Screenland (May-Oct 1931)

53 that stuff and nonsense about 'the darling of the debs' had me pretty nearly stopped. Here's what happened. "I left Hollywood for Xew York thinking I was aces. In the big town I continued to think so. Why not? There was certainly every evidence of popularity. I was besieged for interviews. I received every consideration. The fans seemed to like me. In fact, they liked me so much that when I went to luncheon at Sardi's, Mr. Sardi had to call the police to handle the crowds. "All right. I went to Europe with my mother for what I thought was a well-earned vacation. When I returned, what happened ? Phew ! what a chill I got ! Believe me, for months I never read a decent word printed about me. At the studio no one noticed me. Not even a 'good morning,' where before I'd been 'Mr. Rogers 'ed' all over the lot. "Well, sir," that's one of Buddy's favorite expressions, "well, sir, I just couldn't understand it. I'd worked hard. I was never temperamental or anything. I have always been ambitious to get ahead. And I thought I had succeeded moderately well. I'll tell you the truth, I was ready to quit it all and get a job in a clothing store or something, like my kid brother has done." I didn't know, so Buddy digressed for an instant to tell me about the kid brother — "Bh," as he is called by the folks. "They signed him to a movie contract," the Man of the Family continued, "and kept him sitting around without a single break for months. His screen test was a darn sight better than mine. But he didn't get a tumble. And when option day arrived, he was let out. The kid was broken-hearted, and right now he's working in a Los Angeles store. I was going to do the same thing. "But first I sat back and took stock of the situation. I saw where I had been wrong. By trying to be a decent guy I'd somehow earned an undeserved reputation of being some sort of freak — a regular 'sissy.' I didn't FANS ADVISE BUDDY Here's a kick for Mary Getty, 120 5 Clover Lane, Chester, Pa., — and incidentally for all who write Buddy Rogers — for he reads every letter personally. Mary wrote: "I doubt very much if you will see this letter." (And that's where she was wrong.) Here was what she said. And Buddy profited. "After your success in 'Wings' the producers put you in a series of pictures with dull plots, expecting your personality to carry them. You did your best, but the public demands good stories, and the public must be served. "I'm glad you aren't to be starred in your next picture; it will give you a chance to prove that you can really act. So make the most of any role you are given. Stick to it, Buddy! You can't keep a good actor down!" You're right, Mary, they can't! smoke. I didn't drink. 1 didn't make much whoopee. I objected to smacking girls around in my pictures. So I must be something out of a sideshow. "Now; the fact is, I don't care much about cigarettes or booze or late hours. Remember the time 1 asked you not to print that 1 had taken a cigarette and a cocktail at a party, because I didn't want my father to know I smoked even one cigarette? Well, sir, I haven't smoked in his presence yet. And I don't think he'd believe it if anyone told him I had. "Once in a while I smoke. But if all the cigarettes and liquor in the world were done away with it wouldn't affect me any. After all, fellows like Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney don't do those things to excess, and are praised for it. But I — well I got a razzing. It doesn't seem fair. But I guess it was my fault. I haven't changed in regard to those things, though — I simply try to keep 'em out of print. Apparently they are detrimental rather than helpful. "Well, sir, that was one thing I discovered. Another was that I'd been playing a lot of sappy parts in musical pictures and getting out there trying to sing a song and dancing around. Anything to oblige. But it darn near killed my career. And, of course, there was no one to share the blame. There never is for a flop. But oh boy, it's a little different with a hit ! "No, sir, I didn't ask whether my role in 'The Lawyer's Secret' was a starring part or not. I don't care. All I wanted was a bit. Anything at all in the nature of a dramatic role such as I played in 'Wings.' You tell me I steal the picture. I don't think so. It's just because I have a chance to be something on the screen besides a song-and-dance man. The difference in the parts gives me a break. "But, anyway, after the picture — I was too scared and sick to even see the rushes — folks began speaking to me again. The atmosphere around the studio thawed at least a little above freezing point. Then I was surprised again. But, anyway, I'm glad I didn't take that clothing store job. 'Cause maybe there's hope for me yet in the movies. I mean it. I don't know (Continued on page 108) "I didn't ask whether my part in 'The Lawyer's Secret' was a star part or not. I didn't care. All I wanted was a bit— a chance to be something besides a song-anddance man. "After the picture, folks began speaking to me again. So maybe there's hope for me yet in the movies. If not— I can always lead an orchestra!"