I Lost My Girlish Laughter
Page 9
JP
SIDNEY BRAND DECEMBER 11
SUPER FILMS
HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA
SENDING YOU AIRMAIL SPECIAL TESTS OF TWO MOST EXCITING POSSIBILITIES STOP I WOULD RECOMMEND BRUCE ANDERS LEADING MAN OF SINNERS STOP CRITICS WENT MAD OVER HIS PERFORMANCE STOP THINK CAN PERSUADE HIM LEAVE PLAY STOP STAGE SALARY TWO HUNDRED WEEKLY STOP AM SURE CAN GET HIM FOR THREE HUNDRED STOP OTHER MAN DAVID ABBOTT GOOD ACTOR BUT LACKING IN ROMANTIC APPEAL STOP ADVISE ME YOUR CHOICE AND IF YOU AGREE ON ANDERS LET ME KNOW TERMS TO MAKE STOP REGARDS
FRANCES
December 12
Dear Sidney:
I am very worried about report in papers that Mr. Gable cannot play opposite me. It makes me very triste. I cannot sleep any more because of this worry. Mr. Gable is so charming and so exactly what I want.
Please to reassure me that everything will be all right.
My fond wishes to your so charming wife and the little one.
Sarya
MR. BRAND: REMINDER CALENDAR
December 14
Anders test in projection room at 4. Unit advised. Palmer also will be present.
Mr. Dorn has telephoned repeatedly. Says most anxious speak to you about stables. Has excellent horse for sale. (Bud says horse a winner.)
Are you dining at hospital with Mrs. Brand tonight?
Tarn ill. Her doctor advises result of worry over picture. Shall we send flowers?
Rawley has sketches which need your okay. Have arranged appointment 5 o’clock.
Tussler and Skinner advise will have sequences you want ready by tomorrow.
Barber and manicurist appointment studio 6:30 tonight.
SUPER FILMS
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
To: James Palmer Subject: Tarn
From: M. Lawrence Date: December 14
Dear J. P.:
Sarya heading for a crackup. We no gettee Gable. She no gettee sleep. I suggested to S. B. we send flowers. He said send Palmer. So you see how you rate. Keep up the good work and who knows?
ML
FRANCES SMITH DECEMBER 14
SUPER FILMS
NEW YORK CITY
EVERYONE INCLUDING ME SHARES YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR ANDERS STOP SUGGEST YOU PROCEED ALONG FOLLOWING LINES STOP THREE MONTHS GUARANTEE THREE HUNDRED WEEKLY AND YOU WORK OUT THE REST OF CONTRACT WITH REGULAR SIX MONTH OPTIONAL PERIODS AT SMALLEST RAISES POSSIBLE STOP IF HE SQUAWKS TELL ANDERS WHAT NICE PEOPLE WE ARE AND HOW WE WILL TEAR UP CONTRACT IF HE BECOMES SUCCESSFUL STOP YOU KNOW THE LINE STOP IMPERATIVE HAVE HIM HERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS NEED HIM FOR WARDROBE AND MAKEUP TESTS STOP ADVISE ME TERMS OF CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING BUT MAKE EVERY EFFORT GET HIM STOP IF NECESSARY YOU CAN RAISE THE GUARANTEE FIRST PERIOD TO THREE FIFTY STOP REGARDS
SIDNEY
SUPER FILMS
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
To: Madge Lawrence Subject: Tarn
From: James Palmer Date: December 15
Dear Maggie:
I have Sarya in the palm of my hand. She has developed great faith in my powers as a publicist since I routed Carsons and ricocheted her into the cheering ranks. Now that is done when, oh, when are you going to let me break down some of those girlish defenses of yours and incidentally I think you are swell which is more than I can say for Sarya’s new leading man? He may be a good actor. I wouldn’t know about such things. But I think he is a stuffed shirt.
How’s about letting me show you some of those fine old Italian paintings of mine—any night?
JP
P. S. Sarya is sleeping good.
SUPER FILMS
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
To: James Palmer Subject: Reward
From: Madge Lawrence Date: December 15
Am arranging for D.S.O. medal for service under fire with Tarn. I am sure it must have been a trying ordeal to one of your polygamous tastes.
