Screenland (Nov 1949-Oct 1950)

BREAK' Burgess Meredith studying script with Susan Douglas during luncheon at Stork. for it," Richard protested. Whereupon he gave the director an eloquent plea in behalf of the talents of a well-known actor who had been tested for the role and who, everyone thought, had been set for it. Amused and attracted by this amazing young fellow, Sherman overruled his singularly unusual plea for another actor, and tested him. ■ "The minute Richard read Lachie's first line, I knew he was the boy for the role," Sherman recalls. Richard's romance with Catherine Bogle, the sweet-smiling Scottish girl who became Mrs. Todd last August, began when she was playing the title role in "Claudia" for the Dundee Repertory Theatre. But the romance, interrupted only the way actors' romances can be, didn't reach the orange-blossom stage until he was appearing with Jane Wyman and Marlene Dietrich in "Stage Fright," being directed by Alfred Hitchcock in London. Richard credits Jane with an assist in his marriage. And Jane herself likes to take bows as a secondary Cupid in the ca.se. Catherine and Richard (which, incidentally, he prefers to Dick, although he is somewhat resigned now to hearing Americans call him Dick on first meeting and from then on) had been on the edge of matrimony several times, but had always postponed it, waiting for "a better time." The better time never seemed to arrive, and Jane, who was struck with the pair and getting highly impatient at the deferred romance, kept urging them to set the date. "Finally," says Richard in recalling the event, "we decided we would marry on a forthcoming weekend when I expected to have a fortnight's holiday from the picture. "Just before the weekend, we learned that the holiday had been cancelled and that I was going to have to continue working, so once again we were about to delay the wedding. But Janie would have none of it. She virtually bundled us up and sent us off to church." So Catherine Bogle became Mrs. Richard Todd, and everyone, especially Jane Wyman, was as happy as a grasshopper. "Except," says the bridegroom, "we didn't get a honeymoon." They still haven't had an honest-togoodne.ss honeymoon, because after "Stage Fright," Richard was rushed to Hollywood by Warner Brothers. The Todds' first impression of America was its vastness; their first impression of the way Americans live in America was the quantity and quality of the food they eat. It is typical of Richard that when a reporter asked him if he wouldn't miss all the wonderful food when he returns to England, the actor replied: 'T suppose so — at first. But in England we're used to going without things." In other words, he has sp)ent most of his life accommodating himself to hardship, and the fact that he isn't going to eat a dozen eggs a week when he returns to London is hardly going to upset him. Probably one of the greatest amazements that Richard has experienced on his first Hollywood venture is the allconsuming interest of the press and the public in even the smallest personal item that concerns him. "I fail to understand," he says, "why they should be interested in what I like to eat or what I like to read or what kind of music I like to listen to. It can't be that important to anybody, including me." His comments on Hollywood and life in Hollywood are characterized by a notable restraint. "I like it," he .says. 'T have found nothing to bother me very much — no incessant irritant, that is." When the studio strongly recommended that he have a chauffeur for his rented automobile until he had accustomed himself to the left-hand drive, and the righthand highways, and the grim traffic situation of Los Angeles, Richard pohtely but determinedly refused. He did his own driving, and successfully. He is sometimes independent to the point of exasperation. He is an individualist who will conform when it is necessary and when he feels it is proper. Richard finds it hard to believe that American women who have seen him in "The Hasty Heart" and "Stage Fright" find him sexy, as most of his ever-growing fan mail indicates. 'Tt must have something to do with the camera — or the roles." (Please turn to next page) USE BLUE CROSS/ NAILIFE ...an antiseptic creatmenc and marvelous aid to help overcome or prevent nail britcleness and dehydration. Toughens and stimulates; keeps nails pliant and strong. Contains active organic iodine. at leading 5&10 and drug stores. In handy reftllable plastic shaper. P.S Don't cut cuticle . . . remove it with . Blue Cross Lanolized Cuticle Remover. LARGE SIZE of your favorite Direct from Hollywood GET ACQUAINTED OFFER With photo, we include FREE CATALOG, 'lecorated with newest stars. lists lOO's of names, tells how to get their addresses and home pictures. 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