The Coolidge examiner., 1933-11-03
JAMES GIMBEL was to play op
" nnSifa UanSen


Zenith that the great Swedish star
had insisted on having him, and it
created a sensation, Nora Hansen
and James Gimbel! A magic com
bine, this. recalling the halcyon
days when films were voiceless.
Their screen appearances together
then had been the supreme movie
thrill for millions.
But. with bombshell suddenness,
sound came; in the first frenzy,
Hollywood and its public alike
went heart and soul for the theat-
rical tones of any ham who had
ever spoken lines. With Gimbe's
initial talking picture, his voice
was found lacking the dulcet purr
of the new favorites, and audiences
turned away.
Nora Hansen Jared better. Sur
rounded by an aura 0f glamOr and
mystery, press agent-woven, she re-
NAMED sacred TO her public. Two
more silent pictures she made while
studying English, and then her first
tallie was released. The rest is
history. Overnight, wave of adu-
lation foI the rich. husky voice
with its foreign accent swept her
to a new and Incompatible peak of
fame.
All this came to every ones mind
and lips with word of Climbers Sc
lection. But there were a few for
whom the thing held deeper mean
lng-who remembered the hints of
something beyond professional In
terest between Hansen and her CO.
star in the old days.
But now. they asked, wasn't
there more than met the eye in the
stars demand for Gimbel?
Never in all her career, had Hol-
lywoods eagerest gosslps been able
to couple Nora Hansen's name with
another's. Until recently, Glmbel,
too, had been free of entangle-
ments. A year before, however, he
had Unexpectedly married his new
est leading lady while making a
picture. She was almost an un-
known in films.
Toward the actor Hansen dis
played a rare warmth of manner.
while he, In turn, seemed to regain
the dash and zest of former years.
Then gradually, as the numerous
love scenes were rehearsed and
shot. change began to appear In
Gimbers mood. Carefree ease gave
way to tension and seeming pas
sionate restraint.
Suddenly, as the last week of
production started, Gimbel went to
Fiberg with surprise request.
Il want a two-day leave of alb
sence.' he announced; I'd rather
not tell you why. but it's very nee
esSary.'
To the producers ears had come
the current rumors, and now he
stared quizZically at Gimbel.
Maybe you know it, and maybe
you don't; but / was against put
ting you in this picture-and IL
looks like my hunch was right.
They tell me you're costing us
plenty for retakes and overtime
wages. Now you want to tie every
thing up and take a vacation !"
The actor frowned with a touch
of impatience.
"Just allow me these next two
days" he repeated. "and | promise
yOn'll have no further cause for
complaint"
Fiberg started to voice a sharp
refusal, checked himself. and gave
contemptuous snort.
"All right" he said dlsgustedly f.;
get out-and take Hansen with
yOu :"
Gimbel whirled about, startled
anger in his face. Then. slowly,
the features relaxed in broad
smile
"A splendid idea ~ he exclaimed.
"T'll do thatl"
A brief notice informed the cast
and crew that shooting would be
discontinued for two days. lmme-
liately gossip buZZed afresh. and a
| hundred theories of the cause were
offered. All guessing. however, soon
ended. At ten that evening. news
broadcast announced that Nora
! Hansen and James Gimbel, unac-
cOmpanied. had been seen arriving
an hour before at Big Buffalo lake,
a mountain resort fifty miles from
Los Angeles.
Seated at home. Fiberg heard the
item and came close to apoplexy.
| All too well he knew the public's
distinction between spicy rumor
and bald scandal. Frantically he
phOned to Mile-Hi Lodge, the lakes
one large hotel. told his name, and
demanded TO speak with Gimbel.
After a brief wait. the actors voice
spoke in his ear. sounding excited.
"Where's Hansen?" Fiberg que
ried at once.
-"In my suite; why?"
you're fired" he shouted fired
do you hear me? And If you don't
! get her back here in two hours.