Talking Picture Magazine (Dec 1930-Oct 1932)

Fall 1932 Edition TALKING PICTURE MAGAZINE Page 17 to the beautiful neighbor and now she determines to give the siren a piece of her mind. Timid under the angry outburst, Joan says nothing but vows to steer clear of Smith who questions her. Upon learning that his wife has been the cause of her avoiding him, he confesses that he likes her very much and deems his wife's act as uncalled for. Mrs. Smith complains to John who does not believe anything. His business redoubles and he asks Joan to help him. Eager to get away from the rebukes of Mrs. Smith, Joan finds this a relief. The former has caused society to shun her and predicts that before long her husband will lose his love for her and she will have no one. Having to stay out of town a few nights at a time on business, Joan is very happy to see Mr. Smith who again becomes very attentive. Vexed by th = slanderous lies that his wife has circulated about her. Joan accepts his invitations to dinners and dances. Very often they spend a week together, living in a fairyland of love and adventure. John's suspicion 3 are aroused by gossip and he sues Smith for alienation of afiFections, having first had his wife trailed. Having been exceedingly happy with Smith. Joan plans to defend him until she learns that according to his wife's instructions, he is fighting the case. John is victorious and Joan, after telling him the whole story of Mrs. Smith's slander that blemished her when innocent and her consequent decision that she may as well enjoy the pleasures she is accused of, plans to leave. A home without a living love can only be a prison to her. It seems as though Mrs. Smith's prophecy is fulfilled. She has nothing . . . she stands alone ... INIarveling at the pathetic beauty relating a terrible life ordeal, John folds her in his arms, comforting her with the words that his love is not dead. Can she really go away and leave him and her babe without her guiding hand? Soothed by his soft words, Joan buries herself in his arms as she pleads with him to move to another town. Laughing at her genuine concern, he agrees and places a fervent kiss on the two trembling lips. people's feet in that old jerky train, and she flounces out at her station. A gentle tap on the shoulder warns her that someone is following her. Wheeling around in a righteous fury, she looks up into the bluest pair of eyes she has ever seen. They smile at her as their owner, James Barton, politely hands her a dainty little kerchief. Dimpling prettily, she thanks him. Thrilled with a new adventure in the city, James becomes a frequent visitor to Sally's home where to Sally he resembles a handy piece of furniture, useful but uninteresting. Walking home from a romantic picture show. Sally is peeved that James isn't a bit stimulated romantically. With a sigh of relief she hails Clara, who has also just emerged from the theatre. Introduced to Clara, James becomes exceedingly talkative and merry. The sparkling eyes of Clara demand that he escort her home. In the shadows of the occasional trees, he waxes bold and steals a kiss. At her door, he requests the pleasure of her company to a dance. Finding him rather attractive, Clara consents and keeps the date a secret. Beneath glamourous lights, they dance. James thrills with every movement of her graceful body, unaware that he is being watched by Sally. Astounded at his emotional awakening, she grits her teeth in deter* mination to get him back. She really loves him and has missed his dog-like habits of following her around to do her bidding. Employing Clara's tactics, Sally finds it very easy to attract James who is left much alone by the fickle brunette. Surprised to feel his heart take a jump-skip-and a hop when his arms encircle the charming Sally, James reajizes that his infatuation for Clara will not last. His real love is the ever patient, ever faithful Sally. In a little apartment uptown, where one can look at the flickering lights of the towering skyscrapers, James marvels at his happiness. Just a bit puzzled how it all came about, he asks Sally. With a coy little shake of her head, the wise wife retains her secret as she places a fervent kiss on his questioning lips. City love has its own technique and Sally is not the one to spoil its charm. A JOYOUS REUNION John K. Heaney File No. 7601 FIRST CHOICE THE BIG SCOOP Justine M. Reinitz File No. 7661 q_ p^tg^ Miller rd he fathe SULLENLY Wanda Mas fuse Roy Vanenite permission to call at tlie Mason home again. And Wanda's chin shot up stubbornly as her father, the Chief of Police of the town, openly accused Roy of being a gangster. She could manage her own affairs, Wanda told herself, and that night she decided to meet Roy at the Blue Horse, a speakeasy she knew he frequented. Peter Jackson was downcast. He didn't know what had changed Wanda. Everyone had always taken their marriage pretty much for granted, and now. suddenly, Wanda wouldn't even see him. He came dejectedly out of a client's home and suddenly paused as he saw Wanda's purposeful stride. It wasn't the thing to do, he knew, but something prompted him to follow her and when she entered the Blue Horse, Peter whistled in amazement. That wasn't like Wan. da at all. What could have changed her? Pulhng his hat down low over his face he entered and too'ic the booth next to Wanda's, heard her promise Roy that she would, father or no father, elope with him at twelve-thirty, and then hurry home. Peter's mouth felt dry. His Wanda doing that! But before he could plan any definite action, Roy's brother joined him and from their cryptic remarks Peter learned that the Vanenites were planning to rob the National Bank. Peter left them