South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-20

Summerlad pictures were taken.
The working premises Jay behind
the administration building. But
here Lucinda noted few points OF
close resemblance 10 the CuIp stu
dos A filed several acres in ex-
tent. about half in turf, was sur
rounded by a stable village Of glass
rooted stages and structures housing
the technical and mechanical de-
psrtmbnts- Ia laboratory a custo-
mer's property, carpenter and scene
painting shops directors offices
dressing. projection and cutting
rooms. a garage, sheds 10 shelter
mOtor-cars and trucks by the score.
stables, a small nenagerie. a huge
tank for water stuff" a monoithic
hreproof vault Of cement for the
storage OF film.
Well Mrs. Lee: what do you
think of a California studio? Not
much like what you've seen back
east, eh?"
1T is most marvellous. If they're
all like this. I don't wonder people
are mad TO act in motion pictures.
If Mr.. Culp had promised me any
thing like this don't believe 1
should have had the courage to re-
fuse"
IT'S not too late to change your
mind. Mrs. Lee" LOntaine suggest
ed. In fact. II I thought there was
any hope you would, I'd go down on
my knees TO you. Oh, not TO act for
Culp, but for me: or rather, for
yourself as the head and the star of
your own company. No: I'm seri-
Gus. I've been talking with several
people today who want me TO try
producing out here. I can get un-
limited capital TO back me. This
country is crying for better pictures
and I know how 10 make them.
can bring TO the American cinema
the one thing it needs. a thorough
knowledge Of European methods.
There's only one thing makes me
hesitate. the lack of a suitable star"
Why pick on me?" Lucinda
laughed. I'm not even an actress.
"Ahi you forget I've seen you
prove on the screen what you can
do. You don't know yourself Mrs.
Lee. You need only two things to
make you great, a good director, and
confidence"
AREN'T you running a great risk,
making such fiattering overtures to
an untried. unknown amateur? %
Don't worry about me. If 1 had
any hope Of being able TO persuade
you 10 try il on. I'd tell you to name
your own terms. and shoulder the
risk without a murmur."
LOntaine's earnestness was so real
that one might no longer meet his
arguments with levity. There was
a strained look of anxiety in the
. blue eyes. a restrained passion of
pleading in the ordinarily languid
accents.
Fanny, too. was apparently hang
ing between hope and fear
And the thought revived that had
once or twice presented itself the
suspicion that all was not as well as
one might wish with the state of the
Lontaine fortunes, strengthening
the surmise that Lucinda's decision
meant more to them both than Lon
tame had confessed.
Still one hesitated to believe
But you can't be seriousl Do you
really want me 10 become a movie
actress under your management ?"
You can't think of anything
wouldn't do TO persuade you"
why not. Mrs. Lee - Summerlad
urged. 1t would be great fun for
you: and you can't fail. you can't
lose anything. If you only knew how
/ inferior most stars are TO you in
/ every way -
And if you should fail. Cindy. ="
/ Fanny chimed in-'what does 1t
maj ter? Who would know? 1t
wouldn't be you. 1t would be Lucinda
\ Lee"
No" Lontaine insisted: i've got
I better screen name than that for
\ her Not Lucinda: Linda Lee"
Come, Mrs. Lee: say you'll try 1t
on if only for the lark Of it"
IF ] should. Mr.. Summerlad. 1t
wouldn't be for fun"
( so much the better"
Then you will?" Lontaine per-
sisted do say yes"
Let me think ="
I ana why not 1uClHua dSheQ ncE-
/ self. She was alone in the world,
+ lonely but for these good friends
\ who needed her help. or seemed to.
/ II would be good fun, It would be
| interesting. II would satisfy a need
/ OF which she had been discontented-
4 " aware even In the days when she
had vet 20 dream OF leaving Bel.
/ And-even as Fanny had argued-if
she should fail and have 10 give il
/ up. who would care what had be-
\ come OF LINDA Lee
Very Well" she said at length.
with an uncertain srnile-"suppose
we try
XVII
TO tomorrow's morning star Of