Sodom and Gomorrah : the story of Hollywood (1935)

SODOM AND GOMORRAH 109 revolt against playing such trash. Showing promise of improvement in this respect was Evelyn Venable's late rebellion against acting in mushy roles. This action seemed to spring from a genuine dislike of the continual flaunting of sex on the screen. Certainly she jeopardized her career by her refusal to play with Francis Lederer in a romantic film consisting chiefly of kissing bouts. What her producers would do about the situation no one knew until finally the publicity office decided that, in view of the strenuous campaign being waged against indecent pictures, they would capitalize on Miss Venable's refusal to play her role. Hut it is also significant that, while Paramount paid lip service to her rebellion and placed her in another production, they went right ahead with the feature, merely substituting another woman player. Some of the more cynical observers are inclined to think that Miss Venable's revolt was nothing but a publicity gag, for the resourcefulness of the studio publicity offices is practically boundless. But Venable came to Hollywood from the New York stage where she played in classic roles, and there is just the chance that she is actress enough to appreciate the better drama and feels genuine disgust for the sex laden roles created in Holly wood. But her producers' refusal to discontinue the picture, even after the rebuke administered by this