Screenland (Nov 1937-Apr 1938)

Ann Miller ond Kenny Baker, true to their "sit out" a dance this way prototypes at every party, real or reel, in "Radio City Revels." "Just like tliat!" "Just like that." Phil started away and then, for the first time, Marcia smiled— beautifully, apologetically. Phil stopped dead, staring at her as long as the smile held. It was sheer hypnotism where he was concerned. Then the smile whisked away and her face was again a mask, colder than before— in contrast to that smile. Phil shivered. "Did you smile?" "No !" He brushed his hand across his eyes. "I didn't think it could have been possible. What's your name?" "I'm Hepburn." "Listen, Hardpan. I asked you a simple question. What is your name?" "Do you happen to be Mr. Baumberg?' "No. But I do happen to be important enough to make it worth while for you to answer a civil question." Marcia considered this for a moment. "Marcia Court." "Were you born that?" "I don't remember," she answered with crafty resentment. . . "Oh, you don't remember. Miss GillicudahylWell, do you remember how old you are?" "Twenty." "How much do you weigh?" "A hundred and fifteen pounds," Marcia snapped and rushed on in sarcastic singsong. "And I ride, play polo, golf, tennis; I'm an expert swimmer, I dance divinely, plav the piano, harpsichord, sing, and I have a complete wardrobe suitable for any occasion." "You forgot to add that you're a consummate damned liar. Stand up." "Why?" "Stand up!" "Don't be absurd!" "All this time I've been thinking it was vour acid pan holding you back," Phil said with nasty sympathy, "It must have been your legs." "My legs are all right!" "Knocked or bowed?" "Neither !" "Nuts!" Marcia jumped to her feet, raising her skirt above her knees and revolved slowly. Phil drew in a deep breath. "Well?" she demanded. "Not bad," he said carelessly. Marcia glared at him. "Have you ever seen better?" "Oh, I've seen a few." "Legs — or better?" "Both." 98 "Nuts !" "How's your health?" he asked conversationally. "How does it look?" "I'll ask the questions— you give the answers. What I'm trying to find out is whether you're a good risk. Do you have any secret diseases beneath your healthy exterior?" "I have never had any diseases!" "I'm not trying to insult you, lady." he said, annoyingly gentle, "merely seeking information for business reasons. Let's see vour teeth." Marcia curled her lips back, clear to the gums, like the snarl of a she wolf. "Hmmm. Rather too perfect. They aren t plates ?" "What do you think?" "About the rest of the anatomy— do you have to wear a girdle or build the bust.-'^ "I seem to be cramping your style." Marcia said contemptuously as she calmly removed her dress, then a gossamer slip, standing there in knitted shorts and bra — a gorgeous figure — rotating slowly. "My God! You're the most amazingwoman I've ever known." ■ , She gave him a pitying smile. "If I hadn't been sure of the figure I shouldn't have risked that." n "I wasn't speaking of the figure, Phil said absently. "Oh I Then vou do think I have charm: "Charm? Well, I suppose you might call it that. Even snakes are said to have charm." "Listen, you! Shut up !" Phil started away. "Don't forget the pictures. Office 26, Administration Building, Phil Burns, publicity. I may see vou later in the day." Marcia turned on him with sudden venom. "Have you been giving me the run around?" "You wouldn't know." "Say, just what have you got on your mind?" "Not what you think, so don t be throwing yourself any social bouquets." "You fresh so-and-so!" "And please don't cast any expurgated aspersions on my impeccable progenitors. It isn't ladylike." Before she could properly respond to that one Sol Baumberg entered. Sol was a well dressed Jew, in his fifties, shrewd and kindly. Marcia gave Sol a brief glance, calmly picked up her dress and went out. Sol glared after her a moment before he gave his attention to Phil. "So! What is this— a casting office, a love nest, or stage four of my studio? So sure as I'm Sol Baumberg, so sure 1 fire you I" "But Sol, you don't understand — !" "Am I so dumb I can't understand a naked woman and a — publicity man ! ' But Phil was mastered by a great enthusiasm. "Sol, I've got something!" "Sure, you got immorals !" "Will you please listen to me before you draw any foul conclusions?" "All right, all right, ain't I listening? Start the conversation, but consider yourself fired." "Sol, I've never bothered you with a lot of wild discoveries, have I?" Sol bristled with antagonism. "So, what have you found this time?" "Something new." Phil was jubilant. "New things I don't like — they cost money. And I wouldn't take the word of a publicity man for nothing whatever. They're all louses." "Lice is the plural." "Same breed of vermin, whatver you call 'em." "What are you so sour about today : "What makes any producer sour?" "Sick box office." "You said it! If you was that smart with your publicity the box office shouldn't he so sick and I shouldn't be so sour." "Listen, Sol," Phil said, eagerly warming to his subject, "what we need in the picture business right now is something new in leading women." "Sure! You're telling me what a thousand times I've told you already. But there ain't no such thing." "There is, only you haven't seen it on the screen. All the stars use the same clipped speech, the same affected broad a. the samesophisticated smiles and stock gestures. '1 he public is fed up. They know everything any star is going to say or do before it happens." Sol leered at Phil. "But you got something new?" "I think I have." "So what is it— before I faint from anxiety, waiting to hear?" "An alley cat." Sol roared like a hurt animal. "So! Now you are suggesting I should star an alley cat '" "That's just what I am suggesting. An alley cat — a human alley cat. A woman who is so hard that it turns you cold to look at her, yet so beautiful that you can t help looking.' A woman who seldom smiles, but when she does smile, even though that -mile is a malicious jeer at someone, it's like a refreshing drink. And after the smile is gone her face is so hard once more you feet you'd give your right eye to bring that smile back again." "I wouldn't even give a left eye eyelash. You're wasting my time. I got plenty leadins' women and stars right now which I don't want. Already I'm burning up with expenses and you ask it I should heap coals on the fires at Newcastle!" "All I ask of you, Sol, is that you let me o-ive her a thousand foot test and then promise you'll look at the film." "A thousand foot test!" Sol screamed. "Ml right, all right," Phil said rashly, "if you don't like it I'll pay for it myself." . "I'll take your money right now. sucker. "But you'will look at the test'" "If there ain't nothing better I got to do at the time," Sol grudgingly agreed. Phil smothered a triumphant grin. 1 11 have it ready for you tomorrow afternoon, following the rushes. You're in for a treat "If I ain't you're in for a vacation — without pay." . « Sol stalked out while Phil went in the opposite direction in search of that strange eirl, Marcia Court. (To Be Continued) THE CUNEO PRESS, INC.. U.S.A.