Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1924)
Jbehind the screen By SAMVEL GOLBWYN V_ _ J (Continued from leiterdij.) CHAPTER FIFTEEN'. Doug and Mary. As I have already mentioned, Char He’s closest friends in the film col ony are Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Regarding the former ol these tw*o, I may say that I have never had the same opportunity to observe him professionally as that Which favored me in the case of his famous wife. It is natural, therefore, that I should think of him first as the adoring husband. That he is very deeply In love with Mary no one who sees them together can doubt for an Instant. N'ot by nny means a self-effacing person, he is nevertheless always trying to turn the spotlight upon her and her achievements. Of the latter he is inordinately proud. It seems to me, in fact, that he is almost as much in love with Mary's pictures as lie is with Mary herself. I recall that once I attempted to talk to him about a certain picture of his. “You were splendid in that •eerie,” I began. "Glad you liked It," he interposed politely, but carelessly. And then, his eye* glowing at the approach of a really significant subject, lie asked. “Have you seen Mary's now picture yet?" I shook my head. lie looked at me almost reproach fully. "Oh, it's great—best thing she's ever done!” Feebly I tried to turn back the conversation into its original chait nel. "You certainly were great in th^t scene with the—” "Oh, yes, but Mary,” he interrupt ^^fed again; "my how that girl does " know how! She has tlie sure instinct.” Et cetera, et cetera. Regarding his wife's superior talents, Fairbanks is as consistently uplifted as a wall motto. He Is no less sensible of those attributes of hers which are not di rectly connected with the screen. "Mary has so much common sense, hasn't she?”—friends of the cele brated pair have heard Doug say this time and again. As to Mary, I have already stated my certainty that Douglas Fairbanks represents the great romance* of her life. To see her with him Is to see Mary at her best. She never calls him "Doug”—inded, I have an idea she doesn't much like to hear his name thus shorn by other people— and somehow into her utterance of that “Douglas” >ou find, no matter how casual the speech, the way she really feels about him. Mary Pickford, according to her most Intimate friends, fell in love with Douglas Fairbanks the first time she saw him—fell in love in terms on which she had never known it. As years have gone by this first mad infatuation has been directed by real understanding, by the closeness of their professional Interests—most of all by a solemn gratitude on her part for the care with which he so con stantly surrounds her. Only last October when Douglas and Mary came on to New York for the ’ openings of their latest pictures I had dinner with the two. “Mary,” said I when for a mo ment Fairbanks left us together, “you’re looking wonderful. It seems to me you are 10 years younger than when I last saw you." "Yes,” replied she, “and it's all due to Douglas. He's as wonderful a husband as he is sn actor. Always, always, his first thought Is of me and you know what that means to MS* me.” I did know. I remembered the gal lant battling little figure of Famous Players days, of how she had always protected others—her mother and her < family—and I was touched by the thought that now this great gift of protecting love was hers. When I first met Mary she was married to Owen Moore. Regarding this marriage. Mack Bennett has told ms an interesting story. "Mary and Moore were working to gether in the Biograph when Grif fith snd I were there," said he, "and I don't think they ever once thought of each other in any sentimental light —not until the rest of us put it into their heads. But you see it was this way: She was such a sweet looking girl and he was such a sweet looking boy—Owen Moore used to make you a think of a kid whose mother had 5 scrubbed his face and brushed his I hair and got him all tidy for school well, altogether they seemed to the rest of us so exactly suited that we got to teasing them about each other. We’d go up to Mary and say, "Why don't you and Owen get more friend ly?’ and then we'd go after Moore in the same way about her.'' It will Tie seen from mis Mary’s first marriage was not a care of spontaneous combustion. It rep resents only a girl and boy fancy and that stimulated much after the fashion that brought Shakespeare s Beatrice and Befiedict together. One thing which always Impressed me