Picture-Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

98 Manhattan Medley Continued from page 59 atlantic service pay? It's so expensive that no one, apparently, no matter how he likes to talk, feels that anything he has to say is that . important ! But this "Green Hat-' thing came up, so Marshall Neilan phoned Blanche all the way from California to England. It was probably the most expensive phone call ever known in all these years since we've been talking for a nickel. He phoned her several times, in fact, and that gives me a great idea for the telephone company. Why not just pay Blanche's expenses to England, on condition her husband stays at home, and then just drop in on him now and then, with suggestions for stories that she could play in? Temperament Again. Jean Hersholt and his wife, and their thirteen-year-old son, made their very first visit to New York. Their very first, despite the fact that Jean came over here from Denmark. But it seems that he came originally by way of Canada, where his wife had relatives. So it was the first time he had ever been in our metropolis. What a thrill they were having. Theaters, and skyscrapers — oh, you know how people are when they first get to New York. They go to see the Woolworth Building, the Aquarium and the Statue of Liberty, which most residents just take for granted. Mary Philbin was originally scheduled for the title role in "The Girl on the Barge," but she and Jean Hersholt both got temperamental. They're both stars, but the question was, who was the bigger star? Each of them wanted first mention in the billing. The way these actors do carry on ! "Not that I really care very much," explained Jean Hersholt, in his slightly accented English. "No matter what we decided, exhibitors would go ahead and feature whomever they felt like. But you know how it is with producers. If you don't hold out for your rights, they think you're not important. When they think that, it all comes out in the pay check." What a business 1 Anyhow, it was finally decided that Jean Hersholt should play in "The Girl on the Barge," .and Mary Philbin should be put to work on something else. The girl who is playing her erstwhile role, by the way, is a little newcomer to the screen, Beatrice Blinn. She is said to be Holbrook Blinn's cousin, and has played on the stage in New York for several seasons. A petite brunette, not more than five feet tall, her movie possibilities seem very good. But she won't interfere with Jean Hersholt in this very serious business of being a star. The Gypsy Trail for Marie Dressier. Marie Dressier stopped in New York on her way to Europe. And talk about your lucky ladies! Marie has friends in New York, friends in Europe, friends in California, and all points between. For all I know, she has a couple of friends among the Eskimos. Anywhere she goes, there is some one she can visit. That's why she doesn't sign a movie contract. She is always having dotted lines thrust upon her, and is pleaded with to sign, but Marie says no, not with her roving disposition. When she wakes up in the morning, wishing she were in Paris, she runs right out and, leaps on the next boat. Or, if she feels like lunching at the Ritz in New York, when she's in California, she says : "All right, I'll have lunch there a week from Tuesday." Marie is a very friendly person, and very proud of her large acquaintance. It seems that, years ago, when she was on the stage, she was taken up generally by New York's "Four Hundred." You didn't know, did you, in watching Miss Dressler's antics on the screen, that there before your very eyes is a leapingabout lady of society? Adolphe's Big Moment. Adolphe Menjou and his bride, Kathryn Carver, returned from their European honeymoon. And, outside of his marriage, the greatest thing that ever happened to Menjou was the big moment when Bernard Shaw came to call on him, in London. Shaw, who has been against selling the screen rights to any of his plays, even suggested that he would like to see Merjjou make his "Arms and the Man." Those of you who don't know your Shaw might know this story as "The Chocolate Soldier." Shaw and»MenjoU'talked of movies and of Charlie Chaplin, whom both consider the greatest genius on the screen — I think they said, the only genius. And all the time, Menjou pinched himself to see* if he was awake, and Shaw had really called upon him. And, of course, he feels that at last he has achieved fame. How I Pauline Garon. A squirrel coat ! They had always looked so gorgeous on the screen. So when I landed in New York, fresh— and cold — from Canada, it was with the dream of making good so that I might buy a squirrel coat. It was some time before the dream came true, but I can tell you, nothing else has even given me the same thrill that wrapping myself snugly in that soft fur did. Eugenia Gilbert. Always I have been fond of statuary, and I used to haunt a certain corner of an art shop in New York, Spent My First Pay where there was an adorable bisque Pandora. I thought that if I owned that treasure, my .happiness would be complete. Yes, I have the bisque. No, my happiness isn't complete. Is it ever? Aren't there always things we want ? But, just as time and hard work brought me my Pandora, so 'will they bring me these other things, I hope. Louis Natheaux. I had made a promise to myself that, when I "landed," I would grip my first big check in both fists and invade a clothing store for a purchasing spree. I did. And in my enthusiasm, I Check let a slick salesman unload a lot of truck on me that I've never had an opportunity to wear in pictures and that I now wouldn't wear on the street to pay an election bet. Jobyna Ralston. I was reared in a real home down in Tennessee, and never could get used to being cramped in an apartment. I like big rooms and lots of closets to put things in, and a yard. Cubby-holes and I quarrel all the time. So my first big check made a Hollywood home possible. It didn't buy the house, but it made a start, and we moved right in and enjoyed it while still paying for it.