New Britain herald., 1928-12-14
ONCE F0LLIES GIRL
 NOW 4 MOVIE STAR
And Betty nesb,n Ris6 to Deny
 Chorin6 Are Dumb"

New York. Dec. ll-Seven years ego. Betty Meehan danced in a Fol- lies chorus. In odd hours, along with other ''laiies of the ensemble" she boosted her income by playing extra roles at Long Island film fac- tory.
 Tho other day, Miss Elizabeth Meehan. who still could pas the meticulous muster of any music show producer, both for face and figure, came back to Manhattan with the prize scalps Of scenario-land dangling from her sinuous waist.
 Only few intimates had known that the Betty Meehan of the chorus was the Elizabeth Meehan whose name could be found on such super- productions as Beau Geste," "Sorrel and Son" and ''The Great Gatsby"; the same Elizabeth Meehan who had been selected to adapt to screen form, the great Conrad epic. ''The Rescue" and who now holds con- ferences with Fannie Hurst on the screen version of "Lummox."
 In other words. Betty Meehan, of the chorus, has become ono of the four or ftves outstanding scenarists of the moment. Which Is doing rather weE for choice and an extra girl.
 Miss Meehan. te the contrary, is quite astounded to find that anyone should consider her rise exceptional.
 Chorines Beautiful-Not Dumb
 "Oh yes. ] know that chorines have the reputation of being beauti- 1 full but dumb," she began. And, | perhaps. some of them are. But you'd be surprised at the girls you'll 1 find ill the choruses.
 There were six in the group to l which I was attached. and every ]! one of them. at this moment is a | success in one way or another. Some i married ricll men and some married ! prominent men: some were from ! good families and inherited money; 1 some becpn,e stars of the cinema | and the stage. The fact is that the l so-called ladies of the ensemble are | wise, even when inarticulate-they have to be. Hundreds of them drift f into the chorus by accident rather than intent. It's a stepping stone for them to something else and l they're op the watch for the big chance.
 ''In my chorus group were, for Instance, Billie Dove-whose Identity needs no establishment: there was Alta King. who married Edward Royce, the playwright and producer; there was Gladys Bowie. who now hasa fortune in her name and fig has fortune in her nams and fig Janet Magrue, who became | stsr Of the London stage; and thers was Emily Frainge. who married Lynn Overman. celebrated actor-writer.
 My own experience convinces mo that one has to make tho breaks to some extent. had been . pro- fessional swimmer. I came from Philadelphia and my first business experience was professional swim- ming meet .....
 Modelled, Danced, Wrote
 "When I came to New York, found that 1t was easy to get a job modelling for clothing concerns if you had . figure. It was then but step to the chorus. But I had al- ways wanted to write. Even then. wrote articles for Sunday news papers. but couldn't make . living at it. Most of the Foiliss girl had no trouble getting work as eftras in the pictures.
 "One day, n was waiting to TO on as an extra, the script of . scen- ario was handed mo to read. was interested in its composition and found myself studying the mechan- ice. When asked for a chance to help on the writing of . script they raised their eyebrows The idea an extra girl wanting to write a scenario! But worked on the story of ''The Great Gatsby" and things were different after that.
 'On the strength of that story and "Beau Geste," they sent me to Holly wood. And I've been going ever since"