about this phase of Mary's life was that, no matter what the dif ference which severed Owen and her, she afways spoke of him with great kindness and affection. With him it was the same. I never heard Owen Moore say anything of his former wife which was not admiring. As to their differences, T have heard people say sometimes that all would have been well had It not been for Mrs. Plekford's determined efforts to keep them apart. Even though this original assumption were true. I do not share the conclusion. I do not even” ascribe the break to certain temperamental defects of Moore’s. To me it is explained by Sennett's story, showing, as It does, that the match came through the prompting of others rather than through any irresslstlble attraction. Undoubtedly Mary's romance with Doug hns been sustained liy their solidarity of Interest. He Is as much Immersed In pictures as she is. lie has also the same capacity for hard and regular work. I heard several • '* remark that When Doug ami Mary ’ Rot back from their famous visit to Europe he walked around the Fair banks lot looking as happy as an American boy who lias got back to baseball after a trying experience with musty churches and Intermin able art galleries. “Nothing like system—a regularised life!” he confided at Intervals to those about hlin. Socially Fairbanks Is Just as full of dash as he is on the screen, lie Is a delightful mimic. He talks well and he talks with great emphasis. Frequently he tosses off a phrase dis tinguished for verbal nicety or real wit. For It must lie remembered that Douglas Fairbanks brings to his pro fession a much greater educational and cultural equipment than the av erage screpn performer. Doug likes to surprise by Ills re marks. Occasionally when listening to him 1 have had the feeling that he was opening one of those paper favours—first the snap aa he tenrs It apart and then the whtmlsral paper cap. For example, he once said, s'* "Vea. ‘The Three Mtisketeera' was all right, but there was two miscasts. On» of them was li'Artagnan Did he really mean it’’ Perhaps be did: perhaps he really thought. a« he afterward explained, that D’Ait agnan should have been a "thin, •pidtiy little fellow," However, that on# should have been In any doubt is sufficient comment. Indeed, it must lie admitted even by one who has genuine respect for hhs big achievements and an equally genuine liking for his personality that Doug sometimes has the air of saying things for effect. Certainly lie is more self-conscious, more mannered than is Mary Pickford. To grasp the essence of Fairbanks it seems to me that you must think of "Sentimental Tommy." As he works out his gigantic historical films he is exactly like Barrie's boy hero playing with Corp and Shadrach in the den. There is no doubt about it. He thoroughly believes that he is in truth Robin Hood or D’Artagnan. To him, therefore, work is one long engrossing game of make-believe; and if “Sentimental Tommy's” "inethinks” —that one magical utterance which changed the entire atmosphere from the literal to the romantic—some times jursues Fairbanks to the draw ing room one can forgive the self dramatization to the man who has given us such unforgetable pictures of ages far removed from our own. CHAPTER SIXTEEN. Rodolph Valentino. When in Hollywood about four years ago I learned to know by sight a young man who frequently stood around in the. lobby of the Hotel Alexandria. He was very dark and slim, and his eyes had the sombreness of the Latin. I was especially struck by the grace of his walk and of his gestures. Even when he leaned up against a cigar case ho did it with a certain stateliness, and you felt that the column of some ruined temple overlooking the Mediterranean would have been much more appropriate than his present background. Quite evidently he was looking for a job. In fact, before I was in troduced to him I heard him ap proaching various people in the in dustry. “Anything doing today?” "Have you finished casting So-and-So?” "When do you start shooting?” These questions, so familiar in the lobby in his case by a very naive manner, by a slightly foreign accent. He always looked so eager when he put the question and so disappointed when he got the answer. Not long ago when I was in Holly wood I saw this same young man at a nearby seashore resort. On tills day he was In a bathing suit, and lie was leading three police dogs. The dogs were not a protective measure, but certainly the scene that day might have warranted some sort of guard. For as the young