The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-18

vice, and tnis undoubtedly re-
strained her from any reckless move
she might later have repented.
If John Gilbert had not come
into my life," she said some time
after. my American career would
almost certainly have ended abrupt
ly."
The M-G-M people wanted her to
follow UP her success in Flesh and
the Devil" with another "vamp"
part. This time, however, Greta re-
belled in earnest. She retired again
to her hotel. They sent for her. No
answer Days passed. For the first
time Greta definitely refused to
obey orders. Then the blow fell.
BY refusing the part that had been
allotted to her, the firm wrote, she
had automatically broken her con-
tract. From that moment her sal
airy would cease.
1t was really only a gesture, CAL
culated to frighten her Her friends
advised her to hold out. Stiller, pre-
occupied with his own affairs, could
not take the matter in hand, even
if his own relationship with M-G-M
had been friendly enough to permit
of his acting as mediator.
But Emil Jannings, a warm friend
and admirer of Stiller's, was a
tower of strength. From his own
wide experience, he gave Greta good
advice. She spent much time in
the Jannings household when she
was not at John Gilbert's, and be-
tween her and Emil's daughter,
Ruth, warm friendship had sprung
up.
A LII Hollywood, sensing some
L n thing amiss, now began to sit
up and take notice. It promised to
be a joyous spectacle! Floods of
articles began to issue from the
press concerning this mysterious
Swedish star who was so cratic
and incalculable. A creature of
moods!
There were tales about her start
ling behavior at John Gilbert's par
ties. There were wild speculations
as to the progress of the Gilbert
Carlo romance.
Greta was furious.
The struggle went on for seven
long months, during which time
Greta received no salary Once
again, however, Stiller quietly came
to her rescue. He could not himself
act as her ambassador in dealing
with M-G-M, but he could send a
trusted substitute.
There was in Stiller's circle at
that time gifted young man he
had met in Berlin. His name was
Erich Pommer. Graduating from
the business side, Pommer became
production manager for U. F. A. in
1928, and while Stiller was busy
arranging Greta's business with
Pabst and Mayer in 1925, Pommer
was directing Emil Jannings and
Lya de Putt in Vaudeville"
Pommer, with his mild, concilia-
tory manner, was just the man to
bring the temperamental star and
the nettled, management together
again. Gilbert had meanwhile in
PRODUCED his own man-of- business,
Harry Edginton, to Greta. Edginton,
with Greta's consent, drew up a
five-year contract. The firm yielded
on every point except the time
period.
Greta was to receive a much
higher salary than she had ever
dreamed Of; and she was to have
definite say in her choice of part.
Hollywood, always on the artists
side, rejoiced in Greta's triumph,
and the newspapers which had
spread pessimistic rumors about her
were just as loud now in singing
her praises.
TACK GILBERT once more was
~ cast for the role of Greta's lover.
Her first picture under the new con-
tract was an adaptation of Tolstoy's
Anna Karenina," rather prophe-
tically entitled Love"
Every one, at least, looked upon
the title as prophetic; for the wise
acres now saw no further impedi-
ment in the way of Greta's marriage
with John Gilbert.
But beneath this outward appear
ance of harmony, love had, in fact,
become altogether too much of a