Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1949)

thrown in. I was up before dawn and into bed, exhausted, immediately after dinner. Even on a day off, there was art and publicity to crowd in. Like today. The photographs shot, I rushed, late again, to the commissary for an interview. Both the writer and Dotty Blanchard from our publicity department had finished their lunch. I picked up the menu and said with horror, “Since when have you raised the price of lamb chops from $1.65 to $2.00?” Dotty said gently, “June, the studio pays for your lunch today, remember?” “Oh,” I exclaimed. “In that case, I’ll have a minute steak, creamed spinach, salad and coffee.” THEN, talking to the interviewer, my mind flashed back to the very first time I tried to get a job and was asked questions. “Where’s your music?” the stage manager asked. “Oh, I don’t need any music,” I gulped. “I can do it without music.” I was in a spot. That morning, the kids at school had handed me an advertisement of chorus girls wanted. For weeks, I’d been going to see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in “The Gay Divorcee.” I’d seen it seventeen times and went around bragging, “I can dance better than Ginger Rogers!” The kids had every right to challenge me to prove it. I just couldn’t not try. I’d never have lived it down. Without my music, I did my act for that interview. It certainly wasn’t my dancing which won the job that day. I guess I was just such a character amongst all those suave, sophisticated, talented applicants, that I got a break. Not as a chorus girl, but in a little feature spot. The interviewer brought me back to the present by asking me if I enjoyed going to big premieres. I answered, “Of course, but I can’t wait until I go to my own. You know, a premiere where I’m the star.” It’s one of those dreams of mine which still hasn’t come true. I remembered how, when Van Johnson and I were going around together in New York, bolstering up our belief in ourselves, and predicting someday we’d be movie stars, we made a pact that we’d go to our first premieres together. I’ve already gone with Van to his, the one for “Thirty Seconds over Tokyo.” After the interviewer left, I said wistfully to Dotty, “Do you suppose I’ll ever have a premiere?” “Of course you will, honey,” she answered. My mind was already reeling recklessly ahead and I interrupted her, “But I can’t take Van to it. After all, we’re both married now.” “Well,” she laughed, “I don’t imagine either of you want to leave Evie or Richard behind. But what’s the matter with all four of you going together. Look, if you have time, let’s go over some story ideas.” “Time!” I looked at my watch. “My gosh! I was due at Bunny and Johnny Greene’s luncheon a half-hour ago! I’ve got to fly!” Running toward my car, I thought, Well, Richard isn’t flying. He’s at the , Greenes’, holding up the family honor. Let’s see, tennis with Richard at four. The Goetz party tonight. Bet it’ll be fun. Everyone I know will be there. I’ll walk in on the arm of my husband, who’s so much taller and broader, and whose eyes are so much more vivid a blue than they seemed on the screen, when I used to sit in a cheap movie house watching him and dreaming. I know there are plenty of kids dream! ing right now as I dreamed then. Plenty of them will find their dreams come true someday, too. To those I say, “Come on in, the water’s fine. I couldn’t be happier.” The End PHSR POD brings you and the Merry-Go-Round cup With necklines going audaciously down, Peter Pan comes up with the most daring bra ever — the deep plunge of a long-line brassiere in a slim bandeau! • Unique Separator* moves with you — glorious comfort and flattering uplift, always! • Patented Merry-Go-Round cup accentuates the small bust— minimizes the full bust.... "The Secret’s in the Circle!” See Low ’n’ Behold at your favorite store. There’s never been a bra quite like it! $3.95 in satin • $5 in nylon taffeta Other Peter Pan bras from $1.50 to $5.00 makes Merry Go Round — the secret’s in the circle!