The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-11-03
Blessed Scandal
By THAYER WALDO
g. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

JAMES GIMBEL was to play op
- pOsite Hansen!
Swiftly spread the news through
Zenith that the great Swedish star
mad insisted on having him, and 1t ere
ated sensation. Nora Hansen and
James Gimbell A magic combine, this,
recalling the halcyon days when films
were vOiceless. Their screen appear
ances together then had been the su
preme movie thrill for millions.
But with bombshell suddenness,
sound came; in the first frenzy, Hol
lywood and its public alike went heart
and soul for the theatrical tones of
any ham who had ever spoken lines.
With Gimbels initial talking picture,
his voice was found lacking the dulcet
2urr of the new favorites. and audi
ences turned away.
Nora Hansen Jared better. Sur.
rounded by an aura of glamor and mys
terry, press agent-woven, she remained
sacred to her public. Two more silent
pictures she made while studying Eng
lish. and then her first talkie was re
leased. The rest is history. Over
night. wave of adulation for the rich.
husky voice with its foreign accent
swept her to new and Incompatible
peak of fame.
All this came to every ones mind
and lips with word of Climbers selec
ton. But there were few for whom
the thing held deeper meaning-who
remembered the hints of something
beyond professional interest 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? To Fiberg, the
producer. who had tried discussion
she had said:
For i've years you Gift me my ac-
tors-nine or ten different ones-and
| do not like any of dem. Now l shall
what-you-call-it - trough. Well,
show you he is still de best screen
lover of all"
Never in all her career. had Holly
woods eagerest gossips been able to
couple Nora Hansen's name with an
others. Until recently, Gimbel, too.
had been free of entanglements. A
year before, however. he had unex.
pectedly married his newest leading
lady while making picture. She was
almost an unknown in films.
Toward the actor Hansen displayed
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.
a change began to appear in Gimbel's
mood. Carefree ease gave way to ten.
sion and seeming passionate restraint
Suddenly, as the last week of pro-
duction started. Gimbel went to Ffberg
with surprise request.
81 want a twoday leave of alb
sence," he announced; "Pd rather, not
tell you why, but it's very necessary"
To the producers ears had come the
current rumors, and now he stared
quizzically at Gimbel. After a mo-
ment's silence. he said:
Maybe you know it, and maybe you
don't; but | was against putting you
in this picture-and 1t looks like my
bunch was right. They tell me you're
costing us plenty for retakes and over
time wages. Now you want to tie
everything up and take vacationr
The actor frowned with touch of
Impotence.
Just allow me these next two
days." he repeated, "and promise
you'll have no further cause for com.
plant"
Fiberg started to voice sharp re-
fusal, checked himself, and gave a
contemptuous snort
"All right" he said disgustedly |:
"get out-and take Hansen with you I"
Gimbel whirled about. startled anger
in his face. Then, slowly, the features
relaxed in a broad smile.
"a splendid idea| he exclaimed.
"I'll do that"
A brief notice informed the cast
and crew that shooting would be dis.
continued for two days. Immediately
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, unaccompanied, had
been seen arriving an hour before at
Big Buffalo lake, 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 distinc-
ton 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 brief
wait. the actors voice spoke In his
ear, sounding excited.
"Where's Hansen?" Fiberg queried
at once.
I'm my suite; why?'
you're firedp he shouted; fired
do you hear me? And If you don't
get her back here In two hours, I'll
have you arrested-Ill-"
A ringing laugh from the other end
cut him off. When 1t was somewhat
under control, Gimbel stammered
mirthfully:
Listen, you big stiff-it's a boy
an eight-pound boy!"
For one Mortified instant Fiberg
sought a memory of Hansen's lovely
figure; then the actor was saying:
Been expecting 1t for two weeks
ever since my wife came up here to
dodge the publicity-but we just ar
rived in time. And listen-Nora says
the darned kid looks like meP'