Screenland (Nov 1950-Oct 1951)

When Joan Crawford arrived in New York for premiere of "Goodbye, My Fancy," her latest for Warners, the engineer of her train asked for her autograph. public, but that in itself can. sometimes be vexing. In the main the press has been very kind to me and I'm very grateful; in return I've always tried to be honest with the press. It is possible in Hollywood to live a life as normal as anywhere else and I feel we have managed it — without constant false rumors of divorce and such. Even so, odd things can happen. Several years ago, when Mother was still here with me, a woman in Chicago had run up stacks of bills and demanded that her daughter, "Irene Dunne," pay them. That made nasty headlines. And of course the retraction was just a tiny little news story. I suppose some people may still think I refused to pay my "mother's" bills! If I began living in Hollywood today I would certainly do one thing that I did when I arrived, and that is to be active We kept our marriage a secret for six months; then mother gave us a lovely church wedding and reception. It couldn't save us — we hadn't learned enough about love. We were horribly jealous. Our goals weren't the same. We couldn't lick our obstacles. After my divorce at eighteen, I was a little bitter inside. I felt I had been deprived of a dream I deserved. Luckily, I began to grow up mentally and emotionally then, and fairly fast. At the studio, I was expected to study and progress as an actress. I did study seriously. Along with screen roles, I 66 in charity. If one is going to take something out of a community — any community— one must put something in, too. When I was first here, I didn't have as much time between pictures as I've had recently; nevertheless I managed to help entertain children at the Orthopedic Hospital. More recently, I've worked with heart and cancer foundations, Red Cross and especially the St. John's Hospital for which our premiere of "The Mudlark" raised $137,000 for a new building wing.' What is more gratifying than such work? And rewarding, too, for through it I've met some of my closest friends. Just one more thing about Hollywood, today or any day. If one makes contracts, one must keep them, whether business or personal! And that, of course, is true in any town! acted in a play produced by the studio's dramatic coach. It was a showcase for newly signed people and was seen by all the producers and directors at 20th. It made me aware of acting technique as something tangible. I'd begun on movie sets, had never worked before an audience every evening for several weeks. I would like to burn up the screen with a personality everyone would acknowledge. I am ambitious to improve as an actress. But I will never tie myself down to a strictly all-for-Hollywood routine. I've always realized fame alone could not be enough for me, that after my working hours I've got to be myself. I know I must live, even if I blunder. So, I don't regret the rest of my teenage whirl. Let's be honest. Of course, I continued to search for the one man who still hasn't come along. Many of my dates were tremendously thrilling. It's fun to go flying, more fun when your date in the sky surprisingly turns into lessons in how to fly a plane yourself. I seized every opportunity to travel. New places, new faces, new situations— that's for me! So mine have by no means been just dates in Hollywood. Instead of sticking around 20th and haunting the casting office, I figured a true vacation far away would be a lot more refreshing. It was! I spent the following summer in Greenwich Village, because it was such a switch from the California beaches. I had my first fine fling in Manhattan, where dates are anything but all alike. They say that actresses can't be friends, that they're too self-centered, too cut-throat in their rivalry. I claim that's crazy. I think dates are likely to be much more plentiful if you have girl friends with whom you can share confidences. I don't have any trouble with fellow actresses, and I don't limit myself to girls with "names," either. The Summer that I shared an apartment on 14th Street in the Village with three girl friends who had no connection with the movies was one I'll never forget. One was a stage actress. One was a model. And one was an electrical engineer! We had three beds and a cot that was as hard as cement in our one bedroom. I know I certainly was much better informed about the world when I returned to pictures that Fall. "Less action and more talk" was the motto I picked for myself and my dates, when I understood how immature I'd been when I married. But I'm blessed with an awful lot of energy. I continued to get around, see much, experience a great deal for my age, and, I believe, have profited by everything that has happened to me. Between pictures I have gone back to New York City for months at a time. Why not? It's such a contrast to California, and a big alternative sharpens you up! Last Fall, I sampled vaudeville for the first time. Since I've studied singing I was determined to take a whirl at my own "in person" act. It was a challenge to do four shows a day — and mighty hard work. I was glad when I could go on to New York and just relax. Men in New York seem to me more courteous, more stimulating, more articulate. There are so many kinds of dates there. I like getting into as many different groups as possible. I don't rattle on about Hollywood and drive people crazy when I have the opportunity to stretch my mind. A girl is obligated to provide her half of the amusement on a date. I try to listen well, to be lighthearted, to be agreeable — never a bother. I can't be content with a one-track or a corny conversation. I dread and duck a dull man, for there are too many things to speculate about and share to be stuck with a dud. And / want to be much What I Expect Of A Date Continued from page 36