You mistake fatigue for girlish defenses. Though now that you bring them up, I shall attempt to rig up a few more to prepare me for those old Italian masters. Are you sure they are authentic? Incidentally and notwithstanding, I think Bruce Anders is elegant.
Maggie
SIDNEY BRAND DECEMBER 16
SUPER FILMS
HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA
I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY CLIENT BRUCE ANDERS OF TERMS OFFERED TO HIM BY YOUR NEW YORK OFFICE STOP FRANCES SMITH IS A NICE GIRL BUT SHE DOESNT TALK MY LANGUAGE STOP WHAT DO YOU MEAN THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS A WEEK STOP DO YOU EVER READ THE PAPERS STOP ANDERS IS WORTH EVERY CENT OF FIFTEEN HUNDRED A WEEK ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU NEED HIM AS BADLY AS YOU DO STOP WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR FROM YOU
HAYWORTH LORD
HAYWORTH LORD
LORD AGENCY
NEW YORK CITY
I AM UP TO YOUR TRICKS STOP YOU CANT FOOL ME STOP BRUCE ANDERS HAS NO AGENT STOP HE IS DEALING DIRECT WITH US STOP THIS IS ONE TIME WHEN YOU WONT BE ABLE TO HORN IN ON A GOOD THING STOP I AM LAUGHING AT YOU STOP REGARDS
SIDNEY BRAND
FRANCES SMITH DECEMBER 16
SUPER FILMS
NEW YORK CITY
HAYWORTH LORD ADVISES HE IS AGENT FOR ANDERS STOP IS THIS TRUE STOP HE REFUSES TERMS OFFERED AND I DONT DARE REPEAT THE PRICE HE WANTS STOP IT WOULD MAKE YOU SICK STOP DONT LET LORD TALK YOU INTO ANYTHING STOP I WILL DEAL WITH HIM DIRECT STOP WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE LORD STOP ARENT THERE ANY OTHER AGENTS IN THE BUSINESS STOP REGARDS
SIDNEY
STENOGRAPHER’S NOTEBOOK
December 16
Call Magnin’s and have nightdresses, negligees, purses and other gift suggestions sent to studio on approval. Check with Mrs. Brand’s salesgirl on her favorite colors.
Get catalogue various jewelers. S. B. wants exotic jewel for Selma.
Prepare list suggestions Xmas gifts for staff. Keep prices low.
Arrange purchase Xmas tree and talk to butler about digging up last year’s ornaments.
Check with hospital on condition Mrs. B. and baby.
Advise house Mrs. B. returning home tomorrow.
Prepare list of guests for Xmas dinner and check list with S. B. and Selma.
Telephone Mrs. B. at hospital for list of gifts she wants purchased to complete her Xmas list.
Remind S. B. tennis lesson tomorrow morning, 9 o’clock.
Remind S. B. check on availability Harold Burns.
SUPER FILMS
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
To: Roy Tyson Subject: Tussler-Skinner
From: Sidney Brand Date: December 17
Get after Tussler and Skinner and see what they have to go over with us. I’ve been looking for them all morning but I think they’re ducking me. Maybe they’re out Christmas shopping but I still want a script. Ask Madge to arrange appointment for conference as soon as you find out what bar they are in.
SB
SIDNEY BRAND DECEMBER 17
SUPER FILMS
HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA
SORRY ABOUT LORD BUT IT SEEMS HE ACQUIRED ANDERS AS CLIENT THE VERY DAY YOU WIRED ME TO CONTACT HIM STOP THE MAN IS WORSE THAN WINCHELL STOP HE KNOWS BEFORE YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT STOP AM LEAVING MATTER UP TO YOU STOP HOWEVER ADVISE YOU GET ANDERS AT ANY PRICE STOP HE IS GOING TO BE TREMENDOUS REGARDS
FRANCES
SUPER FILMS
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
To: Sidney Brand
copy: Jerry Freed Subject: Bruce Anders
From: George Beck Date: December 18
Have you realized that if we contract Anders, we will have two screen unknowns in the leads of Sinners? Is this a
dvisable? Have just learned that Gary Cooper may be available. Do you want me to try and get him?