roaring over the fact that the elder Vanenite was eloping with Violet AUenmore. the banker's daughter and Roy was planning to make off with the daughter of the Chief of Police. Peter worked fast, got Everet Duncan, who he knew loved Violet, and the pair had themselves sworn in as Deputy Sheriffs. It was too late to prevent th^ bank robbery, but Peter and Everet knew where to go. While Roy was assisting Wanda into his car, the two deputies caught on to the automobile. The elder Vanetite got Violet, and the robbers headed for the outskirts of the city. Suddenly Peter ordered that the car be stopped and the two men throw up their hands. Violet wept as she heard Peter's explanation, but Wanda only called Peter a meddlesome, jealous person, and refused to believe his story of a bank robbery. It was ridiculous, she insisted, and she demanded that Peter remove the handcuffs he had fastened on the wrists of her husb-tnd-to-be. All the way back, Wanda shot glances of hate at Peter who stoically held his temper although he longed to thrash the woman he loved for her folly. When they drove into town, there was a furore. Roy had shot Wanda's father in making his escape and the townsfolk were ready to lynch him. Peter conducted Roy and his brother safelv to jail and with tight lips informed Wanda that if she ever wanted him she'd have to be the one to ask him to come. At the trial, the Vanenites were convicted, A woman holding a baby fainted— she was Roy's wife. For the first time Wanda's pose collapsed, lout Peter had already left. A telegram begged him to come home, and his arrival saved Wanda who, dazed, had been run over. Violet and Everet had already been married, and now Peter and a chastened Wanda followed suit. CITY LOVE John Lo GuUo File No. 7731 PETULANTLY winding up a piece of entangled ribbon, Sally, the attractive blonde salesgirl sighs for real romance. Her co-worker, Clara, a vivacious brunette, comforts her with a belittling remark that she's young yet. Dropping her handkerchief in the crowded subway train, the tired Sally decides to leave it there. She is too tired to go fussing around File No. 7682 WITH a laugh. Jack Hicks, a bright -faced young giant with a mop of brown curly hair, lowers Betty, the petite stenographer, to the top of his desk where she sits looking at him, eyes gleaming mischievously. Pointing to the door, she tells him that the boss wants to see him. Nervously Jack stands before the worried little editor, the man who pays him and through whom he shall earn enough to marry the diminutive Betty. Hardly able to believe his ears, he trembles with excitement as the editor assigns him to his first story . . . the Wellington mystery . . . which he is given because of his brawn. Explaining the details of the case, the editor dismisses him with a wave of his hand. Anxiously Betty scans his face as she asks what it's all about. Jubilant over his opportunity he tells her the news over a hurried lunch. A cold, dreary, snowy day . . . and the slow train wends its way up the valley. Restless and uneasy. Jack reviews the case. Wellington, a banker some thirty years ago, found his daughter in bed — dead from a dose of cyanide. A note explained why she preferred death to life. A big reward was offered for the capture of the man but to no avail. Wellington retired from business, acquired Old Saddle Ball, a large mountain on the outskirts of Cummington, noted for its thick, unpenetrable forests. He had different builders construct cabins, careful that they should not learn the location of others. Here he disappeared after the death of his wife, and has never been seen since. Once a month his caretaker and companion goes to town for supplies. Two years ago a reporter returned on the run, having been used as a target by old man Wellington. Securing lodging in an old hotel. Jack, after a chummy talk with the paralyzed old landlady, who explains that Alexander, her helper hasn't talked for ihirtv years, Jack retires. A warning dream awakens him in time to avoid being attacked ... the only clue he has is a hank of grey hair. Hurrying downstairs, he comes upon the mangled body of Alexander. Horrified into action, he dons a skiing suit and follows a trail through the woods. In the" fresh snow, it is comparatively easy to pursue the fugitive. Balked by a sudden stop of the footprints. Jack dscovers a tree Hmb that has been used to swing somebody off into the thicket. Doing the same, he continues on the arduous pursuit, marveling at the enduring physique of the fellow. Suddenly he comes upon a clearing and a little cabin, where a light is burning cheerily. Creeping up cautiously, he peers in. Seeing no one and hearing nothing, he smashes in the window and climbs in. Searching around, he discovers the body of an old man who has died from an ugly gash on the head. This is the man he has been following so perilously. Spying an open book under his head. Jack reads the startling document th^t reveals the awful life that Wellington has led for the past thirty years. Couped up in the mountains w!th Sam Crabtree, alias Alexander, he disguised himself as an old lady. His revenge was hastened by Jack's intrusion and at the point of a gun, he made Alexander confess that he was his daughter's betrayer. After killing him, he hurried to his private cabin to write this confession, happy that his task was done. His attack on the reporter was unintentional and a result of Jack's interference. Headlines announce the big scoop effected by Jack Hicks, who has solved the thirty-year-old Wellington mystery. As he aHghts from the train. Jack is greeted by a merry crowd. Singling out his boss and Betty, he asks for two weeks' vacation and rushes Betty off to