Screenland (Feb-Oct 1949)

Not The Siren She Seems Continued from page 33 mean like in chemistry?" "Believe me, what I cook over that hotplate is pure experimental chemistry." Across the room, blanketing an entire wall, is Gail's photograph gallery. Here she keeps rows of star autographed pictures. "I've hammered them in so securely," she confessed, "that if I ever move I'll probably have to take the wall with me." Moving day is still a vivid memory to Gail. Film assignments had kept her busy all week. So of necessity, unpacking had to be left until late Saturday night. "I didn't know it at the time, but this particular Saturday happened to be initiation night at the fraternities." Through the grapevine, "the row" had learned that someone new and glamourous had been added to the neighborhood, and decided to come calling immediately. "Their timing was perfect. There I was on all fours hunting for a lost thumbtack, with my jeans rolled up, shirt tail out and hair gracefully hanging over my nose. "Seeing the reception committee, I simply swallowed my embarrassment and introduced myself as 'Gravel Gertie.' " This is one thing that the new Gail has learned. A laugh will minimize any situation. Guy Madison has helped her develop this new outlook. Guy's a firm believer in "Don't worry — keep busy." And that's just what Gail's done. During the past two months she's traveled more than at any time since her arrival in Hollywood 12 years ago. So far, she's visited Arizona, Florida and Cuba. Guy still kids her about what happened just as the Cuban-bound boat was about to leave shore. "A new bride and groom ran up the gangplank while their friends showered them with rice and a small band serenaded them from the dock with loud, gay tunes. Right in the midst of all this merry-making — with people congratulating the happy couple like mad — there I stood. Elbows perched on the railing and big, fat tears rolling down my cheeks! "When we landed in Cuba, a guide, named Joe Tour, sashayed up to the gangplank and promptly latched on to us. He drove us down Havana's narrow cobblestone streets in a long, sleek limousine which had been 'the thing' about 20 years ago. "We spent the whole day sightseeing and attended the big fiesta that night. The next morning at seven, I was startled out of my peaceful slumber by the phone. It was Joe." And then Gail, lapsing into one of her many accents, mimicked, "Miss Razzell, I have my bruther's car. I take you sightseeing for free — I thiiink." Sojn they were all dressed and in the car ready to see the beautiful countryside. "Just as we were sailing along enjoying the scenery, the engine suddenly gave a grunt which simmered down to a wheeze and then stopped with a bucking cough." The next forty-five minutes they spent pushing "the antique" up a hill. Then, they all jumped in and coasted the rest of the way down. Like most tourists, Gail returned home loaded with maracas, Cuban drums, paintings and a hundred and one gifts for her friends. For there's one thing about Gail when she's pegged you as a pal, the sky's the limit. She has a swell habit of sending presents— not for some special occasion — but just to let you know she likes you. Recently, Gail overheard her friend, Marylou Van Ness (Paramount secretary), say that she was interested .in hunting. That was all Gail needed. In nothing flat, she'd called Guy, learned he was going to appear in a play at Phoenix, and talked him into a wee hunting expedition before opening night. Right now, Gail's starting her second starring role with John Payne in Paramount's "Captain China," a Pine-Thomas production. When we asked her if her schedule was still dotted with studio lessons, she shrugged, "No, guess they've given up teaching me. Probably figure I'm beyond help." Just a look at her busy record proves this isn't the case. Gail's happy with the variety of films she's appeared in. They've all required her to master something new. She's been called upon to do everything from feeding baby lambs, to learning to ride a bucking horse, to shooting from the hip without flinching. "One of the items I haven't mastered in my movie education is how to swim." Guy, however, is trying to remedy this situation with regular sessions at the beach. So far, Gail can just "dog paddle" about. "I'm afraid the only swimming form I'll ever acquire is the one I put in my suit," punned Gail. Aside from her new interest in sports, Gail has again taken up painting. She's quite handy with the brush and palette. Her current project is an oil of Betty Hutton's two youngsters. But her painting isn't restricted to portraits. Once she gets a brush in her hand nothing is safe. She has painted her kitchen chairs twice and even adorned her bath with cartoon figures. Humor, we learned, runs rampant in the Russell family. Whenever Gail and her brother, George, get together things begin to pop— they have identical funny bones. He's a member of "The Bachelors" singing trio, and always tries the group's new novelty tunes out on Gail. Their latest two are "A-peekin' and apaintin' " and "Shut My Mouth With Kisses" — which Gail proudly explained they've just waxed for MGM Records. Gail's favorite type of entertaining is a record party — "and they're not all my brother's," she quickly added. The size of her apartment limits the number of guests. Gail's usual, casual greeting goes something like this, "Take off your shoes, sit down on the floor, and drop any contributions you might have into the piggie bank." She's saving money in the king-sized porky for a trip to Honolulu. "If film commitments shelve this idea," shrugged Gail, "then I'll think of something else." Here's an example of Gail's new philosophy. "Play it light. Don't make productions out of disappointments. Worry about it tomorrow — IF you can remember it." If Gail isn't Honolulu-bound, she'll settle for a hunting trip with Guy. So if one of these Summer days you glimpse two young people travelling down the highway in a bright yellow jeep, loaded to the bumpers with hunting paraphernalia, take another look. If the girl's wearing rolled up jeans, a plaid shirt several sizes too big and a sunny contented smile — then, you can be sure it's Gail Russell. Clark Cable poses for amateur photographer Frank Morgan during a lull in the making of MCM's "Any Number Can Play.'' Clark's a gambler in the film. 51