Screenland (Nov 1935-Apr 1936)

for March 19 36 21 Is he avoiding romance? If there is a particular girl, who is she? Now you can stop guessing! The Male of the Moment speaks for himself — but frankly I like Nelson as well as anyone does, [Jy Ben but I guess being a fellow man saves me from turning sappy on him. If ever I do I know I'll lose his esteem. The unvarnished truth is that here's a regular guy who insists upon staying the way he was, and is. Which is — homespun ! The ecstasyprovoking Mr. Eddy is actually a fugitive from all this halo-hooey. He is, yes, a strange soul in our first-you-Yuma-herand-eventually-you-Renovate-her community. He doesn't wink at extra girls and invite them on secret drives. Nor make subtle passes at famous actresses. Indeed, his dating is most occasional. But Nelson hasn't taken any terrible oath to flee from particularly lovable lassies. A feminine-less future isn't his fancy. He isn't sacrificing himself to a cold, consuming career. If, they haven't been able to print a proposal or gossip accurately about a proposition, so what? Personally, I admire him for sticking so unhesitatingly to his pre-Hollywood standards. And I give hallelujahs that he isn't trotting out that old chestnut to stave off the snoopers. You remember, the one about how a film star bachelor must be careful of becoming involved. Why, he's not merely unafraid marriage will ruin him, but he never thinks of himself as "a star." Which is another of the extraordinary bits of data that's genuine gospel. Today Nelson Eddy may be near you, for he is again touring the country, giving concerts precisely as he did before his luck suddenly switched into high. It's one more clue to his firm character. The average actor settles down between pictures to sun-tanning at Palm Springs add OX or "reviving" amid the metropolitan stimuli of New York City. Get this Nelson, though. He demanded a clause in his Metro contract guaranteeing him half of each year free. So he could continue his song recitals ! He'll never have to experience that painful feeling of coming down to earth because he's never been out of touch with reality. You can't cook up a colorful "change" in him, for he's still got that outside manner despite being definitely on the inside at last. I'm wondering how he's surviving his present swing around the country, for his triumph in "Rose Marie" has affected his concerting. Those who hadn't been patrons of semi-classical affairs have become aware of him. No doubt the majority classify his coming as a personal appearance. Just before he departed from Hollywood he strode into the publicity department at M-G-M to make good a promise. He'd assured me he'd sum up his impressions of his screen chapter. This March marks his third year with us. He wore a well-tailored, dark brown suit, a gallant fedora, and I had to steer him into an empty office. Even the publicity girls who can chat with him often discover too numerous reasons to consult him. Nelson sprawled opposite me in a big chair, I'll* not go into a soliloquy about his looks. If you've a hope that he's truly as effective as the camera hints, you comprehend what I'd write. The night before, at Pasadena, he'd given the second of his concerts. The natives adjacent to Hollywood are supposed to be so wise to film favorites that they don't gaga. Well, what's your opinion. (Continued on page 69)