the minister's. With an "I just knew you could do it!" Betty says "I do" and the famous reporter winds his long arms around his little booster. HAVING quarrelled with his father over his latest escapade, Edward Blake, a happy-go-lucky young heir, leaves his father's palatial home, and in search of adventure stows away aboard a small ship. He soon discovers he has a companion, Frank, a lad of tender years, and on their discovery they are set swabbing the decks. One of the sailors kicks the boy and rising to his defense, Edward challanges the tar. The fierce fight is interrupted by a violent concussion, and the ship, having struck a submerged island, sinks. Helping four women and Frank into a lifeboat, Edward gets them out of the way before the ship explodes and he pulls Alice from the water just as she is going down. All night the survivors drift and by morning they find themselves near a desert island. Meanwhile at home, Mrs. Blake has been prostrated by her son's disappearance and in fear for his wife's health the elder Blake sends out radio alarms and finally airplanes to search for his boy. Meanwhile on the desert island the castaways are fairly comfortable and Edward and Alice have fallen in love with each other. One day Alice confides that she is going to have a child and not until his delighted announcement to the rest of the party has been met with contempt, does he realize that it is not all as beautiful as it seems to him and Alice. A ship is sighted but when it arrives attracted by the eager flares of the castaways, the five women and two men are greeted with ribald jests and when Edward resents them he and Frank are left behind. Shortly afterwards one of the planes sent by the anxious Blake sights Edward, and picking up the lads, pursues the ship holding the women captive, as they radio a British destroyer. On board the women's ship, the Captain enters the room in which the women have been placed and selects Alice. With an evil leer he attempts to drag her after him, but the other women set upon him, and startled by their unexpected attack, he exits cursing and planning punishment. The British ship sights the private boat, and Edward drops overboard and swims to Alice's rescue while the official commands of His Majesty's ship are being ignored. He is almost victimized by the women before they realize that it is Edward, and after the ship which has been engaged in nefarious business has been taken care of, Edward and the women are set down at the nearest American port from whence they obtain passage to New York. Edward arrives to find his mother in a critical condition, but the sight of her son has a restorative effect and she rapidly recovers. Edward and Alice are married and the young bride finds instant favor with her husband's family, having explained that she was going to visit her father in Hong Kong, and had received a rad.ogram while aboard ship that he had been killed in an accident. As for Mrs. Blake, she never tires of her tiny grandson, Arthur Jun. MAN OF HER DREAMS John Feduccia File No. 77S4 CALLING for his sister, Kitty at her office, Jerry sullenly agreed to take her friend Clara, who shared her apartment, home^ too. Jerry distrusted Clara. She knew too much about what he'd been doing lately, and he was terrified that she'd tell his sister. The man who passed them, as they left the building went up to see Mr. Morris who employed Kitty and Clara. They greeted each other, and Mr. Morris, lowering his voice asked Joe, his bootlegger, to deliver three cases of beer that night. Joe agreed and left. Mr. Morris' next caller was an elderly man who inquired after Kitty Blaine and was given her address. Jerry dropped his sister and her friend at home and told Kitty not to wait up for him. It worried Kitty, but Clara shutting her mouth tightly only told her friend not to worry about Jerry, he was old enough to know what he was doing. A few moments later, the doorbell rang, and the elderly Mr. Clark, stockbroker asked for Kitty and seizing both her hands informed her the investment she made had made her rich. Dazedly Kitty promised to call for her check in the morning. Rich ! Joe was sitting at his desk smoking a cigar. "Who's our town driver?" he asked. Jerry was called, but when he was ordered to deliver some beer to Morris, he shrank back and cried that he couldn't, that his sister's employer would recognize him and tell Kitty. Joe glared and in the corner of the room, Jerry saw one of the thugs with his hand on his gun. "I'll go," said Jerry, "I'll go." The next morning's papers featured the story of "Oflice Girl Gets Rich Over Night." Joe was reading it when the telephone rang and Mr. Morris wanted to know why the beer wasn't delivered. Joe's eyes hardened, so Jerry had backed out! He called his gang. Two weeks later, Jerry was still in h:ding. Kitty was still being beseiged by reporters. Clara was in the apartment alone when Robert Simms, a brash reporter walked in, sat down, and lighting a cigarette proceeded calmly to wait for Kitty. "You'll find lunch in the icebox," said Clara cuttingly. And so their romance began. Finally Robert left, and a few minutes later, Clara's dreaming was interrupted by the excited appearance of Kitty with a package under her arm. She had withdrawn all her money from the bank. Jerry had been forging checks trying to get it. A moment later, white-faced, Jerry burst in and demanded that his sister give him the money, he had to skip town. Joe and his men were after him. Kitty tried to talk sense to him and in his frenzy he pushed her violently backward, causing her to hit her head against the bed post. Jerry straightened up dazed. He had killed his sister. Clara stifled a scream and