Screenland (Nov 1942-Apr 1943)

comic Westerns, that would be different. But Gene is the only person I'd want to play second fiddle to in a Western. Of course, I'm under contract for a year, and they could make me do it, but then I'd quit jvepublic at the end of the year if they did that. For I couldn't appear in everybody's Westerns, and if Gene came back to make a picture, I'd want to be free to be in his, not someone else's. Sure, Republic could have the body but not my heart if they made me play stooge to some new cowboy. My heart would not be in it. My heart is with Gene." I said, "Maybe you'll be joining Gene in the Army." There was a wistful look in Smiley s eyes. "I'm afraid not," he said. "You see, I have five dependents, a girl of four and a boy of two, my wife, my mother and father. Then I'm about 70 pounds overweight and probably I wouldn't pass the I. Q." Smiley was trying to put the whole thing on a light plane when he ran down his intelligence quotient, but I could see he was deeply moved. For after all, one of the best friends he has in the world is joining the Army, and Smiley can't follow him. Well, after that I talked some more to Gene. "How do you feel about the conscientious objectors?" I said. I was thinking of Lew Ayres, but I didn't mention his name, for I knew it wouldn't be fair to ask Gene to pass judgment on the action of a fellow actor. Maybe Gene knew I was thinking of Lew. Maybe not. Anyway, he said, "I disagree with the conscientious objectors. Oh, I know it's a wonderful theory — that if we all threw away our guns, wars would be over. But I don't believe it. I'd like nothing better if it were true. But if we threw away our guns, other countries would step all over us. They wouldn't throw away theirs. However, nobody has a right to criticize a conscientious objector if that is his honest belief, For that's what we're fighting for — so that every man can be free to say what he really thinks." Then I asked Gene if he wouldn't give some advice to young men. I reminded him of the time a few years ago long before the dark shadows and clouds of war crept over our country, when I asked his advice to young men for this magazine. And he'd given serious, inspirational advice : such simply homely advice as Be sincere, don't be too quick with the wisecracks, don't be afraid to start with a small company — things like that. "Would you add anything now that we're at war?" I asked. "Yes," said Gene. "I think every man regardless of his position or social standing should do what he can to help win the war. I don't mean every man must shoulder a gun. It's entirely up to the individual and his draft board where he'll fit in best — shouldering a gun or working in a plant that's helping win the war or doing some essential work for civilians. Every young man should give everything he can to the war effort. We need specialists as much as men in front lines. All I say is, do everything you can to help win the war. "If you join the Army or Navy, don't mind starting at the bottom. To learn something, you've got to start at the bottom and work up. We can't all be generals or admirals. "It's true some people have been appointed to big commissions who don't seem to deserve them. But lots of them deserved their commissions, for they're specialists in their line of business like C. R. Smith (I don't know his full name) who's Colonel of the Ferry Command, a commission he well deserves, for he's president of the American Airlines. He's probably the most up-to-date young man in aviation today. Don't be jealous of the men with big com missions. Earn yours and you'll be proud of it. "Put winning the war ahead of everything else. Everybody ought to be thinking of winning the war instead of anything else. Sure, it's tough for a youngster who's learned a trade or profession at college to give it up to go into the Army. But it's tougher to lose the war. Then what he's learned would be no good to anyone — except maybe the Nazis. "By the same token, every company with some employees who have enlisted ought to decide to take 'em back when they come marching home from war. I think it's downright un-American not to take these men back." In addition to parting from friends of long standing, Gene has one four-footed friend from whom he plans to part. That four-footed friend is known to Autry fans the world over. Champ, Autry's well-loved horse, who has been with his master all over the world. "Champ will be left on Melody Ranch, as my home is called." (Gene's other home was burned to the ground, and only a stump of the old home is left.) "There will be a man to see that Champ gets his oats. I guess," chuckled Gene, "Champ wouldn't do so badly in the war. He's been a flying horse. He's been in planes with me. He's been all round the world with me. But I haven't asked the Army to take him with me now. I think he deserves a rest after being hauled all over the world." Gene, who has made thousands a week in the past, will work for $70 a month now — hardly enough to pay for the stamps for letters he sends out. But it doesn't matter Gene knows how important it is to save America and wants to do his part. In pictures, Gene has always played a pretty righteous hero, one who wouldn't draw a gun except in self-defense. This war isn't so very different after all. Gene says, "In the Westerns, you're supposed to shoot only for the right and in self-defense. In this war, I figure if I'm called on to shoot or throw bombs, it will be in self-defense. We didn't start the war. Our enemies did. "I don't hate the Japs as a race, or feel that all Germans are necessarily skunks. < Their leaders, yes. But maybe they're not all anxious to make war on us. Maybe if it was put to a vote, they'd have voted against it. Hating everybody isn't going to settle the world's troubles. We're fightin_ more for what we love than against what we hate. But we've got to shoot first and talk afterwards. Then maybe we can make a deal where everyone's happy. And l think after the war's over, maybe America will have to police the world. We didn't after the last war, and look what happened." Then Gene grinned, a bit shamefacedly as if he felt that the subject was too deep His job, he feels; is doing what he can in the war effort right now. After tha*;, the big statesmen can solve world problems or at least try to do it. "I first asked to enroll in the Air Corps in May, when I was in Washington," Gene told me. "They just smiled and said, 'We'll let you know.' About a month ago, I was accepted. "I'll be proud to wear the Army Air Corps uniform. Of course, on account of the fact that I haven't been out of cowboy clothes for about eight years, it's going to seem a little funny at first wearing a uniform, but I'll get used to it. You know, like I once told you, in the past eight years I've never worn a business suit or any suit of clothes except my cowboy suits, because I figured my fans might become disillusioned if they saw me wearing street clothes. But a uniform is different. I figure a uniform is the one suit of clothes I can put on these days that won't disillusion anyone." "Loveliest eyes", was the thrilling verdict judges gave MARY ARMSTRONG, of Beaumont, Texas, first prize winner in the "Lovely Eyes" contest sponsored by Camille Glamor-Eyes Makeup. Now, as guest of Republic Pictures, Miss Armstrong goes to Hollywood to begin work in a Republic film. She also will be presented with a stunning fur coat by /. J. Fox, "America's largest furriers". 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