Screenland (May 1943-Oct 1944)

come back to than the acting profession. I am one of those who think it matters. I am glad that my contract with RKO still stands, even though it contains that qualifying little war-time clause, 'If ready, willing and able.' Meaning that, when I come back, if I am 'ready, willing and able' — that little word 'able' is the joker — the contract will be resumed. But in the meantime with a mission to do, you can't get as interested in Lana Turner's marriage or Betty's Grable's new romance as you once were — which doesn't mean," Gene added quickly, "that I want you to stop writing me all the items. For letters make all the difference between a good day and a bad day over there. Your first concern is, of course, your job. So far as your personal life is concerned, mail is all of it. Offer a fellow a meal or a letter and he'll take a letter every time. Once, when there was a delay of six weeks in getting mail through to us, the morale was lower than I had ever seen it." "Letters are just about our personal lives, too," Jeanette said, and added, "and most of the mail from overseas is so unsatisfactory. You don't tell me anything! You can't tell me anything, I know. Not anything I really want to know : where you are (you can never tell me that), just what you are doing, whether you are warm, fed, comfortable, safe. Especially, safe. And all of the cables headed 'Sans Origine.' "Those two words, 'Sans Origine,' say it all, Gene. They express the real strangeness of it for husbands and wives — to live like strangers, not knowing where, unable to share experiences; unable, really, to share thoughts. Why, the nicest thing that happened to me in New York was seeing you here. But— incredible, isn't it? — L didn't know I would see you here, had no idea and, when you arrived, you didn't know my address!" Gene laughed. "I didn't even know where you were," he said. "I got leave suddenly and unexpectedly," he explained to me, "and Jeanette's letters telling me she was coming to New York to coach for her Canadian debut in 'Romeo and Juliet' must have arrived after I had left — over there. I had to call her mother on the coast. She told me where to find her. I covered that four blocks in nothing flat!" "Well," Jeanette rose from the wide couch where she had been snuggled, feet drawn up under her, all the while they were talking, and walked, a vivid figure in her Kelly-green hostess gown and tawny hair piled high, to where Gene was sitting. Standing there, her hand on his shoulder, she said, "I guess this brings us up to date. After my tour in Canada, I go back to the Coast. If I should be given a script I like, I may make a picture. I rather hope so. In the Fall, if I have been received well in opera and if the 'Met' is open, I may sing there. And I hope," she added, speaking to us both, "that I haven't sounded morbid or depressed. It hasn't been a sad year, really, it's been a thoughtful one. And I find that, actually, I am happy. Because, I think, I am a naturally happy person. Also because I've been fairly busy, feel that I have accomplished something. And happy, most of all, for what I have had in the past." She stood there for a moment, her fingers touching the bars on Gene's shoulders, as Gene spoke. "I miss my home just as much as any man in the service does." he said thoughtfully, "and naturally, being away from you for a year, more than a year, can't make me terribly happy. And no one really loves the work of war. But I am happier doing what I am than I would be doing anything else. Besides, I am not sure that 'happiness' is any longer the important factor." *Youd think there was a Love Shortage !" I. Look at him, will you? That's my husband, Pete, but you wouldn't know it. He. just sits there night after night — ignoring me. I'm so mad I could chew nails! 2. "I'm glad/ I don't have to stand Pete's indifference tonight!" I say to Doris, as we go on plane-spotter duty. She's all sympathy — and soon I've told her the whole story. "But Joan, darling," she says, "it might be your fault! There's one neglect most husbands can't forgive — carelessness about feminine hygiene." 3. Well, that takes me down a notch or two — but I listen. "Why don't you do as so many modern wives do?" says Doris. "Simply use Lysol. My doctor recommends Lysol solution for feminine hygiene — it cleanses thoroughly and deodorizes — doesn'tharm sensitive vaginal tissues. Follow the easy directions — that's all." 4. Yes, ma'am, she was right! I've used Lysol disinfectant ever since — it's easy to use and inexpensive, as well. AND ... I can't complain about any love shortage now! Check this with your Doctor Lysol is Non-caustic — gentle and efficient in proper dilution. Contains no free alkali. It is not carbolic acid. Effective — a powerful germicide, active in presence of organic matter (such as mucus, serum, etc.). Spreading — Lysol solutions spread and thus virtually search out germs in deep crevices. Economical — small bottle makes almost 4 gallons of solution for feminine hygiene. Cleanly odor — disappears after use. Lasting — Lysol keeps full strength, no matter how often it is uncorked. Copr.. 1943. by Lehn & Fink Products Corp, For new FREE booklet (in plain wrapper) about Feminine Hygiene, send postcard or letter for Booklet S-943. Address: Lehn & Fink, 683 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. ★ BUY WAR BONDS AND STAMPS ★ SCREENLAND 71