The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-01

the virtues Of being timely. 1t
satisfies a popular demand.
But, most important OF all
theirs the personal advertising you
have had. I'm not trying to dis
count The merits of your play Miss
Burnham. You've an extraordinary
plot there and you've worked II out
very we'll. But the dear public, as
you undoubtedly know arc hero
worshipers. They like. particularly
to worship 2 woman. Remember
how they turned out for Gertrude
Ederle? And Amelia Earhart?
We'll. they haven't forgotten
that little shooting affair in Bos-
ton. ASK any man on the street who
Molly Burnham is. He'll tell you
quickly enough.
But the public is hckle. 1t
doesn't remember any one very
long. Men and women have starved
to death who once we're fayoriteS.
That means that We must grab time
by the forelock when we're banking
on transient popularity. Not long
ago Broadway went plumb crazy
over a certain hero. Today no
body would cross the street to look
at him. It's always the same. Your
name may mean something today,
but it won't be worth a nickel in six
months.
LAS a matter of fact, you've been
out Of the papers for some time
now. 1t might De a good idea 10
get press agent, and stir things
up bit
Red Flynn could do that" DC
clared Molly.
+ Yes. Reds good. He press agented
me for one season. Mr.. Durbin
smiled reminiscently. Used to
want me to sit on top of flagpoies
and wave flags Dragged me out to
Central park once, and had me risk
my life pretending to teach hippo
potamus to sing my old p-Hip-
Hurrah song. The hippopotamus
opened his mouth, and q camera
man tainted.
IANQ > NAt ivy ~ SbbAAA7s AZ Al
have YOU roller skating down Broad =
way to help Grover Whalen solve
his traffic problems. Or maybe he'll
think up some back -to-naturc stunt
Tor you. Once he wanted me to 90
into the Maine woods, and live on
berries and bark
Molly squirmed. Il couldn't do
anything very exciting" she con-
/ fessed. because my parents are aw-
fully ld-faShioned, and they've had
just about all they can stand al
ready"
/ oh, we won't ask you to do any
thing too bad assured Mr.. Dur
. bin. BY the way. I don't think
you're a very good business woman,
Miss Burnham. You haven't asked
anything about royalties
But anything you say is all
right" she exclaimed. I'm so hap
py to have you produce my play,
that nothing else counts"
MIR DURBIN smiled. I'll have
WI to be generous after that" he
declared.
Molly had no idea of splits or
receipts. Il don't even know 5''~
( difference between net and gross. -
she conf1ded. Anything will be
quite all right But could YOU give
me the vagueSt notion of how much
actual money I may get out of it?"
MI Durbin raised his eyebrows
We'll. there's Ann Nichols, he said
They say she's made a couple
million And then there are all the
plays the f1op-the countless. count
less failures. There's no telling
Miss Burnham. Maybe you'll make
some money. Perhaps a lot And
then again maybe you won't"
Well I'm thrilled to death any
how" she told him.
Historically gay. she telephoned
Jack from a booth in the lobby.
oh. Jack! Jack! Mr.. Durbin's 60
ing to take my play. Isn't that Won
derfuli"
But Jacks enthusiasm was tenn
pered.
That's fine" he declared. "How've
you been. Molly?"
oh. great I'm dying to see you
I've so much to tell you. Gee. Jack
In about thrilled to death. Isn't ii
Just too wonderful to be true
Il told you you'd make a career
for yourself" ne reminded hsr i
guess you're getting the breaks for
both Of us. honey
Aren't thing going we'll with
you?"
Not so hot, he told her MAYBE
my old girl will give me Job around
the theater"
Don't joke that way" she pro-
tested. "You know, Jack Wells,