I
BEHIND THE SCREEN
By SAMUEL GOLDWYN
J j
- - ' — — I
(Continued rrom Yesterday.)
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.
Some Authors Who Have Traveled
to Hollywood.
From previous chapters of mine it
is evident that Mr. Emerson’s sug
gestion about hitching your wagon to
a* star in fraught with certain dan
gers. I had harnessed the Goldwyn
company to that steed, and my ride
had been anything but a smooth one.
Is it any wonder, indeed, that after
the various disappointments attend
ing my exploitation of ‘‘big names,"
I began to distrust the wisdom of my
course? Gradually there grew up
within me a belief that the public
was tiring of the star and a cor
responding conviction that the
emphasis of production should be
placed upon the story rather than
upon the player. In the poverty of
screen drama lay, so I felt, the weak
ness of our industry, and the one
correction of this weakness which
suggested itself to me was a closer
co operation between author and pic
ture producer.
In 1919 tills idea eventuated in an
organization for which I must claim
the virtue of absolute novelty. This
organization, undft the name of "The
Eminent Authors," included such
popular American writers as Rex
Beach, who assisted me in the de
velopment of my literary fusion; Mrs.
Gertrude Atherton. Mary Roberts
Rinehart, Rupert Hughes, Basil King,
Oouverncur Morris and Le Roy Scott,
t'nder the terms of my contract with
each individual of the group the
author was to come to Hollywood to
write in direct co-operation with the
Goldwyn studios.
So great was the publicity attend
ing this movement for the produc
tion of more inspired screen dramas
that the Famous PlayerB-Lasky com
pany followed our lead by organizing
a similar literary service. Whereas,
however, we had been content with
local talent, our competitors imported
their authors from Europe. Elinor
Glyn, Sir Gilbert Parker, Edward
Knobloek, Arnold Bennett—these were
the high spots in the rival camp.
When you consider that Gene Strat
ton-Porter and Zane Grey had both
been signed up by other California
producers and that ultimately Kath
leen Norris, Rita Weiman, and
Somerset Maugham joined the cohorts
of the pen, you will see why Holly
wood was temporarily transformed
form a picture colony to a picture
book colony.
Among all the literary names which
have impressed Hollywood tradition
that of Elinor Glyn is undoubtedly
the most spectacular. One evening
before dinner at the Fairbanks home
Douglas took me out for a walk
through his beautiful grounds. As
wa cajne' to the famous swimming
pool I caught sight of a woman
seated on one of the stone benches
and gazing pensively Into the water.
The evening sun caught 1b reddish
hair—whether these tresses are a
gift or an acquirement is often a
theme of speculation—and In girlish
folds of sea-green chiffon. And as
the woman lifted her eyes I saw that
these, too, were sea-green.
"That's Elinor Glyn.’ whispered
Fairbanks; "she a dining with us to
night."
Jn a spirit of great curiosity T be
gan my conversation with tha Circe
looking woman to whom sun and pool
and sea-green chiffon lent an atmos
phere unconscious. She was exceed
ingly gracious and cordial, but as she
talked I could not help making a few
inward observations on her manner
of speaking. She haa the trick, so
I found, of convincing you that her
voice is some faraway, mysterious
visitant of which she herself supplies
only a humble and temporary In
strument of escape.
For example, when she remarked,
"Isn't this pool beautiful?” It sound
ed like some lonely Buddha's pray
er echoing down through the ages
from the far heights of Tibet.
After the dinner was over our host
and hostess offered their customary
method of release from “the cares
that infest the day.” Pictures were
turned on. nnd In this case the selec
tion happened to be Mrs. Glyn's story.
"Her Husband’s Trademark,’ In
which Gloria Swanson took the lead
ing role. I can truthfully say that
never in my life have I enjoyed any
film so heartily. This was due, not
to the character of the performance,
hut to the temarks which garnished
Its entire unfoldment.
"See that frock,’ whispered tha au
thor eagerly as, sitting beside me, she
pointed to one of Gloria’* creations;
"I designed that gown.’’
Another second snd ah# was call
ing attention to the finish of a cer
tain setting. "Do you see that? An
fxact copy of my rooms In London.
Do you suppose they would have
known how to arrange a gentle
woman’s rooms If It hadn't been for
»rre?”
But there were other times when
this robust major of self congratula
tion shifted to a minor chord. "Ah.
how terrible, how shocking?' I heard
her moan several times. "All wrong,
all wrong—they’ve ruined that scene.