man walk ed out toward the waves, as the sun shone on his swarthy akin, the hun dreds of women and girls who had come to Long Beach pressed onward for a more satisfactory glimpse of the bather. And as they did so an nwed whisper passed through the feminine multitude. “That's he—that's Valentino.” In all film iiistory, replete as that is with instances of meteroic success, there has beet, nothing quite so swift as the rise of this young Italian pantomlmlst. Rodolph Valentino. The beginning of the breathless ascent may be traced to a reception given one afternoon by a certain Mr. Cole, n painter living In Hollywood. To this reception came Rex Ingram, then lately returned from overseas service in the flying corps. Came also in company with Taul Troiibetsky. Rodolph Valentino. At this point I shall allow Mr. Ingram to tell the story just as he related It to me one evening last summer while we sat chatting on the porch of Mae Murray's and Bobby Leonard's home at flreat Neck. “I was attracted at once by Valen tino's face and by Ills remarkable grace of movement.” said Ingram, "and I made immediately a mental note of him. There’s a fellow, thought I, who would be great In pictures, and if I get my job of directing back I'm going to use him. I was pretty confident then, you see, that this experiment was due for the very near future. Little did I think that months—yet. almost a year—would go by and find me just as Idle as I was that day when I walked into Mr. Cole's reception. > * “I wasn't remembering much about Valentino in those days. I can tell you. I was so poor that I had to hock all the civilian clothes I had left behind me In my etorage trunks. This left me nothing hut my uni form, and the unlfot-m proved, as ft did to so many other ex-service men. anything but a talisman. The only effect It seemed to produce was to prejudice any poslble employer against me. At last—of course that's tho way It always happens—I had two Jobs offered me at once, in the meantime, though. I had been oblig.-d to give up my little $2 room In fact, when I got my double offer I wan owing two months' rent for It. .Sometimes when you* remove a spot with gasoline you leave a ring about the part cleaned. You can remove this by holding it over the steam of the teakettle. (Continued In The Morning Bee.) Adele Garrison ^ “My Husband’s Love” J Flushing Bound, Madge Hoped She Was Unobserved. I do not think I ever slept bo soundly as I did In the hostelry at Riverside, following our drive through the fog. I did not realize l-ow the strain of being at the wheel had fatigued me until I literally fell Into bed without knowing whether my "head touched the pillow" or not. We had been fortunate enough to aeeure communicating rooms, the one which the children occupied ly ing between mine and that of the iRralthwaltea. But whether the chil dren slept or were restless mat tered nothing to me. I lay drugged with slumber until the grasp of a hand on my shoulder, gently shak ing me, brought me bolt upright In unreasoning panic. "Hush!" Harriet anld smiling at me. "Don’t wake the children yet. But Edwin aaid you wished to start as early as possible, so I thought I'd rouse you.” "Thank you,” I stammered. "1 believe T would have elept until noon If you hadn’t wakened me." "Ton probably needed to do that very thing," she replied compassion ately, "hut—" "Oh, we must get started right away," I said, scrambling out of bed, Harriet had moved over to the open window and put It down as soon ns she had aroused me, and the ehade pulled up revealed a dear dawn. "Where are those vacuum bot tles?” she asked. "Right there I pointed to a table at the other end of the room. "I emptied them and rinsed them as well aa X coulil laat night, but they i perl cleansing in plenty of hot water." Again oil the Road. "Edwin is all dressed, ready to go out and get hot coffee for us and warm milk for the youngster*." Har riet returned, "and he can have them cleansed at the restaurant—there is one here, I suppose. That was some thing he wished ms to ask you." "Oh, yes, a very good one," I paused in my rapid dressing to give her minute directions for the finding of the restaurant, and with the vacuum bottles in her hands she hurried out of the room. "Don't show these children in any public dining room—indeed, in any places more than you can help un til you have them safe on board ship." This was Lillian's emphatic parting admonition, and we were heeding It strictly. By the time Ed win returned with the hot coffee and milk Harriet and I, working