The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-08-13
Tie HINlNG
TALEN7
. ELEANOR EARLY H&A' s sssy e. Ia

ally. But that's all right. I'll get a play
doctor at work on it. All plays are
pretty well doctored before we're
ready to put them in rehearsal. Then
they get a lot more doctored before
the public gets a look at them. Do you
want to drop around tomorrow. and
I'll get in touch with Hewins-he's the
chap we call in for diagnosis. Say IL
O'Clock. Will that be all right?'
oh. Mr.. Durbin, That's wonderful!
Perfectly wonderful
Molly had forgotten the dignity Of
haroques and black crepe.
You really. truly like it?' she de-
nsnded. You think it's honestly
Food?"
"Well"-the great man smiled
kindly-"11l be perfectly sincere with
YOU. Miss Burnham. Its a pretty good
little play. That is. it has possibilities.
Big possibilities, I should say. There's
a vogue right now for newspaper
plays. Crime plots and mystery
stories are going over big. So that it
possesses all the virtues Of being
timely. It satisfies a popular demand.
But. most important Of all, there's
the personal advertising you have had.
I'm not trying to discount the merits
Of your play. Miss Burnham. You've
an extraordinary plot there, and
you've worked it out very well. But
the dear public. as you undoubtedly
know, are hero worshipers. They like,
particularly, to worship a woman. Re-
member how they turned out for
Gertrude Ederle? And Amelia Ear
hart?
Wei they haven't forgotten that
little shooting affair in Boston. Ask
any man on the street who Molly
Durham Is. He'll tell you quickly
enough.
But the public is tickle. It doesn't
remember anyone very long. Men and
women have starved to death who
once we're favorites. That means we
must grab time by the forelock when
we're banking on transient popular
itr. Not long ago Broadway went
plumb crazy yer a certain hero. To-
day nobody would cross the street to
look at him. It's always the same.
Your name may mean something to-
day. But 1t won't be worth q nickel
in six months.
las q matter Of fact. you've been out
Of the papers for some time now. II
might be a good idea to get a press
agent, and stir things up q Bit"
Red Flynn could do that" declared
Molly.
yves, Reds good. He press agented
me for n season." Mr.. Durbin
smiled reminiscently. Used to want
me to sit on top Of flAgpoles and
wave flags. Dragged me out to Gen.
trail park once. and had me risk nv
life pretending to teach q hippopota-
mus to sing my old Hip Hip Hurrah
song. The hippopotamus opened hts
mouth. and . camera man tainted.
Reds = great boy for stunts. He'll
have you roller skating down Broad
way TO help Grover Whalen solve his
traffic problem. Or maybe he'll think
up some back-to-nAture stunt for you.
O-ce he wanted me to "a into the
Maine woods and live on berries ana
bark"
Molly sQuirmed. Il couldn't do any,
thing very exciting" she confessed,
because my parents r awfully old
fashioned, and they've had Just about
nj they q stand already"
"Oh. We won't ask you 10 do any.
thing too bad" assured Mr.. Durbtn.
by the way. ] don't think you're 4
very good business woman, Miss Burn.
ham. You haven't asked anything
about royalties"
But anything you say Ia all rightl'
she exclaimed. TIN "a happy to have
YOU produce my play that nothing else
counts."
Mr.. Durhtn smiled. 'lll have to be
generous after that" ne declared.