Screenland (Jul–Dec 1946)

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But if they don't force themselves into prescribed molds, don't underestimate their evolution together. ^We're both slightly touched," she said, "so we don't mind each other!" They think separations of any great length are bad, combine an unusual closeness in work and play with daily little opportunities for plenty of privacy. When he's between pictures he's constantly busy searching for story material and revising it. He still rises early, between 5: 30 and 6 a.m. He has a glass of orange juice and goes back to his office-den. About 7:30 he comes in for a breakfast of cereal, toast and coffee. Then he returns to his hideaway. He is deeply concerned with all national and international events, prefers his news via radio rather than from newspapers, perhaps because he reads so slowly. At 1 p.m. he'll wander in for a light lunch, then once more he goes back to his little cottage. Dinner is at 6:30. He likes only simple foods — no gravies, sauces, fried foods or rich deserts. Walking is his only exercise. Bella "slaves" (her own word) in the garden. He merely "supervises." They employ a refugee couple, who reside in another little wooden cottage on the Munis' five acres, as their help. This six-room house, which they bought three years ago, . is not their ultimate residence. During his years at Warners they tried ranching in the same valley. From that they switched to a secluded mansion high on a hilltop on the shore of the Pacific. It was far too elegant, they discovered. "I knew it," smiled Bella, "the first morning. The maid we had then brought me breakfast in bed and said, 'Honey-chile, you-all needs a fancy negligee for a place like this!' " Bella caught Paul's amused look. "Well, she was so right. We were babes in the woods on that deal!" Just before the war they experimented with living in the east and coming west only when a picture was shooting. They bought a dream castle on Long Island. It was set in the midst of a forest of birches, dogwood, and lilacs. They purchased a boat and went out on it like two delighted high school kids. The winters were too severe for th*em, so back to California they came. They won't try to build until inflated prices are adjusted. "But just as Paul wants to be responsible for his roles, so do I want to start from scratch on a house for once. I've always had to put up with the mistakes of other builders." They may have made such a success of their marriage by shunning Hollywood society. Although they grew up in big cities, they both said, "We wouldn't dream of ever living in Beverly Hills or Brentwood. We're country folks!" They' ve never felt the strain of keeping up with the other movie stars because they've never once attempted that job. Instead, most of their evenings are spent either listening to their big collection of fine records or playing games. These include anagrams, ping-pong, pinochle, and billiards. No time or energy is allotted to collecting things; they've no yen to impress and are too wrapped up in Paul's career and the simple relaxation they enjoy in their spare time. Bella now functions as his secretary. She handles his fan mail, and they are always interested in intelligent letters. He admits he hasn't read many books this year, says he has enjoyed ("if that is the correct word") Emery Reeves' "Anatomy of Peace" more than anything else he's read lately. Bella doesn't dress up much when they're home; he prefers that she be comfortable. Another of her jobs is taking care of all their business matters. She does the bookkeeping, the check-signing, the investing, and makes his appointments when they'll suit him. They have no favorite sentimental songs. What holds them together are far more basic things. Their dislike of plans, for instance; they maneuver to be free to do just whatever strikes their fancy and revel in this mutual spontaneousness. "This officeden," Paul pointed out, "was a chicken house when we came here. All of a sudden I had a hunch it could be transformed." He contends the movies, the stage, and the radio are three separate entertainment fields and he has equal respect for them. Since he's been acclaimed in all three mediums, his opinions carry authentic weight. He,'s turned down all offers to do regular radio shows because the scripts written in quantity can't uphold the standards he sets for himself. He'll do a radio show, as he will a play or a picture, if the conditions are "of the best" for his particular personality. He goes on record to the effect that stage training is not necessary for excellent film acting. "Think of Garbo, Shearer, of Joan Crawford — they're tops in movie acting, with no. stage background. The screen is a completely independent medium of expression. You don't need the same things for the movies that you do for the stage. The theatertrained actor must free himself of a good many mannerisms when he comes to Hollywood. But it's far easier to crash the stage, to get a start, than it is to get a first chance in pictures." One thing he won't do is give rules for acting. "What happened to me won't likely happen to anyone else. Conditions, people, vary so. I do not believe actingcan be taught. The fundamentals are simple. You must project your voice and the personality of a character. You think the plot through to do that. The rest is all up to the individual to interpret. Anyhow, actors don't act, — they react to some writer's situations. You can't act by yourself. You must have an audience with whom to collaborate," He recognizes his own faults. "I'm uncompromising. I'm not a diplomat. I'm not the orthodox, amiable fellow who'll do what's expected without any individual thought. That makes me sort of a freak. And I'm always afraid I won't be good enough. I'm never satisfied." Paul glanced affectionately at his wife. She still loves him in spite of his idiosyncrasies, as much as he loves her. They've come a long way together. Much achievement and adventure lies ahead. I don't think they'll miss a thing. "<(', ScREENLAND