I might have known It. I was away
that day, you see."
Verily that evening the "silent
drama” renounced Its salient charac
teristic!
Apropos of this Incident, It may be
/nterstlng to learn that Mrs. Glyn
took the greatest personal Interest In
Miss Swanson. True, her first com
ment upon this screen celebrity, a
comment quoted uproariously by
many of the picture colony. Indicated
that she found Gloria lacking in that
subtlety which she considered essen
tial for the portrayal of her heroines.
If that comment was made and not
merely attributed to the author, her
later attitude to Mlsa Swanson would
seem to reflect the Joy of any creator
In the challenge offered by apparent
intractability of material. Be that
as It may, I am Informed that Mrs.
Glyn started In with a right good
will upon the task of guiding the
young actress In her literary taste,
her clothes, her deportment, and her
speech. .
During that summer when 1
first met Mrs. Glyn T hud n
house on the beach in Califor
nia. Here I did a great deal of
entertaining, und among these en
tertainments a dinner which I gave
for Nina Wilcox Putnam represents
the enthualusm with which Holly
wood took up the game of authors.
For Elinor was only one of the many
writers who mingled that evening
with the luminaries of screen and
*t«ge. That she was not the most
re ring of her craft Ja a statement
hound to he accepted Immediately
by those familiar with her talent for
being a dinner .guest. As a matter of
tact, Mrs. Glyn !« one of the irreatest
toclal assets I ever knew. Not only
qta / she b<> relied upon
wear the most exquisite «owns. hut
her narratives and her comments
usually keep n whole roomful of
people In an uproar of mirth
That evening I discovered that she
Is an ardent believer In the trans
migration of soul*, and her theories
regarding: the former bodily tene
ments of some of the individuals
present caused constant flurries of
laughter. I think her psychic in
quests began with Mrs. Kathleen
Norris. For a long time she fixed
upon this celebrated author a gaze
which Informed the rest of us how
completely she had retired into realms
where we could .never follow her.
Then abruptly, with the familiar ef
fect of a voice which had journeyed
far, far before It chose Elinor Glyn
for Its channel, she said :
“Now I know—centuries ago you
were a man—strong, valiant, resolute.
I see you leading your armies—
bravely you led a forlorn hope. Per
haps at the last they turned against
you—they stabbed you, who had
brought them to the heights of vic
tory."
\Ve had hardly convalesced from
this revelation of Mrs. Norris’ mascu
line and unfortunate past when the
psychic Boy Scout began to turn up
old trails in Charlie Chaplin's con
sciousness.
(Continued in The Monday Bee)
Doane College Notes.
Miss Mary Ellen Inglls,, director of
dramatic art In Doane, will play the lead
ing role of Aunt Mary In the presenta
tion of “The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary,”
which will be given at Sokol theater
March, 3. This play is being given by tho
Crete Axis club, and Miss Inglls is di
rector as well aa being a member of the
cast.
The Doane Players held their annual
banquet last night at the Cosmopolitan
hotel, Crete. Competitive tryouts for
Doane Players were held last Thursday
afternoon in the conservatory chapel, ag a
result of which the following were elect
ed to membership: Misses Mildred West,
Ruth Osterhout, Edna Carlson, Florence
Folda, Messrs. E. R Huffman, H. Tomas,
R. V. Buck, W. Thompson and N. M.
Wary.
Ellsworth P. Simondf, 1923. of Bellevue,
Neb., I* In the anti-aircraft section of
the United States army, stationed at Fort
Shafter, Hawaii. He has been occupying
clerical positions for the most part, and
enjoys the travel and new experiences.
Dean Myrtle DeCompte left Saturday
to attend the meeting of the National
Association of Deans of Women of Col
leges and Universities, which is being
held in Chicago this week. Miss J.e
Compte will attend a special meeting of
the deans of college dormitories, and ex
pects to have a very profitable time.
Elmer E. Huffman, 1927. of Aurora,
is the Doane college representative In the
state oratorical contest to be held in
Hastings March 1. Mr. Huffman s ora
tion is entitled “Glorious War." Miss
Mary Ellen Inglls, coach, and Miss Mary
.lane Tidball, delegate from Doane. also
attended the state meeting at this time.
