Screenland (Nov 1950-Oct 1951)

Willing, Ready and Ever So Able Continued from page 28 gal. She was not only going to school, but was doing some modelling in what little time she had left over from dancing. And one of the photographers took some shots of her which he considered pretty wonderful, so wonderful, in fact, that he shipped them to an agent friend in Hollywood. The agent wrote back that he would like to see Sally in the flesh any time she wanted to put in an appearance. The day the War ended, Sally and her mother trekked North. The agent took one look, grabbed her by the hand, and hustled her to MGM. Did they need a lovely professional dancer, he asked? They eyed Sally and decided that they did, definitely. And so, kiddies, Sally was in pictures. She began as a chorus girl, of course. And she was so good that she was promoted to assistant dance director. It was in this capacity that she was working just before she met Lupino. After meeting Lupino — as so often happens in Hollywood — the same studio which had had her on the lot for years bought her contract and made her a star. It's ridiculous, but that's the way of the industry. Also ridiculous is the fact that Sally is now taking dancing lessons like crazy, learning to do the particular type of thing which is MGM's specialty: modern stuff. "In 'The Strip,' " she says, "I had to do two modern numbers — no ballet. And in 'Excuse My Dust' I did a wonderful low-down blues routine with nine boys. It was the most exciting dance I've ever done and I loved it so much that I could hardly wait to get to the studio in the morning. But it was modern. And, believe me, I worked like a dog in rehearsal!" Getting to the studio in the early dawn is a cinch for Sally, for she lives only a block from MGM. Evidently, Sally's parents are as adventurous and confident as she is. For, when their daughter signed at MGM in the first place, they happily sold their house in San Diego, bought one in Culver City the same week, and moved North for good. Now, though Sally's status has changed completely, they all still live in the same spot. Can't see any reason for moving, they say. I asked Sally how her parents, who had never been around the picture business before, took the news that she had been chosen for the Lupino picture. "The same way they've always taken anything I did," she answered, laughing. "They were completely casual about it. Mother said something like, 'That's fine, dear.' Period. For, you see, she has the firm belief that I can do anything and probably will. She wasn't surprised in the slightest." Mother is still as unconcerned over Sally's current stardom and its side effects. In the past few weeks, Sally has had her first days off for a year and has gone on a shopping spree. She bought dozens of hats and several beautiful formals, and, most important, a mink stole which is the light of her life. When she brought it home, her mother looked at it, smoothed it with her hand, and announced that it was very pretty. And that was it. For nothing was too good for Sally — even mink. Meanwhile, Sally has been pursuing her double career, as I say. And doing it very well. She did a piece of straight acting in "Hard, Fast And Beautiful" for RKO and has another dramatic role coming up at Universal, for which she has been loaned again by MGM, called "The Door," with Charles Laughton. She has been taking acting as well as dancing lessons and is truly serious about wanting to be able to play any role they throw her way. I asked her if she had ever danced with Fred Astaire, who is, of course, on the MGM lot. "No — and I'd love to, of course. You know, when I did that routine with the nine boys he used to come on the set almost every day and watch us. He was so delighted with the number that he made us do it again and again. And for him we would have done it all night!" 9l*or\$ai|oK and Marines interviewed at San Diego, California, said: "CAVALIERS are MILDER than the brand 1 had been smoking!" In San Diego, California, over 200 sailors and marines were asked to compare Cavalier Cigarettes with the brands they had been smoking. Their answers should be of interest to every smoker ! 91 % of these sailors and marines — yes, 91% of the smokers — said Cavaliers are milder than their former cigarettes! And they'd been smoking all the leading brantls! Cavalier mildness has been proved in hundreds and hundreds of tests from coast to coast— among college students, phone operators, nurses and many other groups. 80% or more of smokers interviewed said Cavaliers are milder than the cigarettes they had been smoking ! Start enjoying Cavaliers. Priced no higher than other popular cigarettes! Tt J Hovnnlils Toharrn Co.. Winstnn-Salem. N. C. Cavalier KING-SIZE CIGARETTES-EXTREMELY MILD 51