swiftly, had assisted the children with their dressing and after a hurried but satisfactory breakfast from the rem nants of Katie's lunch, I went to tlie garage nearby where I had left' the car and brought It to the door. Harriet and the children, the latter wide-eyed and excited, but obediently quiet, awaited us. There were but two or three auto mobiles in the streets, all of them appearing to belong to the section, but I scanned each one searchingly and nervously, and was glad indeed when we finally got under way, and speeding down the village street, turned into the middle island road, with no sign of activity from any or.e of the waiting cars. Talcing the Shortest Way. "This roail is neither so good nor so picturesque as the north side route," I explained regretfully, "but it is a much shorter connection to the Flushing road. I should have liked to have shown you some of the picturesque towns of the north side, but we shall come out at Hunt ington, and from there on the road, winds through fairyland a good deal of the way.” “Oh. what da we care for scenery. Harriet exclaimed Impatiently. "I know that I for one won’t have a minute to think of It. The shortest road is the thing.” "And that’s what we have' before us,’’ I repeated cheerily, repressing the Impulse to a tart answer to which her Impatience tempted me. But I reflected that she was under even a greater strain than I, and I resolved that no matter what the provocation I would keep my poise undisturbed. But despite her protests. I was amused to discover that she was not proof against the austere beauty of the winter woods silhouetted against water and sky when after a trip through the dreary, baked desert of the middle Island we came out upon the stretches of the north shore roads between Huntington and Flushing. Loveliest of regions in spring, summer and autumn. It has its own peculiar charm for the beauty lover even in winter, with the trees stark and bare. X was not surprised to hear my didactic sister in law catch tier breath as she came out upon a peculiarly exquisite bit. and Bay: “You are right, Margaret. This Is wonderful:” State Federation Plans for Music Week Bj Associate)! Press. Norfolk, Neb., Feb. 2’.—rrepara tlons for music week In Nebraska are moving along with great rapidity, Mrs. Coara A. Beels. president of the Nebraska Federation of Music Clubs, said here today. "Indications point to a wider and more elaborate celebration than has ever taken place,” Mrs. Beels de clared. Kfforta ara being made t>y the music fderatlon to re*eh every rural community in t+ie state and to atrlve for some musical activity In the lo cality. Where there sre community clubs, the clubs and the mualc dr. partmenta of the public schools are asked to cooperate In staging the music week programs. Following the organization of some form of celebration of music week. Mrs. Heels has asked the music or ganizations to send their programs in to the state federation headquar ters. so that account may t>e kept of the music week observance over the state. “We are anxious that Nebraska make a showing commensurate with the ability it possesses." Mrs. Reels said. Cozad. Neb , reported to the federa tion president that music classes there will give recitals during the week so designated and will also travel to Lexington to help that town with its observance. .Supervisors of music In schools have planned special work for their students. The National Federation of Music Clubs, through the departmsnt of church music, Is making special ef forts to interest church choirs, Sun day schools and young people's so cieties in the hymn contest which Is to close the first of June. Twelve hymns have been selected by the com mittee for this contest. They in clude America, Lead Kindly Light, Onward, Christian Soldiers, snd other veil known hymns. Points of grad lug those entering the contest in elude tits writing of at lenst one verse of each hymn from memory, the story or history of escii hymn, name and nationality of the authors and composers, snd singing of the hymns. A prize of *100 Is offered to the stale having the largest number of organizations participating In the contest. Your Problems I To Bob or Not to Bob. Dear Alisa Allen: Do you think a woman in her early 30a is too old for bobbed hair? 1 am a young business woman in my early 30s; I am small and am always taken to be several years younger than I am. I would like to have my hair bobbed, as 1 think it would make my hair grow thicker. I chum with girls younger than my self