Rev. Harry Thomas Stock, student sec
retary, and Mrs. Mayer Oakes, of the
Congregational headquarters, Chicago,
spent Wednesday In Crete. conferring
with the Y- M. C, A. and Y. W. C. A.
cabinets and In various meetings with
the student*. The cabipets were enter
tained at lunch at the home of Preel.
dent and Mrs. John N. Bennett, in honor
of the visitors.
Midland College Notes.
Miss Mary E. Markley, student secre
tary of the United Lutheran church, and
MisS Gorilla Hrodnax, traveling secretary
of the student volunteer movement, vis
ited Midland February 22. These secre
taries were Introduced at cbapel end were
very cordially received by the students.
Miss Markley gave a very fine talk on the!
true adventures of youth.
President J. F. Krueger preached In
Wichita, Kan.. In the church of Dr. K. K.
Ptauffer, former president of the college.
February 24, and In the church of which
Rev. Alfred Hell, a last year's graduate
of the seminary. Is pastor. In Hutchin
son, Kan., on Sunday evening. Dr. Krueger
remained. In Hutchinson over Monday eve
ning In order to show the people the
Midland college film.
Will Maupln of The Omaha Bee, for
mer labor commissioner under Governor
bhallengerger, gave a talk on Nebraska
to the commercial department.
Norbert Ziels will represent Midland at
the annual college oratorical contest to
be held at Hastings college tonight. The
title of hie oration Is “The International
Mind." Mr. Ziele Is a sophomore tn col
lege and comes from Nebraska City.
Today's Club Calendar.
P. E. O. CTiaoter M. 1 o’clock luncheon
on Saturday at the home of Mrs. F. A.
Broad well. Mrs. J. R. Hughes will assist
as hostess. Officers wl!» he elected.
Double
yNeVTmeans
double wear!
As the twig
is bent--the
tree is inclined
and likewise the feet of chil
dren. Nature’s design for the
foot is not to he improved
upon and any attempt to de
feat her usually ends dis
astrously.
PSTtNTtO DOWOtt wny
for the growing feet of the
children help rather than hin- ,
der nature. Nothing reveals
this fact more forcibly than |
does our present huge showing
of Acrobat High or Low
Shoes with their wide toes
and low heels, mounted on
specially selected sole leather
stock destined for many
months of hardest wear.
PRICES
$3.25 ” $4.75
Infants’ First Step Balancers,
up to size 5—
$2.50 *”d $2.75
DREXEL
Shoe Co.
"Th« Store of Good Woorina
Shoot’*
1419 Farnam Street
'
College Club Chairman \
Mrs. Jr. R. McDougall, chairman of
the press committee of the Omaha
College club, had charge of the Issuing
of the year hook of that organization.
Delegates Chosen Monday to
Enjoy Trip.
Among the officers elected Monday
by the Omaha Woman's clubs will be
six delegates to the biennial conven
tion of the General Federation of
Woman's clubs in Los Angeles, Juno
5 to 12. Mrs. John At*. Gill, who has
been appointed to take Mrs. Philip
Potter's place as delegate, will be tho
seventh.
Forty Nebraska women will leave
Omaha May 2S on this trip, transpor
tation arrangements for which have
been made by a committee under
Mrs. L. M. Lord, Omaha. Stopovers
have been arranged at Colorado
Springs, Santa Fe, Albuquerque.
At Colorado Springs, the travelers
will spend half a day in visiting
Pike's peak, the Garden of the Gods,
Cave of the Winds, and so forth. At
this town, the Nebraska car will be
attached to the Illinois special.
A morning in Santa Fe will give
opportunities to visit the governor’s
palace, with its historical collectioas,
while a two hour visit in Albuquerque
will be spent in visiting the Indian
museum In the Alvarado hotel.
The delegates will pause for a day
In the Grand canyon for sightseeing.
At Riverside, an hour will be spent
for lunch In the Glenwood Mission
Inn. They will arrive In Los Angeles
at 415 p. m.. June 1.
Return trip will be by way of Salt
Igrke City, Glenwood Springs and
Denver.
M is* Dahlman Entertain!).
Miss Dorothy Dahlman will give an
Orpheum parly on Wednesday eve
ning, followed by supper and danc
ing, at Brandels restaurants In honor
of Mr. and Mrs. George Storking.
( Adele Garrison ^
^ “My Husband's Love” ^
Mrs. Bird Made the Travelers Feel
at Horne.
As Mrs. Bird finished her ulti
matum to naughty screaming little
Roderick Harriet Braithwalle shook
my restraining hand from her arm
and started toward the kitchen door
of the house she had Just entered.
