Evening star., 1936-05-19
INSTALLMENT xxx.


theaters were all alike: the audieces
were all alike; they laughed at certain
spots, grew restless at others; the
same shy girls were always waiting in
the wings to rush at Tamara and
breathe excitedly after the play: "Oh,
Miss Todhunter, you're marvellous!
And I'm going to be an actress some
day-at least that's my ambition"
Sometimes, waiting in her dressing
room between acts, there were news
paper women who wanted just gen.
eral story. you were born into the
profession, lucky you," they told Tam
frankly. Wasn't your aunt an az
tress? And your mother, too? Is
that sol"
And usually they added shyly:
''Would you let me just say something
about Mr.. Davis? OF course, every
one knows"
Then Tam would say simply. "If
you like to say that shall never stop
trying to get that. judgment re-
versed-"
mo. but tell me-" the reporter us
ually said with animation at this
point, after having made a brief note
to that effect, tell me, how do you
get started? I mean, they tell you
Hollywoods just crammed with girls,
and If you try to break into the legit
there are so many experienced-"
"Ah, it's a long road" Tam might
say thoughtfully, touching her smooth
cheek with q worn rabbits foot
But you just have to adore It'll"
enthusiastically.
mo, I don't know that you do.
Certainly. I never have. I haven't
gotten so very far: I make a good
living at It," Tam always said. But
some Of the great actresses never have
really loved the stage. There was an
actress my aunt played with in her
very first part, Georgia Cayvan, you've
heard that name? She said she never
loved 1t. And Fanny Kemble-that
might make an interesting note for
your article-Fanny Kemble always
hated ~"
The newspaper women never put
anything like that into their articles.
When the call, Miss Todhunter!"
took Tamara away from them they
departed with an unabate6 envious
murmur Of the life of costumes, parts,
the glory Of one-night stands and
extra rehearsals. And their inter-
views all ran one way. Tamara Tod
hunters fame and popularity, modest
as both might be, depended in part
upon her heroic, her romantic atti-
tude toward her husband. Stars
Firm Faith in Future Helps With
Every Role" the headline well down
on the theatrical page would be.
"Love of Husband Inspires Courage
In Players Heart"
In mid-December it was Sacra-
fnento again. Tamara hated the
town because of bitter old memories
that never would die, memories Of
Mayne staggering and self-satisfied
with Berman's wire in his pocket,
memories of her first sickening mis-
givings as to Mayne's love for her
self. She wrote the Governor gal
alantiy. asking for an interview. There
was no answer.
Gov. Coates would 60 to San Quen-
tin on the 10th. The 18th, the l7th
came: and still Tamara could not
manage her coveted five minute inter-
view. On one cold Saturday morn
ing she waited at the Capitol, he
might come into the big stony hall:
she might stop him. But that day he
didn't come at all, or If he did 1t was
after she had had to hurry away for
her matinee, performance. Early in
the evening SLly Martell came into
her dressing room.
It was almost o'clock Tam was
dressed, finishing her makeup. She
twisted about to look at him over the
back of her chair.
Billy. got your telephone mes
sage. What brings you up here, and
how are Ellen and all the infantry?"
Fine" Billy said.
you're coming down to us Christ
mas eve?" ...
"Oh, yes" Tam said absently.
"Billy, was it ON Georges business
that you came up here?"
Partly, guess. Yep. I wanted to
zee the Governor or to manage for
you to see him"
They make 1t terribly hard" Tam
said. We'll, it's close to Christmas,
and he's busy man. But I was
hoping could see him before he goes
down to San Quentin"
II saw his secretary today" Billy
volunteered and stopped. Tam turned
anxious eyes upon him.
"Whittell! What did he say?"
He wasn't exactly encouraging,
Tam. Not that he knows much, but,
Of course, he's very close to the Gov
ernor. He said that Coates always
made up his mind about things Of
that sort. Mrs. Davis seeing him
wouldn't affect him one way or the
other; he's not in the least interested
In women he said"
Tam's face famed.
Il wasn't going to fiirt with him!"
she said coldly. 1T was Just one
more thing that could try; I've tried
them all. George told me that Coates
was forlorn hope. but I thought
thought-being Christmastime-"
This ass Whittell says his desk Is
buried in petitions" Billy observed,
Il suppose So" Tamara's Jaw was
set and her eyes narrowed. well,
anyway didn't see him." she said.
''I waited at the Capitol today for
almost two hours. I'd sent In q note,
but he didn't come in. That's that"
will you see George this Christ
mas, Tam?"
"oh. yes. We go down to San
Francisco tomorrow to play a week.
After that I'm free unless I 20 back
to Hollywood. Christmas is Tuesday;
I'll go over and see George on Mon
day. dread it, Tam said under her
breath.
: "It's awful" Billy said.
"Oh, yes" she agreed quickly and
lightly, it's awfully hard! It's hard
10 find things to talk about. It's-all
hard. He's been simply marvellous ali
through; he would be. But 1t seemed
80 MA that fhn lacf f;,.> ~r..