GB
SUPER FILMS
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
To: George Beck
copy: Jerry Freed Subject: Anders
From: Sidney Brand Date: December 18
Cooper is not what I visualize now that I have seen Anders. He is perfect. I mean Anders. I have faith in the combination of Tarn and Anders and besides the public goes for new faces. Anyhow, the publicity we are giving Tarn is going to be enough to bring them into the theater. Besides it is Tarn we are selling and besides we ought to build up our own leading man.
SB
HAYWORTH LORD DECEMBER 19
LORD AGENCY
NEW YORK CITY
ASKING PRICE ANDERS RIDICULOUS STOP YOU ARE A ROBBER STOP AM WILLING TO SPLIT DIFFERENCE STOP MY TOP PRICE SEVEN FIFTY STOP ITS A GOOD THING YOU ARE IN NEW YORK STOP ADVISE YOU STAY THERE IF YOU WANT TO KEEP HEALTHY STOP ADVISE ME
SIDNEY BRAND
SIDNEY BRAND DECEMBER 19
SUPER FILMS
HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA
IF YOU WANT ANDERS YOU WILL HAVE TO CLOSE IMMEDIATELY AS HAVE OFFERS FROM TWO OTHER STUDIOS STOP ITS STILL FIFTEEN HUNDRED BUT IF YOU HESITATE I WILL RAISE THE ANTE STOP DONT YOU BELIEVE ME STOP TRY IT AND SEE STOP LOVE
HAYWORTH LORD
DAILY VARIETY
December 21
Bruce Anders has been signed by Sidney Brand to play opposite Sarya Tarn in Sinners in Asylum. Salary is reputed to be $1500 weekly. We believe it, because Anders’s agent is Hayworth Lord.
STELLA CARSONS’S COLUMN
December 21
I have it from Sarya Tarn herself, who was wearing the most beautiful beige suit at lunch the other day, that she is elated over the idea of having Bruce Anders as her leading man. Bruce is the young lad who scored so heavily in the stage production of Sinners in Asylum in New York. He will certainly be a welcome bachelor to the Hollywood film colony, but if my guess is right, he won’t be in circulation long. The Hollywood belles are particularly fond of men of his type.
SUPER FILMS
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
To: James Palmer Subject: Bruce Anders
From: Madge Lawrence Date: December 21
Dear J. P.:
You had better look to your laurels because it looks by the morning paper as though you’re going to lose both your girl friends. This Anders boy is already making a stir. And what is more ironic, my friend, is that you are hereby ordered to bestir yourself and see to it that the fans are aroused to a fever pitch of expectancy over S. B.’s newest “discovery.” I would advise you to cease dallying and let the dust accumulate on those fine old Italian paintings.
Maggie
SIDNEY BRAND DECEMBER 21
SUPER FILMS
HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA
HEAR YOU HAVE SIGNED BRUCE ANDERS STOP MY CONGRATULATIONS STOP LOVE
HAYWORTH
8
Holy Night! Silent Night!
December 25
Dear Aunt Agnes:
You are a dear to worry about me, but honest and truly I’m not lonely at all in my apartment and it is perfectly safe. There is a clerk on duty all night so that nobody can possibly annoy your niece even if they felt like it.
Santa has been wonderful to me this year and even though the sun shone brightly and it was good and hot, you couldn’t miss the fact that it was Christmas.
Hollywood is ablaze with Christmas trees and lights, because people here are very sentimental about the holidays and all the business men banded together and had a Santa Claus float parade up and down the main boulevard every night this week featuring different picture stars playing Santa, and bells and carols and everything.
I got simply gobs of presents at the studio. Mr. and Mrs. Brand gave me a half-dozen of the most elegant nighties you could imagine, all real silk, chiffon and lace. Of course, they couldn’t know that I don’t like nightgowns, but they will be very handy someday if I get caught sick and have to go to a hospital.
I hope you like your present and that you had a jolly Christmas.
Happy New Year to you, Auntie, and may all the good things you deserve come your way.
Love,
Madge
December 25
Dear Liz:
Says who there isn’t any Santa Claus and I’ll give him the lie. For there is a Santy and although his habits are of necessity a trifle modified, due to the fact that California fireplaces are decorative but chimneyless, he gets there! I ought to know for I woke up and saw him with my own two eyes. But I am way ahead of my script.
