Screenland (Nov 1942-Apr 1943)

Loretta Young, as she appears In Columbia's "A Night to Remember," musical comedy-mystery film in which she co-stars with Brian Aherne. George was certainly a young man who could keep a secret. To this day he has never divulged that for months he was the lucky man claiming Greer's attention. Greer looks like a painting, at home in her long-sleeved flowing house gowns of soft crepes in a flare of unsuspected colors — greens, grape-purples, pinks, flame-reds. She would have been the darling of France, had she lived there in the old days of salon gatherings. Greer loves music, good food, and brilliant conversation in the drawing room. She gathers interesting people about her. Visiting maestros appearing at the Hollywood Bowl concerts, of which Greer is a devoted patron, and Sir Charles and Lady Mendl, the glamorous Hedy Lamarr, Reggie Gardner and Norma Shearer. Greer's cook serves an excellent dinner at seven thirty... Broiled English style chops, a mixed grill of lamb and liver, or steak with mushrooms — and sometimes rare roast beef. A fruit salad and light desserts of apricot upside-down cake, a frosted fruit ice— are typical. Then demi-tasse in the big living room done in soft shades of green and eggshell. Greer doesn't drink or smoke. Sometimes she has a glass of wine with her dinner. Two big concert grand pianos stand in one corner of the living room. Greer's love of good music created a bond when she met Lew Ayres at the studio. Lew plays several instruments and before he left for the service he composed delightful compositions. It was natural that Greer would invite him home for a musical evening. It was natural that Lew should invite her on a dancing date. On this occasion, one of Hollywood's sleuths spied the pair. Next day there was mention that Lew Ayres and Greer Garson were a "new heart-beat." "That sounds dreadful ! 'Heart-beat,' indeed," Greer said — a bit shocked by it all. "Why, we've only just met. What will Mr. Ayres think?" Lew and Greer never went dancing publicly again. But they enjoyed each other's company. And in Greer's own quiet way — at home. In the interim a very good-looking newspaper man, on the Jeffry Lynn type,, loomed into the Garson attention. He "had a habit of dropping in at Greer's comfortable home at tea time. And he accompanied Greer and her mother to the concerts at the Bowl. Hollywood believed he was on a mission of official business. Then came Richard Ney. Greer met him on the set of "Mrs, Miniver." She was intrigued by his gay young banter. His enthusiasm. His impetuosity. Fun-loving, he inveigled Greer into their first date. And when she found his accepted offer to drive her home meant dinner on the way, she laughed heartily at his conniving. Greer was to find that Richard was not to be put off. He had a way of dropping around — with a couple of his pals — quite unannounced. His sports convertible also had a way of driving right up to Greer's house. And when she moved into the new big house in Stone Canyon, Richard came in very handy with his pals on moving day. Soon Richard's appearance was a regular occurrence. Nina welcomed his gay banter, too. So did the poodles, who approved him with joyous barking. His reckless determination, his masterful domination first amused Greer — then intrigued her. And before she knew it, she was in love. Knowing that Richard would soon leave for the service made the two all the mon inseparable. And then came the day he wa: to go. Greer did not accompany him to the , station. Instead they dined quietly in hei garden — under the big oak tree. What thej said to each other, only they knew. It was Greer who caught the wedding bouquet at Norma Shearer's wedding Which means she will be the next to marr) —if you believe in tradition. Norma threw her arms around Greer and in her owr happiest hour whispered she hoped it woulc be soon. "Mrs. Miniver" was released. Greer anc Richard shared the joy of its success vie the long-distance telephone. "I'll be in New York soon. I'm coming on a bond tour. IT. get to see you. Try and arrange your schedule to meet me in New York." So it was that "Mrs. Miniver" made hei first date with Uncle Sam. Greer says the funniest incident on her tour occurred wher the Chattanooga Choo-Choo choo-chooec into Chattanooga. The trip had been strenuous, to say the least. Greer wanted to bf especially vivacious, at her very best. Be fore her departure her mother had givei her a box of vitamin tablets. Greer sup posed they were the usual five-grain. Hei mother had ordered ten-grain. Greer tool! five — and ten minutes later all but sue cumbed, right out of this world. Beads o: perspiration broke out on her forehead Then a red rash. Her studio representativ< thought she was dying. So did Greer. Bu she did recover. As she says, she "was th<1 peppiest Hollywood actress anyone eve saw. A regular dynamo." In fact when hei appearance at a T.N.T. factory was can celled, because the government decided thi ' 13,000 men employees would lose labo hours in the excitement of Greer's visit—; she said, "It's for the best. I'm so full o vitamin sparks, I'd probably have blowr the place up." Everywhere Greer was hailed as "Mrs Miniver" — which was breaking record' piled up by "Gone With The Wind." Then was the young soldier, George Fuller b the Air Corps, who was walking home fron Tennessee to Boston on leave. He hai saved his transportation money. But he at tended one of Greer's bond selling rallie where she tried to auction her bouquet o roses. The town had bought bonds to tb; hilt. There were no takers for the roses Greer walked off the stage a bit ruefully Young Fuller gallantly rushed up to tb wings — and handed Greer his $18.75 for $ bond. Greer repaid him by inviting him ti dinner. The next morning he sent her si: fresh roses. He said he could not see dis appointment cross "Mrs. Miniver's" face" There was Vice Admiral Emory S. Lam of the Maritime Commission, who intro: duced Greer to the workers at one of th defense plants. "This is the first time I hay ever been on a platform with a movi queen," he said. "This is the first time have ever seen a red-headed movie queei who is T.N.T. herself — and in a hot ma : chine shop!" How the workers applauded Afterwards Greer mentioned some-thin; to Admiral Land about how exciting i must be to launch a ship. Three weeks late she received a wire saying, "Your ship i ready for launching — the 'S. S. Smith Thomp son' at the California Ship Building Yards. For four weeks Greer made twelve ap pearances and four speeches a day selliui | bonds. In Washington, D. C, she rested i> a hospital under doctor's orders. And the: came her meeting with Richard Ney ii New York — which until now has bee:; unreported. The men who know Greer say she is th most charming and attractive girl they'y ; ever met. George Montgomery says she i not only very beautiful but "most graciou and fascinating." The service lads at tb Hollywood Canteen say, "What a gorgeou j girl! And brother, how she can dance." 74 r