had spoiled the party for us. I’ve never been one to limit my choice of pets to the ubiquitous Angora or the worshipful spaniel. My latest possession had been a miniature brown bear, which had only recently run away and is still living the ruggei lilk is l&e manicured wilderness of tit* OwHnafr above Hollywood. So far as Jeanne was concerned, she’d lost His LCVE cooling? VERA-ELLEN says: "Maybe you're discouraging love with roughened hands. Hands can be excitingly smooth and soft with Jergens Lotion care. I use Jergens." It's so easy and lovely. VERA-ELLEN, SAMUEL GOLDWYN DANCING STAR, APPEARING WITH DANNY KAYE IN “THE KID FROM BROOKLYN" OTHER STARS AGREE WITH VERA-ELLEN The Stars, 7 to 1, use Jergens Lotion. Amazingly finer than ever, now. Makes your hands even smoother and softer; protects even longer against distressing roughness. It’s due to wartime research that Jergens is now more effective than ever. Blessed, still, with two ingredients superb for skin-smoothing — used by many doctors. Still 10«! to $1.00 (plus tax) for this famous hand care of the Stars. For the Softest, Adorable Hands, use JERGENS LOTION FREE! See for yourself why £ Mail coupon today for gift bottle. (Paste on penny postcard if you wish.) Box 27, Dept. 69, Cincinnati 14, Ohio. Please send my gift bottle. Name _ Hollywood Stars, 7 to I, use Jergens Lotion ► ► ► Address . City _ (F1m» _State l. print name, address plainly Sorry, offer good in U.S.A. only) m