Screenland (Nov 1942-Apr 1943)

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But with all of the gorgeous beauties Rudy has known, perhaps none reserved for him alone their entire attention, which was probably divided on a career — or that certain warmth and sweetness that he expresses. Rudy is very certain, however, that he will not let himself in for hurt again. When Gene Tierney first came to Hollywood, Rudy saw her entering a night club. "There is a girl I must meet," he exclaimed impetuously. He not only met Gene but he plied her with flowers and perfumes and records. "There is a girl I'd like to marry if I can win her," Rudy added. Gene reflected culture and refinement distinguished by her beauty. But the capricious Gene was quite the toast of Hollywood. Eventually she married Oleg Cassini. And Rudy's interest had meanwhile turned elsewhere. A tall brunette type has always appealed to Rudy Vallee. "I admire beauty and physical attraction tremendously. But also I admire a girl who enjoys housework — by that I mean the taking care of and running of a home. I would want to feel that the girl I love, loves me — no mattr what our lot together might be. That she will take me for better or worse and be loyal no matter what calamity might befall me." There is little danger of any severe tests being imposed on the bride of Rudy Vallee in material ways. For he is one of the wealthiest young men in Hollywood. A favorite story concerns an interview between Rudy and Jack Warner, relative to a picture Rudy was to make for Warner Brothers. Rudy is an astute business man. Without help or backing he has made his own way. There was a point of argument concerning the way Rudy was to be presented in a picture. "Now look here, Rudy," Mr. Warner said finally, slightly exasperated when Rudy persisted on a business technicality. "You are a public attraction. But you are not supposed to be a business man Leave the business end to me." Rudy thought for a moment and then replied. "Well, I may not be a business man according to your ideas. But I've made three million dollars and they don't give it away. That's good enough business for me." Completely the business executive, Rudy designs the radio fare for his broadcasts. When it comes to girl singers, musicians and actresses who apply to him for jobs, Rudy ignores their femininity. He requests they make recordings of whatever they propose to do on his broadcasts. In turn he takes the records and spends hours listening to them before making a decision. Rudy was consistently given singing roles in pictures. Little was said about his acting ability. "In fact, few people thought I could act. Right from the beginning I've been used to criticism. I have been called everything from a romantic crooner to an upstart from Maine with a set of megaphones and a dripping voice. But if you're in acting business, naturally you want to act." After a few recent willy-nilly musical movies, Rudy decided to prove his ability as an actor. He tested for character roles at Paramount and came through in "Palm Beach Story." Then "Happy Go Lucky" to prove his unquestioned ability as a character actor and comedian. "Of course I don't get the girl — but I do something besides go through motions singing. It is more satisfactory to me." Rudy may be a sophisticate, but his man nei is quiet, unobtrusive and modest with girls. But he's not slow to defend himself at any time with the male sex. Few people know that he is an avid athlete. That he religiously exercises, plays tennis, swims and boxes. That he can beat anyone to the punch and really punch ! One surmises that his athletic prowess evolved in the days when hecklers thought crooners were mere pretty boys. Rudy can't be pushed around by anyone. Nowadays no one tries. Rudy has a cock-suredness in his belief that he can master whatever he sets out tc accomplish. There is the story of Artie Shaw's (swing maestro and Lana Turner's ex-husband) debut in New York — at a time when Rudy Vallee was Broadway's biggest attraction. Now Artie had played in Rudy's band, before Rudy struck fame. And Artie is a very good clarinet player. But when Artie began swinging his clarinet on Broadway, Rudy nonchalantly picked up the clarinet and played it too — as a feature right along with his singing and his sax! Six months ago Rudy purchased his house, which was originally built by Ann Harding. Meeting Rudy at the studio, we'd driven up the long winding mountain roads to it. Through the high-steel gates, up the box-hedged drive, onto the turntable which automatically turns cars around on a high precarious knoll. Rudy preceded me up the long stairway into the sumptuous hallway where an oil of Rudy by John Decker, artist pal of the late John Barrymore, hung in stately dignity. From the hall we descended into a luxurious living room — for which Rudy takes none of the credit. "Ann Harding designed and arranged everything." Massive satin upholstered furniture, heavy rugs imported from Persia, and notable treasures of art. The dining room is imposing— resplendent in crystal, velvet, and silvery opulence. Then through the hallways, carpeted in thick, soft red, with rooms and baths, library, cozy nooks on all sides. Down to his office where a secretary sat at her typewriter answering mail. There were guest rooms and at the extreme northwest was Rudy's private suite — done in blue and beige. In spite of the elegance of the room, it looked homey and lived in. Perhaps because a large picture of Rudy's mother, old-fashioned in its simplicity' in a modest frame, stood on a chest of drawers. Nowhere was there a picture of any one of the many glamor beauties Rudy has escorted. After an inspection tour of three floors of this fabulous house, Rudy turned our course down to the swimming pool, the tennis courts, and thence to a second large building, which quarters his private theater and playroom. A full-size screen and comfortable theater seats make movies a pleasure to watch. Further, the stage has scenery and sets and lights for plays. The long corridor leading to the playroom was lined with trophies and pictures and honors accorded to Rudy in his fantastic career from soda clerk in a Maine drug store to fame and fortune. Among others was a citation from Henry Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury, commending Rudy on his efforts in bond selling and defense work. Rudy has been almost another Bob Hope in making personal appearances for charity and benefits. "I expect to enlist at any time now," Rudy said seriously at the time of this interview. "I had hoped to make my home complete first — to know that I had a wife here waiting for me But war doesn't wait on dreams. It is vital actuality. I would have enlisted before now, except I had two more movie commitments. But pictures will not detain me. "I was in the Navy as a seaman in 1917. In 1934 I was made a Lt. Commander on the Governor's staff of Maine. I don't care about commissions. I want to do my part where I may best fit." 84 SCREENLAND