Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-18

actly as they chose, but when I under
took to look after him, as did from the
start, they had some one else to reckon
with. Consequently, I was as popular
with his producers as hornets nest.
The following incident is TYPICAL
After THE Conquering Power" Rudy
left Metro to make 1.-THE Sheik" for
Famous Players-Lasky. And no one
who remembers Rudy need be told how
successful THE Sheik' was. Yet when
they offered him another contract it
was at the same old salary. They recog-
nized his ability, but weren't willing to
pay for it.
Rudy Calls Own Bluff.
The new contract was a flattering
one-in everything but salary. 1t in
volved the making of two pictures
'Moran of the Lady Lefty" supporting
Dorothy Dalton, and Beyond the
Rocks" starring Gloria Swanson. But
Rudy's salary, as I remember, was only
$500 and, knowing he was worth much
more, suggested the following plan:
It happened that Nine. Nazimova
was going to New York on business
and taking me with her. I suggested
70 Rudy that he go East with US and
discuss the contract with Famous Play
ers in their New York office before sign
ing up with them. I explained that if
he told Famous Players he had been
sent East by rival company he could
make a better bargain with them by
signing up then in the Western Office.
Stars on the coast were always kept
IN ignorance Of box Office profits, while
4 in New York they knew their value
and could make better terms.
Rudy agreed it was a splendid idea
and warned him that, before leaving,
he Tn1lcf mot on mar Famous plaVcfS'
Office.
BY borrowing every dollar we could
and leaving the family jewels on an
extended loan to '"'uncle," between us
we managed to scrape up the money
for his New York expenses.
The east-bound train left at noon,
but as the hour drew near I missed
Rudy. Where was he? grew wcr-
ried, particularly when I discovered he
wasn't Mt the station. But just as
the train was pulling out he swung
aboard, shouting triunphantly:
We've got plenty of money now for
this trip! I've just signed the con-
tract"
I gasped incredulously. Rudy pre-
Mr.. Lasky, who had heard Rudy was
leaving for New York, had phoned him
to stop at the Office on his way to
the train. Without a word tc me, he
had done so, and, in a moment of
cold feet lest he lose out altogether,
HAD signed up at the original figure.
But, Rudy!" 1 cried in exaspera-
zion, "you could have signed the self
same contract in New York if our plan
fell through. Why did you do it?"
But Rudy refused to have any re-
srets He gave me his usual answer:
well, I did the best could,
didn't -"
And so the trip East was purposeless.
Thrilled TO Love Nest.
That Autumn, 1921, Rudy and I de-
cided to buy the little house on Wedge
wood drive, Whitley Heights, that was
10 be our first real home tigether. We
had no definite plans, except that we
hoped to be married in the Spring.
by that time we felt sure his divorce
from Jean Acker would be granted and
hll would be well.
The cash paid down on the purchase
was almost more than We could scrape
together, but somehow or other we
managed it and agreed to worry about
Furniture later. We could sit on the
floor and eat of the stove. For the
moment we were deliriously happy.
At that time friend of Rudys was