Yesterday, the eve before Christmas, I awake to a world sunny and bright with nary a Christmasy breath about it. It is somehow sad-making but I have no time for sentimental lapses and as usual bathe, dress and breakfast in three-quarters of an hour flat and by nine A.M. am at the studio gates.
Over the gate hangs a Christmas wreath and can this be Mack, the sour-faced guardian of the portals? For overnight his menacing countenance has juggled itself into something closely akin to sweetness and charity. But this isn’t the only marvel, for electricians, grips and office people hurtle across the courtyard, free spirits. Even executives are on hand early minus that nervous ghost-ridden look they usually wear. Jim Palmer says that Hollywood is a hant-ridden town; that everyone in the industry is stalked by shades of has-beens and unlifted options.
However, everyone is hantless today and only good will and cheer prevail. For when Hollywood takes time out to do anything but make motion pictures it is thorough.
I arrive in the reception room of the bungalow to find Amanda and Bud whooping with excitement over a shiny, elegant bar groaning under a magnificent array of bottled goods and glassware, all set for the afternoon’s merriment.
“But wait! But wait!” Amanda shrieks deliriously. “Wait until you see what’s in your office!”
Between them they propel me into my office.
I catch my breath in sheer wonder and delight. Beside my desk sprouts a tree, a tree cunningly wrought with silver, gleaming, radiant. I fall to my knees in front of it for there on a Lilliputian scale are beautifully carved figures of the Nativity. It is a gift from Rawley and the boys of the Art Department to Madge!
For the moment I recapture the same awed delight I thrilled to as a child. This is really Christmas.
The shrill ring of the phone recalls me. It is front office. A salesgirl from Bullock’s and a runner from the furrier’s are waiting there with a load of merchandise. We summon them and order the boxes moved in.
We are doing our Christmas shopping late. Mr. Brand with his customary disdain for time has yet to decide on presents for his wife and some other important relatives. I sign for three costly fur coats, a mink, ermine and chinchilla, and override the injunctions of the anxious runner by giving him my word of honor that we will make our selections promptly and return intact the coats we do not select. He, albeit reluctantly, accepts my signature and departs.
Bullock’s boxes yield a variety of impractical chiffon and lace nightgowns, negligees and whatnots, to say nothing of handbags, perfumes, luggage and cigaret cases. By the time we unpack and hang up coats and negligees, my office looks like a fille de joie’s dream.
The salesgirl is overawed by us. “Picture work,” she gurgles at me, “must be so fascinating!”
“Very,” I say. “You meet such interesting people.”
At this point one of them breezes in. It is the maestro himself and he is wearing a pleased, fatuous smirk.
“Good morning, all,” he calls. “Madge, bring in your book.”
At the same time he tea
rs off an eyeful of the saleslady, reducing her to self-conscious confusion.
Once I am in Mr. Brand’s office, the Christmas spirit fades and I take down some rapid instructions. There is a note to Casting, bawling them out for sending hams instead of actors for bit roles in Sinners. “My productions,” boasts the boss, “are always noted for their excellent casting of the minor characters and I can see no reason why I should hire hacks just because the casting department doesn’t know its business. I want faces that show character and acting ability for as little money as it is necessary to spend.”
Production is advised to submit breakdowns of the script and schedules for players so that S. B. won’t commit himself all over the place to actors.
This, I am thinking, is really a waste of breath for invariably S. B. finds himself obligated to actors for longer periods than we need them with the result that the Legal Department has to scratch around continually for legal outs on contracts.
Legal Department is then advised confidentially that Mr. Rawley’s work is not satisfactory and that S. B. will not take up his option. However, Rawley need not be notified until after the holidays. Harold Burns, the new art director, will be put on salary after the first of the year.
I feel a cold horror, for I am thinking that Rawley is one of the grandest people in the studio and certainly one of the kindest. How am I going to be able to look him in the eye when I thank him for the tree and the exquisite Nativity? It is as though I myself were playing him this scurvy trick.
The phone rings. It is some of the bosses at MGM and they want to be sure that Sidney will toss off a few of them this mad, merry day. Sidney is most amiable but when he hangs up he says, “Can you beat that for nerve? I sweat blood to get Gable from them and now they behave as though nothing has happened. That’s gratitude for you…pff…”