Screenland (Nov 1941-Apr 1942)

A "perfectly balanced face" is how John Powers described Katharine Aldridge's features when he first saw her. And Mr. Powers should know, since his office is the home of America's most beautiful advertising models. And, of course, Hollywood, which is the home of beautiful women, lost no time in putting Kay in motion pictures. Nelson Eddy, P. H. Continued from page 3 I subject of Nelson as a husband came up frequently, and was discussed by Nelson and his mother. Yes, Ann Franklin was in the picture even then. In fact, Nelson almost ran away from her, to Europe, that summer. Almost, but not quite. That running-away business is not new, either, as we all know. But it usually ends up in the "almost" category, such as Nelson's did. Since time immemorial, men have feared the ultimate capture, and nature always prompts them to escape when they know they're gone, hook, line and sinker. And Nelson Eddy was no exception to the rule. If you'll recall, that was the summer after Nelson's astounding success in "Naughty Marietta." That summer was undoubtedly the most important in his life. That was the summer when his fate (almost wrote gate), hung in the balance with the fans. For stories of his conceit, his arrogance, and his discourtesy to the press, were rampant. Stories which reached a peak about a year later, and stories which Nelson gracefully outrode. But that summer his patience was taxed pretty heavily. He became a screen idol overnight, after two years of obscurity in Hollywood, and this sudden swinging of the pendulum brought with it many problems. If he had immediately gone into another picture, the success would have been easier to believe, for he would have been surrounded by the tangible evidences of his profession, . and things would have seemed less unreal. Instead of that, the studio naturally wished to be very careful in the selection of his next picture, and this left Nelson, the young man whose picture greeted you from every conceivable periodical, languishing impatiently at home. He did go out dancing quite a bit with such charmers as Alice Faye, Virginia Bruce, Isabel Jewell, and others. But at that stage of his life, he was not seeking such pleasurable diversions. Rather he 82 seemed to be seeking some direction to his emotional life. And he found it, in the person of Ann Franklin, who even then enjoyed an enviable reputation as a sophisticated hostess and a soignee socialite. He was around thirty then, and the settling-down urge was upon him. Perhaps subconsciously, but nonetheless there. Nelson Eddy is very idealistic, and somewhat of a perfectionist, so he realized that finding a marriage partner was not going to be easy. And don't think for a minute that he exaggerated his own charms. Quite the contrary, despite all those tall tales about his being pursued by frantic femmes. (Seriously, those stories were actually played down in the press. Some of those women with fixations on Nelson were heart-breaking.) Even if the thought of matrimony had not been in Nelson's mind at the time, his constant interviews on the subject would have made it a paramount subject. When he was asked about his ideal girl, as he invariably was, he invariably answered in a tactfully evasive manner, for he had not truly formulated his thoughts on the subject. But once, after the subject came up for a story, he said: "What chance would I have of a happy marriage, I ask you? Here it is July, and my tour is already fully lined up. Five months of the year on the road, like a travelling salesman, which I am. One-night stands. It wears me out physically. I couldn't ask a woman to do that, and I certainly wouldn't want to be away from my wife for that long. SO?" The only specific thing he had in mind regarding THE girl, was that she be a "live wire." He knew what he meant, but he had many ways of expressing it. "You know, that certain something. I don't mean the kind that move around constantly, and nervously. But the kind that have that keen, understanding look in their eyes. Interested in everything. The kind that like people and things." And that certainly describes Ann Eddy. And as for his fears about taking his wife on tour, anyone who has seen them leaving a concert hall together, will realize that the rigors of travelling leave as little mark on Ann as they do on Nelson. They always seem to be having so much fun. And the onlooker further realizes that here is a wife who has solved the problem of being a star's wife with exceptional cleverness. How she can remain by Nelson's side as they wend their way through the crowds to their car, and still seem so unpossessive as not to exist, is the neatest trick of the season. As Nelson signs autographs and returns greetings, Ann seems to melt into the background, but somehow they're cozily ensconsed in their car and driving off, leaving smiling fans behind them. Of course, this degree of perfect husband which we have bestowed on Nelson Eddy, requires many extra-curricular activities, to be so painlessly suggested by the proper wife, as to seem the husband's own idea. So Ann Eddy must also take a bow, for she possesses tact and social talent to a great degree. We think this quality was what first attracted Nelson to her. Nelson, definitely is social, in a sound, wholesome way. The master of the house sort of thing. By that, we mean, he enjoys having his friends under his own roof, and appreciates a woman who can superintend the mechanics of living gracefully and effortlessly. Which, of course, as all Hollywood knows, Ann Eddy can. Her friendly gifts to Nelson at the time of their budding romance were evidence of the good taste she brings to the art of living. Hothouse strawberries on a silver tray, delivered by her butler. Armsful of fragrant flowers from her greenhouses, with the card marked for both Nelson and his mother. She would send Nelson witty telegrams at all odd hours. As Nelson leaned over his piano in old sports clothes, practicing with his accompanist, Ted Paxson, his eyes would constantly watch the winding drive to the front door, for the Western Union boy, and he'd rush to the door himself to sign for the awaited message. And then his deep-throated laugh would ring out as he read Ann's latest sally. Yes, Nelson Eddy was doing a lot of thinking about Ann Franklin that summer. He was very pleased that she and his mother got along so well, for Nelson's love and loyalty to his mother, for her lifelong sacrifices for him, is a very important factor in his life, and had there been a lack of compatibility between the two women he loved, life would not be as serene as it now is for this fortunate lad. It was about here that he began toying with the idea of going on a French boat to Europe, to perfect his French, and he even booked passage. The studio encouraged this, very cannily, by suggesting that he appear at the opening of "Naughty Marietta" in Paris. Certainly, such an opportunity comes to few. An operatic and cinema success at thirty. Endowed with charm, grace, health, artistic and financial success. And now the opportunity to receive the international acclaim that was his due. Fairy-tale stuff, says you. But Nelson was having none of it. For he decided to stick to the library, the quiet life, and of course, Ann Franklin. After that decision, it was merely a matter of time before Nelson joined the ranks of the benedicts. And now look at him. He has added emotional success to that artistic and financial success. So, when next you see Nelson, in "The Chocolate Soldier," said to be his best film, you will see before you not only a fine singer, a swell actor, a dynamic personality — but a happy husband. PRINTED IN THE U S A. BY THE CUNEO PRESS, INC