The Washington times., 1938-01-31

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the evening.
That is, not until a motion
picture publicist approached the
Rupert table and said:
Colonel Rupert, Lou Gehrig
is a remarkable actor. Our re-
ports from Hollywood indicate
that he is the best of the base
ball players to invade Cinema
land. Why, he's so good that he
even has to act when he falls off
q horse -.
, "What?" stammered Colonel
Rupert. What? Lou falls off
horses?"
- "Only at a slow gallop," re-
piled the pl blicist.
The coloncl'S face blanched.
Indigestion seized him. His din
ner was ruined.
Barrow" he ordered crisply.
Barrow, send Gehrig a tele-
gram. Tell him to stop falling
off horses.
TAKE 1T EASY, LOU
1.-THE highest salaried player in
baseball, he sends back his con-
tract and asks for $4,000. But
he risks his baseball career and
his life in the movies tumbling
off horses.
Barrow, tell him one more
f"l and his salary will be cut.
Then, fixing an accusing
finger on the publicist, he de-
manded:
: Haven't they any doubles to
fall off horses for Gehrig."
why, Colonel Rupert, you
embarrasS me-" replied the pub
licist. "If the public knew that
Lou didn't actually fall off that
running horse when the ruStlers
shoot at him ...
'The public be damned" cried
Colonel Rupert, his evening a
shambles of wrecked anticipa-
tions.
THAT is, all but those who pay
to see the Yankees play ball.
he amended hastily.
What is Gehrig doing on
horses in the first place?"
Briefly, he is seeking color.
His jaunt into Cinemaland is
part of a program to build a
bigger and better, a more popu-
lar and colorful Lou Gehrig. If
this phase Of the adventure is
a success, Lou doubtless would
sacrifice the monetary rewards.
ALWAYS IN BACKGROUND
Despite Gehrig's tremendous
ability as a baseball player, he
was flat toned. He suffered from
a soul numbing. Silencing, in
feriority complex. He played Sec
ond fiddle to the overshadowing
Babe Ruth for so many years
that he accepted the role with
out question.
The passing of Ruth did not
end the tribulations of Gehrig.
He has a new battle for place
on his hands with Joe DiMaggio.
The cheers that should be LOUIS,
roll across the field when the
"Flailing Fascist" comes to bat.
Ruth overshadowed Gehrig,
yet helped him tremendously in
compiling great record. Ruth
helped Gehrig to earn remunera-
tive contracts from the Yankees.
But Babe never could get Lou to
think of money in terms COM
monplace to Ruth.
A story is told of the men
when both were holding out.
Ruth won his point and said to
Gehrig:
Stand pat on $4,000 kid.
You'll get it."
Gehrig went into conference
and emerged presently with a
smile on his face.
"Didja get it2" asked Ruth.
"You bet" said Lou. II got
the $4,000"
For one year?" asked Ruth.
mo, for two years." replied
Lou. IT got $4,000 a yaer."
REFUSED TARZAN ROLE
Gehrig refused the role of Tar
zan and chose the cowboy We
hicle to ride to movie glory.
There were reasons for turning
thumbs down on the Tarzan
matter. Imagine the merry
quips that would have floated
his way from rival benches and
enemy stands next summer.
It is difficult to picture Lou
Gehrig as the impulsive man of
action, shooting his way across
the screen in order that justice
may prevail. He has no in
stinctiye love Of battle. He is
Stolid and slow to anger. A
few years ago when Chapman
and Myers fought at Griffith
Stadium, nearly every man on
both teams rushed on the field.
ready for action. Gehrig sat
on the Yankee bench.
mot my fight" he said. LET
them get fined"