Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1948)

sight of Joanne’s end of it. When she told me she’d had some picture offers and that she’d like to accept one or two, I refused again. I refused so hard I went off to Palm Springs — alone — whereupon the papers announced that we had separated. Now a great belief of mine is that married people should give each other a chance to be themselves. I love Palm Springs — Joanne doesn’t care much for it. So I’d often barge down there, while she’d stay home. A few times she’s gone as far as Florida, to visit her mother, while I stayed home with the kids. But this time it was different. We hadn’t quarreled. We had merely disagreed on that two-career stuff. Columnists began calling me. After a couple of days of that I said to myself, “I’m not mad at Joanne. I don’t want to be separated from her.” So I called her up. “This is pretty silly,” I said, “and I’m the character who is all wrong.” I was, too. But two things were bothering me. I didn’t want Joanne hurt by show business as I’d been hurt. I’ve been at it for eighteen years now and I love it, but those first few years were murder and I didn’t want a beautiful thing like Joanne going through that. I was wrong — because she didn’t have to. She signed a contract with Howard Hawks, who is a very intelligent man, and who is a great friend of mine. He’s not going to waste good talent. Joanne won’t play many pictures — just those with good parts for her. In her first one, “Abie’s Irish Rose,” Joanne, herself, was swell, I think. The other disturber was, that having been on the road all my life, my main ambition was to create a home, even if I could only live there three months a year —which, thank heaven, is not the way it turned out. I’m home most of the time simply because I’m too stubborn to work all the time just to pile up dough at the expense of other more important things. After that “separation” Joanne and I didn’t have any big “reconciliation.” We never pout, because we can’t stand that. If we begin to feel “nervy” I read, or go horseback riding, or Joanne may go off riding with the kids. Then we come back and have one of our personal rituals; a drink before dinner, or some little thing like that. We don’t gush, but we both are sentimental. I wear a wedding ring, for instance. It’s not the one I was married with, however. That’s on my key chain, as I’ve put on so much weight I’ve outgrown it. But I’ll never give either ring up. That’s the way I feel about Joanne — and the kids. I’ll want them near me always. Our ranch is practically self-sustaining. We have a governess, a cook, a maid and a housekeeper. I have a boy for the stable, which consists of one Palomino stallion and some babies. We’ve never named the ranch — but we’ve got a brand, a simple one, an “H,” the left side of which bulges out with a “D” curve and the right side of which dips down into a “J” hook. THE kids are just kids, no worse and no better than any normal kids. They don’t know much yet except that they can play with their dogs and ride their horses. Skip only plays the gallant knight with Pidge if we’re watching. He gets very hammy once in a while. I say, “Skip, don’t be a square,” and he can’t stand that. He is naturally obedient and when he isn’t, I don’t force obedience because I think that generates a definite defiance. Instead when he refuses to obey I say, “Well, you don’t have to do it but we won’t go riding Friday.” That brings him to terms quick. Skip knows about the new baby that’s coming in September. A couple of weeks ago, his mother took him for a soda in a NO "BEAR DOWN" WITH NEW BISSELLS*! New "Bisco-matic”* Brush Action sweeps clean without any pressure on the handle whatsoever! Just roll this "Bissell” sweeper lightly for perfect pick-up — on thick rugs or thin — under beds or under chairs! "Bisco-matic” does all the pressing down for you! Available now in limited quantities at Bissell dealers only — complete with exclusive "Sta-up” Handle and the new, easier "Flip-O” Empty. NEW BISSELL SWEEPERS with patented "Bisco-matic” Brush Action •reo. U. B. PATENT OFW. Bridge, barbecue or bridal shower . . . when serving refreshments sparkle to the occasion in a crisp, cool apron, styled for beauty and long wear by Starcross, Inc. Scalloped skirt, large pocket and hemmed ties fashioned in pre-war quality percales. Col orfast floral prints. At variety or department stores, style #8 120 approximately 89 cents. Guaranteed by l Good Housekeeping J STARCROSS INC. 1450 Broadway, New York Greenville, S. C. BISSELL CARPET SWEEPER CO., CRANO RARIDS 2. MICH. bt your fee' bigelo w Hi weavers ROGSANDC free b<^k'*^67°Biee' Write • NeW York Madison Ave-. 12