The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-16
CHAPTER v.
SHADOWS DARKEN GRETA'S
LIFE.

SHADOWS DARKEN GRETA'S
LIFE.
A S the train in which they were
L n travelling steamed out of
Prague En- route for Berlin, Greta
and Einar herman went to the res
taurant car. They had scarcely
seated themselves when a man sit
ting ut the opposite side of the car
riage became alert and stared at
them intently.
Greta, always was self-conscious
when any ones eyes are fastened
upon her, became so nervous that
she changed places with Einar to
avoid this impertinent attention.
When the stranger noticed that he
had caused her discomfort, he, too,
moved away. But that was not the
end of the incident.
In Berlin, the famous Ufa pro-
ducer, G.. w. Pabst, had recently
been commissioned by Franco
German concern, the Solar Co. to
make film. 1t was to be called
Street of Sorrow" and was based
on a novel by Hugo Bethauer, an
Austrian writer. The novel had
created something of a sensation. 1t
revealed with ruthless candor the
decline of girl of good family
through the poverty and wretched-
ness consequent upon the war.
Pabst had everything in readi-
ness. Only one important role re-
manned to be filled-that of the
young girl around whose sordid ad-
ventures the story revolved. And
this one deficiency was holding
everything up.
TINE part was an exacting one It
Il called for an actress with all the
freshness and charm of youth, but
with maturity Of feeling and tech
nique that comes only with expert
ence. He had seen only one girl he
believed to possess these essential
qualifications. She had played the
part of Countess Donna in COSTA
Berling."
Pabst knew nothing whatever
about the girl. He believed her to
be an italian and had no idea where
she was to be found. He had tried
in vain to get her address.
The Solar directors grew impa-
tent. Why all this delay? Surely
there were other actresses! But
Pabst remained firm Even though
he ran the risk of losing his con-
tract, he refused to start Street of
Sorrow until he had found the
ideal girl for his heroine.
Els hope was rewarded. The
stranger on the train had recognized
the mysterious Countess Donna"
AS soon as he arrived in Berlin, he
informed a friend and tidingS at last
got through to Pabst that Greta was
back in Berlin.
1t was already midnight when
Pabst received the age-too late
to do anything. Still, Pabst, in his
excitement, rang up his assistant
Sorkin and gave him minute in
structions to start on the search for
Greta at the earliest possible mo-
ment in the morning. Then for the
rest of the night he paced up and
down his room.
A S no one seemed to know where
L n Greta might be staying, 1t was
necessary to telephone all the prin-
cipal hotels in Berlin. They event.
ually located her at her old head
quarters, the Esplanade-and Stiller
did the talking.
When Stiller met his two young
proteges on their return from Con-
stantinople, he looked utterly
crushed and detected They drove
to the hotel in silence. His one
thought was of Greta. She had
trusted him, and he had let her
down! He must make her famous,
and thus wipe out the memory of
the Constantinople fiasco
Towards evening Sorkin succeeded
in getting a word with stiller, and
an appointment between him and
PabSt was arranged.
IF Miss Carlo is at liberty,
should like her for the part of Greta
Rumford in Street of Sorrow, was
Pabst's opening remark.
Stiller, however, had become cau-
tious. 1t was a case of "once bit,
twice shy" First he demanded to
see the scenario. Then he asked a
great many questions as to the So
far Company's credentials. Satisfied
on these points, he proceeded to
speak of Creta's salary. She must
be paid in dollars, he said. Pabst
agreed to this.
Eyes, Miss Carlo is at liberty
just now, and you can have her, if
you dare to take the risk. But I
must warn you that you are tackling
a stiff proposition. Beautiful pic
lures can be made of Greta Carlo
if you know how to make pictures;
but she can not act.'
DABST was struck with admira-
l. ton for this long, lean man. The