That she shared my conviction that
the punishment Mrs. Bird had threat
ened was eminently deserved by the
small culprit I was as sure as 1 was
that ehe would employ the same meas
ures under similar circumstances.
But my si^ter ln-Iaw possessed the
type of mind belonging, alas, to many
women, which has a Wind eye for
Justice when the discipline of chil
dren is in question. “Settle the
others, but don’t dare to punish my
child.” This Is the mental motto,
often Watantly expressed with which
teachers and other authorities are
only too familiar in this modern
day when "self-expression” has
usurped the place held by the old
gods of self-control and respect for
the rights of others.
"Harriet!” Her husband's deep
voice sounded with a note I never
had heard in it. That it was new
to his wife also I guessed when she
stopped abruptly and turned a star
tled face to his, now bending above
her, for he had taken two quick
strides after her. He put his hand
upon her arm ns I had done, but I
guessed that she would not find it
as easy to break away from his
grasp as to elude mine.
“What"—she began, but he gave
her no chance to finish.
“You must not Interfere," he said.
"You can tell by the woman's voice
that she will not hurt the child and
Roderick needs suppressing. If he
does not learn to keep still he may
endanger this whole expedition at
some inopportune moment. Beside*,
we must not offend this woman now;
eh. Madge?”
"She provide* the only haven we
have,” X said a bit stiffly, for Har
riet's unexpected sillinees annoyed
me. "And despite her loyaiity to
Mrs. Underwood she would not hesi
tate to tell us all to go away, if she
thought she was justified in doing
so.”
Our colloquy had been earried on
In a low tone, almost a whisper and
it was cut short by the sound of
Roderick's voice, subdued but wllh
an irrepressible not* of hope in it
"Yes, I see that soap,” he an
Hotel Rome
Cafeteria
The Beet That*8 All
• MARCH 1st
is DIVIDEND
DAY
• #
for PREFERRED
STOCKHOLDERS of
NebTd£kd S£jPdwef€.
next DIVIDEND DAY is
JUNE 1st 1
swered, evidently considering that he
would better take Mrs. Bird's ques
tions in successive order. "And I
know about it. My mother used to
wash my mouth out when I called
people names. I'm going to be good,
not Jump or slide nr call names.
May I havo another cookie?”
Kdwln gave an irrepressible snort
of amused masculine appreciation,
while I giggled outright, and even
Harriet’s sulky dignified mouth
twitched into a smile.
"Yes, after you have sat still on
that chair for a little while and
made very sure that you are going to
keep your promises,” Mrs. Bird re
plied with firmness, but we in the
sitting room caught the amusement
in her voice, and were not surprised
to see a little smile upon the lips
of our dauntless little hostess, when,
after a hurried low command to the
other children to remain in the kit
chen with Roderick but not to speak
to him, she came swiftly but with
dignity into the sitting room.
"Please pardon me,” she said ns
unconcernedly as if It were an every
day occurrence with her to discipline
with threats of soapy mouthw'ash
Ing a strange child who less than five
minutes before had been ushered into
her home. "I saw you come past
the windows, but I was too—busy—
for the minute to come in and wel
come you. I suppose you would like
to go to your rooms and after driv
ing In this air from the east end of
the island—I am sure you are nearly
ready for luncheon. If you will come
with me please.”
She led the way Into the hall and
across It to a wing Jutting out at the
side of the house looking toward the
gentle declivity at the hack which hid
the hay from us and screened on the
front side away from the house by
a magnificent hedge of evergreens
with an undergrowth of laurel, the
whole forming an impenetrable
screen. The main part of the house
extended farther to the roar. Thus
the windows of our apartment look
ed out upon a court, large enough, I
estimated instantly, to hold an ordi
nary motor car concealed from sight
of the road. Just why I should have
made such an estimate I did not
know, but I jotted the thing down In
my memory and turned to little Mrs.
Bird, who was moving quietly around
the rooms, raising shades and laying
out towels.
‘‘IIow far are you from the bay?"
I asked Interestedly.
"Not far,” she returned noncommit
tally. and then with her hand on the
door knob addressed me pointedly:
“When I have brought In the
children may I have a word with
you, Mrs. Grahiun?"
f-—\
Today's Gaieties
__/
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Drishaus will
entertain at a dinner-dance at the
Brandeis restaurants for 20 guests.
Jane Bliss and Kdlth Battler will
give a dancing party at the home of
Dr. Rodney Bliss for a number of the
younger school set.
