The Washington times., 1922-07-17
FLO z|EGFELD
IS CHALLENGED
! BY MAR|[YNN
"saIly" Star "WilIing to For
felt a Dozen Jobs In Defense
, Of Pickford."
BY MARILYNN MILLER,
Star Of "saliy." T .

ny NAhAeAS1ANAN uAN
Star Of "saIiy."
copyright. 1924. by cosmopoiitan News
BOSTON, July III would
forfeit my present job with Flo
ziegfeld and a dozen like it in
defense of Jack Pickford. I'm
not afraid of Ziegfeld. There are
other stages and other managers.
But why should it involve my job.
Il doesn't. This is not matter
Of business. It's a matter Of Flo
Ziegfeld butting into my private
affairs. The issue is my right to
select a husband of my own
choice and not of Flo Ziegfeld's
choice.
Resents Meddling.
That comes pretty near being my
ewn private business and resent
any meddling on the part of my
mana ger or anybody else.
Since began to strike back at
Ziegfeld for his unwarranted, unfair
and unmanly attack on Jack PICK
ford, who within a fortnight will be
my husband. / have had people ask,
"but aren't you afraid Of your job?''
Job. fiddlesticks! What's a job
when the reputation and honor OIL
your husband-t to-be is at stake! FLO
ZieRfeld struck at the most sacred
element in my life when he attacked
Jack.
II hits at my domestic happiness
and future. Nothing can stand in
the way Of them.
When he called Jack Pickford a
traitor to his country he made one
of the most serious accusations that
one man can make against another
and he heaped on the burning Goals
when he tried to cast odium on JACK
about Olive Thomas death in Paris.
He has been too long in business
20 indulge in such serious charges
loosely. It was a terrible thing Tor
him to DO without the least TACT,
excuse or circumstance on which
70 base such charges.
Flo Ziegfeld holds my contract,
but he doesn't dominate my will or
personal liberty or rights. nor does
he control my talent. The contract
I made with him Is indefinite. 1T
binds Just as long as he produces
"Sally." II he decides, In anger
10 take Sally off the boards for
rood at the close Of this season, my
contract with him would end, but II
he did anything Of the sort he
would be the loser by 81 900 900 or
more and he's not likely to do it.
On the other hand, by the terms
Of my contract. he cannot stage
sally" without me in the star
role. That sums up our business
relations. I don't work for a sal
ary. My contract calls for 10 pei
, cent of the gross receipts. My
weekly share has fluctuated. II
has gone as high as $4,000 and has
averaged $500.
Her Friends Awed.
Friends, awed by the stand I have
taken, marvel that I should be will
ing TO jeopardize such an income,
But as said before, this controversy
does not relate to business or my lch
II II should happen, as result Of
future developments, shall not
worry.
I resent the insinuation that Flo
Ziegfeld made me. feel that what
ever talent I may possess was mould
ed by my own hand. Flo Ziegfeld
may have helped as did every mem,
ber of the company down to the
newest chorus girl. by their wonder.
full support.
But great as a manager may pe,
and there is none who surpasses Flo
Ziegfeld, in the last analysis IL comes
down to the individual. A manager
may surround a star with gorgeous
costumes and scenery and lighting
effects and spare no pains or ex.
pense in the completeness of a pro.
duction, but when the curtain rises
and you walk out there alone. its up
70 you and not to elegance Of settings.