The Washington times., 1936-02-19

ing. A hard worker, she deserved
every iota Of success she achieved.
While still in my twentieth
year, l decided to spread my
wings as . full-fIedged producer !
Of my own shows. Being only a.
yOungster, l experienced cOnsiCk
cradle difficulty in getting "a
theater. But finally managed.
And produced as my first show
"'CeptiOn Folds" in which the
glamOrous NazimOva starred It
was a hit-cOuldn't have been
anything else with her in it.
Later 1t was made into pic
ture under the title "Out Of the
Fog"
Before the United States en-
tered the World War, had been
spending q good deal fof spare
time learning how to- fly at a
small airport on Long Island. So,
when we declared waP, was all
set for the big show. That's the
way I regarded it tLlen. A lark.
A chance to use my flying ability.
More excitement than I ever had
known before. Daring most of
the war was Sta&ioned in Italy.
My buddies there, used to kid me
about being "thk Austrian Ace"
and say the KsAser was looking
for me to give me- q special decora-
ton. And all because I managed
to crack up five new Italian
planes in variotns combats. I prob
ably was the worst flier in our
squadron.
When the armiStice finally
brought tine curtain down on
this show i was sent to Paris on
my first and only connection
with things political. Was ON
duty there when President
Woodrow Wilson arrived for the
peace conference and was as
signed to his staff as one of our
Governments official repreSen-
tatiYes at this conference. They
must have thought / was an
embryo diplomat because / had
BEEN producer Of stage shows.
About that time Jesse L. Lasky
approached me with an offer to
become his assistant and general
manager Of all production Of the
old Famous PlayerS-LaSky COM
fpany. That lasted just a year
and q half. An argument with
LaSky caused me to resign and I
went to England again. London
was most hoSpitable in the way
it received the plays I produced.
AmuSingly, the critics invariably
made some mention of the Amer
ican producer who had attended
Oxford. Maybe that helped put
the plays over. In any event I
made some money. Then I took
a fling at being a motion picture
exhibitor. assuming charge Of the
entire P. T. c. circuit Of theaterS.
Three years later a chance
meeting with Lasky in London
resulted in my return to the
United States to resume my
former job as general manager
or paramount. That was in
1924, and 1 remained on the
the job for six years.
My next move was to the
Columbia studio as vice-president.
But a year later I resigned to
become producer for Metro
Goldwyn-Mayer. One Of my first
films was Garbo'S Queen Chris
tina" Jack Gilbert, as you prob
ably remember, was with her.
Poor Jack. He did a good Job.
But he was so tired in mind and
spirit that he refused to believe
the complimentary things said Of
his performance. II he had lis
tened he right have used that
picture as a stepping stone for
a complete comeback. Had a lot
OF fun doing Gabriel Over the
White House" in spite of the bar
rage Of criticism leveled at me.
Decided a little over a year ago
that I wasn't going to grow old
turning out pictures for some
body else. So in January of last
year left M-G-M and organized
my own company, Walter Wanger
Productions. Our ditribution is
through Paramount
Do you mind if take a few
lines to review our record
Louis? During the last year we
have built up q stock company
Of IL important players. Our
eleventh picture now is in pro-
ductiOn. The trade papers list
us as one Of the most impOr-
tant Independent units in the
industry. -.,.
Ours is the sort Of organiza-
tion that isn't afraid to take
chances. People thought we were
crazy to make Private Worlds"
a story Of an insane asylum. But
the picture made money. And it
brought into the front ranks Of
Stardom Charles Boyer, who for
several years had been knocking
on doors all over Hollywood.
Many also thought we were crazy
when we set out to make 1.-THE
Trail of the Lonesome Pine," an
outdoor story in natural color.
Because we devised a new method
Of handling color. using it as an
added factor rather than an ele-
ment to compete with the story,
I believe this picture will be one