Screenland (Feb-Oct 1949)

meals, scrubbed the floors and even did her own laundry. For the time being, her career took second place. The most important thing at the moment was that her husband be as happy as it was possible for her to make him. At the time, she would have gladly sacrificed her career permanently, if necessary, because she happened to be one of the few people in the film colony who had found the simple formula for happiness. When the War was over and she returned to Hollywood the biggest opportunities of her career came along. The studio stopped casting her as a glamourous decoration and gave her roles in which she could prove her ability as an actress. Gene found herself the recipient of worthwhile assignments. But when she was working in "The Razor's Edge" a mysterious rumor, intended, perhaps, as a publicity aid, started making the rounds. Because she was playing opposite Tyrone Power, there was talk of a romance between the two. It was this myth that almost wrecked the one thing that meant more to Gene than anything else — her marriage. She wanted to hold on to her home, her husband and her child. Soon, almost every newspaper in the country carried front page stories about the torrid romance between Gene and Tyrone. At the time, not only Gene, but her mother, too, vehemently denied the rumor. Yet from then on, stories about the impending split-up between her husband and herself kept spreading. The gossips and scandalmongers eagerly devoured every word, gleefully uttering their "Itold-you-sos." At the time, I lunched with Gene and there was no indication of a rift. She was in the East with Oleg and both of them gave every indication of being as much in love as the day they were married. But perhaps the rumors hurt Oleg's pride, as they would hurt any man's pride under the circumstances. In cases of this kind, every little misunderstanding becomes exaggerated until there are open flare-ups. The parting finally came. There was no definite reason, simply a series of trivial incidents that took on special significance. Sadly and unwillingly, Gene agreed to a separation. She really wanted time to think the whole thing over clearly. But she wasn't content to let it go at that. This was the biggest fight of her entire lifetime, and being a fighter, she wasn't just going to sit back and chew on her fingernails. She didn't want her marriage to become an unhappy chapter of her past. The first thing she had to admit to herself was that she was sincerely in love with her husband. She knew he was even more in love with her. Then there was their daughter, Daria. Love and a family were worth fighting for. Gene didn't care what the rest of the world might say. She didn't care if the Hollywood gossips were snickering up their sleeves. She didn't want her marriage to be a failure. She didn't want her child to miss out on a normal home life and the love of a father and mother. This thought alone made her more determined Ward Bond and Claire Trevor, popular for years, doing NBC Theatre program. to fight fiercely — even savagely — to save the biggest thing in her life. It was the sort of thing any woman would fight to save. And Gene tvas in a fighting mood. She wasn't going to give up without making an attempt. She had never conformed to the ways of the general crowd and refused to start now at this crucial moment in her life. It was the eye-opening statistics on the overwhelming number of divorces in America that stirred her to a revolutionary type of action. Before this, everyone connected with films considered it absolutely necessary to live on the West Coast as did Gene. She felt, however, that living there was a constant reminder of her broken marriage, that she should go someplace else where she could give the remnants of her marriage a fair chance. So she packed her bags, sold her house and took Daria to New York. She found a comfortable apartment near her mother and sister. But hardly had she settled down to a different way of living than Oleg himself hurriedly followed. This was the first indication Gene had that her hunch to get away from Hollywood was the right one. When her husband came East, Gene was convinced that now her marriage had a chance of surviving. It proved he still loved her. Once in New York, Oleg himself felt differently. He began courting his wife all over again. There was evidence of the same ardent and romantic interest he had shown when he met her for the first time. They went out to dinner alone. They took long drives in the country. They visited the art galleries, the museums. They saw many of Gene's old friends. In short, they began living like average, normal people. Oleg soon discovered he could be happier in New York. In a short time, he had found quarters in the heart of Manhattan's elegant shopping center and established his designing business there. No longer beset by the possibility of losing the woman he loved, he was able to concentrate on his work successfully. Gene gave Oleg every encouragement he could want. In her pictures as well as in her private life, she was his best advertisement and wore the clothes he designed for her. In New York, Oleg was not only successful but independent as well. He no longer was looked upon as Gene Tierney's husband but as a successful, gifted business man in his own right. It was all these considerations that helped Gene in the fight to save her marriage. She called off the divorce proceedings when she discovered that she was winning the greatest triumph of her life. And then to help insure the future and prevent anything unpleasant to threaten again her family life, she built a modest home next door to her mother's Connecticut house. Her sister Pat had married in the meanwhile and had built a place nearby. So did her brother and his family. That's what Gene had wanted for herself, for she realized that the American family is an institution which people are apt to take too lightly. The greatest climax of Gene's triumph came when she gave birth to her second daughter, Christina. To her, the new youngster is a symbol, as well as constant reminder, that she waged and won the hardest battle of her life. Color Goes To Your Head Continued from page 17 accent it and by attractive arrangement. Aside from the color you can add or detract, never forget that your shampoo and hair brush are ways to unsuspected lustre and loveliness when faithfully used. Don't forget, either, a good permanent, a modern means for setting curls, lacquer in moderation for glamourous hairdos, perfume especially for hair, dependable hair pins and nets. These, too, can go to your head — with glamour! WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST? It is American tradition that women and children do come first in our national thinking, attitudes and action. However, our present 20% luxury tax on toiletries, a wartime imposed measure, discriminates against women and children. You pay this tax on such necessities as a lipstick, a deodorant, on oil and powder for your baby, etc. A man gets his shave taxfree! A repeal of this tax seems fair on two counts: 1. The reason for this tax, war, is past. 2. The necessities for your grooming, for the health and comfort of your child, are no more luxuries than a man's shave. If you agree, won't you tell this to your Senator or Representative on Capitol Hill? He is your voice in making our laws. Screen land 55