Evening star., 1939-11-12

the industry to Jimmy is what he
calls "its breadth"
People think actors get on a set
and make a picture" he explained.
Goodness, consider all that hap
pens in the film and sound labora-
tories after the movie is finished.
It's a mechanical mystery.
Nor does the outsider know what
precedes the filming, the intricate
financial arrangements, the settling
and meshing of players and other
contracts. A huge organization is
required, too, to sell and distribute
picture"
The outstanding fault in the Hol-
lyWood scheme, he believes, is the
movies short-sightedness in not
training young men for the multi
tude of important jobs held by vet
Grams. Getting men for important
positions has been hit or miss since
the movies started and he believes
something out to be done about it.
wondered whether he had
brought this deficiency to the at
tention of the executives he meets.
Il haven't made any speeches
about it, if that's what you mean"
he laughed. I've just mentioned
it informally"
DO they agree with you?"
Sure, but they've got too many
other things on their minds to do
anything about it now" he said.
AS Sans fiscal agent, Jimmy says
he keeps the bank happy by look
ing after the details of Goldwyn's S
100000 banking credit, which
must be rearranged every three
months. He is also a consultant on
all contracts, whether they be with
actors or for the exhibition of a
picture or the purchase of a trac-
tor.
He admits he doesn't make any
important decisions because in a
one-man organization like Samuel
Goldwyn, Inc, they already have a
yes-and-no man. He believes he's
getting wider experience, being in
a small organization and so close
to the front Office.
He gets Is or 80 appeals a week
from people who want him to do
things for him in Washington. Here
is typical example:
A worker in the studio appealed to
Jimmy to help her divorced husband,
in this country on German pass
port, from being deported.
We'll, he was a Jewish guy and he
was scared to 60 back" says Jimmy
$50 1 wrote letter to ask what
could be done. The Department of
Labor said they couldn't handle the
case unIess he was related to an
American citizen. It therefore be-
came my unpleasant task to tell the
lady she'd have to remarry the guy
if she wanted him to stay here.
II have a heck of a time telling
these people, in a nice way, that ]
can't do anything for them. I can't
turn them down, even though it does
take lot of my time. Sometimes
my secretary has to work until
o'clock at night getting out this per
sonar mail"
In addition to being always acces-
sible, Jimmy's manner in other ways
is setting precedents. Like a gooc
politician, he never forgets a name
He rarely lodges an issue which
Hollywooders say, is rare enough TO,
comment. And another strange
thing (strange to HOLLYWOOD, he in
variably rises when his secretary en-.
tiers to take dictation.
Jimmy hasn't been active socially
He maintains bachelor home, since
his wife, the former Betsy Cushin,
of Boston, and their daughters have
remained In the East.
When he goes out, he is with 8
party, usually the Goldwyns', but oc.
casionally he has been seen with
Romelle Schneider, who was hi!
nurse when he was in the May.
Clinic. Romelle's sister, Phyllis, /,
Jimmy's busy secretary.