The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-13

Here I am in Hollywood, the dream land
OF every performer-and l owe 1t all to
good old indianapolis. For years you have
stood by me, nursed me along. and helped
me to achieve the modest little success
that was directly responsible for landing
me this golden opportunity. want to
make good must make good, not for
myself alone but to justify the faith you
have placed in my meager attachments.
This time ! am here to stay-at least to
stay as long they will have me. You
may recall that I came to Hollywood in
April to make Blessed Event" which you
will soon see at the Indiana. "Gosh. /
sure hope you will like it'D Well it seems
the boys out here think / did all right, and
just why they would 1 am unable to say
But I have nice contract and
chance TO make good for you and Tor my
self"
I must confess that when stepped off
the train was unusually frightened
Hollywood the Land of Opportunity" and
it was up to me for was on my own. II
ever needed my Hoosier friends it was
then-with you out here to give me en-
couragement which you gave me back in
my pioneering days l would have felt
secure
When in indianapolis at the Ohio circle
and Indiana theaters. was Just novice.
often think of the days when I appeared
at the Ohio, and then was sort of pro-
NOTED with Charlie Davis to the big In
diana theater.
Ceremonies at the Circle. Just like my
arrival in Hollywood, l confess l was
frightened white. It was you then who
helped me over my timidity. shall al
ways be grateful for your kindness, your
solicitousnesS, and your friendly interest.
Unquestionably. you helped me to gain
| success in Pittsburgh, st. Louis, and other
cities.
In Hollywood
But now for Hollywood. Well, am just
like a kid here, not like fellow who has
come out to be an actor. can't feel any
thing but a tingllng excitement. l have
and tickled as any tiny youngster who sees
his fayorite screen actor for the first time.
The day I met Joan Blondell I was so
nervous I could hardly talk to her. 1 just
stood there and suffered and stammered
like a high-school freshman. When I
shook hands with Edward G. Robinson, I
simply stared at him. l could not believe
l was seeing this magnificent actor face
to face
And so it went for this beginner in
Hollywood. I wanted to see everything, do
everything all at once. I jumped into the
car and drove for miles and miles. I
passed every studio and stopped at each
the stars go through the gates and come
out again I was getting the kick of my
life and did not want to miss thing.
1 went to the Brown Derby for lunch.
gate. couldn't eat because I was craning
my neck so much staring at everybody
that came in and I followed them with
my eyes until they had been seated. The
fit back and forth between the tables to
pass a few words CT conversation.
at my table and say How are you Dick?
How's it going?" and then inqutCe about
my next picture and all that stuff. Gee,
I hope they do. | am going to try my
'darndest" to make it possible.
What Night
Then the night I went to Cocoanut
Grove where the famous movie celebrities
dine and dance. 1t was the same thing
there. Once more / was all eyes-and
besrea Doores Del RU and MANY obeTs
Pretty soon l found people at nearby
tables staring at me as much as to say:
Wonder who that hick is?" But I could
Of my dreams, and I was not going to miss
thing. didn't care what people
thought. or what they said. There wasn't
going to miss-snd I didn't.
Studio life was thrill to me. There
were mighty stages equipped to make back
grounds for my conceivable pictures. Hun
dreds of employees like busy ants were
moving to and fro Expert casting direc-
tors, sound engineers, scenic artists, make
the beginning of my first picture, Blessed
Event
It was on the lot that met Lee Tracy
and Mary Brian-and what lovely pair.
| Others cast in this picture included Ned
! Sparks. Emma Dunn. Frank McHugh, Alan
Jenkins. Ruth Donnelly. 1t took weeks of
arduous efforts to complete the filming
The next thrill was the screening of the
finished product, seeing myself in my first
picture Well. 1 hope that all my Hoosier
/ friends will see 1t and like it, too
y
indianapolis theaters today offer:
Divorce in the Family" at the
Palace, Howard ThurSton and his
magic at the Indiana, Bird Of
Paradise" at the Circle, and Back
! Ctrnntn of the AnOlln