and they have bobbed hair, and they think that I ahould bob my hair, loo, but I am undecided what to do. Please answer me in The Evening Bee. "BROWN ETES.” I think the question of bobbing one's hair is entirely a matter of taste. Tt Is becoming to some people and not to others. I am glad that at last this subject of bobbed hair is being discussed sanely. For a long time some people had prejudice. All bobbed hair looked evil, wrong and silly. Of course that was a ailly way to look at the subject. But now that the style has become so general, we can look at It dispassionately and let the question, "To bob or not to bob?" stand on Its own merits. I have seen some round-faced, fat girls get a round bob. The hair la perhaps thick and It stands out from the head, making the girl look like a Comanche Indian or a South Sea Is lander. Now. that lan’t pretty. I have seen other girls, small In type, who have had shingle bobs and who do not even curl their hair. They look trim and neat and most at tractive. I am trying to make you under stand that It is a question of type and the care of the hair after the bob. w hich determines whether or not it is becoming. Thirty is not too old for a bob. I really think the day will come when all women will wear the hair abort. It ahould be no more objectionable than the short cut style for men. * Do not delude yourself into think ing that a bob will benefit your hair if you curl It constantly. If vou wear it straight, there is no doubt It will be benefitted. Amlrua Adriirs. D^ar Mina Alim: I havr somethin); Exceptional sale of the new non-vibrating V 63 Cadillac brings wonderful used cars to us. A Hupmobile Sedan, late model, low mile age and a Jordan Blue Boy Sport with less than a year’s service are offered at remark able prices to the one who chooses first. J. H. Hansen Cadillac Co. Ha. 0710 Faraam St. at 26th i “Growing Tendencies in Modern * Religion” This Subject Will Be Discussed bjr Rev. Ralph E. Bailey The First Initarian Church j 3114 Harney St. SUNDAY at 11:00 A. M. j CARBON COAL $ kOO Per J= Ton The Most Heat for tha Least Money UPDIKE Sfltt 4 Yardh to Serve You to say about the world of today. 1 want this letter printed in order that all the flappers of today ran read It. I took up The Omaha Bee today to read your oroblems and read the let ters of "Marie" and “Lonesome." "Lonesome" thinks a girl must aut flapperish in order to be popular. No! No. my girl. I am a young lad of IS and have taken many girls home. Some wanted to kisa mi, but, girls, listen her.e. The boys take these home, but for a wife—oh. never would they want her for a wife. They all know1 there was mother before them. Now. this ia advice fur all girls: Don't smoke or do anything in that class. Try and be nice, clean and respectable. Then is when the boys think about the girl. PUELLARUM AMICUS. Bee Want Ads Produce Result!. Guests of Mrs. Archer The Misses Irene Kanmia and Ksther Branchani of Istxington, Neb., are guests of the former's aunt. Mrs J. M. Archer, who entertained 10 guests for them at dinner last night at her home, and who gives a 10 o'clock breakfast to eight young women in their honor this morning. Miss Lamma is county treasurer and vice president of the Nebraska State Treasurer's association. Miss Bran* chain is on lur way east, where sb» will visit New York. Boston and Philadelphia. The two guesta will be in Omaha about 10 days. E D. Morcom, treasurer of the Fed eral Band bank of Omaha has gone to Cheyenne, Wyo., on a business trip. ___i ■ —. .. The Outstanding Element in the Psychology of Clothes Is— A Season's Clearance Sale of Dutch Silver Pieces GIFT SECTION—THIRD FI.AlR Not only artistic and beautiful to a high degree, but .iust now possessing all the prestige of great popularity. Reproductions of antique art. Tea Tiles 39c each 8-inch Candlesticks, per pair, .$1.75 Pie Dish, Pyrex lined, reduced d»0 QC from $6.00 to... Casserole reduced from (A $6.00 to. Relish Dish, crystal lined, reduced dJO QC from $5.00 to. Relish Dish, crystal lined, reduced d»0 QC from $4.00 . Substantial Reductions on Flower Baskets, Vases, Jug, Etc. a. 1 *-* c We Will Save You Money If LlUil j You Will Buy Notions Note It’s a quiet period in our business; we want action now. So if you will anticipate your later wants we will sell this staple merchandise cheaper now. Carmen Hair Nets, single. Regular $1.60 dor.. SI.19 Carmen Hair Nets, double. Regular $1.50 doz.. 31.25 Carmen Hair Nets, knotted ends—Regular $1.00 doz., -»t .89* Whisk Brooms . . .17* Narcissus Hair