The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-25


 Stratton first l advised. Intuition told me that this was best.
 Then say his new picture is all cast, Virgie. l didn't tell you last night because l thought 1t might be all talk, but I asked Tony Melville about 1t this morning and he said that he thought there was no chance of anyone getting in there. My dear, I am afraid Maud Samson has gotten in her work"
 Well, anyway, I am going to find out definitely" l felt my Fairfax courage and stubbornness in the as- cendent and l thank my grandfather for that heritage at least.
 Good for you, Virgie, go to it.
 More to take my mind away from my own affairs than anything else said to Kitty. Tell me about your part"
 Tt is a mighty good part in the script but Heaven alone knows what it will be when Tony gets through with it. A new author wrote the story and he won't dare say his soul is his own. Neither win hs know his brain child when he sees 1t in the release"
 But I thought authors are seldom on the sets. He will not know that any changes have been made until he sees 1t. will he. Kitty?" "Oh. this author is in the scenario department. But even at that Aeard Melville say to his assistant today He wouldn't allow the author on the set.
 "Nirsie. I think from what I know of pictures, that directors do not pay for stories or even ideas tha, they can use. They get the pro- ducers to buy ideas that will give them ideas. These ideas may be to- tally different, but that doesn't make any difference. They are satisfied tc put the authors name on them il they can put their own characteriza- tions on the screen. The only man who gets fair play as an author in this business, is the director, who writes his own stories and builds dp his own continuity.
 But 1 can find no fault with my part in this play. It is the best l | have ever had. And listen, dear: il is ah ingenue part" Why the sarcastic tone of voice 1 Kitty"
 You wait. Virgle, until you hear what the girls who are younger than I will say. when they find out that l am going to play the part"
 But you do look young"
 T am 19, with experience enough for S0."
 | With that sage remark Kitty ab- ruptly announced that she was going to bed
 couldn't sleep. l tossed all night The hours seemed interminable. got up right after Kitty left in the | morning, taking my bath and dress Ing myself carefully. l had to resort to little rouge, as my Illness had left me very pale. My last look in the mirror con vinced me I was looking particularly | well. l had grown much thinner and 1t was very becoming to me.
 Just before Kitty left she had | called to me: "Virgie, be sure and wear my new brown sport suit. YouIl find q pongee shirt waist in the mid ale drawer and you can wear your own brown brogues and woolen stockings. The hat and dress came home yesterday" Kitty laid the box on my bed.
 When 1 had opened the box I couid not resist the little sport suit and lovely hat with it's one long pheasant feather which curled around under my ear in a stunning new fashion.
 And that last glance in the mirror told me that Kitty had done her share toward cinching my job. But when l reached the office of the casting director and looked into his frozen face I was not so sure. T want to see MT. Stratton [ said, extending my card. He did not even look at it as he said; 'Will you give me your busi- ness?"
 The blood of all the Fairfax s boiled in me. MT. Stratton asked me to call. Will you please tell him that Miss Winston is here?" The man again looked me oyer from head to foot, but as his eyes came back to mine I gave him look for look and after second he turned on his heel and went into an ad- joining corridor.
 In short time he came back and said MT. Stratton is too busy to see you today"
 Monday-A Letter to Mir. Stratton.
 Copyright, John F. Dille Co.)