Screenland (Feb-Oct 1949)

"I wish I could go to college right on the campus," she declares, "but I can't combine that with pictures." She was a joyful tomboy as a child. Everybody was her friend on the farm and in grammar school in Smithfield, North Carolina. When the Gardners moved to Newport News, in Virginia, she nearly met her Waterloo. Her accent was so different her new classmates screamed with mirth. The teacher did nothing to stop them. From then on she was treated as an oddity away from her own house, and to a sensitive soul this was sheer compounding horror. Ava's father, once a proud father, suffered from a lingering illness and her mother took in schoolteachers as boarders to earn the living expenses. In high school Ava was forever an outsider. She didn't have the money for a student body ticket. When she was asked for dates she had to turn them down, because she had nothing to wear to parties or games. She wouldn't let her harassed mother even suspect the youngest of the Gardners was being thor oughly snubbed. Ava actually acquired a terrible inferiority complex. She is still too shy with new people. Gushiness is never an approach to her, for she fancies an instant enthusiasm has to be dishonest. She can't bear to be ridiculed, having memories of more than her share during her difficult high school days. Her wit is soft and her sympathy pours out at the hint of its need. "You can't tell what a person is like at first meeting," she says. "Nearly everyone puts up a barrier as a defense from insecurity and fears. There are so many ways of concealing hurts." Hollywood has given Ava Gardner the chance to throw off yesteryear's hurts and be her authentic self. It has smiled upon her. and in response she has blossomed. Here she has found more than a career that seems like the pages of a fairy book to her. Here she has found the respect and deep, enduring affection of men, women — and yes, children — of her own quality. What Hollywood Itself is Talking About Continued from page 25 Norma Lancaster. A few weeks before the Bogart blessed event, they had a visitor who was definitely not in the stork department. Their two Boxers, who are almost as well-known characters as their owners, brought home a little playmate — a skunk. Bogey and Betty moved out and the vet had the job of deodorizing the two canines. Another pre-natal calamity happened at the Steve McNally's house, just before their fifth child arrived. Steve, who I hear is only terrific opposite Barbara Stanwyck in the temporarily titled "The Lady Gambles" at V-I, bought his Mrs. a terrifically expensive new living room rug, costing 30 bucks a yard. Young Steve, who is four, decided he'd like to do the ironing so he plugged in and burned an iron-sized, hole right through the exact middle of the new rug. His pop. who is somewhat of a villain on the screen, didn't even whip the kid. But he shore is a sick cookie. Joan Crawford, who likes to knit almost as well as act, is now carting around two knitting bags on account of she's working on so many different things and likes to switch from one to another. Joan's got her friends worried — she's down to 110 pounds which is much too skinny for a gal as tall as she. Remember last month I told you-all I would have more to say about the new resort, Apple Valley? Well, I'm a gal wot keeps my promises — most of the time Like I said, it's near Victorville, in the California mountains and is the place where "Lost Horizon" was shot. The men who own the spot loved the scenery so much when they saw the picture that they found out where it was and promptly bought the extensive property. Some of the first guests at the beautiful resort were Cesar Romero, the Zach Scotts, Audrey Totter, Barbara Bates, the newly married John Bromfields (she's Corinne Calvet) . Imagine how they felt when the management told them that they hadn't been able to get telephones installed from the bungalows to the main building, but whenever they wanted anything just to write a note and attach it to the leg of the homing pigeon provided for each bungalow. Then, it was explained, the pigeon would fly to the office and the order would be delivered immediately. The system works so well and is so novel, Apple Valley may never put telephones in! — o — On the set of "It's Only Money" at RKO, Frank Sinatra was showing around a postcard he'd received from his pal, Gene Kelly, in Paris. It said, "Over here they think Sinatra is some kind of American food." Frankie asked Groucho Marx, Jane Russell, and the crew for suggestions for a snappy comeback to toss Gene. Palm Springs' favorite hangout, The Racquet Club, has some new furniture for the swimming pool. It's a little rowboat Bill Powell's wife, Diana, plopped in there for sun bathing. It doesn't bother the other customers on account of it's primarily a tennis club. Matter of fact, it probably wouldn't bother them if "Mousie" put her rowboat on the courts, since the people hardly ever play tennis either. Main sport is sunbathing and just plain yakking. We had a wonderful time at the oneman art exhibit of Ross Shattuck, the very talented painter who has done such wonderful paintings of early California towns, San Francisco scenes, and the gold-mining towns of Colorado. Matter of fact, we sorta helped sell a couple of his pictures. Irene Dunne bought his beautiful painting of St. Paul's Cathedral Are you constantly embarrassed by a flat, undeveloped figure. Do you long for an appealing Bust Line to give you more poise and glamour to give you that smarr look? It's Easy Now, for Science has discovered the means to imitate the substance to give you that NEW, NEW well rounded bust line. It is available now in GLAMOUR-X which can be absorbed by the skin. A full jar containing 30.000 Int. units of Estrogenic Hormone can be ordered at only S2.00, tax included. We can unconditionally guarantee that if you are dissatisfied with results obtained, we will immediately refund your purchase price. You be the sole judge Complete instructions come with your jar of GLAMOUR-X. Rush your order and $2.00 now to GLAMOUR PRODUCTS Dept. 03 1 567 Pennsylvania Ave. Miami Beach, Fla. HOLLYWOOD SEEKS NEW TALENT Film writers say 1949 will be "new star year." NEW faces have greater chance than ever. If you are 16 years of age or over NEW TALENT GUIDE is a publication that might be of help in your career. NEW TALENT GUIDE will be sent to producers, casting directors, agencies. For full details of how you can be included in NEW TALENT GUIDE plus complete application blank, plus revealing booklet — "YOU AND HOLLYWOOD' ' — wh ich tells about picture casting, how stars get started, television increasing your chances, and other important details, send 25c in coin (to cover mailing) at once to NEW TALENT GUIDE DEPT. C BOX 1208 HOLLYWOOD 28, CALIF. DO YOU HAVE ORIGINAL SONG POEMS or lyric idea for a song — SOMETHING DIFFERENT An Outstanding Hollywood Composer will write the melody on a percentage basis for the best poems accepted. SUBMISSION TO PUBLISHERS WITHIN 30 DAYS FREE EXAMINATION Completed Songs also accepted. R. POLLACK & ASSOCIATES P.O. Box 1070-M. Hollywood 28 Calif. ReliEVB ITCH Misery of I Relieve itching caused by eczema, athlete's foot, pimples — other itching troubles. Use cooling, medicated D.D.D. Prescription. Greaseless, stainless. Quiets itching fast. 35c trial bottle proves it — or money back. Ask your druggist for D.D.D. Prescription. POEMS WANTED To Be Set to Music Sweetheart, Mother, Dad, Baby, Love, Western, Patriotic any subject. Send us your poems at once for free examination and free analysis. RADIO CITY MUSIC ACADEMY 1S74 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 19, N. Y. ttiw bust cum HORMONE Science believes skin of breasts may absorb Estrogenic Hormones TEST 10 DAYS AT OUR RISK days on this speci, _ ductory offer. Each jar contains 30.000 Int. Units Estrogenic Hormones. Pleasant and easy to use. SEND NO MONEY Write today. When your 30-Day iar Francis James Bust Creme arrives pay only $2.98 plus tax and COD. postage. Plain wrapper. Full directions with package. Test 10 days, then judge for yourself. If not satisfied return and money will be refunded. FRANCIS JAMES PRODUCTS CO., Dept. 62D I 226 W. Augusto Blvd. Chicogo 22, Illinois SCREENLAND 71