Pin Cabinets. Regular 10c .8* Diadem Hair Pins—Regular 25e.19c Household Aprons—Regular 50c.30C Naiad Sanitary Aprons — Regular 60c . ., 39* Sanitary Belts—Regular 55c, ■t.22* Shopping Bags A new idea, made from black pebble oil cloth. Very compact and very QQ useful. Each.ujC Kleinert Dress Shields, 33* Omo Shirt Waist Shield, at .35* Kotex—Regular 60c doz., «t .49* Jiffy Pants—Regular 50c, at .39* Star Snaps—Regular 10c, at.6* Warren’s Lingerie Tape— Regular 15c.10* American Maid Pins—Regu lar 10c.8* Lafayette Safety Pins—Reg ular 10c.5* Children’s Rubber Dibs 10* . Artistic Beads An important and fashion able adjunct to modern dress. New groups, new col orings. Shown for the first time Saturday. B Stocking Sale Silk Stockings at Practically Pre-War Price FULL FASHIONED SILK WITH FIBEI. THREAD, giving added wear, in the leading shades of nude, beige, together with pure silk allover in blacks, j) browns and staple shades that ^ have sold at $2.25 and $2.50, all in oi\r Saturday sale, pair. Men’s Specials SHIRTS that will wear. A special purchase of men's fine shirts, all well tailored, fast colors, woven madras, crepes, silk stripes, broad cloths. Made to sell to $1.85 MUSLIN NIGHTGOWNS— Cut full, neatly trimmed, well made, apecially QC _ priced, each.5rOC Women’s Gloves rFZce On sale Saturday, a small shipment of a popular num ber in 16-button length. Stock is of black glace kid. self trimmed. Made to sell regularly at *6.00. A splen did value of guaranteed .$3.96 Mazda Lamps The best electric lamps made for home use. 15, 28, 40 and 50-watt sires, on. <ach. wv w Saturday Fabric Values 36-lXl H GLACE TAFFETA—A two-tone taffeta that i. popular for dance frock*. Specially a <* ni> priced, yard . «J> 1 .y J) 38-INl H MARIGOLD CREPE—In a full range of spring shades. Ideal for dress or blouse. A a QQ Specially priced, yard. $ 1 ,«jy 40-INCH PRINTED CREPE DE CHINES—Small pattern., plaids and lacework effects. £0 OC Specially priced, yard . J 54 INCH ALL-WOOL JERSEY—In all new .port shade. Excellent quality. Specially priced. (fee rtf? y*rd . Jbl.yb STYLE She who would achieve its maximum value should be first. Spring Garments and Fabrics Now Showing Prepare for the sunshine and reap this reward by early selection. , Particular Price Inducements Saturday •>•!•)-—— New Spring Dresses This fascinating dress offering has three essential appeals: STYLE. NEW MATERIALS, NEW COL ORINGS. Materials are Satin Canton, Crepe de Chine, Figured Crepe, Florella and Black Satin. One Model of Florella Very smart: straight line with one or two deep tucks giving a semi-peplum effect; leather belt and con trasting color collar. Colors: Hollywood, jade, Chinese yellow, toast, navy, black, brown, Lanvin green. Mexico, French blue, beaver and rosewood. Size3 16 to 16. WOMEN S AND MISSES' SECTION—SECOND FLOOR Trim Boyish Suits The youthful spring suit expresses its details in fastidious simplicity. It may be a one-button or double-breasted model, and with a skirt which elects to be trimly shorter than last season. Slashed pockets, leather or ribbon pipings give an added dash. The sport materials are English checks and plaids, stripe-around effects, tweeds, mixtures and tiny stripes. Sizes 14-1G. $34.50 $46.50 $54.50 JUNIOR SECTION—SECOND FLOOR Sateen Slips $1.89 Light of weight, self stripe, bodice top, neatly tailored. Colors, rose, navy, flesh, Mohawk, orchid, sand, cocoa, brown, maize. ^ < QQ peach and black. Special. each. . V * LINGERIE SECTION—SECOND FLOOR Continuing Our Great Sale Apron Frocks Fresh cool colors and becoming youthful styles. Included are a number of choice. “Nelly Don” models whose styles and workmanship are conceded to be the very best. Chambrays Checkal Ginghams Cretonnes ir indsor Prints Ja/wnese Cre/w Percale I lowered Patterns With hemstitching, hand embroidery, French knots and contrasting color bandings. A wide range of colors and combinations: pink, copen, henna, lavender, red, orange, canary, blue, black and white. It is seldom that such decided values can be offered —even by Kilpatrick’s. I he Regular Prices of Some If ould Re $3.95. Regular Sizec, 16 to 46—Two Models, Sizes to 50 HOUSE PRESS SECTION SECOND FLOOR Exceptional W ash Goods Value in a full range of new spring shades, dally priced for Saturday, yard. "8-inch Heather Check Ratine. 38-inch Silk Checked French Crepe. 64-INCJI POI.O COATINGS— In new tan* OC and trra\>. Ml wool. Spr> iallv priced, vard 3^ 1 *5/0 M INCH AIJ WOOL FRKNCH SKIIGE /jq An exceptionally fine twill. Navy only. Yard . 3> 1 .Oif