Screenland (Jul-Dec 1948)

Today's Bill Powell Continued from page 40 with the door shut and with no onlookers. "I never model a performance on anyone I've actually known," he declared, "but I suppose I do pick up a mannerism here or an effective gesture there. I remember I watched newsreels and listened to political broadcasts while I was working on the Senator, and a little of what I got that way may have crept onto the screen. It's not a picture for a wide audience, but it has its points and I enjoyed it very much." Bill's longest rut, he believes, was the Thin Man. Before that role, he had gone from heavies to heroes, from underworld characters to drawing-room comedy, from sophisticated heels to keen-eyed detectives. "About ten years ago, I underwent severe surgery. I could do nothing for a long while, so I had time to think. I knew I didn't want to be an eternal juvenile. I'd seen too many actors on stage and screen who tried to play young leads after they had a couple of extra chins, a bag under each eye, and hairlines that were trying to make friends with the backs of their necks. "I'd done one Thin Man at the time of my surgery, and he had been fun, for the script was good, the character new to the screen and quite different from other detectives I'd played. I welcomed the chance to do a sequel. My health wasn't too good, it was not as difficult as working out a new character, I let myself be persuaded to go on — and on. "We were in the war. Pictures ran for weeks everywhere, because people had money or needed to get their minds off what might be happening to their husbands, brothers, sons or fathers. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had too many stars on its contract list, all of whom must have new vehicles. It was every man for himself, and I decided to strike out on my own. "I had wanted to do Father for ages, and tried to get the studio to buy it for me, but they had a rule against taking percentage deals, so they couldn't. My contract with them forbade their loaning me to any studio without my consent, and I wasn't to make outside deals without their permission. However, with the help of my agents and MGM's agreement, I finally managed to get over to Warners' for the film. I'd read about Father, thought about him a lot, but I can't say I worked out an entirely different characterization from those seen on the stage. After all, Howard Lindsay had helped write the show, played Father for five years on the stage, knew the man backward and forward, as well as every mood he'd ever had. I listened to Howard, studied the role with him, finally had the feeling I knew the man. too. How he loved that woman! I felt that his love for her went beyond anything in his life, and I tried to get that over on the screen. "The whole experience was wonderful. It got me out of my rut. I promised myself I'd never crawl back into it." Life between pictures is usually serene. Love-quiz . . . For Married Folks Only WHAT SINGLE MISTAKE THREATENS HER ONCE HAPPY MARRIAGE? A. This foolish wife failed to take one of the first steps usually important to marital compatibility. Q. What is that first step so vital to continual marital congeniality? A. A wise wife practices sound, safe feminine hygiene to safeguard her daintiness with a scientifically correct preparation for vaginal douching . . . "Lysol" in proper solution. Q. Aren't salt or soda effective enough? A. No, indeed! Homemade "makeshift" solutions can't compare with "Lysol" in germ killing power. "Lysol" is gentle to sensitive membranes, yet powerful against germs and odors . . . effective in the presence of mucus and other organic matter. Kills germs on contact — stops objectionable odors. Q. Do doctors recommend "Lysol"? A. Many leading doctors advise their patients to douche regularly with "Lysol" brand disinfectant just to insure daintiness alone. Safe to use as often as you want. No greasy aftereffect. Three times as many women use "Lysol" for feminine hygiene as all other liquid products combined! KEEP DESIRABLE, by douching regularly with "Lysol." Remember — no other product for feminine hygiene is safer than "Lysol". . . no other product is more effective! For Feminine Hygiene rely on safe, effective FREE BOOKLET! Learn the truth about intimate hygiene and its important role in married happiness. Mail this coupon to Lehn & Fink, 192 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, N. J., for frankly informing FREE booklet. "Brand Disinfectant Easy to use . . . economical A Concentrated Germicide NAME STREET— CITY. .STATE. Product of Lehn & Fink SCREENLAND 57