Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1948)

Evie Tells Her Story ( Continued, from page 34) “Yes — only,” she hesitated, “it’s been growing so slowly and so long that the word break doesn’t fit. Keenan just shouldn’t be married. His interests are scattered. He’s so much of the theater that a home doesn’t mean the same thing to him as it does to me. “Van, yes,” she said slowly. “Van loves a home. He wants a home. He likes coming to a home in the evening after a day at the studio. He likes to feel that around him are those he loves. He enjoys going over his scripts and lines, or relaxing and listening to music or good talk. It’s been pretty dismal for him, living alone in a hotel room all these years. Our home has really come to be his home, too. I think Van would like to be married and have children and take roots. But I say again, there are no set plans now for Van and me to marry. That’s something fate will have to decide in the future. “I think, now, that I am divorcing Keenan. But once before in Las Vegas I changed my mind and came home. Two people who have lived together eight years, who have been through so much together and have two small boys, don’t take those steps lightly. Right now my plans are to go to Sun Valley after New Year’s and while there get my divorce. The Gary Coopers will be there and since they are close friends, I shan’t be lonely.” WE asked about the situation as it stood at the moment. “Keenan has been away in New York making personal appearances, but he’s home now for the holidays. We both decided no steps should be taken for the boys’ sake until after Christmas. He is staying in the home because there is no place else to go. And it isn’t as if we were parting after a bitter quarrel. We each know it should be done — our separating — and there are no hard feelings whatsoever. He’ll live in the house while I’m in Sun Valley. In fact, I’m going to the premiere of ‘The Yearling’ with him.” They met, Evie and Keenan, during the run of “Hitch Your Wagon” on Broadway. Evie and Tom Lewis, now Loretta Young’s husband, went back stage after the cast and met Keenan. “I liked the way you played that dumb football player,” Evie told Keenan, among other things. “I thought it was wonderful.” “And I think you’re wonderful,” Keenan said and asked for a date. The courtship was interrupted when Evie flew to Hollywood to see Tyrone Power, who had squired her about New York, and several of her friends in pictures, “Please come to see me in ‘Blind Alibi,’ ” he begged. So Evie flew from Hollywood to Skowhegan, Maine, when Keenan was starring in summer stock. “He was so good in that play,” Evie said, “that I fell in love with him then and there.” Ed Wynn was told and liked Evie at once. She and Keenan were married that summer and had just settled down in their New York apartment when Keenan was signed for pictures. Evie was good for Keenan. She talked of the wonderful things ahead for him if he applied himself, introduced him to young and serious dramatic actors and the fever of acting finally took hold. But with his advent into movies, the separations began. Almost at once Keenan had to return to New York for a play for which he had signed. Personals, jaunts to New York, an overseas trek in which he did outstanding work, were all a part of his motion-picture life. And so, slowly but surely, the rift MOST requested NUMBERS f 1A9 A SENSATIONAL NEW ALBUM by rga Victor — MTIME m Boogie Woogie ★ On the Sunny Side of the Street ★ Hawaiian War Chant Chicago ★ Opus No. 1 ★ Somewhere a Voice is Calling (featuring Frank Sinatra) After You’ve Gone ★ Embraceable You (featuring Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers) SEE "THE FABULOUS DORSEYS"! You’ll really enjoy this new Charles R. Rogers movie about the Dorsey brothers, in which they play themselves. After you see it, you’ll want Tommy’s new album more than ever! Album P-163, $3.15. "tOoK!..M0f& S^ELL records' Bv Rca Victor1-" “GETTING SENTIMENTAL with Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra.” Includes Marie, Who?, Star Dust, Song of India, I'll Never Smile Again, Little White Lies, others. Album P-80, $3.15. "TOMMY DORSEY, ‘STARMAKER’.” Includes Everything Happens to Me, Swing High, None but the Lonely Heart, Will You Still Be Mine?, others. Featuring Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Connie Flaines, Ziggy Elman, Buddy Rich, Sy Oliver, The Pied Pipers. P-150, $3.15. *Victrola— T. M. Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. All prices “SHOWBOAT,” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. Includes OT Man River, Can’t Help Lovin' dat Man, Bill, Why Do I Love You?, others. P-152, $3.15, Naturally ... on RCA Victor Records! Victor's billion-record skill , . . plus RCA’s electronic wizardry . . . make music sound so natural on RCA Victor Records! And, naturally, the big-name stars prefer to be on these finer records. For an extra treat, hear them on a Victrola* radio-phonograph, are suggested list prices, exclusive of ta$es. Radio Corporation of America, RCA Victor Division rve siMS who imks 7h£ Hirs AR£ 0„ RECORDS '"HIS MASTER'S VOICE* P