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13
CASE of GEORGE BRENT
"Is it any wonder that I've lost ground? Wouldn't any actor lose ground by playing fifteen meaningless roles in rapid-fire succession? Why bring my marriage into it at all?"
Let's give Hollywood, which rises vehemently to just such queries, the floor :
"For the very simple reason that George Brent's decline as a potential star dates from his marriage, and for the other more complicated reason that Ruth Chatterton is so dominating a personality that unwittingly and unwillingly she has dwarfed her husband."
No one speaks of George Brent and Ruth Chatterton. Instead, they talk about Ruth Chatterton and George Brent. A very pertinent distinction — particularly in Movietown.
As an eligible bachelor wearing the cloak of romance which he spun as a spy in Ireland, Brent was very colorful, decidedly an individual. As the dignified husband of Hollywood's most dignified, most intellectual star, he is — well, far less colorful.
Hollywood has always held that actors are not entitled to or benefited by great dignity until after they become established stars.
George blames all his troubles on Ruth are a
Ruth Chatterton, the screen's "First Lady," wears her cloak of dignity as naturally as ever' an empress wore ermine. Hollywood will tell you, however, that this dignity does not fit the Irishman who married her. His appeal is based on romance, fire, personality, rather than on technical ability as an actor, although no one doubts his ability.
The deluge of publicity surrounding Brent before his marriage may have been ill-advised — perhaps it was dangerous to paint him as a screen Romeo — but at least the campaign accomplished its purpose. George Brent, in a few months' time, was known wherever magazines and newspapers were read.
His marriage to Ruth Chatterton made necessary an embarrassing right-aboutface. It would never have done to publicize the husband of Ruth Chatterton as the "greatest lover."
Audience reactions, fan mail, and letters to magazine editors
Photo by Wide World
proved that feminine fans were read} to accept George as manna sent down from heaven for their especial benefit. Any publicity man in Hollywood will tell you that his marriage, with the Brent market in that state. would throw a monkey wrench into the machinery.
"Why?" demands Brent. "We are happily married. We neither seek nor avoid publicity. Miss Chatterton is one of the greatest living actresses. I've learned from my association with her."
"But we never wanted you as a great actor," Hollywood retorts. "We have actors galore. What we want is color, personality. You had it — and you've lost it."
Speaking of his long list of poor roles, Brent has this to say :
"I wonder if I wouldn't have been wiser to stage a rebellion and fight for my convictions. Perhaps I've been too placid — too willing to take what was handed to me, whether I liked it or not. The actors who raise hell now and then seem to get along better than those who try to be agreeable."
Has marriage wrecked George Brent's career?
No matter what the answer, his case is a puzzle.
poor roles and too much romantic ballyhoo. Here he and rriving at Kay Francis's barn dance.