Screenland (Nov 1931-Mar 1932)

110 SCREENLAND off-screen. His garb for an interview is likely to be a blue shirt, open at the neck, sleeves rolled up, and a pair of old brown cords. Most stars moan about what a nuisance their dear public is when they are sighted in the flesh. "I think all this you read of the stars being mobbed is passe now," Lew told me. "Perhaps I'm not popular enough, but I don't think the younger players in particular need fear being torn limb from limb. Very few people recognize me." This may be partially explained by Lew's disinclination to dress like a movie star. "There have been stories to the effect that I was disillusioned with Hollywood," he went on. "That's not so. My ideas have changed, but I stall enjoy the work as much as ever. When I was broke I planned just what I would do when I began making big money. Now I realize that the movies are a business, just like any other. Those childish, high-flown ideas about Hollywood are gone. But I hope to stay in pictures another ten years at least ! And if I don't have any time to do the things I used to plan — well, it's worth it to give up a few years to all work and no play in order to secure the future." Before his marriage Lew worked for seventeen weeks straight through, with only seven Sundays off in the entire stretch. He didn't get a chance to go to the beach all summer, to lounge and frolic at Malibu, acquire a tan, or do any of the entrancing things you suppose a handsome young idol does. Both these youngsters have smart business heads. "I know that right now I am not as high up as I was a year ago," Lew admits frankly. Because his name means a crowd at the box-office, his company has been following that old Hollywood custom of giving its leading star just so-so stories. "I think that 'The Iron Man' was punk; 'Heaven on Earth' just average. 'The Spirit of Notre Dame' holds a timely football interest and has a few good gags, but as a whole I doubt if it will set the world The girl who's all wrapped up in Chester Morris is Alison Lloyd. Looks like Thelma Todd? Well, she was Thelma Todd before she changed from comedy to dramatic roles. Good luck, Thel — er, Alison! on fire." How many stars dare face the truth so ruthlessly? Not many, I can assure you. Making the Notre Dame picture was a new experience for him. "I had never played football," he told me, "and when I started bucking that famous line — well, like Willie Shakespeare I screwed my courage to the sticking point !" This is just one little illustration to show you his gameness. He is a square-shooting, fine sport who asks only that he be allowed to live his life as he wants. The attitude of some members of the press puzzles him. "I always give interviews when asked and try to oblige," he says in a wondering tone. "No one used to care what I thought, and I was not used to remembering names when I was introduced. Now it seems that one fan writer has it in for me because I failed to speak to him a year and a half after our one and only meeting. I don't even recall seeing him the second time, but I'm told that's why he slams me." A year and a half ago Lola said, "If I ever marry I will have my own apartment, where I can hang my coat on the ceiling if I want to." Fortunately, in Lew she has found a man who also hates stiffness and formality. I venture to say that right now his coat is apt to be hung on the ceiling right next to hers ! Their common interest in music and astronomy will do much to hold them together. Lola has a piano, organ, radio, and victrola. Lew can play close harmony with his banjo. Both used to earn their living by their singing, so the neighbors can rejoice that here is a couple who harmonize perfectly. Her idea of a good time would be to buy a yacht, don a sweater, white ducks, and a pair of old sneakers and sail the seven seas. His notion of a vacation is to go moose hunting. Compromise number one coming up ! They both hope to attain financial independence, for whatever security they have had they have made for themselves. The thought of falling back into the obscurity and moneyless days hangs over their heads. Fate has given them a lucky break in enabling them to make big money. They intend doing all they can to stay on the Hollywood top. Let's hope, on our part, that they will stay together — this dark young hero and blonde young heroine who, at twenty-two, have found true love and success by their sheer determination to get up and on in the world. Long love Lola and Lew ! Domestic or Foreign Charmers Continued from page 25 Marjorie Cateson belongs to the willowy contingent among Hollywood girls. She skips rope with those pearls/ negro, at first considered suitable only for Spanish versions, made such a hit in domestic ones, that Fox offers her as a debutante star. Lupe Velez held her own without a struggle. Then Pathe brought Pola Negri back with loud huzzas from the publicity department. Jetta Goudal, out of work for months, is restored to grace. Dolores Del Rio, likewise overlooked for far too long a spell, is acquired for "The Dove." Lovely Nora Gregor, hitherto reserved for German versions of Shearer pictures at M.G.M., learns English in six weeks, plays opposite Doug Fairbanks, Jr. in a stage version of "The Man in Possession," and proves a buoyant success ; hence her promotion to American versions is now in order. Jose Crespo, Spanish actor, formerly seen only in Spanish versions, is co-opted for domestic ones. Yola D'Avril, although not under contract, gets parts galore. Emil Jannings, we hear, has learned English well enough to attract dickerings for new Hollywood contracts. Sweet Anna Q. Nilsson, once the Swedish darling of silents, whom a dreadful accident laid low for so long, now returns from a visit to Europe, and finds herself in the pleasant position of being coveted by various studios. Anna's accent is pretty good American, but she came back from Sweden with the desired foreign tang, clever girl. It can so easily raise the ante on contract terms. Fern Andra left America at 5 years of age, was raised in Germany, made stage and picture successes there, and now, after a stage play in Los Angeles, enjoys film invitations against the day of her return from a road tour. Anna May Wong, Chinese actress, who didn't stand a dime's worth of chance of being starred when she left Hollywood, went to Europe, won fame and plaudits on both screen and stage there, and returned triumphant to the very studio that had snubbed her when talkies came in — to star in "The Daughter of the Dragon," together with Sessue Hayakawa, who had likewise dropped from sight in the U.S.A. Anna gets just ten times her old salary now, too. So why wouldn't our native sons and daughters be pondering these matters? The competition is pretty hefty. For instance, consider the case of Constance Bennett. Constance, who receives $5,000 a day when she's working or about $12 a minute. Is she that much more interesting and popular with the fans than, say, Garbo or Dietrich? In "The Common Law," now, as an artist's model? Truth compels us to say that Connie's slouch and Connie's figure generally do not