Screenland (May-Oct 1939)

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I enclose 10c for trial supply of FIBS, the Kotex Tampon, mailed in plain package. Name Address City.. State Hollywood Pavement Continued from page 61 FROM PRECEDING CHAPTERS: ONCE a Broadway hit, but a failure in Hollywood, Gwen Mapleson hopes to repeat success she made under guidance of Lester Donnelly, her discoverer and ex-husband. They meet after a separation — she a down-and-out actress, he the once-famous stage producer, selling newspapers. His ambitions rekindled, Lester plots a hold-up to get money for a new venture which will give them both another start. A mysterious man appears, promises to send him the money if he'll forget the hold-up. Next morning a messenger delivers $5,000, newspapers carry stories about his production plans, about a big party he's giving. Lester develops the plot for his play, tells Gwen the heroine is an actress — a girl who fails because of selfishness, but in the end wins out, and love comes to her from the Hollywood pavement. Everybody who was anybody attended Lester's party, including Jim O'Shea, film producer who, after reading the script tells Lester he's interested, even agreeing to have Lester cast, produce, and direct it. After midnight, when the party's in full swing, Gwen arrives, poorly dressed just as Lester ordered, but looking young and lovely. Lester acts surprised to see her, rushes to her. Gwen apologizes for her appearance and for coming, saying she didn't know he was having a party, and makes a move to leave. Seeing that this is having just the effect he wanted to produce, Lester keeps up the act — calls her "My Cinderella," introduces her to O'Shea and to the other guests. It was after three when the party broke up. Gwen was the last one to leave. Lester said he'd phone her in the morning. Twenty minutes later, Lester goes to his room and finding Gwen there, reclining on his bed, and wearing a pair of his pajamas exclaims — "Why — what are you doing here, what are you waiting for?" Her reply was: "Give you two guesses." Kerkovitz, his assistant today as he had been, years ago, in New York, argued with him, begged him not to waste so much time and effort over a girl who played only a bit, saying that her part was unimportant and did not matter — Lester exclaimed : "Which shows how little you know, Sam. No part is unimportant. A good production is like a fine, sound engine. Everything down to the tiniest cog must be smooth, oiled, in perfect condition and coordination — " He interrupted himself; turned to Gwen. "You've been lousy all day !" he yelled at her. "What's the matter with you?" "I — " weakly — "I've a headache." "So have I ! And it's you've given it to me — the way you're muffing that last scene. Oh — " he stormed — "a ham — that's what you are. You — you give no illusion of reality — no emotion — no nothing!" She was furious. Oh, she thought, to be blown up in front of the whole company — and some of the extras giggling. "Lester," she cried. "I want you to understand, once and for all, that I am — " "The star ! Sure. Well, you won't remain the star much longer, unless you make up your mind to shimmer and glitter a little more." She sobbed — and he glared. "Cut out the water-works," he cried, "and try that scene again! From where that newspaper guy — • that's you, old man," to Bruce Macdonald — "gives you the frozen eye, tells you, by his silence, that you give him a pain in the neck. So, at least, he wants you to believe. So he walks up the Boulevard, in the direction of Vine Street. Automobiles shooting right and left. You — Gwen — don't give a damn. You rush after him — damned near get run over — " He paused. "Well — go on ! Run !" She obeyed. He was far from satisfied. "Didn't you hear me? Run!" "I did run !" "You didn't. La-de-da stuff — hand on hip — the old-fashioned kidney-walk — that's what you gave me. Now then — let's try it again ! Run ! You're trying to catch up with the fellow you're crazy about." She ran. "A little better," he admitted. "Okay. You've caught up with the newsstand guy. Say the words — 'I love you, Bill — I need you . . .' " " 'I love you, Bill—' " she echoed— " 'I need you.' " "My God!" His voice peaked a frantic octave. "Lousier and lousier!" He tore his hair. "You're as lifeless as a mechanical doll ! I — I won't let you ruin my play ! I shall awaken you — to flesh and blood — if I've to bounce a brick off your dome." Then, suddenly, almost, she laughed. Why, she reflected, it was just like former days, back in New York. The same old Lester. And no use arguing with him. No use losing one's temper, getting mad or hurt. He knew his onions when it came to the theatre ! She said meekly : "All right, Lester. I'll try and do better." Zorina, blonde and beauteous balletdancer introduced to the screen in "Goldwyn Follies," plays starring role in "On Your Toes," Warner Bros. "Attababy, Gwen! Now hop to it!" Once more she ran across the stage. She caught up with Bruce and clutched his arm. " 'I love you, Bill — ' " she cried, with a deep shiver in her accents — " 'I need you — !' " "Elegant !" Lester roared. "Absolutely elegant ! That's the stuff to feed the troops ! Don't be scared of over-acting ! You can't over-act ! Not as long as you feel— really feel!" He clapped his hands and addressed the cast. "Now then, boys and girls, let's go !" he exclaimed. "Right from the beginning of that last scene. That scene on Sunset Boulevard where that tough little skirt — that's you, Ruthie !" to an extra — "gives the eye and the old wiggle to the news-stand guy — get ready, Bruce ! — and he gives her the dead pan — hardly notices her. For he lamps the other dame, his former sweetie — " He winked broadly at Gwen and whispered to her : "One swell sweetie she is, too !" So it went on, day after day, week after week ; until a minor executive decided it was high time to earn his salary by registering a kick. "Lester," he told him, "you're piling up expenses, thousands and thousands of dollars, by these continuous rehearsals. You know, this isn't Broadway, where rehearsals don't cost much." "But 'Hollywood Pavement' is going to be as good as a Broadway show. At least," arrogantly, "any Broadway show that I've 84 SCREENLAND