Mrs. F. A. Rroadwell, a Delta Delta
Delta bridge party'.
Mrs. Bernice Meieryurgen will wed
Herman Swoboda this evening at
Kountze Memorial church.
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Lawrence
will entertain six guests at dinner at
Hotel Fontenelle preceding the clos
ing dancing party of the Sixty-six
Dancing club.
A bridge party will be given at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Reed,
followed by supper at the Brandeis
“Are You
an
Optimist?”
This Subject Will Be
Discussed by
Rev. Ralph E. Bailey
The First Unitarian Church
3114 Harney St.
SUNDAY at 11:00 A. M. |
__ . . l
restaurants In honor of Jack Peacock
who leave* Sunday for New York and
sails March 11 to spend the summer
and fall In Europe. Among those
who will be present are Mr. and Mrs.
MIJo Gates. Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Euberger, Mr. and Mi's. John Cald
well, Misses Krna and Peggy Reed
and Porter Allan.
The Alpha Phi sorority meeta with
Mrs. W. A. Willard. Miss Helen
Wall and Miss Zoe Schalek.
Mrs. L. I. Rockwell, ‘at tea from 3
to 6, in honor of her daughter, Mrs.
F. J. Bergers, a recent bride whose
future home will be at Ames, Neb.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Johnson will
entertain at dinner at their home.
The Alpha XI Delta luncheon and
tridge at the Athletic dub.
Mrs. Will Noble, luncheon at her
home In honor of Mr*. Carl ModUeici
of Denver, guest of Mn Clar^i'j
Spier. /•<
Mrs. Madaline Krug, luncheon kn
•her home In honor of Mrs. RobvJi*
Warner of Baltimore. Md., who Is t*
guest of Mrs. G. C. Winterson.
Mr*. K. D. Powers, wife of Colo
Powers of the army, bridge party. ^
Captain and Mrs. Love of
Omaha will give a bridge and mo
jong party In their quarter* at Foe
Omaha tonight.
The Kappa. Kappa Gamma lunch
eon with Mr*. Frank Randall.
Mis* Beatrice Jacoby will entertain
at bridge this evening for Miss Alice
Weber of Neola, la.
Little knitted wool Is seen in sports
clothes aside from golf jackets.
83£S8S£ WE$%Z I'lRi'S
A New
Mode by
‘Springtime"
A pronounced favor
ite with the discrimi- *
nating dresser. A crea
tion of unusual smart- T
ness.
—Patent leather
with black kid trim
mings.
^ —Black satin with
suede trim.
—S p a n i s h heel,
turned sole.
- ■/
STYLE WITHOUT 1519 1521
EXTRAVASANCE DOUGLAS ST
Special Selling of Style-Revue Models Next Monday
On Monday morning *< (hall diapoaa of all garment* exhibited during the
Herzberg-Rialto Style Revue at most pronounced price reduction*. This af
ford* you the opportunity to share in a most extraordinary apparel event.
Plan to he here. /
Those
t New
Straight
line
Coats
Smart simplicity is the keynote of
the New Spring Coats. Straight
line and flared models are offered
in such fabrics as Lambs Cloth,
Pompom, Flamingo, A r g e n t a,
Homespun, Larida, Striped Cam
els Hair and other new Coatings.
50
Solid colors, stripes, plaids checks
and block patterns are meeting
with equal favor.
The Herxberg showings embrace
all that is new and in favor. And
with stocks now at their very best
it is to your advantage to make
selections at your earliest conven
ience.
Fourth Floor *
Saturday—A Sale of
New Sweaters
s595
Fashioned of silk and mohair and
fine wool and silk mixtures. Styles
of the hour; extreme values.
Mandarin Style and Oriental Coats
Coral Honcydcic Navy
Tan Gray Orchid
SOLID COLORS AND PLEASING
COMBINATIONS. Every miss and ma
tron will want a jaunty new sweater
for spring, and here they are at $5.95.
Entrance Floor
^W—■ ■ . .W. y
{- . '
Saturday m Girlie Xook
Smart New Spring
Coats
For Omaha Girls
SQ75
—to—
SJ95O
New creation* are arriving
daily; the value* are most
attractive.
Smart plaid*. Cleverest of
sport models. Sizes for
girls of 4 to 14 years.
Bring the girl* in Saturday and
•elect their New Spring Coat*.
Girlie Nook -Fifth Floor.