Picture Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

23 What's a Chap to Do? James Hall's career is the least of his worries. It is the social problems caused by his success which bother him — and do you wonder? By Will iam WHAT would you do, if you came to Hollywood from comparative obscurity and attracted national notice? What would you do if, to your surprise, your least important actions were blazoned far and wide, with fancy trimmings and exaggerations ? What would you do if you found yourself being imposed upon by sycophants ? What would you do if circumstances were holding you back, when you were eager to spring ahead? What would Well, in any case, having to face these few questions is enough to drive any one back to obscurity. Being famous, and drawing increasing fame to yourself, is all right so far as it takes you, but with all these irritating facts at hand, what's a chap to do ? • For the past year, James Hall has been racking his mind for a solution. He believes he has found one, now — in fact, he is following it — but he is not quite sure. One never can be sure, in pictures. When I first made Jimmie's acquaintance, he was quite new to the colony. All he could do was to be thankful for his good break in pictures, and praise Bebe Daniels for being the brick she is. To-day, since his advent in Hollywood, Jimmie still stresses these two facts, but he has also several other topics to discuss, which prompts the question at the top of the page. "When I first came to work out here, from New York," Mr. Hall stated, "I thought the entire colony would take me up. I got my first disillusion on finding that the picture people are very hard to know. Of course, I knew one or two. But the colony, as a whole, seemed closed against me. It appeared as if they all said: 'Well, let us see what you really can do. Prove that you are one of us. We'll find out if you are worthy of our notice.' "I might have been wrong to think that, but that's how it struck me at the time. "The next thing that confused me, was the great importance they placed on the slightest move I made. Now, taking a young lady to the theater, or to a cafe, is not a very uncommon thing to do. I knew Joan Crawford, and took her to several places. You see, I had very few friends out here, then. He fled from his beautiful home to escape uninvited guests. Photo by Richee James Hall is only too willing to get the moon for you — but you'd have to shoot him up to it with a cannon. "The next thing I heard was that we were engaged. No denials on either side did: any good. The fact that we had dined in each other's company sealed our betrothal. To-day, Fairbanks, Jr., and Joan, just because they go about together, are reported engaged." I was one of the many who believed Joan and Jimmie to be in love with each other. Jimmie certainly let me believe it, and they did go about a lot together. Since then, knowing Joan's taking ways, and Jimmie's early quest for companionship, I realize how the mistake was made. Yet, what's an observing interviewer to> do ? But, hang it all ! — to a dashing go-getter these false reports must be annoying, and no nonsense. A personable young man, with pleasing ways, can hardly be expected to conduct himself like a cenobite. He must go out occasionally with some one and at least speak to others. Yet. if these diversions are misconstrued, what's a chap to do? Recently Jimmie has been reported engaged to Merna Kennedy, Charlie Chaplin's leading lady. Yet you can bet your sweet life that a lot of old meanies are going to disturb another good friendship, if they can, so keep in mind what Jimmie has explained, in the summer of 1928. "Miss Kennedy is a charming girl," the harassed young man confessed, "and is a dear friend of mine. She was sympathetic and encouraging, when I first came to Hollywood. I shall never forget that." Gratitude. That's what Jimmie believes in handing out. Now imagine, if you can, how Hollywood misinterprets gratitude. Just plain, simple friendship is looked at through Calypso's magic mirror. A jolly cup of tea Continued on page 111