Screenland (May-Oct 1929)

SCREENLAND ill a joke out of everything, and quiet, darkeyed Helen Jerome Eddy who sits in the corner of the big sofa before the huge log-fire and draws her circle of admirers around her. Both types are equally welcome at Betty's and Jim's. And you know the young, sophisticated couple on Main Street, who are up on the latest thing in art and literature and music, whose clothes are a topic of conversation and who give the smart entertainments of the village, who have been to Paris and London and Rome and are just too popular for anything? Well, Hollywood's parallel in this is Lilyan Tashman and Edmund Lowe. If Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks entertain the foreign ambassadors and England's Prince, Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Lowe corral the visiting literati and artists who touch our shores. Of course, many of them either Lilyan or Eddie have known for some time, such as Ethel Barrymore, Tito Schipa and Eric Pedley, the internationally-known polo player. There is always life and laughter and wit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Lowe. And you know the quiet, retiring little girl with very prim manners and the air of a young princess, whom everybody likes to have around, because her aristocratic manner will grace any gathering, and yet who is good fun too? — well, that is Virginia Valli. Virginia wears rather severe tailored suits, usually gray or dark blue, with a very expensive fur neck-piece. Her hat is a beautifully cut little felt, tightly fitting; and she always wears gloves. On rainy days she carries just the sort of an umbrella you would expect a conservative, well-brought-up young lady to carry. None of the fans ever recognize Virginia. She has attended her own opening and had people say to her, "Oh! Aren't you Norma Talmadge?" And yet, under the straight little brim of Virginia's tailored hat, are a pair of twinkling gray-blue eyes that see humor of the subtlest. Virginia can make whoopee with the best of them but she never steps out of character. Just at present the popular young bachelor of town is a moot question. Hollywood has several, but within recent months, two of them have decided upon matrimonial careers. One is Ben Lyon, who sometimes has as many as five parties in a day to go to, and the other one is Gary Cooper. These two boys are entirely different. Gary appeals to women as a strong, silent type. He is rather quiet and a little reserved. He seems to know just the thing to do to make women happy. Whenever Gary's name is mentioned, there is a chorus of feminine voices, "Oh! Gary is just adorable." But now Gary is seen only with Lupe and the rest of feminine Hollywood sighs in vain. Of course there is Richard Dix and the title of uncatchable bachelor, . I imagine, would go to Richard. He likes everybody and everybody likes him. But then there is also Ronald Colman. Feminine Hollywood has never made any impression on Ronny. He has his house on the hill with a tennis court and swimming pool and his friends are, for the most part. Englishmen. Ronny's tastes are almost one hundred percent athletic. His only divergence from sports is reading and he has a very complete library. It is said that no writer has ever passed the gates of his mountain retreat. Interviews, which are rare, are given at the studio. He feels that his personal life is his own and he is too modest really to feel that what he does, off the screen, is of any possible interest to anyone except himself and his friends. And now we come to the mystery people of Main Street, who are seen very seldom at the various gatherings of the community. Consequently they are of terrific interest in a gossiping world. It is an odd thing, isn't it, that if everyone doesn't act exactly alike, the person who deviates from the general run of things is always thought strange! There is Lon Chaney, for instance. His friends are not in pictures. Very few people in cinemaland know anything about him after he leaves the studio. He and his wife almost never appear at Hollywood gatherings. Although living in Hollywood they are not of it. Perhaps the mystery of Hollywood is Gustave Von Seyffertitz. He lives alone. He has one room in an exclusive apartment hotel. His wife and daughter live in the east. He is very fond of them but he doesn't encourage their coming to Hollywood. He is one of the most sought-after men in pictures, by the casting director. I happened to be at a studio when the director asked that he be called for a few scenes. Mr. Von Seyffertitz was working at Paramount at that time. The assistant director said he didn't think he could get him. "Well, I only need him for two days," said the director. "I can arrange my schedule so that he will be finished in that time." The assistant said that he might be free the latter part of the week and that he would try to get him if it was Okay with the chief. "Sure," said the director. "Give him the choice of Friday and Saturday, or Saturday and Sunday. I will turn everything aside to get his scenes on those days." Another incident I heard was that a director wanted Mr. Von Seyffertitz for one shot only and he said to the assistant, "I won't have anyone in Hollywood but Von Seyffertitz. I will take the scene at any time it is possible to get him and tell him that I will pay $500.00 for it." Mr. Von Seyffertitz has one or two friends with whom he plays pinochle, practically every evening he is not working. He has no desire to mix and mingle. He cares nothing whatever for publicity and doesn't encourage it, and yet with all his reticence, he is well liked. The mystery woman of Hollywood is unquestionably Jetta Goudal. I don't have to tell you that Jetta is physically appealing. She is beautiful, fascinating and she knows how to dress. She is also a very good cook and when she gives a dinner you get something. Aside from all the rest, her culinary accomplishments should bring a flock of young men to her doors. Yet Jetta does not encourage young men. She even has very few women friends and leads a rather lonely life. She is almost complete in herself, having a splendid mind and being well travelled. Perhaps it is that few people interest her, or perhaps she is the type that needs to have people camp on her trail. Yet, her aloofness rather forestalls an enthusiastic manifestation from admirers. She has few close friends, mostly women, and these friends knowing her so well and liking her so well, resent the fact that she is called mysterious. Her name has never been associated with any man, but that is entirely Jetta's own fault. She just isn't interested, beyond a casual, mental contact. And you know the girl whose parties are always the most . fun in the village; who has ioads of money and who entertains frequently and often and who is the best sport in town? In Hollywood she is Marion Davies. Everyone loves Marion and it isn't entirely because of her beautiful beach home and the expensive presents that she gives and her royal entertainment. I remember years ago a young actor who had never played with her before, remarking Last night I came home with great news "I'd telephoned Ruth that I had a surprise for her and she could hardly wait for me to get home. You should have seen her face when I told her the Boss had given me a $25 increase in salary. " 'It's wonderful,' she said, 'just wonderful. Now we can pay those bills and even start saving. " 'Remember the night we saw that coupon in a magazine and you decided to take up an I. C. S. course? It made a new man of you, Bob, and I knew it wouldn't be long before the firm would notice the difference in your work. We certainly owe a lot to the International Correspondence Schools.' " How about you? Are you always going to work for a small salary? Or are you going to get ahead? 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