Screenland (Nov 1940-Apr 1941)

would ask us. Sometimes we'd dream about being a famous dance team, dancing at the Grove or the Astor Roof way off in New York. Neither of us had ever been East of the Rockies— but we could picture it. "From time to time movie agents would see our Guild plays. One night one signed me to a contract to represent me for motion pictures. I was as thrilled as though I'd already signed a studio contract. I went dancing home and told mother. We called up my married brothers and sisters and had I a familv dinner by way of celebration. Since I am the baby, the family liked to humor my ambitions. ! "My first role in a picture was a tiny one in 'Scandal Sheet.' I'll have to admit I didn't set the screen on fire!" Laraine's eyes were laughing, remembering. "It was then I met Lew Ayres. I thought he was perfectly terrible — not as an actor — but he wouldn't cooperate with me in any of the scenes. All he'd do was get up before the camera— say his lines — and go away and hide in a corner. I didn't realize it at the time, but he was having all of his separation troubles with Ginger Rogers, which naturauy maae nun quiet nuu mui uo^.. +^ was so unhappy ! I never dreamed that Id ever be playing opposite him one day in a whole series of pictures like the 'Dr. Kildare' series. Today, he's just about the finest person I know. Lew's happy and helpful— and we have a lot of laughs together. "After my one picture, my option was not taken up by the studio — so I went back to the Guild. After a series of plays a . Hollywood talent scout invited me to take a screen test at Universal. First thing I was given a lead with George O'Brien m 'Border G-Men,' then 'The Painted Desert' and 'The Arizona Legion.' "Billv Gordon, the assistant casting director at M-G-M, offered me a test— and glory be, I was signed to a contract! My first picture was the leading lady m a Wallace Beery film, 'Sergeant Madden.' Then came a good role in T Take This Woman and the beginning of the 'Dr. Kildare series. . , "Aside from the studio, I kept up with my drama activities at church— putting on church plavs and drama skits. My dancing partner, who was also a church member, but not very active, one day happened to ask me just how I had such faith in everything I did. So we began discussing religion. I told him. 'You're entitled to believe it°or not. Religion is not forced on anyone. But if you believe and have a duty to perform—something to uphold and think about —it makes everything easier. I don't know exactly why, but he became more interested in religion than continuing with a dancing career. He wanted to go away on a mission for the church. Since right now I have to spend every minute of my time working I offered to do my share by sending him. That's the true story of Larame and the missionary. When she made her first trip to New York City this fall this missionary boy was given permission to call on her. The press wove a beautiful love story out _ of their meeting "which is not true," Larame said. "We are friends, naturally, but we're not in the least bit romantically interested. After the newspaper stories, two of my boy friends complained that maybe they were just 'fill-ins' after all. We all but quarreled over the whole thing." Laraine laughed. New York was exciting— and Laraine s picture, "My Son, My Son" was playing on Broadway with the Day girl's name up m the Neons— a distinct thrill for her, or anyone for that matter. "That picture was a faith-promoting example for me," said Laraine. "I was told that I'd be given the lead with Bob Taylor in 'Florian.' I was given three books~ to read for background material. I studied the script for weeks. It was naturally the big gest thing that could happen to me. Then, without explanation, I was not allowed to even test for it! Bob Taylor was replaced by Bob Young and the feminine lead was given to another girl. I went home so angry about it I could hardly contain myself. In fact, I shed bitter tears. I wondered if God does remember after all. But like the Bible says, 'God Moves in a Mysterious Way His Wonders to Perform.' "The very next morning I was called and given Frances Dee's role in 'My Son, My Son'— and loaned to a different studio. Miss Dee had suddenly been taken ill. That picture did more for me than any other to date— unless it's 'Foreign Correspondent, with Joel McCrea." There is nothing so effective as an ideal in action. But there's another side of Laraine Day too. As she said, "Just because you're religious doesn't mean that you can t be regular and have fun !" As drama director of her vicinity, Laraine is very active. She'd been rehearsing a group for a skit called "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" — done to swing time. And can Laraine dance and rumba! We have regular sessions at her house — roll up the rusrs and turn on the phonograph. Because Laraine's a Mormon she observes the Mormon word of wisdom. There s neither drinking nor smoking at her house. Some young people would think her parties would be dull. But on the contrary there's never a dull moment. "Sardines" is a favorite game we sometimes play there. The lights are turned off— everyone hides— and one person is selected to start it out by finding the others. As soon as someone s discovered they're secretly packed away m the powder room — until everyone's jammed in like "sardines." Laraine enjoys action games, and gay music — and there's lots of good home-cooked things her mother makes. All fall she and Sidney Guilaroff (he's the Hollywood hair stylist) and several others have been making a 16 mm. colored movie film for this winter's showing. Laraine and Sidney, who's her most frequent escort, have the leads. The scenario was written by Laraine. "If it should ever happen that I should have to choose between a career and marriage and a home of my own, I'd take the latter and a husband. But I don't think I'll ever have to make that decision," Laraine says. "For you can have both if you believe firmly enough in both." foi Charlie + Paulette = Movie Mystery Number One! Continued from page 23 a whirl at Hollywood's night club life— sans Charlie. With scandal at a very low ebb in Hollywood, and more space than ever to fill, the gossip writers welcomed Paulette's Ciro whirl like manna from heaven. Before she left for Mexico with a gay party of friends she had become the most talked about star West of the Rockies. Hardly a dinner party was given but what Paulette was dished up right along with the carrots and spinach. Her fellow Glamor Girls, naturally, were the ones most eager to put Paulette on the pan. Ever since "The Women," when the Goddard figure first came into view, Paulette has become the most publicized girl in pictures. 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