The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-22
A Chat With Eugene O'Brien

No MUCH unhappy criticism has N been given publicity recently in IS/ regard to the unfortunate af- fairs among the moving picture peo- pie in the West that I am very happy to have the pleasure Of inviting your attention for a few moments to an- other side of the movie people, the hero of my story being Mir. Eugene O'Brien, the popular matinee idol and moving picture star whom Mrs. w. Il, Kettig and l had the pleasure of meeting in New York just week ago today.
 Step from the corridors of un- wholesome parties" and drop in at Town House--the fashionable hos telry on Central park, west, overlook ing the broad expanse of that beauti- full vista--and enjoy with us for an hour visit with Mir. OBrien amidst his beautiful surroundings h4s apartment on the seventh floor of Town House with It's exquisite fur
 nishings and beautiful taste in every detail of the lovely home where. his gracious mother presides with sucn charming grace.
 His secretary, Mir. Cooley--one of Broadway's popular actors prior to the war and who during his service in France was disabled, spending a year in hospital and only recently recovering--bids you welcome and while awaiting the delectable MT. OBrien you have a chance to scan the harmonious surroundings.
 Mrs. Kettig. whose beautiful taste and exquisite talent for all the lovely things which make a home beautiful --her unusual talent for interior dec oration and everything pertaining to
 ceramics. paintings, tapestries and artistic things-unequivocal pro- nounced MT. O'Briens living room one of the choicest bits of artistic effect which she had ever seen---thus
 putting upon it the highest praise fo
 none Is more capable of Judging than
 she.
 Note the paneled walls In antique i ivory with holdings of old blue; an
 open fire burns cheerily in the big
 fire place over topped by a mantel In Gaaene stone; a Renaissance mirror
 is adorned on either side by antique
 metal sconces with crystal flowers, forming a mosaic in their cozy corner ] of the lovely living room.
 An antique table with carved benches of varying sizes are noted here and there about the spacious
 room while smaller ones are used in carrying out the Italian atmos- phere of the room exquisitely, A beautiful Kepple- white console
 was the one note of dissension in the 1 Italian decorative scheme, like a cluster of French tea roses tucked away in riot of gorgeous orchids
 and valley lilies.
 A painting just above the console expresses just the correct note of col- | or---in classic urn of f1owers--sug- gesting the decorative feature So fire quently used by Elsie de Wolfe and l other artists of her ilk.
 Vases here and there holding clust- l CTS of flowers added the home
 touch which Mir. O'Brien so loves
 and which his charming mother &C.,
 centuates with her sweet presence while wonder Is the grand plano | on which rests large photograph l charmingly framed of the President l of the United States, thus inscribed: | ITO my good friend Eugene OBrien with kindest regards and much ap- 1 preciation. from Warren Harding" l And into this lovely drawing room, which bespeaks the refinement and the culture of the man himself. steps 1 MT. O'Brien--handsome, charming, 1 debonar.
 After greetings" my eyes caught
 the sloughs of books in the low built
 book cases. and the tables holding Amy LowelTs latest book of poems; The Mirrors of Downing Street,;
 Lytton Starcheys "Queen Victoria; ; Madame Bovary of Flaubert's Three 1 Soldiers (John des Passos); Daisy Miller of Henry James. and my mind 1 was further made up about Mir. O'Brien's taste; this time In books
 while over nthe plano lay group of songs: "On the Beach at Otahai," The Short Cut to the Roses" or was | it melody of Chopins or a noe turne of Debussy's?
 What especially do you like in lit-
 eratureT I asked Mir O'Brien; his hearty hand shake and his beaming exuberant youth permeating the at | mosphere and giving that wholesome delightful touch which Is unmistak- able always.
 Here's my choice" said Mir. O'Brien laughingly, Ito make great literary reputation. isn't 1t? We'll must tell you that recently a very charm | ing newspaper girl came to get an
 interview and she asked me the same
 question you are asking. I saw that her eyes were riveted on my table and to my amazement copy Of l Vogue had attracted her attention. l I smuggled 1t cut as quickly as I l could and asked her not to think that