Screenland (May-Oct 1938)

did her curtsy to the ex-king and had a long visit with his charming Duchess. Back in town Mary gave a cocktail party the day before sailing All the gals do it, you see. Mary was all enthusiasm about a cosmetic business she is launching. Guess it's all this activity that keeps the little lady looking so young. I complimented her on how well she looked and asked her how she did it. She winked and said, with a smile, that she supposed it was because she was happy. From the twinkle in her eye I imagine she was thinking of Buddy Rogers. The next day we waved goodbye to her at the station on her way to meet her Buddy and launch her beauty parlors. She should appear in person at her parlors as she is a wonderful living advertisement. Wallace Beery lingered in Paris a few days, having wended his way up from Italy and the South of France. He quite amused the Parisians stalking about the Boulevards, for he looks exactly like his screen self — only more so, bigger and better. At the station he seemed a bit uncomfortable at the attention he created and was relieved when the train eventually pulled out. Fernand Gravet always stages a grand show at the Gare St. Lazare for he is one of Paris' real idols. His last visit was a short one and only for a holiday. Generally on his visits here he has made a French film, so as not to let the French feel he has deserted them completely. A very good idea, that — 'which is done also by that other French favorite, Charles Boyer. On his last visit Fernand didn't have the time to make a film, much to the Parisians' sorrow. Instead he played about his villa at Saint Cloud, overlooking Paris, and at his little country place near Tours. Down there he really enjoys himself with riding and helping in his vineyards. When I asked him what sort of wine he made from his grapes, white or red wine, he gaily smiled and said, "Neither, it's pink wine we make." So I was wrong in my guess. It's a joy to see Fernand stay so unspoiled after his big success in America. He is such an interesting, sensible fellow. Certainly knows his acting stuff for as a child he was a brilliant actor in the theatre and toured the Orient and South America. No flash in the pan is this one. He is a clever artist, too. I have painted his miniature several times and when posing for me he would sit and sketch splendid caricatures of celebrities. Once at a charity performance he appeared and did a series of lightning sketches on a big board. A great success he was. We were sorry to wave farewell to him at the station, but he assured us that as soon as he finished "The Great Waltz" for M-G-M he will return again for a longer time. Speaking of old-timers, that mean, bad, continental villain of other days, Eric Von Stroheim, is appearing in a series of French films with great success. He hasn't changed since his Hollywood days and is still the great menace in any language. Saw him working the other day at the studio and his poise and artistry seemed to inspire the other actors. The worse he appeared, in character of course, the better they acted. So menace has its virtue in a certain way. Also saw another arch villain, extremely continental too, at work. This was Conrad Veidt — who can forget his fiendish face in some of his horror films ? When I saw him at the studio he was his old polished self in the setting of the Russia of Catherine the Great. Pie was making a film opposite Francoise Rosay, called "The Chess Player." It was interesting to watch these two great artists making close-ups. Madame Rosay is the wife of Jaques Feyder, the director whose film, "Carnival in Flanders," was such a great success in America and England. I had an entertaining afternoon watching the splendors of the Court of Russia of other days reproduced. The French certainly do well this type of film. Couldn't leave, the Gare St. Lazare without touching on the goings and comings of Marlene Dietrich. This time it was a coming instead of a going. La Dietrich arrived all smiles for a good long holiday. As she didn't make a film on her last trip to Hollywood I gather it will be a holiday from studio discussions and conferences. She lingered in Paris a few days to look over the collections of the famous Parisian dressmakers but being a really fond mother she betook herself to Switzerland to see her daughter Maria, who is in school there. No matter where she goes or what she does Marlene is the brilliant, languid center of interest. After completing her current holiday over here, the much-traveled Marlene returns to Hollywood to make two films under her contract with Columbia— one to be directed by Frank Capra. Two views, above, of Marlene Dietrich in Paris: left, with Director Josef von Sternberg; right, with her husband. At far left, Lily Pons just before boarding the boat train. 67