Evening star., 1935-12-08

less as wac: owing downhill, con-
sidered the subject grsvely.
"It is easy to say, Don't win
contest but if you come to Holly
wood cold you might as well stay
home" she said earnestly. Letters
of introduction will get you nowhere
at all. A contest will be handicap,
but you can outlive IT. At least, you'll
be given a chance.
IT didn't intend to enter my con-
test. The studio had asked two rival
colleges in Alabama to sponsor the
affair. and. naturally, it was mat
ter of honor to try to win for our side.
happened to be president of our
senior class. so it fell to me to handle
the affair.
Girls in our college refused to
enter, waiting for leader, so it was
suggested that I go into it to encour-
age them. I had no ambition to come
to Hollywood and didn't want to put
in my name, but neither did I care to
have the other college beat us.
when I announced my candidacy,
other girls rushed to enter their
names, too, thinking it the thing to
do because happened to be promi-
nent at the time.
when enough Of them had entered.
dropped out, but the others came to
me and said that If I withdrew 1t
would look as if ] were quitter. ]
couldn't take that, so I had to go on.
When I discovered that for some
strange reason had won the con-
test I was Mortified. My family had
never considered an acting career for
me. I already had scholarship to
go to law school, and my chief amhi-
ton was to become good, success
full attorney and run for Governor Of
Alabama in 1852.
"I wanted to drop the thing right
there, but the studio authorities lured
me on by saying I could fly to Holly
wood. I adore flying, so that tempted
me and I came.
"Then, arrived at the studio, I was
asked to sign a contract and promptly
refused, because I was set on going
to law school I was perfectly sin
cere, but now I can see the psyche
logical effect of my refusal I didn't
want to be in pictures, didn't I?
Well, they'd see about that!
"At length, at their increased urg-
ing, I yielded. I had always believed
that all good lawyers must be good
actors, so I said to myself: 7 may as
we'll learn now how to be q good ac-
tori! and signed the contract"
The director called her and she
drifted back to lighted balcony to be
wooed in synthetic moonlight by a
Lone Wolf" In the person Of Melvyn
Douglas.
IT think I have some tips for con-
test winners" she announced on re-
turning to her tiny dressing room. II
hope they'll be of some assistance to
them.
"In the first place, having won the
contest, arrived in Hollywood and been
photographed and perhaps even given
a screen test, it's time to stop and con-
slider. If you had bought piece Of
property, you'd see what you could
do to improve it, wouldn't you? Well,
you are piece of property now; see
what you can do to improve yourself.
II took lessons-in diction, In voice,
in dancing, in makeup, in languages,
in anything that heard Of that I
thought would make me more valuable
to the screen. I determined to do
whatever I could to be ready for my
chance whenever it should come"
Gail shook back the little ringlets
that turned her modern hairdress into
a most becoming old-fashioned coif-
fure.
1.-THE general procedure in studios
after a new girl is signed to a con-
tract" she explained, as to keep her
sitting around the lot for six months
doing nothing, or else playing extra in
AASS o%SAACS. - JO0 al q COhtCct WALL
ner and this happens to you, see what
you can do to make yourself into dra-
matte material.
IT was lucky in that I was given q
part early in my career, but my meth
Cd was much the same, anyway. Igo in
for very simple clothes. I can't afford
a great variety, so select simple
things that won't be easily remem-
sbered, so that I can wear them again
and again without seeming an old
story. wear almost no makeup, but
try to look well groomed.
1.-THE undiscovered girl should make
it her business to appear so that every
head in the place will turn and follow
her and every one ask: Who is she?'
Don't let any one tell you that
brains are not needed in Hollywood.
1t takes brains to be dumb, If your
ambition Is to be considered 'beauti-
full and dumb but. after all, that sort
Of girl is out of date. Be clever, be
brainy, be brilliant, II you can, but
don't jam your brains down anybody's
throatl"
(copyriRht. 1850 >I