Evening star., 1939-07-23

llOtllulS, anu SIZE COulQ rely on MIN
for good roles. She still hesitated.
Mr.. Mayer went to Paris. And
thought that was that" says Greer.
But she didn't know Mr.. Mayer.
Two weeks later. he telephoned her
from France, said sadly, 1t seems
that you don't want a Hollywood
career" But I do," she assured
him. Then sign the contract" She
signed-but not until Mr.. Mayer
had used his clinching argument
the California sunshine will add
10 years to your mothers life"
Greer and her mother have been
lnseparable since the death of her
father in County Down, Ireland.
The pair were rushed to Holly
wood. They rented a little house
In Beverly Hills-and waited, and
waited, and waited. Then they
rented a large house. But that
didn't change the wait into work.
1T was the worst year of my life.
The agony Of waiting for a picture
made me physically ILL., Three doc
tors advised an operation that
would have kept me in the hospital
three months, with another seven
months IN a plaster cast. I said I'd
rather die first. And, if I had to
die. wanted to do it in England.
Two weeks before my years con-
tract was up, was told I would
play Mrs. Chips in England with
Robert Donat I said the Irish
equivalent for oh, yeah? I've heard
that one before Even on the boat
going home didn't believe it,
But she did when a barrage of re-
porters and cameramen gave a
splurge Of publicity about the girl
who had travelled $1,000 miles from
London to make picture In Lon
don.
They told her how good she was
as Mrs. Chips, but she was still
afraid to believe them. Louis B,
Mayer cabled her so words with as
many superlatives. She must rush
back to Hollywood, the message con-
cluded. The studio had great and
wonderful plans for her.
A1OOo 4~Ot NAlHu VAltlNk
Now That She Knows.
That was April" says Greer-but
without bitterness She has proved
herself-"and can now look at the
world-and myself-with unashamed
eyes"
ut was funny at the premiere of
Mr.. Chips" Greer giggles. THE
studio told me that, although I
would be unrecognized going into the
theater-I would be mobbed coming
out. No one recognized me coming
out, either-and am afraid mother
was little bit wistful about it,"
Until Greer Carson is camera-ized
in technicolor, she will not be mo-
Tested by autograph collectors. She
looks utterly different in real life
much more beautiful. You have to
see her red hair to believe it. It's
real, too. I know-because we en-
ploy the same hairdresser. And, as
for her green blue eyes-only tech
nicolor could do them justice.
Miss Carson started her acting
career at the age of 4-she recited in
public-"They Couldn't Get Me Of
the Platform" Her mother wanted
her to be a schoolteacher until Greer
said, THE stage or nothing"
Two seasons in stock were followed
by eight plays In London. She is
unmarried. Will marry only q man
connected with the acting profess
sion-"or he'd think I was crazy"
Refuses to give her age-"It isn't
because I'm ancient-but I will be
one day."
Her next film chore is Susan and
God"-and thereby hangs a funny
story.
Last year, when I was less than
dust, I went with a Metro executive
to see Gertrude Lawrence in the
play. After the show, I said, OF
course, Gertrude Lawrence will make
the movie I don't think so,' he
replied. I was furious, 1T would be
an absolute crime for any one else
to do It, told him."
P.S.-Greer Is reconciled to the
"crime."
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